
Romano Lounge
Quick info
About Romano Lounge
Romano Lounge is a British restaurant set on a corner site at Foundation House in Colchester, with floor to ceiling windows on both sides that open in summer. A Chariot Racing mural runs behind the bar, marking the city's Roman heritage, alongside star lights, chandeliers and floral wallpaper throughout the room. The menu covers a smashed avocado brunch and lounge breakfast alongside house-made smoothies, with Sri Lankan prawn curry, tapas dishes and lamb kebabs also served. Sweet potato fries appear as a side, and the cocktail list runs from pina coladas to a cherry Bakewell cocktail. Orders are placed at the bar. Dogs are welcome, and staff bring a puppychino for visiting pets. Background music plays throughout the space, which is filled with paintings and lampshades alongside the mural.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention smashed avocado brunch, cherry bakewell cocktail, sri lankan prawn curry and puppychino for dogs.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention smashed avocado brunch, cherry bakewell cocktail, sri lankan prawn curry and puppychino for dogs.
Customer Review Summary
Brunch draws the most consistent praise, with regulars returning for smashed avocado and poached eggs alongside home made smoothies like "The Yellow One." Close behind, diners highlight the Sri Lankan prawn curry, tapas, and cocktails such as the cherry Bakewell, with one visit made memorable by a manager sending over complimentary Prosecco to celebrate an occasion. The dog friendly setup earns mentions too, including a puppychino for a visiting dog. Recurring complaints center on cleanliness and service pace: dirty tables and dirty high chairs come up more than once, with one reviewer describing staff who ignored them at the door and served a cocktail (a pina colada) that tasted wrong due to missing ingredients, alongside meat they found off putting. Others cite slow table clearing, a lunch booking turned away for an event, and one visitor who left before ordering because the music was too loud to talk over. Several still say they'll return, pointing to friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere as the draw.
Customer Review Summary
Brunch draws the most consistent praise, with regulars returning for smashed avocado and poached eggs alongside home made smoothies like "The Yellow One." Close behind, diners highlight the Sri Lankan prawn curry, tapas, and cocktails such as the cherry Bakewell, with one visit made memorable by a manager sending over complimentary Prosecco to celebrate an occasion. The dog friendly setup earns mentions too, including a puppychino for a visiting dog. Recurring complaints center on cleanliness and service pace: dirty tables and dirty high chairs come up more than once, with one reviewer describing staff who ignored them at the door and served a cocktail (a pina colada) that tasted wrong due to missing ingredients, alongside meat they found off putting. Others cite slow table clearing, a lunch booking turned away for an event, and one visitor who left before ordering because the music was too loud to talk over. Several still say they'll return, pointing to friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere as the draw.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Lovely place for a relaxed drink. Friendly staff, laid-back vibes, and a really nice, comfortable atmosphere that’s perfect for having a chat and taking your time. Would definitely come back!”
- Google user
“Went in for lunch today but had to leave before ordering due to the loud volume of the music. So disappointed as the food looked great and the other reviews were so good but we couldn't hear each other talk. Only posting this to make the propiators aware.”
- Google user
“I wish I could place a decent review of this place but unfortunately they wouldn't accept a booking for 7 people for lunch on 5th September because 'they are not taking bookings because of Invasion(some geeky comic con type event)'. I don't know of many hospitality venues, given the current climate, who would not accomodate a booking of this type and willingly turn away a virtually guaranteed £250-300 worth of trade. Their choice at the end of the day but disappointing nontheless...”
- Google user
“Came here a week ago. First time ever, food was amazing, will 100% order again. Service was good, the young man was very kind.”
- Google user
“We visited yesterday before heading off to try on wedding dresses, and had such a lovely experience. We ordered a round of cocktails, and the manager asked what the occasion was. A few minutes later, one of the waiters came over with four glasses of Prosecco, compliments of the manager, to help us celebrate! It was such a thoughtful and unexpected gesture that really made our day feel even more special. The cocktails were delicious, the atmosphere was lovely, and the staff were all so friendly and welcoming. Customer service like this is hard to come by, and it’s little acts of kindness like this that people remember. Thank you so much for making the start of such a special day even more memorable. We’ll definitely be back!”
Highlights
“All roads lead to Romano Lounge. Well, Culver and Long Wyre Streets in the centre of Colchester do, just a minute walk from the castle. You can’t miss our handsome corner site with big floor to ceiling windows across both sides that open out in summer. Inside, we’ve a constellation of star lights and chandeliers, with spectacularly floral wallpaper, tassel-y lampshades, paintings galore and - what else? - a Chariot Racing mural behind the bar to celebrate the city’s Roman heritage. When in Colchester…”
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for breakfast
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Offerings· 11
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Dining options· 9
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 5
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Location
Restaurants near Romano Lounge
- The Pitta4.91820 mi£1–10Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsGood for kids
chicken souvlaki, greek food, souvlaki wrap
- Mirra4.51,6010.1 mi£20–40Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
authentic turkish food, tender meats, large portions
- Bill's Colchester Restaurant4.41,9510.1 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
buns too crispy, burger too oily, small steak
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romano LoungeVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.3834 | — | £10–20 | smashed avocado brunch, cherry bakewell cocktail, sri lankan prawn curry |
| The PittaVegan options · Vegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.9182 | 0 mi | £1–10 | chicken souvlaki, greek food, souvlaki wrap |
| MirraOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.51,601 | 0.1 mi | £20–40 | authentic turkish food, tender meats, large portions |
| Bill's Colchester RestaurantOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.41,951 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | buns too crispy, burger too oily, small steak |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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