Romano's
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Quick info
About Romano's
Romano's sits on Longstone Hill in Saint Ives, a family-run Italian spot set out more like a Northern Italian trattoria than a conventional restaurant. The owners run the room alongside the counter, and dogs are welcome inside. There is no pasta or pizza on the menu; instead, the kitchen keeps things simple with a small, mostly cold selection of sandwiches and pastries, anchored by Italian grocery staples and a ham counter that doubles as a shop. Plates lean on Italian produce, including fennel stewed in sambuca with aged goat cheese and Parma ham, grilled cucumbers with lamb rack and white beans, and slices of Occelli cheese offered to guests. A wine bar pours Italian bottles alongside the food, with coffee and croissants available through the day, and a table by the bar seats walk-in diners.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- DietaryVegetarian options
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Menu & Prices
12 dishes · mains £5–38- Insalata Romano£9.50
- Insalata Caprese£8.50
- Tagliere Di Bruschette£9.50
- Pane E Balsamico£4.95
- Tuscano£38.00
- Puglia£35.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention grilled cucumbers, lamb rack with white beans, fennel braised in sambuca and occelli cheese.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention grilled cucumbers, lamb rack with white beans, fennel braised in sambuca and occelli cheese.
Customer Review Summary
Diners single out the food as the reason to find Romano's, naming the lamb rack, grilled cucumbers, fennel braised in sambuca with aged goat cheese and Parma ham, and the croissants as standout bites. The family-run character and the warmth of the owners and front-of-house come up repeatedly, with several describing the welcome as making them feel at home. Coffee and the pastry selection earn their own praise, one diner calling the coffee probably the best in Cornwall and warning the pastries are addictive, while another names the croissants the best they have ever eaten. Service is called over the top and excellent across multiple visits. One reviewer points out that, unlike many Italian spots, there is no pasta or pizza on the menu, and the small, mostly cold selection is part of the trattoria feel. Several suggest booking ahead or stumbling in on a local's tip, and visitors traveling through Cornwall say they plan to return.
Customer Review Summary
Diners single out the food as the reason to find Romano's, naming the lamb rack, grilled cucumbers, fennel braised in sambuca with aged goat cheese and Parma ham, and the croissants as standout bites. The family-run character and the warmth of the owners and front-of-house come up repeatedly, with several describing the welcome as making them feel at home. Coffee and the pastry selection earn their own praise, one diner calling the coffee probably the best in Cornwall and warning the pastries are addictive, while another names the croissants the best they have ever eaten. Service is called over the top and excellent across multiple visits. One reviewer points out that, unlike many Italian spots, there is no pasta or pizza on the menu, and the small, mostly cold selection is part of the trattoria feel. Several suggest booking ahead or stumbling in on a local's tip, and visitors traveling through Cornwall say they plan to return.
Featured reviews
- Maroula Argirou
“Absolutely loved this place! Such an authentic family-run business, and you can really tell how passionate they are about the food. Everything was so tasty! We randomly came across it on Google while visiting Cornwall and we’re so glad we did. We’ll definitely be coming back next time we’re in Cornwall! Also thank you for the occelli cheese it’s was unreal.”
- Aditi Sinha
“The cafe was a must go just from seeing it - It was very unique and stylish and had a comforting atmosphere. The menu was simple yet outstanding. Sandwiches, pastries and drinks - and all were deliciously mouth watering. A must go to place for sure! <3”
- Carolin Dahmen
“Tolles, kleines, familiengeführtes Lokal mit einer interessanten Speisekarte. Der Service ist überragend freundlich! Neues Lieblingslokal, leider weit entfernt von zuhause!”
- Dana Haag
“Kleine Auswahl, mehrheitlich kalte Speisen. Wie in einer italienischen Trattoria. Das erste italienische Restaurant, was keine Pasta und Pizza anbietet. Ausschliesslich Familienbetrieb. Sehr freundlich. Essen wohlschmeckend.”
- Alec King
“Probably the best coffee in Cornwall. Always great and friendly service. Don’t try the pastry selection. You will get addicted 👍 And dog friendly”
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Dogs allowed inside
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Vegetarian options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Offerings· 6
- Alcohol
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
- Parking· 1
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Dining options· 5
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Crowd· 1
- Tourists
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
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