I came here and I have to highlight the warmth I received from the stuff, from the moment I sat down until I left. The Italians are just all about service and it was phenomenal. I had the cacio e Pepe and it was delicious, also it comes with a little show with the big plate made out of cheese. The ambience at this place is great, I sat outside and it was private and ventilated enough, indoor is a tad dark but classy. Great place! read more

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THE WORST CARBONARA EVER... The sauce was flavorless and gritty. Like it was thickened with raw flour. The guanciale fat wasn't rendered down at all... some still cold. NEVER AGAIN!! read more

My wife and I visited Roma for the first time this weekend, and based on its reputation and reviews, we unfortunately left a bit disappointed. Food: We started with the meatballs, Caesar salad, and caprese. The salad was pretty basic and underwhelming, though the ingredients were fresh. The meatballs and caprese, however, were delicious and definitely worth ordering. For our main dishes, we ordered the short rib and the fettuccine cacio e pepe. Unfortunately, both looked better than they tasted. The pasta was prepared tableside in a cheese wheel, which was a nice touch, but once plated and eaten, the experience fell flat. It tasted basic and underwhelming--almost like a frozen pasta meal you heat up in the microwave with pepper on the bottom. The short rib was tender, but the fat didn't render properly and was quite chewy. While the flavor was good, it wasn't anything memorable. On the drink side, my wife enjoyed her espresso martinis. I had two double Woodfords on the rocks--the first tasted watered down, while the second was much better. I was especially disappointed with the espresso. As someone who loves coffee, I expected a proper espresso with crema, served in a small cup. Instead, I received a burnt, scalding hot double shot with no crema, served in a large mug more suited for drip coffee. I had to add a lot of sugar just to get it down. Overall, the food was fine, but it didn't meet expectations. Service: I'm not sure if the restaurant was overbooked, but once seated, we felt rushed to order, eat, pay, and leave. Our server didn't mention any specials or bring bread until we noticed other tables had it and asked. While he was friendly, the service felt more focused on moving us through the meal than letting us enjoy the experience. Ambiance: Low lighting and soft music created a nice vibe. We only saw what I assume was the main dining room--it's not very large, but it felt comfortable and intimate. Overall: I'd give Roma a 3.5 out of 5. It wasn't bad by any means, but it didn't quite hit the mark given the hype. read more

Roma is always a hit. The food is consistently incredible, and Shanon, Jorge, and the entire team deliver phenomenal service every time. We also enjoyed one of our favorite Italian wines ever, which made the evening even more special. It's the perfect blend of cozy, upscale, and homey. Don't leave without trying the house made limoncello! read more

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Came to Roma by suggestion of my Director for a board meeting. Didn't know what to expect. I was really busy and just had a chance to view the Google pictures a couple days prior. I was suuuuper stressed and needed to decompress so I didn't even look at the menu or anything. Our server kicking offering me red wine, which my other two director gala pals consumed, but since I don't drink, I just wanted to do a deep exhale (compliments of a very heavy Monday) and continue our conversation on how to roll out 2026...and sip some water. Eventually, I got hungry and couldn't decide between the spaghetti and the calamari shrimp plate ... But when I saw Hana's plate, my eyeballs dilated and salivated. (I'm one of those people who like when the whole table has different meals, but I couldn't resist ordering what she had. She let me taste it first and MY GOODNESS goodness it was DELICIOUS) **What we ordered: Insalata Della Casa-- Mixed greens, cucumber, carrot, fennel, vinaigrette. (Jessica ordered this and said that it was lovely. All I know that it was beautiful) and Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia Con Gamberi E Calamari-- Squid ink pasta, shrimp, calamari, pizzaiola sauce. This was a COMPLETE 10/10. Savory, perfect blend of flavors! The sauce, the herbs, the calamari, the shrimp... Even the squid ink pasta was absolutely divine in this sauce and I don't always like squid ink pasta. Everything was done sooo well and our server was sweet and funny and patient. We stayed almost 40 minutes past closing and they didn't have a problem with it at all. I can't wait to visit this place again. read more

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Great ambience, amazing drinks, and even better staff. Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable--it really made the whole experience stand out. Definitely a spot worth coming back to. read more

I came here with friends to dine in for the first time and was taken aback at the level of hospitality we were shown. The staff were so kind and accommodating and made sure we were taken care of. The interior was warm and cozy, with spacious tables that allowed for privacy. The various bread in the basket at the start of the meal were amazing. The HRW menu was lovely and I had the seafood, the orecchiette pasta and the short rib. The flavors were rich, the pasta was perfection and the short rib was falling off of the bone. The chocolate cake was also amazing, with the chocolate being neither too sweet nor bitter and the gelato complementing the cake very nicely. The complementary limoncello drinks at the end of the meal was just another sign of how thoughtfully the restaurant was run. I will definitely be returning! read more

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Always a solid meal and very attentive service at Roma. Love the fresh garlic in the evoo seasoned mix for the bread. Burrata is well burrata. Fresh touch of the cherry tomatoes, pesto, and arugula. While I get the idea to switch up the presentation of the Caesar, I still prefer it already chopped and mixed. Particularly with a Caesar salad I love a perfect coat to each lettuce bite. Cacio e Pepe was made table side. Snagged a bite from my friend. Peppery and cheesy as intended. I had the ravioli with shrimp. Light spring /summer flavors. Cute homey restaurant vibes in Rice Village. Great for any occasion. Oh and they end the dinner with a complementary shot of limoncello. read more

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10/10 experience! The food was out of this world, the service from Michael and the rest of the wait staff was second to none, the restaurant was clean and welcoming. read more

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Ciao! What an amazing dinner we had at Roma last night. Our server Georgio was so very pleasant to talk to and offered us his favorite dishes and helped pick a wine which was off menu and absolutely delicious! We started off with Caprese salad, which was served with on the vine cherry tomatoes, mozzarella bites, basil, and balsamic and was amazing! Our pastas were so authentic it was like we were eating in Italy again. It's hard to find carbonara made in the states like it is in Italy. This one was exceptional! Shannon came to our table and offered us an Aperitivo of house made limoncello, I typically hate it but this one was so good and by far the best Limoncello I've ever had. The place itself is very quaint and cute, and I love the walls by the bar that are pieces of wine barrels. We plan on coming again next week when we're back in town and can't wait for our daughter to try this authentic Italian restaurant read more

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Had a nice dinner with friends at Roma to celebrate a special milestone. Started with a delicious pasta. The Rigatoni alla Norma is a rigatoni pasta, with roasted eggplant, red sauce, and ricotta. So delicious. This could be a main. Get this one. Paired perfectly with the fresh hot focaccia bread with olives that just came out of the oven. Our friends had the Panzanella salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red and yellow bell pepper, capers, red onion, and croutons. This seems like a staple on Celebrity cruise menus. The Scallopine di Vitello was very good. Veal cutlets, lemon, capers, rosemary potatoes and spinach. The Caramelized Apple Tart & Vanilla Gelato and the Tiramisu were the best ending to a beautiful celebratory dinner. Cute intimate setting in Rice Village. Limited street parking, but you can park in the Rice Village garage. Nice place for dinner with friends when you are craving homemade pasta. read more

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It's a nice cozy restaurant and perfect for date night. Unfortunately, they were super busy, rushed our order, and the food was extremely bland. For the cost of this dining experience I definitely expected more flavor of the food and better customer service. read more

We were seated at Roma and then completely ignored for over 20 minutes. No greeting, no water, no acknowledgment at all. The restaurant was not busy, so there was no obvious reason for the lack of service. After waiting and watching staff pass by multiple times without checking on us, we eventually got up and left. Disappointing experience and very poor customer service. read more

This is my favorite Italian place in Houston. Atmosphere is great. The food and wine are wonderful. I have never had a bad meal here. The owner and staff really look out for the diners. If I could give more stars I would! read more

One of our top spots for a romantic dinner! My favorite aspect of this restaurant is the quiet and romantic ambience. Makes for an intimate setting. The staff is extremely professional and kind. And the food is excellent! We did a 3-course meal for Valentine's Day and enjoyed every bite. The cost is very reasonable for the quality of the food. Parking is valet, but there is a parking garage in the shopping center nearby if you don't mind walking which is convenient. read more

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The food was fantastic and Michael was such a pleasure! My first time in Houston and I have to say I was slightly skeptical having just spent several years in San Francisco, a block from Little Italy. I look forward to going back next time I'm in town. read more

Ate there Saturday night. Ariel was our server. She did an Amazing job. I had a veal dish and my wife pasta with vodka sauce. Both were terrific. Ambiance music was relaxing. Prices very reasonable. You need to go, you won't be disappointed. read more

Nestled amongst the hustle and bustle of Rice Village, Roma is a quiet cozy spot with home style Italian. The outdoor patio is perfect for this fall weather. The dinner menu has a nice selection of antipasto along with small pasta plates including a pesto orecchiette. Mains include salmon, chicken, and lamb options along with a house made ossobucco. The server gave a complimentary limoncello at the end of the meal which was a really nice touch. If in this area for shopping or fun, Roma offers a nice quiet break. read more

Roma - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Pretty good Italian restaurant! The ambiance is more quiet, dimly lit, and intimate--perfect for a nice date. However, it can also work for a group of friends. My friends and I went as a group of 5 and were seated in a more private room. The service was great. Our waiter was very attentive and seemed to know a lot about the drinks & food offered. I ordered the Carbonara and enjoyed it! The pasta itself was fantastic. The texture was perfect. The dish as a whole was good but not mind-blowing--I found it to be a bit too salty for my taste. I also do think the restaurant is a bit too overpriced given the portion size and quality. However, this restaurant would be a great spot for a fancy night out. read more

Roma - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Went here for my birthday dinner. Everything was perfect. I fully enjoyed every single thing. They were so welcoming. We felt right at home. Drinks were great. Bread and oil was the best little touch. We had the fritto misto app I believe. And wow. They have perfected that app. My husband had the cacio de Pepe and they made it at the table side. He added chicken. He almost ordered the fish dish and they said it was whatever fresh catch that it's never frozen and the come filet it at the table side! He's ordering it next time. I had the lasagna. And wow. Talk about a hearty dish. I brought the other half home. It could have fed an army and it was the best I've ever had. We had the housemade limoncello that the owner makes. Delicious. He even made an appearance at our table and was so welcoming. We felt like we were eating at his house not a restaurant. And you just don't get that vibe anywhere , anymore. They went out of their way to make my birthday special. I truly appreciate it. We ended the evening with tiramisu and the apple tart with vanilla bean gelato and my husband went on and on about everything. I married into a family that is Italian and it's very rare that they approve of a good Italian joint, it's usually cheap and over processed. Not this place. Everything was real, tried Italian. And so fresh. We can't wait to go back!! read more

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True Houston trattoria. Outstanding Italian cuisine. Informal yet personal service with utmost graciousness. Well-priced menu. Excellent wine list which is somewhat overpriced. Delightful patio, weather permitting. read more

Phenomenal meal at Roma last night. The dipping oil for the bread is bursting with fresh garlic. The burrata was delicious, and perfect for sharing. I will be back to have the Rigatoni a la Norma again. The use of eggplant adds a richness and depth- so so good. AND THE LAMB..... was chefs kiss . Top 3 favorite lamb dishes ever. Shannon, thank you for selecting the perfect meal for us. Will see you again soon. read more

Went to Roma for the first time with my wife for our anniversary - ordered the Orecchiette Grano Arso pasta dish and wow was it delicious. The servers were great too. Can't wait to return to try more from their menu. read more

We visited our grad student at Rice University over Thanksgiving break, and we booked our holiday meal here. We could not have been more pleased with the food, the service, the ambiance, and the warmth of the professional staff - even though they were very busy. The menu was a bit more limited than normal, as they were offering a full turkey with all the trimming traditional holiday spread, but they still had a wide selection of Italian delicacies. Half of our group of 4 ordered the Thanksgiving feast; half ordered the regular menu items. Everything was speedily delivered and perfectly prepared. One problem: the wine menu was so vast, we had an argument about what to order, so we ordered multiple bottles! We were treated like family, and we will definitely return. About the dining room - it's a tight fit when crowded, but it didn't seem small. It seemed like a boisterous family get together with food from that one relative who really knows how to cook. We would have fought over the leftovers, but there weren't any, because we were clean plate clubbers. Too full for dessert. But then we ordered dessert. And we are glad we did. We will be back, and we will recommend this place to anyone we know who is in the Rice Village area of Houston. read more

I ordered the Lasagna and a takeout Bread Pudding for dessert tonight. Both were very delicious, high quality, really moist and so well-made. The pasta layers were soft and cooked properly. The red sauce was kind of sweet and very bold in tomato base. It was kind of thick, but not like ketchup. The cheese was kind of crispy, very rich, nicely seasoned and paired very nicely with the sauce and meat. The ground meat was very well-seasoned. This lasagna is one of the best I have had. The balance of pasta to sauce to cheese ratio was spot-on. The cheese was noticeably a good quality type you just don't find often in most places. The red sauce had an obvious freshness to it without being too sugary. The bread pudding was very good, buttery, a little crispy on top and had a gooey middle. It was rich, but kind of fluffy and not too sweet. It tasted like a really good donut or pastry in a way. The syrup and cream were great additions for even more flavor. The service was very welcoming, friendly, attentive and efficient. Small place in physical size holding a large size in restaurant excellence. I plan to also try a couple other dishes on future visits to Roma. read more

Love this place in the Rice village. Came in after a long day from the medical center and glad we found Roma's! Quaint and cozy with impeccable service! read more

Roma - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Have been eyeing this place for a year or so now after seeing it on several lists and finally got the chance to check it out! We decided to go last minute and it was relatively early so I decided not to place a reservation. We parked them in the rice village garage since it is a short walk and free for two hours. Upon walking through the front door it struck me how intimate the space is. The fact that the restaurant is inside of a house made the meal taste like it was homemade with a lot of love. The staff were all incredibly warm and friendly from the second we walked through the door. The front room was quite busy with a moderate noise level so we were offered a quieter table for two in the back. Our server was awesome, he helped make some suggestions for our wine based off of our preferences and we enjoyed his recommendations. We started with a Cesar salad which tasted very fresh and had the perfect ratio of delicious Caesar dressing to salad. Our entrees came out perfectly timed after we finished our salads. Both of the entrees were incredible. Very rich and flavorful and it was incredibly obvious that they were prepared with a lot of care and expertise. The food here is incredible and the homey ambiance as well as the next-level care and customer service from every single staff member made eating here a very enjoyable and memorable experience. I cannot wait to return and I cannot recommend trying this place out enough. read more

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We LOVE Roma. Eat there as often as we can. Food, atmosphere and service is impeccable. Shannon Scott and his crew doing an incredible job. Thank you. read more

Wonderful experience. Came while in town for work and wish I could have brought my wife. This place gets 5 stars for food, 5 stars for staff, and 5 stars for ambiance. Highly recommend. read more

Yummy yummy! What a treat located close by Rice Village! This was our first time exploring this part of Houston and while there were a few Italian options that caught our eye, we decided to make reservations here. We started off with the Burrata appetizer and it was so warm and soft upon arrival and complemented by the fresh arugula. If the dish were a little larger, I would have eaten it as my main entree. Cacio e Pepe - great presentation! The cheese was rolled out and our server tossed the pasta in the cheese. It definitely has a wow factor, many people stopped by and asked what dish that was. My fiance ordered this dish and I got a bite - it was super creamy and the cheese flavor comes through. I don't often see my fiance finish the entire dish and his plate was clean after the meal. Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia con Frutti di Mare - I love squid ink pasta and I love Frutti di Mare! I do prefer a white wine sauce with this dish but the seafood was fresh and tasty! I also got a glass of the Pinot Grigio - Borghi ad Est 2020. I don't like dry wines and this was not, I enjoyed this glass very much. Overall, a great Italian option! The prices are very fair for the quality you get! I would return to try more of the menu. read more

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This is my new favorite Italian restaurant in Houston. Roma is an upscale Italian restaurant situated in the heart of Rice Village. It features authentic Italian cuisine and fine quality wines in an intimate dining atmosphere. I was there on a Friday night, and had a great experience. I had the Burrata, which consisted of cream-filled mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and arugula drizzled with roasted lemon vinaigrette. I should note that this item usually includes prosciutto, but they made mine vegetarian per my request. I also had the Sauvignon Blanc, which was bright, crisp and paired well with the burrata. The service was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. The food was fresh and delicious. In fact, my food was so good that I couldn't stop talking about it the whole night, and I can't stop thinking about it today! Impeccable service, delicious food, and charming ambiance makes Roma a must-visit! read more

I just had the best Italian meal of my life at this restaurant. Sometimes you can't explain why food is so delicious. The pasta was homemade and truly at a different level. The owner was very gracious and offered us a complementary drink afterwards simply because it was our first time here. I have not read the other reviews, but I cannot imagine why it isn't five stars. The dining room is very intimate and tasteful. Service was also excellent. The staff are warm but also leave you be to enjoy your meal. read more

Business meal with seven guests total. We had three appetizers, seven main dishes and two bottles of wine. Waiter spoke Italian with one of or guests which was a bonus. Great location, great service and hospitality. I'll be back when in town read more

I have passed by Roma so many times over my years in the Rice Village area, and was so happy I finally got around to trying it. ATMOSPHERE: Cozy, but tight inside seating. The restaurant gives you an upscale feeling which is nice. A big perk is that there is ample 2-hour free parking in the Rice Village garages. FOOD: We ordered the gnocchi and the salmon fillet with a mixed greens salad. The food was not spectacular, but it was good. The gnocchi tasted fresh and the sauce was flavorful, but had a very crumbly texture that wasn't as soft and melty as I would have liked. The salmon was dry, but seasoned well and also tasted quite fresh for restaurant salmon. SERVICE: Really good. Our server was patient with us, gave recommendations, checked-in on us, and was even happy to take a photo of us at the table and in front of their outdoor decorations to remember the night. VALUE/PRICE: The price was high (approx $21 and $25 for the entrees pictured). I think Roma straddles between 2 and 3 dollar-signs. Unfortunately, the portions or food quality given weren't high enough to justify the price in my opinion. Overall I liked my experience mainly because of the atmosphere and service. The food and value were nothing special, but a solid Italian place to choose if in the Rice Village area. read more

Roma - Salmon, gnocchi, and salad - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Atmosphere was great. Waiter seemed to have a lot of tables. Pulpo (octopus) salad was one of the worse ones I've ever had. Chopped onions, cucumber and a few cherry tomatoes with a few chopped pieces of octopus covered in vinegar. Strong onion and vinegar pretty much overwhelmed it all. Had to flag the waiter down to get some cheese on the carbonara. Carbonara had several gristley pieces of bacon in it and it was watery and lacked flavor. The artichoke side was good though. My wife's tuna was pretty good also. All in all it's average. read more

The food is excellent but the service is ok. Our waiter was good but there was another two guys that when we asked something they keep replying: I don't know or I am not your server or I am not a server (but he was serving water) my friends asked a sparkling water she is still waiting so far. read more

From the greeting to the serving to absolutely fantastic food. I had the lasagne and tiramisu. Absolutely wonderful.

What a great place. My first time. Service, venue, and food quality were excellent. Big portions and very tasty. Plan on taking some home. The ossobucco was excellent. So was my half portion pasta choice and the house salad. Next time I'll try the watermelon salad and I hope I'm in town for one of the wine tasting evenings. The place was hopping on a Wednesday. I finished off the eve with their limoncello tart which was out of this world. So was their house made limoncello. Shanon and his team run a great place. It reminds me of the great Italian restaurants in the North End of Boston. read more

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Service was great, food was amazing, venue was perfect. Even got to meet the owner. Thank you Michael and the rest of the staff for a wonderful experience on a special night with my family. We will see you again! read more

Every single thing we eat here is fresh and homemade. The lemon pasta is so delicious and different from anything you get from any other Italian restaurant. They have fresh fish no matter what time of year you go. I cannot even begin to tell you how good everything is on the menu. We have tried so many things and never disappointed. The owner is so personable and you just feel like you are home. read more