Amore da Roma

Excellent food and service at Amore Da Roma. We had Dave as our server he was very attentive and kind. Our water glasses keep getting refilled by other servers, and our plates got cleared in a timely manner.

Bon Appetit! The minestrone soup was absolutely delicious; just like I remembered it years ago. The Roma Tossed Salad? Need I say more. Perfectly dressed greens with the chopped hard boiled egg. And the grand finale....the tiramisu cake. When our waiter said it was the best, I was so glad I listened. So good and light. The presentation was lovely! Can't wait to go back!

Food was outstanding! Hadn't been there since before the transition and love the fact that its still the "old" atmosphere! The "up do" didn't result in ridiculous menu pricing as this menu is very reasonable! I am a simple eater and I got the spaghetti with meatballs with their traditional sauce and it was very tasty as it has always been, my son had the lasagna which was similarly excellent. The dessert was a black cherry chocolate cheese cake which was exceptional!

I loved it here. Classy yet casual and cozy. I love the bar area. There are also two separate dining rooms. Fabulous food! We had the minestrone, Italian Wedding and roasted red pepper soups. All are fantastic . For main courses we love the veal marsala, scallapini artichoke chicken, spaghetti with meat sauce and pasta with marinara. Great bread and wine too. If you save room for dessert, the tiramisu and lemon torte are delicious. The wait staff was attentive and fun. I can't wait to go back.

Great history and food to match. Wait staff open to share the proud history serving since 1890 Detroit history right in Eastern Market. The Tiramsu was light and very pleasing without being heavy a great finish to any entrée. The homemade cabbage soup delicious. All the pasta you can't go wrong with. Stop in if you have a chance.

Do not dine here. Every dish brought to our table was inedible. We immediately returned both our appetizer and my partners entree. I ate half of my entree despite the fact that it was disgusting because I was starving. We were charged full price for food we didn't eat because the owners/mangers of this establishment have no honor and deserve no business

Customer service was a 10/10. This restaurant is in an extremely old building, looks old from the outside too however well maintained inside and parking in the rear. There are various dining areas and a bar as well. The food is really good, and the atmosphere is really nice too. Definitely recommend this place if you are in the Detroit area.

Thrilled we decided to stop for lunch at this restaurant after a long morning exploring Detroit downtown ending at Eastern Market. Our server and bartender Jeff took great care of us and went out of his way to make us feel at home. It felt like we were invited to someone’s house for dinner! We had the House made Fettuccine with mushroom & meat sauce, Chicken Parmigiana (with a side of spaghetti), baked Lasagna and a couple Frankenmuth old Detroit Amber beers. Great food, incredible service & ambiance made our lunch a very memorable one!!

Yes, we had a great evening at the Roma Café. It's been about 35 years since I've eaten here. I don't know why I waited that long, but I'm so glad we returned. Service food was fabulous. It was really interesting to see that they had opened an 1888. One of Detroit's oldest restaurants and definitely a worthwhile restaurant to check out

Had an excellent meal at Amore de Roma. Our server Stephen gave great recommendations and our water glasses were never empty! The best thing was the spaghetti sauce it was Devine. We started with the calamari - personally I prefer the rings of calamari vs strips but it still was good - and tossed salad which was very good. I had the perch which came with a side of spaghetti and honestly the side was my favorite thing! Everyone loved their food and it reheated great the next day for left overs. This place has classic flavors and great service. For dessert we got an espresso martini and cannoli which were excellent. All staff were very welcoming and friendly and the food all was very flavorful and fresh. The only complaints are that the parking lot is super dark so we'd have appreciated better lighting getting to and from our car since it's Detroit after all! And the decor and ambiance was pretty dated but that didn't take away any enjoyment from the meal! It fits the classic Italian restaurant vibe for sure.

Everything was delicious. Had not been here in years and it was a pleasant surprise to know the food quality hasn't changed. If you want an authentic Italian restaurant this is the one.

My partner and I went for our anniversary dinner. It was crummy weather out so the restaurant wasn't very busy. We had chicken Parmesan, seafood Alfredo, and the tiramisu. All of the food was delicious, including the complimentary minestrone soup. I'm usually not a tiramisu person but we got it on the recommendation of our waiter and it was absolutely to die for! Highly highly recommend. Our server was attentive and helpful with questions and suggestions!

Still "trying" to be like the former Roma cafe. Has lost bit of its luster.Shared spaghetti/meatballs along with egg plant parmigiana. Both tasted quite good. The waiter definitely cost 1 star off this review. He over tried. Came off as he was reason we dined here. Very cocky, but a crap waiter. Table of 4 & he couldn't keep track. Forgot to bring 1 salad and 1soup. No apologies- forgot to bring more butter & bread. Drinks took 15 minutes to arrive. I still over tipped him - shouldn't have.

Went there yesterday for our 5 year anniversary and was definitely disappointed. They made us feel like a nuisance because they were preparing for a party/buffet for afterwards. Never asked us if we wanted another drink, even when i said i really enjoyed my cocktail. The food was bland and boring, except for the Italian Saganaki, that was delicious. There were 4 employees working a small room and we still had to wait on everything. Just awful service. My wife and I don't need special treatment, we just expect better from a place with such a strong history. It was a huge let-down for our anniversary dinner.

The Roma Cafe used to hold such a special place in my heart. I essentially grew up coming for special occasions. It is disappointing to say that the service has gone downhill the past few years. The food was good, I feel like it has definitely just lost its pizzazz since the new ownership.

Work group lunch. We were in just after open and immediately seated. The staff is very nice. The food was very good with lots to choose from. I opted for the meatball sandwich and it was more than enough. I'll definitely be back.

My lasagna was perfect both in size, taste, and temperature. The waiter was a little annoying as he kept coming back over and over again when we just wanted some time to relax with our friends. Lasagna did not come with a salad it was all à la cart and cost $19 for a lunch a bit pricey if you ask me. Did come with a bread basket. The ambience was the same as it has been for 30 or 40 years.

Tonight I stepped back in time. This used to be Roma Cafe that I used to frequent 2-3 times per week in the 90's and 2000's as I worked in the area. It originally closed in July 2017 after 127 years in business. "Detroit's Longest Operating Italian Restaurant". Former head chef, Guy Pelino, leased the building and reopened it up with the new name of Amore da Roma and now serves the signature dishes it was known for. In a word, tonight's dining experience was EXTRAORDINARY!! I am speechless. The same great high quality food, service and newly updated ambiance were EXACTLY the same as it was when I originally started dining there. Our server was Deidra and she was assisted by KJ. Deidra was beyond outstanding and was the perfect server. It's not surprising because she has an impressive background having worked at high end Detroit restaurants including Lelli's and The Whitney. After dinner, we had the pleasure of having our hands washed with lemon followed by a hot towel to dry them with. I have always looked at this restaurant as my all time favorite and extremely fortunate to experience it again. I HIGHLY recommend Amore da Roma and look forward to making it a frequent stop with family and friends.

Excellent food and drinks. Stephen was an excellent waiter, and took good care of us. The only thing that I could say, would be to have better bread , maybe warm ? It just tasted stale Chicken Limone and Marsala delicious

The Perch is outstanding. The staff is attentive and courteous. I love this place. Been coming here for decades. I highly recommend Roma.

This place has been around for a long time. So we had to come try it out. Almost everything can be made in family style portions, we decided to each get our own meals though. Enjoyed the food and our service was great, would definitely come back. I recommend the chicken parm with eggplant.

Veal parm with spaghetti was so delicious. Tender veal and awesome meat sauce. DJ and Tangerinka made such a unique team. Fast service and both very attentive to refills and service. Great experience. Clean and well set up without losing privacy. I have't been here in years and will definitely return very soon. Good food and good service, what more could you ask for to be so welcoming!

My friend really wanted to try out the restaurant, since the building is over 100yrs old; the business has only been running here since 2017. The building is gorgeous inside, made me think of an old Italian restaurant, but sadly the bathrooms were very outdated (knees touched the inside of the stall doors, and no handicap accessible ladies stalls, unless those are somewhere else!) The service was good, but the food lacked anything exciting. I had sautéed mushrooms, which were sadly over-salted and sitting in an absolute puddle of butter. Don't get me wrong, I love mushrooms cooked in butter, but sliced mushrooms take on too much or the butter, I guess I was anticipating whole mushrooms, as that's what I've been served at other restaurants. The meatball sandwich was under-seasoned, and needed a side of marinara, since the meat was a little dry. Also for $13 I just expect the sandwich. I didn't expect flaccid pickles spears, iceberg lettuce, and a slice of watery tomato on the side. Would I go back? Probably not?

Getting a reservation same day for Saturday night was easy. When we arrived, we had a few minutes wait but nothing too bad. I found it rather delightful that multiple members of the staff are family to each other. The matriarch working the door, granddaughters seating people, etc. This restaurant is historic, and, although we did have a longer than normal wait for the aspects of our meal, I found the extra time enjoyable in that I was able to take in the ambience of the restaurant. You're dining in one of the only historic restaurants left in Detroit. I ordered a plate of spinach and egg angel hair, prepared with a cream sauce and some slices of prosciutto. It was unique and absolutely delicious. We also opted for a plate of hot garlic cheese bread as an appetizer, which was also wonderful. I was delighted that my little cup of espresso was brought out at the right temperature and was a slightly more generous pour than what you get in other restaurants. Our server was a friendly older gentleman who indicated he'd worked at the restaurant going all the way back to 1978. Some of the people leaving lower reviews need to bear in mind that this is now a family establishment and you need to just relax and enjoy the experience and not be in such a hurry to eat your food and run.

I've been wanted to visit Roma Cafe for such a long time. If you know me, you know I LOVE Italian. We stopped in after an amazing event in the city. It was a perfect way to end the night. The bartender was absolutely fabulous! I can't say enough about him. The new owner, former head chef, was also seated at the bar. I enjoyed learning history of the restaurant and the recent change of name to Amore da Roma. Same great food just a new name. I requested a lemon drop martini and the bartender made it with limoncello....wowza! It was the best I've ever had. My friend ordered an Italian Whiskey Sour. I had the veal, which was very good, but the pasta OMG! I was in 7th heaven. My friend ordered a steak and loved it. Apparently the have fantastic lamb chops; I will most certainly be back for those! Lol We didn't have room for dessert, blasphemy, I know! Lol I was so happy & full...I guess pasta will do that to you! Haha

Simply the best! The service and menu deliver a great experience every time. If

Old school Italian period. Best cannolis in Michigan. Always great service and food. I could eat here daily but I would have to change my name to Fat Tony lol. Been there since the 1800's and it was a speakeasy in the 20's. If you have not been here go tonight! Ambiance and general feel is great!

Probably the best shrimp scampi I've ever had! Will definitely be back for more. Great service and food.

I just went to Roma's yesterday, and I'm already insane with craving for their angel hair pasta with meat sauce! I don't know how they get the flavor they do, but it's amazing. The staff is so nice and service is always impeccable. I would totally recommend Romas if you've not been there before -it's right downtown by Eastern market.

We sat at the bar and severed by Matt. Totally old school bartender. Engaging, informative and knowledgeable of the menu. The service is top shelf and the food is delicious. I had clams in white sauce and my wife had "Heaven on a Plate." Matt knows what this jeans. We never pass this place up when in Detroit. I would encourage those looking for great Italian food to visit.

Food was very good. Bartender TJ, was obnoxious! So much so, that I did not order any dinner, nor did I leave him a tip. He was rude and insulting. Really a shame for such a nice, historic place

A hidden gem. My boyfriend loves this place and has lots of memories here. He showed me this place and I can see how one could have nostalgia here. The food was great and our waiter was friendly/charismatic.

This was the worst Italian food we have ever tasted. I do not relish writing this, but the food needed more authentic Italian flavors and better presentation. Service was good, and the seating was good. The food was as far from Italian as you can get. We saw other nationalities dining and could only think how terrible to be eating here and thinking this was what Italian food tasted like. Parking could have been marked up close to the building, wondering if we would get a ticket. We asked if we were safe where we parked and were given a vague reply. The women's restroom was up a small flight of steps. It was not boiled in a bag restaurant which would probably be safer and better. The minestrone did taste good but was not wholly heated. I don't think anyone in our party of eight enjoyed their meals.

This time I had the Seafood pasta, it was really good and very light. The tiramisu was absolutely amazing, so light! Love the old school atmosphere

It's been years since we ate here, but it was the only place we could get into without a reservation. Now I know why. Very average food. Marinara sauce had an off taste. My veal was "grainy and chewy." My wife's chicken was just OK. I heard there are new owners, so I wanted to give them a chance. I did. It also annoyed be that the waiter (younger than I am) kept calling me "young man". I'm 72.

Very quaint old building, and our server was both very good and quite fun to talk with as she checked in on us. The food is standard spaghetti house fare, and was fine.

We were in a bit of a rush to get to the Fisher Theater. The staff was very accommodating and pleasant. The house salad was tasty, Calamari was yummy, Shrimp Scampi was good. We were very disappointed in the spaghetti and meatballs. $25 for two dry, tasteless, meatballs. We had to pay extra for the salad.

I went there with a group of people from out of town last night. Two of our group were glass masters coming from Murano Italy. We spent over $1000. We were treated with disrespect and unkindness. When a couple of our party went outside for a cigarette they were locked out and were told they are closed. They told our party to leave abruptly even after we were served wine continually without being told the restaurant was ready to close. The mean bartender was downright rude and really ruined our night together shewing us all out the door like pests. We all left wondering what just happened. I would never go here. The people here don't know how to treat others. It was really a shame when we gave this place so much business on a slow night spending so much money to come there. A mean, rude place. Do not go.

First time back after COVID and 2nd time under new ownership. The place is still AWESOME. Food great (try the lamb chops! Sammy has been waiting on us for 35 years! If you have not been her for a while - come back. If you've never been here, it's the oldest Italian restaurant in Detroit, and maybe the best!

We still love da Roma since the new management changes several years ago. The menu still has many of our favorites.... Minestrone, 'Roma' salad, lasagna, picante chicken, cacciatore... you get the idea. Yum!

The food is comparable to an average Italian restaurant. The service is below average - we ordered a caprese sandwich and a mozzarella caprese. The waitress took several minutes to bring us the dishes and just left them on the table without even making eye contact. The staff treated us differently from other customers. They were unwelcoming right from showing us the table, to serving food , to getting us the check. At one point the waitress dropped coffee on our table and never bothered to clean it. The ambiance looks warm but the staff was very cold. We don't plan to come here again.

We have been here for years. Now under newer management it's still a favorite. We had great food and Dante was our wonderful waiter. I had the seafood fettuccine and it was awesome. They never disappoint!!!

Came here on Saturday. Was sat quickly, but service was slow. Took quite a minute to have someone come by, even when a manager was greeting people while eating. We mentioned we hadn't been seen and she didn't do anything when she stopped at the table. Finally we did get someone over and took our order. The Food took forever to get. Drinks took a minute as well. The Escargot was really good, as well as shrimp cocktail. The salads were really good. The filet wasn't cooked as requested as it was well done I anticipate it sat under the heat lamp as food took forever to get to us. The server was nice but she messed up a few things and wasn't very apologetic. Overall okay, but wouldn't go out of my way to go again.

Great old school italian. Had a nice quiet lunch with the family on a Saturday. Glad they are carrying on the tradition from the old Roma Café.

The Food is good, your standard American Italian stuff. The ambiance is old school, definitely dated but that's part of the charm. The problem is with the service. Table service is good, however, I was there with a group and the billing was a disaster. The group I was with does a dinner just about weekly. We have a standard model which includes having separate checks. We just plain don't book a restaurant without having the conversation. We also remind them when we arrive. In this case the restaurant denied that we had had the conversation or received the confirmation. In speaking with the owner, she stated emphatically that we were not told that, yet she was not the person that the reservations were made with. To make a long story short, they did finally separate the check, after much unpleasant conversation. But they also add an extra dinner to one bill and refused to remove it (basic theft). There are a lot of restaurants in the same caliber as this place. I suggest you go there instead, less likely to get ripped off or have an unpleasant experience.

What happened to Roma"s? Now Amore da Roma. I have been going for years and always had a wonderful experience. It was sold to the Chef I thought a few years ago so new owners now. I've gone with a group of 10-20 and was always able to have the waiter do separate checks. Well don't expect that now! It took a lot of trouble for me to get separate checks for the group and then we were still charged for one extra meal. Had the waiter agreed to separate checks we all would have had a great experience and tipped our usual 25-30%. So they still charged us 20% and we all lost out of a good experience. I tried to speak to the "owner" Patty who didn't seem to care that I was trying to make things right. She was rude and flippant with me saying "I'm OK" instead of trying to be a good customer service leader she failed on all counts. The waiter didn't even try to work with us. I tried to get him to at least give us 3 separate checks but that apparently was beyond his comprehension I guess. This has been a yearly event for my group and some of my guests never went before. This was their first time and it will be their last! I doubt that I will ever return myself and I certainly will not bring the group! There are so many wonderful restaurants to choose from and this is not on my list anymore! So sad to see this.

A remix on an old Detroit classic... located in Detroit's Eastern Market, Amore da Roma is the new name of one of Detroit's oldest Italian eateries formerly the Roma Cafe. Many remnants of the previous historic restaurant exists including the traditional Italian culinary favorites and the great service. Some of the new additions include a new ceiling, updated furniture and fixtures and some beautiful art placed strategically around the dining space. The service is friendly and attentive with a hint of formal. Staff is always checking in, keeps the drinks flowing, knows the menu well and makes excellent choice recommendations. The food is far beyond average. Our group sampled the ​Charcuterie board (meats, cheeses, pickles and jams), chicken scallopine saltimbocca with prosciutto, sage, and sherry wine, and my favorite fresh pickerel in a lemon, butter, parsley sauce with a side of spaghetti. All I can say is yum, yum and more yum! It was all so flavorful and nicely presented. There is a pretty decent beer and wine list along with a few classic cocktail favorites. And although we were too stuffed to have dessert, there is tiramisu and homemade cannolis for those who must finish with it. Amore da Roma is the perfect version of a sequel being just as good as the first run!

Tucked away in a hidden corner of Eastern Market you'll find this historic restaurant with everything you wouldn't expect - top notch service, valet, huge bar and wine selection, and the best part: seriously delicious "old school" Italian dishes. The restaurant, in the same building, has been in business for about 128 years. That says a lot. The head chef from Roma Café purchased the restaurant and retained many of the same chefs, servers, and other employees. The new name is Amore la Roma (love of Rome). Newly remodeled, Amore la Roma still offers various dining rooms. The look and feel is not as "dark" as it was before, it's a lighter and more pleasant feel. Came here on a Thursday night with my husband. We were still greeted with bread, sesame breadsticks and butter. They don't serve the soft butter anymore but the hard/cold butter still tastes good with their fluffy bread. My husband ordered an Italian whiskey sour, which is a whiskey sour with red wine! Sounds different, but he really enjoyed it. Our meals came with a side of soup, we each ordered the tomato basil orzo, which was out of this world! A more thick soup packed with flavor, almost like a tomato-y pasta sauce. My husband usually ordered the chicken parmesan from Roma Cafe, so he ordered the same thing again. Of course it didn't disappoint - it was the best chicken parmesan ever! I ordered the gnocchi alla marinara, which was served with a little too much water (when the gnocchi was scooped on the plate) but the sauce was still yummy. We were so full unfortunately we didn't make it to dessert but can't wait to come back sometime soon - I forget how amazing the food is here!

Celebrated our Italian 92 yr old fathers birthday. Delicious food & service was unbelievably, specially with dad . All 13 of us loved this place. Use to be called Roma Cafe.. same loyal devoted staff . We do hope everyone continues to honor this incredible business During this hard time in life! We can help many .. let's work together in our country

We had the most spectacular lunch here yesterday! Our chiropractor had recommended we check out this spot after out time at the Eastern Market, and I am so glad we did. Our server Nick was wonderful. We started with the Caprese salad and some wine. I had been debating between spaghetti, ravioli, and lasagna, and he surprised me by chatting with the chef to create a custom sample platter! Everything was delicious - the lasagna was my favorite at first, and ravioli was my favorite when I re-heated my leftovers. We ordered the lemon cake and cannoli to go. The food was so fresh and everything was impeccable! Go here.

This restaurant never disappoints, it is one of the oldest restaurants in Detroit. Located in the Eastern Market. I understand this was a regular eatery for the Purple Gang. The building is old and vintage appropriate, love the small spaces and the creaky stairway. Our waitress last week, Becky ,greeted us with a warm friendly smile, very knowledgable, answered all questions, the service and food fabulous. Becky made our dining experience enjoyable. Next time you're shopping in the Eastern Market, make Amore da Roma your final stop before returning home. AND HOPEFULLY, BECKY WILL BE YOUR WAITRESS

Decided to stop in here after a long flight back on Valentine's Day. The food was just okay and the server was nice and attentive, I know a few other reviews mentioned about it being crowded I didn't experience that at all. The special for Valentine's was nice but just okay.

Very tasty and authentic Italian food! I loved the atmosphere and we liked the music (old Motown hits). I ordered fresh mozzarella caprese and it was delish. My meal was spaghetti marinara which was a great tangy tomato basil taste. My nephew ordered the frog legs. (I think he just wanted to be able to tell his friends that he's had frog legs) but he actually ate some and said they were pretty good. Everyone in my group likes the food, I would recommend this restaurant.

The food here is still the same as when I had it 10years ago, and that's a good thing! Our waiter was charismatic and was able to keep up with our party of 6. Everyone loved their meal and the atmosphere.

Was excited to see this place on my doordash as I have wanted to try them for some time. I ordered one of my favorite italian dishes Chicken parmigiana with a side of pasta and meat sauce and Ministrone soup. The chicken parmigiana was a nice portion enough for me to have leftovers for later. The pasta with meat sauce was one of the real show stoppers for me. I'd call myself a connoisseur of meatsauces at this point. For a year I have tried different italian reasturants looking for one with excellent meat sauce. To me a solid meat sauce / red sauce is the foundation of half the meals coming out of the kitchen . Roma's meat sauce was amazing. They have a nice amount as well., I typically have to ask for extra. it was full of meat and flavor. It definitely gave the chicken parmigiana its edge and flavor profile. The ministrone soup was okay, the veggies seemed as if they could use some more cook time. I did however order lunch so it just told me they make their items fresh. My only complaint and reason for a 4 star rating is because of the price. I paid $27 for my chicken parmigiana. The meal only came with one chicken breast and the side of pasta and meat sauce. No salad no soup or bread where included. comparable reasturants tend to either be less money per entree or offer a salad and bread with the meal. All in all it's great splurge meal if you'd like to treat yourself or go out for a special occasion.

Excellent place for traditional Italian! A must try! We've been here several times and keep going back for the great good and service.

Had reservations. They were full but not packed. It took 20 minutes for our drinks to arrive (a bottle of wine). Asked about a salad and the server said we couldn't sub a salad for soup (was ok with paying). And then finally when our food did come, both of our entrees and sides of pasta were cold. When we told the server when she checked on us 20 minutes later and we were nearly done - she said sorry and gave us a cannoli on the house. We finished our bottle of wine sitting at the bar which would have been a much better place to eat. The bartender was personable and the atmosphere much better. Doubt I'd return to the restaurant though. The person I was with hadn't been in a few years but had dined there often years prior and he was also disappointed. Best part was the wine and company at least.

Absolutely fantastic Italian food. Very authentic. Excellent flavor without being heavy. Outstanding wait staff! Tommy was amazing!