This is some of *the* best pasta I've ever had. EVER. HAD. And I've eaten a lot of pasta. I love pasta. I make it at least once a week. I come from a family of pasta lovers. My husband always takes me out on our anniversaries for pasta. That's how much I love pasta. So when I say this is some of the best pasta I've EVER had, you'd better stop browsing the Internets right now, and if it's between 5 and 10pm on a tropical St John's night, get your pasta loving self to Cafe Roma right now. Because I'm not coming back to St. John's anytime soon. And I think it is now my sole mission in life to tell everyone else about it. That's how good it is. When you get there, note all the awards on the wall, and then ask for Kim. If she's available that is. She's a phenomenally warm server that will go out of her way to answer every last question that you might have, with a gigantic smile for every time you wave her over. Ask Kim to bring you some sweet ginger and lime martinis, which she'll do with another dazzling smile. Look around at the other patrons, and notice that the portions are ginormous. Make mental note to share one appetizer and one entree with husband. Also note that there's a large open trashcan in the dining room right outside the kitchen delivery window that is being used by servers and bartenders alike. Be slightly grossed out. Receive another smile and more local knowledge from Kim as she comes back with your drinks. And while you're slurping that strong beverage down, order the tomato mozzarella loaf. When that arrives, with the basil and balsamic vinegar baked into the buttery crispy yet super soft bread, stuff it into your mouth and thank sweet Jesus that you are alive at this moment, specifically because you get to taste this momentous loaf. Use your fingers to wipe up the last drops of the vinegar. And now you wait. And suddenly, you smell it, seconds before it arrives, steaming and cheesy and spectacular. The Penne Florentine a la Roma. Spinach and mushrooms baked into an amazing sauce, that the chef has specially spiced up to "jalapeno spicy" for you. Spoon some out into your mouth and try not to fall on your knees in rapture. Eat even the pieces that fall onto the table and the extra napkins that Kim brought, just in case. Try not to cry when the owner comes out of the kitchen to ask how the food was. Order the made-in-house chocolate cake. Dip a finger into the mousse like frosting. Devour the generous portion. Pay bill. Shake hands of Kim and chefs in the kitchen. Tell them you love them. Waddle out. And come back and tell the world how much you love them. read more

Decent little place upstairs. Sat down and got the waitress (tall blonde girl) over to ask some menu questions. First was could I just get the seafood manicotti with ONLY SHRIMP AND LOBSTER. I don't like mussels, scallops and whatever else was listed. She told me "no". My first thought was is this reallyyyyy not freshly made where ingredients could be added or removed? This was a $31 dish, that she warned, "was very small" . So then I went to the next item under that which was a seafood Alfredo. I asked if all the same items, mussels, clams, sect could be removed, and if I could do lobster and shrimp on this. She responds she can make it with "only shrimp". I asked" no lobster?? Even if I pay?" Answer still "NO" hell even if I go to Olive Garden, they make it they way you like it!! Which by the way, is way better over all and cheaper. So I just say ok , let me get this with shrimp only. Then my plate comes out and it's Alfredo WITH MUSHROOMS IN IT" UGH HATE MUSHROOMS!! So I pick them Out, and when she comes out to ask if things are ok, I say "There's no mention of mushrooms on the menu" A few minutes later the chef comes out menu in hand, to point to the back page where only Alfredo is listed. I say, that's not the item I saw and showed him the item, where it as NOT listed. I know his intention was to show me up, but that backfired as I pointed out the lack of description in that item. No sorry or anything. On the GOOD NOTE THE SAUCE WAS REALLY GOOD, AS WERE THE SHRIMP!! My mother ordered the bouillabaisse, requested angel hair pasta , which was on the ticket but she did not receive. The sauce had no flavor but shrimp and scallops were great. My fiancé got the chicken Parmesan . There was a big plate, the sauce looked thick, and he said it was good. So over all food was decent, took us asking for bread to get it, and food was not too bad, so service was probably biggest downfall. read more

The atmosphere is like walking into a classic pizza joint. Had a Caesar which was actually the highlight of the meal. Then had a subpar fettuccine Alfredo. My rating is solely based off the meal and experience I had one time. Could be a hit or miss place. Definitely a miss when I went. read more

This was the very worst meal I've had EVER! First of all, there was only one other couple in the place on a Saturday night. We ask the waitress what was the matter that no one was there and she said everyone was on St Thomas for Carnival so we bought that. The truth is that THE FOOD IS HORRIBLE, tasteless and cooked to mush. I think the eggplant Neapolitan was something taken from the freezer and dumped on spaghetti that was broken into tiny pieces. It had absolutely no taste Even the cheese had no taste. Two big spoonfuls didn't help. The pasta was cooked with no salt. Another thing the bartender looked like he hadn't seen the inside of a tub in quite awhile The waitress was very nice however. This place makes Olive Garden look like a James Beard winner. Do yourself a favor and put your money away. There are too many great restaurants on St John to waste your money here. read more

Cafe Roma - CassC - Italian Near Me - St. John, Virgin Islands

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I am not usually a fan of going out for Italian food but this felt like a nice change from the typical island fare. First, the waitress was great - when my daughter asked if they had chocolate milk and she said no she felt so bad she ran across the street and got some for her. Super! The space is tight and I would try to get a seat next to the window if you can. The food was solid - good Italian, not North eclectic style, more of a southern red sauce, solidly made. read more

First of all - this place was one of the best meals we had during our weeklong stay. The restaurant itself is a good size - about 15 tables with a small bar. Our waitress was great, very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials and what were the chef's favorites. We started with the stuffed bread appetizer and a salad for 2 (there were 4 of us) and this was plenty of food. Entrees - seafood manicotti / blackened chicken & shrimp fettucine alfredo / seafood alfredo / chicken picatta. We all "sampled" each others entree and they were all delicious. The seafood manicotti was probably the best (chef's favorite) but all four were great. We knew were in for a good meal when we walked in the door and were greeted with the smell - hard to describe - but it just smelled like you were in an Italian restaurant in NYC. I had read the review about poor customer service from early July before we went...and I must say...the customer service was absolutely perfect. No complaints. read more

This Italian restaurant has some bomb food!!! My family and I decided on some Italian for dinner and this seemed to be the only Italian place on the island. We loved our dinner, the service was great no complaints. I ate the Rajun Cajun pasta which was said to be a local favorite. I can see why. It was sooooo good. Omg. The whole table agreed I had the best dish. The others got the meat lasagna. That was delicious as well, cheesy, saucy and piled high. We didn't get the chance to try their pizza but it smelled and looked really good. They make fresh dough! A woman who I believe to be the cook came out twice to check on us. I have never experienced that before. She was great. You can tell she puts her heart into her cooking and truly cares what her guests think. Cafe Roma had that "eating grandmas cooking" feeling. I would definitely recommend to others. read more

First off and foremost, the server was excellent... [ blond guy pony tail], beyond his service everything else was Meh... arrived while the place was rather empty, however it did fill up quickly as its a tiny room. We were a party of 3 two adults and a baby, restaurant does not have any high chairs... odd considering the next table to arrive had two babies and were seated next to us on a banquette. Bartender even commented on how they never had one... but by the time we left more babies had arrived...its a family destination island... My wife had the three cheese manicotti with seriously very very little seafood inside, for $30 it was a complete rip off, I had the antipasto appetizer and the spaghettini and meatballs, the antipasto was generous in portion, but i just didn't like the presentation all stacked up on a fresh greens foundation [ thats no criticism on the restaurant, just a personal viewpoint on the presentation]. The meatballs however were very bland and tastless, the pasta cooked al dente was ok. Honestly that seems like a dish you really should be able to count on to be reliable, but the really dark sauce [ maybe one ladel full] was a sorry tastless mess] two meat balls... seriously...3 Had to ask for bread, a 1st for me in an Italian restaurant. $109 later and I had that feeling.... that it was money wasted. Meh. read more

Our pasta was soggy and bland. Took a few bites and had to walk away, waste of $50. The server was very friendly though.

Great dinner! Really enjoyed the ambiance and the food. Had a personal pizza and scallop special. Happy to say the scallops were perfectly seared with and excellent caper sauce. Pizza was well cooked, crispy on bottom, melty on top , with the ingredients fresh and local. Give Cafe Roma try!!! read more

Tried the paella - the rice was over-cooked, seemed like some very old things were thrown in like dry right-out-of-the-freezer shrimp, rubbery chicken legs and whatnot. But then again it's an Italian restaurant that's serving Spanish food made by Americans on a Caribbean island so... one can't have too high of an expectation really. I live in NYC so understandably I may be a bit more particular about the food but if you're an older average tourist who can't tell the difference between old bad paella and fresh authetnic paella, this place does well with it's friendly atmosphere, ambience, and great servers. Food's aite.. Just enjoy it for the aesthetics! read more

We got there right when they opened to order pizzas. Took over an hour to get the pizzas and they tasted very bland. No flavor or spice. Don't recommend going here. read more

So rare review but felt the need to send a message to the owner. Last night we showed up and left given it was so hectic. Tonight we showed up and it was nice and quiet. We ordered and food was great. Pasta was great and pizza exceeded expectations. Issue...service. Server was busting his butt and very nice but no chance to handle the whole floor. One server for 10 tables was just not enough (same thing we saw last night). Lot of people were left wanting for better service. 2nd server and this place gets 5 stars from me for St. John. read more

Came here last year during thanksgiving when a new owner had just bought after the hurricane. Great experience last year and was excited to go back as soon as we came again this year for thanksgiving. Fast forward twelve months the nice young lady is no longer there and seems to have new ownership. This time my lady ordered a large with pepp half mushroom half banana peppers. They messed up the topping put mushroom on the whole pizza. Not a big deal I'll eat the mushroom but when we got back to our hotel to grab a piece the dough was stuck to the cardboard box cause the pizza was undercooked. Also to top it off the male bartender that is about 5 feet 9 inches tall dark hair was on some coke on steroids and was geeking out the whole time. So sad to hear the young lady is gone it was actually a good place last year. Do yourself a favor and grab a pizza from one of the bars I'm sure they will get you a normal pie that is edible! read more

We have been here twice and have enjoyed wonderful service and a wonderful meal both times. Everyone is attentive and friendly. The servers are knowledgeable about wine and they have a quite a good selection. We always find plenty of options for dining and especially like the chicken Parmesan, the tiramisu, and the Caesar salad. Can't go wrong here and sometimes it is nice to escape into an air-conditioned spot that is hundred percent out of the elements. Keep the spot in mind for when it rains! read more

Good tiny Italian place in St. John. It is not NYC little italy, but pretty solid for island food. A nice mid week meal break from conch fritters and pain killers. The chicken parm is always a good choice. read more

Open until 10? Not so much. Shame that two parties of seven prevented them from making any additional meals when we attempted to get a table at 8pm. Well, that's what we were told. read more

A local gave us Cafe Roma as a recommendation and we were not disappointed with our meals. Pleasant setting above the Longboard, no outdoor seating, red and white checkered tablecloths and friendly staff. Each dish is made to order so it's not fast food. We had penne santori and Gorgonzola chicken. The penne santori is a baked pasta dish with sausage, ricotta, mushrooms and penne , soo good. The chicken was cooked to perfection and so flavorful with the creamy sauce over cheese ravioli. Ask for a spoon because you'll not want to miss a drop. Chef Marilyn came out to each table to greet guests. She truly is a treasure and tremendous at her craft. It's a little piece of Italy in St John. read more

This place is beyond amazing! Tyler was super attentive and super friendly! Oh, and did I mention the food is to die for?!?! This place is a must visit! read more

We come down to St. John every couple years for vacation, and this is one of our favorite restaurants on the whole island. The food is delicious and the owners are so nice! It has a cozy vibe with cool artwork on the inside that makes for a nice break from the loud outdoor patios at most other restaurants. The pizza is delicious and fresh. The salads are also really good, with greens from a local island farmer. Can't wait to come back and visit soon! read more

Incredibly friendly staff and the food was fantastic but then have no idea what a normal portion is. Prepare for left overs the next night. X man even liked it. read more

My wife and I dined here last week and were so disappointed. We basically paid $45 for cheese. Ordered the seafood manicotti, which is described as the following: Three Cheese & Seafood Manicotti Hand rolled manicottis stuffed with lobster, sea scallops, crabmeat and a blend of ricotta, gorgonzola, & parmesan cheeses. Topped & Baked in a lobster sherry cream sauce. Garnished with fresh asparagus. We received nothing of the sort. We received cheese manicotti with two microscopic pieces of seafood in them. 3 wilted asparagus on top, a truly sad dish. We both agreed we should have only ordered the garlic bread with mozzarella, that was the only good thing we ordered here. read more

We are here our first night on the island. We were looking for a place that was open late so we could eat dinner. A local suggested this place, so we took his advice. The food was good, but it took a while to make it to our table. The mango sangria was pretty yummy. My husband had the chicken Alfredo and I had eggplant neapolitano. It was good. I would eat here again, but it's a little pricey. read more

Fantastic food!! We ordered the caprese salad, veal Marsala, Rajun Cajun and ordered a pizza to take with us for the next day! The food, atmosphere and drink selection are all amazing. I was surprised at how many choices of wine and the prices are incredible. The owner is very nice. This place is a must if you love Italian food! The portions are huge! Best meal we had during our entire vacation, we stayed in St. Thomas and the Ferry home after a great meal was a perfect ending to a perfect meal. read more

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Waiter staff fantastic . Food not so good. If Roma is to survive they need better food fresher ingredients and most important a NEW CHEF. One that knows how to make great italian food. Sauce tasted out of a jar. Vegetables seemed frozen . I'm very much upset that I paid so much for a dinner. A Olive Garden restaurant would have been much better. read more

If I could put no stars, I would. Absolutely terrible! Sent all of the food back. Appetizers were OK, but beyond that, no good. Sorry. I would not recommend going here for dinner. Can't get that horrible taste out of my mouth. Yuk! read more

Amazing pizza and pasta! Some of the best Italian food I've ever had. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good restaurant in St, Johns read more

We stopped here for dinner one night on our spring break- one of our travel companions was craving some good old fashioned chicken parm. This was clearly NOT the place to go. The three of us all made the awful mistake of ordering the chicken parm- which was hands down the worst chicken parm we have ever tasted- the sauce was extremely watery and contained unidentifiable seasonings that you would not expect or EVER want your chicken parm to be seasoned with. The sauce had little to no flavor and seemed as though it was 95% water. The actual chicken was an extremely thick piece of chicken- which was NOT fully cooked and pink inside- It also was not breaded- which is what you would expect in a traditional chicken parm. The pasta that came with the chicken was equally disgusting and inedible. Other than the awful chicken parm we ordered the cheesy garlic bread for an appetizer- which was covered in flour, extremely dry and seemed as though it came out of a microwave. We also ordered the Bruschetta which was so full of garlic it made our eyes water and we could not eat it. Don't waste your time or money eating here- there are plenty of other better restaurants on the island!!! read more

MEDIOCRE FOOD, BAD SERVICE!! We arrived at 8 and waited about 10 minutes to even speak to a waiter to be seated once we were seated it took a good 20 minutes for someone to bring us a menu. Once we ordered it took at least an hour for our food to arrive and the waitress forgot to get our drinks. The staff seemed preoccupied talking to friends at the bar (who ordered at got their food within 15 minutes). The food was mediocre once it FINALLY arrived but I might have just thought so because I had been waiting at least an hour. They were super understaffed. read more

Cute little Italian place on top of a diner. We enjoyed the unique appetizer that was basically a loaf of italian bread stuffed with slices of mozzarella, tomato and basil then drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Caprese salad was also pretty good. The service was also good but unfortunately the place wasn't as clean as I would expect for a restaurant. We sat at a window seat and there was about 1/2 inch of dust/dirt on the window sill which kinda grossed us out. Also the seafood manicotti was just okay - it had a bit too much oil and cheese on it...it totally overwhelmed the dish. read more

What a suprise to find such amazing food in a cozy environment! We were given a local 'insider tip' to try Cafe Roma and it was the best food we at during our stay on St. John. Everything was phenomenal - from the appetizer to the warm bread to the main dish. We opted for seafood pasta dishes but the aroma from the pizza was tempting as well. Our server, Anna Marie, was excellent. She was extremely attentive and made the whole dining experience fun. The owner even came around several times to see if we were satisfied!! When he wasn't checking in with customers, he was tossing dough in the air or behind the bar or laughing with the staff. Overall- this was by far our best dining experience on our vacation and we will be back!! read more

This little place, one block behind JJ's Texas Coast. Go up the stairs and there is the nice place (and even has A/C). This place has become our favorite place to go for Italian since Romano's closed on St Thomas. They have great pasta dishes at great prices. This place has good wine for the price, probably the cheapest I have seen on both islands at a restaurant I have not yet had their pizza but I hear it is good. We sat at the bar and I had the Fettechini Ala Roma and Shannon had the Penne Primavera Marinara. Of course we shared along with a bottle of Montes Merlot. As always they give you such large portions, we had plenty of left overs for another meal! This is one of the great things about Cafe Roma, leftovers, as many restaurants here serve small portions. Our bill with tip was only $83, a good value for the Virgin Islands! They do not take reservations and are only open for dinner. read more

Cafe Roma - Large Pasta Dishes! - Italian Near Me - St. John, Virgin Islands

Awful. Not worth the money. The food was terrible. No one finished their meals. Most expensive pasta ever.

Thank you cafe Roma! Excellent pizza! Amazing calamari and shrimp! Most delightful entertainment (thank you Tyler!) friendships made for a lifetime! Sincerely, Walter and Crystal read more

This was by far the best restaurant in st John in my opinion. All made to order. Service is terrific. I can't say enough!!!

The food was great and the service was excellent! If you want to be entertained get a seat near the windows. Or if you have brought your children you might want to stay away from the windows (you never know what you might see). read more

Just a nice little friendly place to grab a pizza or some Italian food. They do need to upgrade the bathroom facilities though!

Good Italian food. If you're looking for good food with A/c... this is the place. Service is great and vibe is fun.

The food was delicious!! The staff was so nice and friendly! It is a cute little place upstairs and it is a great place for great Italian food! read more

When on St John, My husband and I always make Cafe Roma one of our first food destinations. We were very disappointed on this visit. Starting with service. There were only three tables with couples and we were one of them. Waitress, whom we have had in the past, took forever to set us up we arrived at 6:30. At one point we had to flag her down for water refill (she was just chatting at the bar)...still only three tables of couples including us. Ordered lasagna which was swimming literally in tomatoe sauce that was so sweet it was in almost inedible. Ordered ravioli with meat sauce; arrived with sausages which was a selection but not what I ordered. It really didn't matter in the end. I scrapped off the too sweet sauce and ate the pasta. When asked if we wanted to take remaining food with us I declined; my husband didn't. He threw his out when we got outside. We really didn't want to leave 20% tip, but we have been here too many times to count. Thinking this visit was a one time miss and that is why everything from service to food was terrible. What Italian restaurant does not serve bread? Waitress didn't even ask! This visit was horrible. Sorry to say!!! read more