Visit Roma in downtown Key West. No doubt about it, this chef and his cuisine is virtually identical to that you would experience at a fine Ristorante or Osteria in Rome, Italy. The wine we had was from a local winery near Rome, and was amazing as well. During our two hour dinner, we just asked the chef to prepare an appetizer to his choosing, and it was amazing. Don't bother to look at the menu. Simply ask him what he has prepared on your behalf that day. I had veal scallopini, and my wife has spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs melted in our mouths, and the veal was perfectly cooked. We both had the Tiramisu for desert; made to order, of course. If you have been to Italy, you will know the special taste, and the special touch, that comes with their food. Terrace Roma has both. Don't miss it.
John Wolak
So, after pondering this review for a week, I feel like I was taken for a ride by a con artist. Modello was skunked, food mediocre at best. I felt like I was talked out of ordering " off the menu" as if it would be sub par if we had. When the bill came it was sticker shock. It wasn't until the next day that we realized the bill was padded by a couple of extra meals. Our fault for not catching it then, but the bewilderment by the tab had our head spinning. When they say watch out for a place that has no clientele, and you go anyway, buyer beware..I will never go back.
Rhonda Schroeder
The food was delicious! Authentic Italian. I had tortellinis covered with a 4 cheese white sauce served with Italian bread. Desert was tiramisu and was also wonderful. The restaurant is like a hidden treasure upstairs with a terrace.
MichaelR
We were the only customers in the restaurant the whole time. It's off the beaten path, which is fine - but it was dirty and not clean and smelled a bit moldy. The bathroom door did not lock either. Besides that, the food was good. Pretty authentic. But would not recommend as there is better places around for Italian.
JeffreyV
Amazing food and excellent service. Highly recommend for a romantic dinner for 2. The owner was the waiter and cook, but don't let that fool you. You will not regret trying this place
ChipA
A vacation dining experience. We were early and was kidded by the owner for being early. Nice location close to Mallory Sq. I think he was short staffed as he waited on us and also cooked. The food was excellent and he recommended a very nice Italian wine. Would go there again.
Karen G.
Amazing food, authentic and a hidden gem. I had gnocchi and marinara and it was super delish. Everyone left happy and full.
MikeR
We wanted authentic Italian food and we found it here! Sat on the porch upstairs and just really enjoyed the food, the owner/waiter/chef! He was amazing and cooked our dinners perfectly! Grandma's Meatballs are EXCELLENT and the pasta was perfect al dente pasta! We felt like we were in Italy. Go, go, go, it's great!
Alexa M.
DO NOT GO HERE! horrible service, wouldn’t give us menus and was rude to the fact that one person in our party couldn’t make it. the owner gave us attitude, especially me, an 18 year old girl, and we ended up leaving because of the way he acted. didn’t even get drinks. hostile people, and there was only 1 other party in the whole restaurant and he was worried about us just wanting menus. ridiculous.
christinetJ7651HE
The place is amazing! The owner is so personable and the food was the best Italian we have ever had! Seriously, it’s like you’re eating in Italy! We ate on the deck, it’s beautiful! You won’t regret it!
Before you continue reading MAKE A RESERVATION!!!We were lucky to be the second people to arrive last night because we didn't have a reservation but he was able to accommodate us. A few tables after us weren't so lucky. I believe he staffs based off reservations and doesn't take on more tables than his staff can comfortably handle. He wants his guests to have the full experience without long waits too. The table across from us says it's the restaurant they come back to every year and they eat at multiple times a trip!We had a great bottle of Merlot, the charcuterie, steak and gnocchi. He gave us so many choices between sauces and garnishes for pastas. I chose the cream sauce that was absolutely perfect with the basil and gnocchi.The charcuterie board was wonderful with the different meats and cheeses. The mozzarella was very fresh. My husband had the steak medium rare and it was very good. Excellent cook and a really nice flavour.Unfortunately we both dug in before we remembered to grab a photo ?
Lisa
Hidden gem. Fabulous meticulously made fresh pasta and sauces. Every dish was created with care and excellence. Outdoor dining available. Quaint atmosphere. Will definitely return here again.
Jesse Blitz
Easily one of the best Italian meals we've ever had. Prices were a bit high but it was so worth it for the quality of the food. Would definitely recommend going!!
Glambunny Loves G.
Small, quaint and delicious. Eating here is like having our own personal chef. Make time to visit for dinner, you won't be sorry.
ColleenC
What a hidden gem! Unfortunately, street construction makes it tricky to access this spot, but I am so glad I found it. I had a lovely dinner outside, where I took the Chef's personal recommendations on my meal selections, and left happily full, vowing to return upon my next visit to Key West, which will hopefully be in the near future. Terrace Roma is a treasure.
Visit Roma in downtown Key West. No doubt about it, this chef and his cuisine is virtually identical to that you would experience at a fine Ristorante or Osteria in Rome, Italy. The wine we had was from a local winery near Rome, and was amazing as well. During our two hour dinner, we just asked the chef to prepare an appetizer to his choosing, and it was amazing. Don't bother to look at the menu. Simply ask him what he has prepared on your behalf that day. I had veal scallopini, and my wife has spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs melted in our mouths, and the veal was perfectly cooked. We both had the Tiramisu for desert; made to order, of course. If you have been to Italy, you will know the special taste, and the special touch, that comes with their food. Terrace Roma has both. Don't miss it.
So, after pondering this review for a week, I feel like I was taken for a ride by a con artist. Modello was skunked, food mediocre at best. I felt like I was talked out of ordering " off the menu" as if it would be sub par if we had. When the bill came it was sticker shock. It wasn't until the next day that we realized the bill was padded by a couple of extra meals. Our fault for not catching it then, but the bewilderment by the tab had our head spinning. When they say watch out for a place that has no clientele, and you go anyway, buyer beware..I will never go back.
The food was delicious! Authentic Italian. I had tortellinis covered with a 4 cheese white sauce served with Italian bread. Desert was tiramisu and was also wonderful. The restaurant is like a hidden treasure upstairs with a terrace.
We were the only customers in the restaurant the whole time. It's off the beaten path, which is fine - but it was dirty and not clean and smelled a bit moldy. The bathroom door did not lock either. Besides that, the food was good. Pretty authentic. But would not recommend as there is better places around for Italian.
Amazing food and excellent service. Highly recommend for a romantic dinner for 2. The owner was the waiter and cook, but don't let that fool you. You will not regret trying this place
A vacation dining experience. We were early and was kidded by the owner for being early. Nice location close to Mallory Sq. I think he was short staffed as he waited on us and also cooked. The food was excellent and he recommended a very nice Italian wine. Would go there again.
Amazing food, authentic and a hidden gem. I had gnocchi and marinara and it was super delish. Everyone left happy and full.
We wanted authentic Italian food and we found it here! Sat on the porch upstairs and just really enjoyed the food, the owner/waiter/chef! He was amazing and cooked our dinners perfectly! Grandma's Meatballs are EXCELLENT and the pasta was perfect al dente pasta! We felt like we were in Italy. Go, go, go, it's great!
DO NOT GO HERE! horrible service, wouldn’t give us menus and was rude to the fact that one person in our party couldn’t make it. the owner gave us attitude, especially me, an 18 year old girl, and we ended up leaving because of the way he acted. didn’t even get drinks. hostile people, and there was only 1 other party in the whole restaurant and he was worried about us just wanting menus. ridiculous.
The place is amazing! The owner is so personable and the food was the best Italian we have ever had! Seriously, it’s like you’re eating in Italy! We ate on the deck, it’s beautiful! You won’t regret it!
Restaurantji Recommends
Before you continue reading MAKE A RESERVATION!!!We were lucky to be the second people to arrive last night because we didn't have a reservation but he was able to accommodate us. A few tables after us weren't so lucky. I believe he staffs based off reservations and doesn't take on more tables than his staff can comfortably handle. He wants his guests to have the full experience without long waits too. The table across from us says it's the restaurant they come back to every year and they eat at multiple times a trip!We had a great bottle of Merlot, the charcuterie, steak and gnocchi. He gave us so many choices between sauces and garnishes for pastas. I chose the cream sauce that was absolutely perfect with the basil and gnocchi.The charcuterie board was wonderful with the different meats and cheeses. The mozzarella was very fresh. My husband had the steak medium rare and it was very good. Excellent cook and a really nice flavour.Unfortunately we both dug in before we remembered to grab a photo ?
Hidden gem. Fabulous meticulously made fresh pasta and sauces. Every dish was created with care and excellence. Outdoor dining available. Quaint atmosphere. Will definitely return here again.
Easily one of the best Italian meals we've ever had. Prices were a bit high but it was so worth it for the quality of the food. Would definitely recommend going!!
Small, quaint and delicious. Eating here is like having our own personal chef. Make time to visit for dinner, you won't be sorry.
What a hidden gem! Unfortunately, street construction makes it tricky to access this spot, but I am so glad I found it. I had a lovely dinner outside, where I took the Chef's personal recommendations on my meal selections, and left happily full, vowing to return upon my next visit to Key West, which will hopefully be in the near future. Terrace Roma is a treasure.