Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo

4.7

1735 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 14 times today

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

For over four decades, the Rizzo family has been serving authentic Italian cuisine in San Luis Obispo. At Café Roma, you can indulge in homemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, and fresh seafood. Don't miss classic dishes like Osso Buco with Saffron Risotto, shortrib pappardelle, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Inside Café Roma and you'll feel like you've been transported to Italy. From the vintage Italian bike hanging above the bar to the Murano glass chandeliers and Tuscan murals, every detail has been thoughtfully curated to celebrate Italian culture.

Pair your meal with one of the many wines on Café Roma's extensive list, which changes monthly to include new and exciting Central Coast and Italian finds.

Café Roma is a popular destination for locals, vintners, families, travelers, and professionals alike. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night spot or a gathering place for friends and family, you'll find it here.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Bistro, Contemporary Italian
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Sat 4:30 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(805) 541-6800
Website
https://caferomaslo.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Saro and Maria Rizzo
Catering
Planning is orchestrated by Café Roma’s owners, managers, and professional event staff. If you are simply needing food prepared for your special event that you plan to pick up from the restaurant and service yourself, please take a look at the Catering for Pick Up Menu at caferomaslo.com/catering.
Private party facilities
Café Roma has a variety of event spaces, including the Deruta Banquet Room (capacity 80 lunch/dinner, 100 reception), the Garden Patio (capacity 50), and the Sala (capacity 40). Spaces ideal for wedding rehearsal dinners, celebrations, memorials, company parties, and medical or financial dinners.

Location
1020 Railroad Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Neighborhood
San Luis Obispo
Cross street
Santa Rosa
Parking details
Abundant free parking in front of the restaurant.
Public transit
Free Parking
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

Martini Monday
Multiple dates available
Mon - 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Join us every Monday for Martini Mondays at our restaurant! Start your week on a sophisticated note with our handcrafted martinis expertly mixed by our talented bartenders. Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and relaxation as you sip your martini in our cozy bar. Make your Monday memorable with Martini Mondays – the ideal way to kick off your week with style. Cheers to a great start! All Martinis $10.00
Raid the Wine Cellar Tuesdays
Multiple dates available
Tue - 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Indulge in a little midweek magic at Cafe Roma every Tuesday! Join us in raiding the wine cellar for a heartwarming evening filled with half-price wine bottles, where every sip is like a journey to the vineyards of Italy and California. It's a perfect excuse to savor delicious cuisine, share laughter, and create unforgettable memories. Join us for this enchanting tradition that's bound to make your Tuesdays a little more special!

Popular dishes

Mediterranean Olives$6.00
Assorted Mediterranean olives (unpitted) in olive oil, lemon
Carpaccio$18.00
Raw beef w/ capers, light mustard, arugula and parmesan
Prosciutto e Burrata$18.00
Parma Prosciutto & imported Italian burrata with arugula
Mozzarella Caprese$16.00
Fior di latte mozzarella, tomato, basil & olive oil
Escargots$16.00
French style snails in garlic, shallots, parsley & butter
Calamari Fritti$18.00
Fried calamari with hot & spicy tomato dipping sauce
Steamed Clams$18.00
Sauteed manila clams in a white wine, cherry tomato sauce
Bruschetta$12.00
Crostini topped with tomato, garlic, basil and EVOO
Fried Mozzarella "Marinara"$14.00
With a San Marzano tomato sauce
Bread Dipping Sauce$5.00
Garlic, balsamic, olive oil and parmesan
Antipasto Cafe Roma$25.00
prosciutto, calabrian salami, speck, caprese, bruschetta, percorino cheese, roasted peppers and eggplant, olives

Salads

Insalata Mista$10.00
Mixed local greens, olive oil and vinegar
Insalata Bietole$12.00
Red & gold beet salad with blue cheese crumbles, butter lettuce
Insalata Café Roma$14.00
Greens mushrooms, mozzarella, salami, onion, peppers, garbanzos
Insalata Caesar$12.00
with croutons & shaved parmesan

Pizza

Margherita "Classica"$18.00
Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella (fior di latte), olive oil and basil
Burrata Prosciutto e Arugula$22.00
Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella burrata, prosciutto
Calabrese "Pepperoni" $21.00
Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella & spicy salami
Dolomiti Bianca$22.00
fontina cheese, wild mushrooms, speck

Pasta

Cappellini Pomodoro$18.00
Thin spaghetti with a cherry tomato sauce with fresh basil
Bucatini Carbonara$22.00
Thick spaghetti, creamy sauce with guanciale, pecorino cheese
Linguine alle Vongole$26.00
Linguine & sautéed clams with a red or white wine sauce
Lasagna Bolognese$24.00
House made with béchamel & Bolognese ragu
Tortelli di Zucca$22.00
House made squash filled ravioli with parmesan cream sauce
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina$22.00
Potato gnocchi with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce and basil
Ravioli della Casa$22.00
House made beef filled ravioli with a Bolognese ragu
Pappardelle with Short Rib Ragu$26.00
wide fettucine style pasta with wine braised short rib ragu

Meats & Fish

Filet Mignon$48.00
8 oz. prime filet with cabernet reduction & gorgonzola sauce
Veal Marsala$38.00
Sautéed veal scaloppini with marsala wine sauce
Chicken Parmigiana$28.00
Breaded chicken breast with tomato sauce, mozzarella, served with a side of fettuccine Alfredo
Osso Buco Milanese Style$38.00
Braised veal shanks served over saffron risotto
Scampi Piccata$32.00
Shrimp sautéed with wine, lemon, capers and linguini pasta
Salmone alla Griglia$32.00
herbed grilled salmon medallion with lemon butter sauce and garlic spinach
Pollo alla Valdostana$28.00
breast of chicken with prosciutto, fontina cheese and sage with a mixed mushroom sauce

Sides

Sautéed Spinach$10.00
Fettuccine Alfredo$10.00

Dessert

Chocolate and Hazelnut Cake$14.00
Chocolate cake made with cocoa, filled w/ chocolate & hazelnut creams and a hazelnut crunch, covered with chocolate glaze
Torta della Nonna$12.00
Pastry cream on a base of short crust pastry, with pine nuts, almonds and powdered sugar
Sorbetto di Limone$14.00
Classic Tiramisu$12.00
Sicilian Cannoli (2)$12.00
Chocolate Mousse$12.00
Spumoni Bomba$14.00
Ice cream in a chocolate shell
Classic Crème Brulle$12.00

What 1,735 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

California Central Coast
Best Value
California Central Coast
Neighborhood gem
California Central Coast
Italian
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Best Overall
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Best Food
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Best Service
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Best Ambiance
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Best Value
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Kid-friendly
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Good for groups
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Healthy
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Neighborhood gem
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Great for fine wines
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Great for outdoor dining
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Romantic
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Good for special occasions
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cafe Roma in San Luis Obispo is a beloved Italian gem known for its "fantastic food" and welcoming atmosphere. Guests rave about the attentive service and beautifully presented dishes like osso buco and veal Marsala. Perfect for celebrations or intimate dinners, its charming patio and extensive wine list elevate the dining experience.

1,735 Reviews

M
Michael
Philadelphia
22 reviews
4.0
22 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We enjoyed dinner. Food was good and service was fine. Prices are a bit high. Had a nice Caesar Salad. Some fun desserts. I enjoyed an excellent lemon sorbet. Noisy when we first came in but as dinners departed it was easier to converse.
Is this helpful?
J
John
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
awesome as always...Marco and his family have a great business and we love supporting them
Is this helpful?
T
Theresa
Central Coast
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Cafe Roma always hit's it out of the park. The following items were especially delicious: Escargot appetizer, Caesar salad, Veal Marsala and Panna Cotta.
Is this helpful?
S
Scott
Sacramento
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful restaurant. Definitely coming back. Five Star experience.
Is this helpful?
C
Corey
Denver
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The ambiance of this restaurant was lively and fun. The food was phenomenal! Fresh, not too heavy and simply delicious. We will definitely be back when we are in SLO again! Great service, food, and experience.
Is this helpful?
B
Barbara
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our first time at Cafe Roma. We sat at a high table in the bar. We loved sitting in the bar area. It was so charming. The server was friendly and efficient.we can't wait to go back.
Is this helpful?
J
Jocilynne
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our waitress was fantastic and the service was phenomenal!
Is this helpful?
C
Christopher
San Francisco
49 reviews
vip
4.0
49 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Our first time at Cafe Roma--we picked Cal Poly Parents weekend for a date night, not the best idea. However, there is good nearby parking which is uncommon in SLO. The evening was fun despite some overall chaos. Service was more professional than we often have in the Central Coast but still ended up being a bit distracted. Everything we chose was well prepared and delicious. The portions are large--maybe too large. We had Ravioli Bolognese and the Short Rib Pappardelle. Both had a ton of meat. We would have been happier with a somewhat smaller portion with a green vegetable to accompany. We will definitely return.
Is this helpful?
R
Robert
Orange County
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
If you love Italian you must eat at this awesome restaurant that is next to the train station. The food is amazing. Just be prepared for a big crowd and a bit of a wait even if you have a reservation. The manager does a great job of greeting everyone and remembering who is who in the crowd waiting to be seated but it would be a lot less stressful if they implemented an electronic check-in system and called names.
Is this helpful?
J
Jeffrey
Central Coast
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We miss Ristorante Italiano in Santa Cruz so much and now we've found something similar in SLO! Everything was super tasty, the service was great, and it was easy to get there and park.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo using the Order Online button.

Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo is rated 4.7 stars by 1735 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 14 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo

1020 Railroad Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Additional information

Cross street
Santa Rosa
Neighborhood
San Luis Obispo
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Sat 4:30 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Bistro, Contemporary Italian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Abundant free parking in front of the restaurant.
Public transit
Free Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Saro and Maria Rizzo
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://caferomaslo.com/
Phone number
(805) 541-6800
Catering
Planning is orchestrated by Café Roma’s owners, managers, and professional event staff. If you are simply needing food prepared for your special event that you plan to pick up from the restaurant and service yourself, please take a look at the Catering for Pick Up Menu at caferomaslo.com/catering.
Private party facilities
Café Roma has a variety of event spaces, including the Deruta Banquet Room (capacity 80 lunch/dinner, 100 reception), the Garden Patio (capacity 50), and the Sala (capacity 40). Spaces ideal for wedding rehearsal dinners, celebrations, memorials, company parties, and medical or financial dinners.

Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Martini Monday

Raid the Wine Cellar Tuesdays

Lasagna Bolognese

Caesar Salad

Bucatini Carbonara

Starters

Mediterranean Olives$6.00

Carpaccio$18.00

Prosciutto e Burrata$18.00

Mozzarella Caprese$16.00

Escargots$16.00

Calamari Fritti$18.00

Steamed Clams$18.00

Bruschetta$12.00

Fried Mozzarella "Marinara"$14.00

Bread Dipping Sauce$5.00

Antipasto Cafe Roma$25.00

Salads

Insalata Mista$10.00

Insalata Bietole$12.00

Insalata Café Roma$14.00

Insalata Caesar$12.00

Pizza

Margherita "Classica"$18.00

Burrata Prosciutto e Arugula$22.00

Calabrese "Pepperoni" $21.00

Dolomiti Bianca$22.00

Pasta

Cappellini Pomodoro$18.00

Bucatini Carbonara$22.00

Linguine alle Vongole$26.00

Lasagna Bolognese$24.00

Tortelli di Zucca$22.00

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina$22.00

Ravioli della Casa$22.00

Pappardelle with Short Rib Ragu$26.00

Meats & Fish

Filet Mignon$48.00

Veal Marsala$38.00

Chicken Parmigiana$28.00

Osso Buco Milanese Style$38.00

Scampi Piccata$32.00

Salmone alla Griglia$32.00

Pollo alla Valdostana$28.00

Sides

Sautéed Spinach$10.00

Fettuccine Alfredo$10.00

Dessert

Chocolate and Hazelnut Cake$14.00

Torta della Nonna$12.00

Sorbetto di Limone$14.00

Classic Tiramisu$12.00

Sicilian Cannoli (2)$12.00

Chocolate Mousse$12.00

Spumoni Bomba$14.00

Classic Crème Brulle$12.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo restaurant rated?

Is Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information