The sense of traditional Italian dining saturates the place from the moment you pull into its Eastern Market locale, a few blocks from Comerica Park and Ford Field. Roma Cafe is indeed ‘old-world’ — its doors opened in the late 1800s, and is Detroit’s Oldest Italian Restaurant.

Old World charm seeps through the wood paneling in this 130-year-old house with an atmosphere like you are at home. Roma Cafe serves up a wide variety of entrees from your standard pasta dishes, to a number of veal dishes, polenta, and even the unusual such as sweetbreads.

Top notch wait staff – very prompt, courteous and informative about the menu and wine selections, and even though they carry handheld computers to take your order, the tuxedos they sport lend to the old-world charm. Standouts include the homemade gnocchi and anything of the various veal dishes. The Roma salad with chicken, tossed table side is astoundingly delicious for such a simple salad. In addition, the cappuccinos are arguably the best this side of the Atlantic. Private rooms are available for any occasion. Shuttles to the all the sporting events. Roma Cafe is a great gift for anyone who lives near or is visiting Detroit.