Hailey
I cannot say enough good things about this place. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing. The food was some of the best I’ve had. The spicy vodka pasta was so good and the perfect size. The flavor of the sauce, cheese, balsamic all worked together so well. The bruschetta was so fresh and the perfect way to start dinner. Service was great and attentive. Definitely recommend!
… moreEd Samprakos
Great ambiance. We ordered meatballs (appitizer) and bread. The meatballs were great (good sauce too), focaccia was meh, olive oil was excellent for dipping. For entrees we ordered seafood scampi and bolgonese. The pasta (homemade) was excellent and both entrees were great. Great overall experience!!!
… morePatricia Ordas
I really liked the vibe in this restaurant. We went for dinner, dining area was smaller than I expected but with the candles and dim lights gave it an intimate and romantic feel. I ordered the halibut which was great, we also ordered the vodka pasta with burrata which was okay, it needed a little more time to boil. Liked the caprese too. I’d come back and try more from their menu and just chill in their restaurant.
… morerlhoward3rd
Small dining room, quiet and cozy. Arancini, carbonara, daily ravioli (cacao e pepe filled) and scallops and butternut squash risotto all excellent. Wife has butternut squash risotto frequently and this was some of the best with great depth of flavor. Which can really be said for all the food we were served.
… moreJeffrey Lathrop
Roma in Portland, Maine sits in an older Eastern Portland building and feels like dining in a refashioned living room which was quaint, homey, and surprisingly comfortable. It’s the kind of place you want to linger, chat, and savor the moment. The room has a warm, lived-in vibe with soft lighting and tasteful decor that makes you forget you’re in a restaurant. It’s intimate without feeling cramped, perfect for a casual dinner with family or friends.
The wine list is solid. The Barbaresco was exceptional, elegant and full of character. The glass-by-glass Barbera held its own and paired nicely with a range of dishes. For starters, the Caesar Salad has a sweeter twist than I’m used to, but it worked nicely, and the meatballs were tasty and hearty.
The pastas were a standout. The vodka pasta wasn’t the classic penne version—it’s spaghetti cut with burrata, which added a creamy, unique texture that I really enjoyed. My wife’s seafood pasta was lovely, though she wished for a bit more seafood to let the flavors shine. Our son’s carbonara was fantastic, though he left wanting a touch more to satisfy his athletic appetite. His guest’s chicken parmesan looked as good as it tasted, and she didn’t leave much behind. For dessert, the cheesecake was perfect for two to share, light, smooth, and not overly heavy.
A shout-out to Mary, whose attentive and friendly service made the meal even better. Her warmth and professionalism added that extra layer of comfort and helped everything run smoothly.
I left impressed and the mix of a warm, inviting atmosphere and thoughtfully prepared dishes makes Roma stand out in Portland. The varied pastas give plenty of reasons to return and explore more. If you’re in town craving something cozy yet polished, Roma is absolutely worth a visit.
… moreMichelle Roy
Went to Roma Cafe on a Sunday night— we made a reservation and were seated right away (great!). We were told our server would be right over which did not happen. We sat there for over 30 minutes before we had to flag the waiter over to even order a drink. The restaurant was not busy- several tables were empty. The waiter and hostess spent more time talking with each other than waiting on tables. The service continued to be poor throughout the entirety of the meal. No one came to check in on if we wanted to order additional drinks or to refill our water glasses.
We did order the crispy brussel sprouts which were phenomenal however, that was the only part of the meal that wowed. The spicy vodka pasta lacked flavor and the sauce was watery and honestly disappointing. There are much better pasta spots in Portland with more attentive wait staff.
… moreB DiMartino
Multiple seating areas with different vibes but overall the vibes are relaxed but upscale. They provide excellent service and an even better level of refinement when it comes to the food. The chef is from Naples and provides wonderfully authentic flavors while offering modern americanized versions of meals. The overall experience is only rivaled by via vecchia and solo italiano in Portland these two locations having a totally different experience however. But choosing amongst the 3 establishments I would choose Roma every time!
… moreJaida Rahkonen
Portland has some really great spots but those spots are normally closed on my two days off usually. However, Roma Cafe is always open on my days off with no trouble at all getting a table. It’s very quiet and quaint..the service is nothing special..could be more personable.
The food is delicious however it does come out insanely fast which makes me wonder how much of it made to order. The portions on some the dishes are off. Some are over portioned and then some are under portioned. The ravioli special they had was delicious however, not very filling. This place gives a quick dining experience which is fine for some.
I appreciate the ambience this place gives. It’s full of beautiful interior decor, candle lit rooms, and an “at-home” feeling. Overall, I would recommend this place. I have been twice, and will come again! Thanks Roma Cafe.
… moresusan sanborn
We found the calamari appetizer to be a little on the spicy side. The meatball appetizer was amazing. And the bread service was excellent also. Five of us ordered the ravioli special. It was so tasteful and cooked perfectly. However, I thought the portions were very small. The sixth person ordered the eggplant Parm and it was delicious. Also just surprised it did not come with pasta that was extra.
… moreNora eldean
Had a wonderful dinner at Roma tonight . Delicious fresh pasta and sauce . I love their focaccia bread and Caesar salad too. Finished the meal with fresh made cannolis. Great neighborhood spot for a special meal .
… more