Bar Roma

I’ve be coming here quite regularly for the past four or five years and I love it.
When it’s busy it has a really good buzz. The staff are friendly and normally quite efficient although I have had to ask for the bill more than once on a few occasions. It can be a bit awkward for lunch during the week when it’s much quieter as the room is rather large but the food is consistently good, which I think is partly due to their abridged menu for these quieter times.
I am particularly fond of their pizza. Having spent a lot of time in Italy and eating a lot of pizza there, I am quite fussy, however their base is not too soft and they use good quality mozzarella so it keeps me happy. I would perhaps even go as far as saying it is the best pizza I have had in Edinburgh.
Between me and my fiancé we have sampled quite a few of their pasta dishes, his favourite being spaghetti with seafood. We do both have a small issue with them putting onion in their ammatriciana sauce though. I know it’s a personal choice thing, with onion and without onion are both served in Rome, but it was too crunchy, not cooked enough.
Normally when I go I eat so much for starter and main that I rarely have room for desert but once or twice I have ordered the tartufo (chocolate and vanilla ice-​cream in a bombe with cocoa and nuts) which is especially nice if you ask them to pour an espresso over it for you!
Overall, I really like this place. Good value for money, good quality food, clean toilets. Just don’t be in a hurry to leave afterwards, or ask for the bill a bit before you’re ready for it.

Yes, the current Unilocal combined verdict of 3.5 stars is just about right. Bar Roma is a slick operation. Rarely have I visited a place where service runs so smoothly. This is a slight good news/​bad news scenario, of course. You don’t get much innovation, but what you do get is reliable Italian fare. It’s a very good place for large group dining, particularly if what you’re looking for is sustenance to fuel a long evening.
Overall, we said: «I felt that Bar Roma was a smooth operation. Their approach was well rehearsed, slickly enacted, and crowd pleasing. I found their greeter’s suggestion that happy customers should transfer their parting smiles and thank yous into kind words on Trip Advisor, equal parts enterprising and ghastly. Their appreciation that „diner power“ has a considerable impact is sound, but I’m not sure such brazen tactics are quite the way to go.»

An italian spacious and friendly place to eat. kids portions on menu with a little activities for kids such a crayons. Big thumbs up in my book will defiantly be eating here again. altho will avoid the lunch hour as it gets very busy

Service was good but was not welcoming. This is most likely because the server carry around handheld electronic devices and punch your order into the device as you speak.
We stopped in on a Thursday night for dinner and the restaurant was about 30% full. They seated all patrons on the left side of the restaurant, so the entire middle and right side of the restaurant was empty. It was odd and again, not all that welcoming. I’ve never see anything like this in my life.
We ordered the bread and butter starter. They did not provide enough butter and the bread was somewhat dry, as in, it was baked much earlier in the day and was quickly losing its life to the battle of time. I ordered the rigatoni and it had plenty of sauce and was tasty. My husband ordered the spaghetti carbonara and he said that it was alright, not the best he had ever tasted.
Overall, I think I’d rather go to Zizzi’s next door. Better atmosphere and food.
Dress code is mixed. Some were dressed in suits and dresses and other were dressed in jeans and sweaters. Either works at this restaurant.
Oh, and the lighting in the restaurant was blindingly bright. They need to tone that done, so much so that I have considered emailing them and suggesting it.

I went here after reading the reviews from qype and wasn’t disappointed! Iv been to Italy alot (8 times this year alone) and this place was as authentic as comes. The waiters were very friendly and helpful. I asked if they had Suppli (a snack/​starter local to Rome) which they happily made for me and my girlfriend even though it wasn’t on the menu. The décor is very Italian it isnt like going to a zizzi or a big chain, which isn’t to everyone’s taste but sets the atmosphere. Would defiantly return and recommend to everyone.

Yum! This place served up some mighty tasty food.
We had a table booked for a hen party of 14. My friend had checked before that it was ok for a hen party booking and they had no problems.
The place was mighty busy and they had another table set out for another I would say even larger party than ours. They are very accomodating.
The service was very good. I liked been called Señorita. Do they call ladies that in Italy though? Hmm?!
They had a big plastic tree in the restaurant near the kitchens with fake birds on it. I thought this was em. interesting. They seem to have this theme throughout.
I thought this was an overall lovely restaurant and would recommend to a friend.

Nous sommes parfois surpris et trompés par les apparences.
Lors de mes quelques séjours à Edinburgh nous avions l’habitude de passer devant et à mon fort intèrieur «Encore un restaurant italien, n’y va pas, tu vas être déçu».
De plus nous avions nos habitudes et voilà qu’un jour, la plupart des restaurants étaient complets.
Information IMPORTANTE: un grand nombre de restaurants à Edinburgh né prennent pas de réservation (ils n’en ont pas besoin, les meilleurs sont pris d’assaut). Il faut donc se déplacer.
Tourne et vire, il nous reste plus que le BarRoma…
Etrange nom pour un restaurant et un logo assez particulier; il semblerait que ce soit des pâtes suspendues à une branche.
Pour conclure cet avis, je dirais que j’ai très bien mangé, j’ai fortement apprécié la pizza, j’ai pu goûter à quelques pâtes et je les aient trouvé très «al dente».
Ce que j’ai aussi apprécié c’est la rapidité des serveurs et l’ambiance typiquement italien ainsi que la décoration et les manières (la façon de faire) des serveurs, pour certains, ils avaient encore l’accent italien.

I went to Bar Roma for the first time a couple of weekends ago as a group of friends and I were in the area and unable to get a seat at Zizzi’s or Pizza Express — we had never tried this place before and (honestly — sorry!) didn’t really like the look of it, décor etc, but it was any port in a storm… we were hungry!
Anyway, our first impressions couldn’t have been more wrong. Yes, the décor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but we were actually sat next to a huge mural that proved to be the talking-​point of the night, so I can’t complain too much! And everything else was great. We were assigned a specific waiter which is always nice — he was very friendly and attentive, but not too attentive. We were given several different tables to choose from, even though it was a Saturday and quite busy, which was appreciated. The menu was very extensive with a great selection for veggies, and the food was all utterly delicious. The portions, if anything, are a bit too much, but that’s hardly a major complaint! The food arrived surprisingly quickly given how busy it was and we had a great time. The price was pretty reasonable, too. I’d definitely recommend, and go back, any time.

Good, but certainly not great food (let down by ingredients rather than cooking I think). A genial and relaxed atmosphere but on the chintzier side of décor!

Right next to the rather below par Zizzis, I would suggest you choose Bar Roma as your Italian eaterie of choice if you’re on this street.
My monkfish in parma ham with neopolitan sauce was actually delicious, although I could have eaten it twice. I absolutely adored the waiter who served us– cheeky and entertaining, he kept me and my friends laughing and because one of my pals was a regular with her family in the restaurant, he gave us a complimentary drink!
I would recommend this place, if only for the awesome waiter service!

Not been here for quite a bit now, but I used to come quite regularly with my family for a tasty if unimaginative Italian meal. The staff have that classic mix of greasiness and friendliness you’d expect, the food is probably edging towards the better end of the pizza /​pasta spectrum with a few more interesting options thrown in.
It still doesn’t change the fact that you can make equally as tasty food with a jar of Dolmio at home, for about a tenth of the price.

Bar Roma seems to be a safe bet — its the default Italian restaurant for when a last minute decision about a meal has been made and everywhere else is booked.
There is an extensive menu, comprising of all the Itallian meals you could ever think of, and once you’ve ordered, food is often on your table within 15 minutes. The food is good — if sometimes on the bland and a bit on the boring side.
The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, the staff are very friendly, and great with younger childern. It’s the type of place where one after meal coffee can turn into 3 latte’s and a long conversation.
It’s a nice place, if a bit of a back-​up plan, rather than a wow-​factor type of place.

I’ve been here a few times with the extended family and friends. I think we always choose Bar Roma because it is very family-​friendly and have a quick and easy menu. The food comes out within 15 – 20 minutes and is really tasty — if maybe a tiny bitty bland. I always have spaghetti Carbonara here and it is one of the better ones. Whenever I order carbonara I always leave about half of it on my plate, but they have the perfect balance here.
The staff are great too, the kids always love them and they have a great sense of humour. Overall, it’s a brilliant place to go with big groups and families!

Being an institution when it comes to family Italian restaurants in Edinburgh, it’s hard not to consider it for a meal out with younger family members.
The cosy and warm atmosphere really fit the family feel and the actual heating warmth makes you feel like you’re not in grim Scotland after all.
The very, VERY, authentic Italian staff are friendly and good fun and know exactly what their customers want, kids to be joked with, ladies to be flirted with (which slightly annoys me a wee bit to be honest, but others seem to love it)

This is my favourite Italian in Edinburgh — always a fabulous atmosphere, really buzzing and has a real Italian feel to it.
Food is always good and you can tell freshly made but it is expensive for an Italian however you will be guaranteed good food with a great atmosphere

Bar Roma in my opinion is one of the better traditional Italian restaurants in Edinburgh (although that’s not too difficult!). I have always received good food and good service whenever I have been. The steaks and pasta dishes are always very good. The décor is quite nice too. Bar Roma is located in the west end close to Ryan’s Bar. I would recommend you always book a table before going here as it can get quite busy at times. Overall the food is good but then again you do pay for it because it’s not the cheapest place in the world to eat definitely above average.

Bar Roma is a fine Italian restaurent. It offers a wide range of traditional Italian cuisine and liquers and serves up an almightly T-​Bone steak. There’s no complaints about the quality of the food, but in terms of genorosity of portions and prices, there are better options elsewhere in Edinburgh. Worth visiting for a family meal — especially when the folks are paying! — but not as charming as other Italian restaurant’s I’ve experienced.

This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh for sure. With a cosy and warm atmosphere and engaging staff (who seem to really be Italian not the fake Italians you find in other Italian restaurants) the scene is set for a great restaurant. There is a great range of food from the traditional pizza and pasta dishes to the fabulous lamb cutlets, ham dishes, salads and steak dinners. The red wines are especially good for an Italian restaurant. Bar Roma is great for work gatherings and family occasion. I personally could not afford to eat here all that often as the prices are not particularly cheap but it is well worth it.
I must say that the coffee and desserts are fantastic. personally this is always important to round off that lovely meal! This place is well worth a visit if you feel like a change.

I just finally got round to visiting this restaurant recently after walking past it and smelling all the lovely food for years and I was not disappointed. I went in the summer before an event at the book festival so it was quite busy. We were served promptly and I had some lovely mozarella followed my a Spagetti Carbonara which was gorgeous, it looked like the bowl was quite small but it was so filling I couldnt eat it all. The staff were extremely friendly and the prices were pretty much standard, about £4/​5 for a starter £8−11 for a main which was great for the standard of food!

It’s taken me 5 years in Edinburgh to find a good Italian and this is top of the list! Not a particularly cosy restaurant, and overly engaging staff (that actually puts me off, but I know some people like that sort of thing).
Genuinely Italian, unlike the «Italian mile» (Hanover Street) where they have hired anyone with a moustache.
The pizza is to die for and the best I’ve ever had outside of Italy. The «Pizza Speziale» selections are highly recommended… really good Italian sausage, rocket salad and Porcini mushrooms. Mmm!
I’ll report back when I’ve tried the pasta… that’s the real test!

Traditional (?!) Italian cooking, ideal for group functions … though, hopefully without sounding sexist more likely to be enjoyed by groups of women who will susceptible to the charms of the waiters. Pleasant décor and wide variety of menu options but in my view a bit over priced.