About Café Roma
Café Roma opened on May 10, 1980, founded by Joseph and Maria Rosa Rizzo with their sons, and the Rizzo family still runs it. Maria Rosa, who came from Varzo in northern Italy, was the first chef and cooked for nearly 20 years, building the menu on Piedmontese family recipes alongside Lombard, Tuscan and Roman dishes. The restaurant began in the old Park Hotel building on Osos Street and moved across the street in 1998 to its own building on Railroad Avenue, which helped start the revival of what is now the Historic Railroad District.
Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. The pasta is made by hand, and the family buys from local farmers, ranchers, fishermen and winemakers, shopping the farmers markets every week. The wine list changes monthly and mixes small producers from Paso Robles, Edna Valley and Santa Barbara County with bottles from Napa, France and Italy.
Weeknights bring standing specials posted on their website: martinis on Monday, a wine-cellar night on Tuesday with most bottles about half off, and a three-course prix fixe on Wednesday. The staff also plan rehearsal dinners, anniversaries, birthdays and conference dinners. Between the old and new restaurant buildings stands Iron Road Pioneers, a bronze sculpture by Elizabeth Mac Queen honoring the Chinese immigrants who built the railroad.
Central Coast Lavender in Paso Robles is about 35 minutes north on Highway 101. Spend the afternoon with the lavender, then drive back down for dinner in the Railroad District.
What to do
- Order handmade pasta from the family's Italian menu
- Pick a bottle from the monthly wine list of Central Coast and Italian wines
- Go on Tuesday, when most bottles are about half off
- Try the three-course prix fixe on a Wednesday
- See the Iron Road Pioneers sculpture outside
- Book a rehearsal dinner or birthday dinner
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round for dinner
- Hours
- As posted October 2026: Monday–Saturday 4:30–9 p.m.; closed Sunday and some holidays
Good to know
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- It serves dinner only; plan lunch elsewhere
- Reservations are taken through their website, and walk-ins are welcome
- Holiday closures are posted on their website
Pair it with a lavender farm
Central Coast Lavender · about 35 minutes away
Visit Central Coast Lavender in Paso Robles in the afternoon and drive about 35 minutes south for dinner at Café Roma.
Getting there
Questions
Is Café Roma open for lunch?
No. It serves dinner Monday through Saturday, 4:30–9 p.m.
Who runs Café Roma?
The Rizzo family, who opened it in 1980.
Can I book a private event?
Yes, the staff plan rehearsal dinners, birthdays, anniversaries and conference events.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Paso Robles & San Miguel, California
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
