Roma Cafe & Restaurant is a family run Italian venue at 11 Halford Street in Leicester city centre. Established in 1996, it combines the ease of a daytime cafe with a relaxed trattoria style restaurant for brunch, lunch and evening dining.
Fresh Italian coffee and pastries cover the lighter end of the offering, while homemade pizza, pasta and main courses provide a fuller meal. The kitchen prepares dishes in house to order, favouring direct flavours and the comforting character of traditional family cooking.
Representative plates include homemade meatballs in tomato sauce, pork escalope with a creamy mushroom and Marsala sauce, penne with smoked salmon and spaghetti vongole. Bruschetta, antipasti and aubergine parmigiana broaden the choice, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free possibilities identified across the menus.
A licensed bar pours Italian wine, spirits, liqueurs and aperitifs to accompany the food. Guests can stop for an espresso, arrange a friendly lunch or reserve an evening table, with personal service and an informal atmosphere connecting each part of the day.
Address: 11 Halford Street, Leicester LE1 1JA, England
Cafe Roma Leicester City Centre Menu
Starters
Bruschetta Pomodoro
Crusty toasted bread topped with fresh garlic oil, chopped tomato & onion & basil olive oil, balsamic glaze fresh rocket (gfa)
Bruschetta Funghi
Crusty toasted bread topped with fresh garlic oil, & sauteed garlic mushrooms, olive oil (gfa)
Antipasto Misto
A selection of cured Italian ham & salame with olives, pickles & Italian cheese & crackers (gfa)
Antipasto Misto Vegetariano
A selection of chilled char grilled & pickled vegetables with mixed olives Italian cheese & crackers (v)
Antipasto Platter for 2
A large platter of cured Italian ham & salame, char-grilled vegetables, italian cheese & crackers bruschetta pomodoro, olives, pickles, olive oil & balsamic dip. Also available exclusively vegetarian. (gfa)
Bruschetta Mista for 2
A selection of bruschetta with toppings of fresh tomato & onion, char-grilled vegetables, garlic mushrooms & mozzarella (gfa)
Garlic Mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms sauteed in garlic, olive oil & parsley (gfa)
Spicy Beans
Borlotti beans in a spicy tomato, garlic & parsley sauce (gfa)
Chicken Livers
Tender chicken livers in a rich tomato & onion sauce (gfa)
Minestrone Soup
A hearty traditional soup of mixed vegetables, tomato & pasta (gfa)
Burrata
Whole fresh Burrata cheese, fresh tomatoes, basil oilve oil, fresh rocket (gfa)
Main Courses
All served with your choice of either Fries or Salad or Sauteed greens & carrots
Pollo alla Milanese
Escallop of chicken coated in crispy breadcrumbs (contains egg)
Pollo Crema Funghi
Chicken breast in a cream garlic & mushroom sauce (gfa)
Pollo Cacciatore
Boneless chicken thigh roasted with garlic & rosemary peppers, onions in a tomato & red wine sauce (gfa)
Scallopine al Marsala
Escallop of pork in a cream, mushroom & marsala wine sauce (gfa)
Scallopine al Limone
Escallop of pork in a white wine, lemon & butter sauce (gfa)
Melanzane Parmigiana
Char-grilled aubergine layered with tomato & parmesan cheese and baked with mozzarella (gfa) (contains egg)
Bistecca Pizzaiola
Sirloin steak in a tomato sauce with olives & capers (gfa)
Stracetti
Strips of sirloin steak in a red wine & tomato sauce with peppers & onions (gfa)
Salmone
Fillet of salmon in a cream & tomato sauce with prawns (gfa)
Merluzzo
Baked fillet of Cod in a cream, garlic & parsley sauce with mussels (gfa)
Polpette Picante
Home made beef meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce (contains egg)
Cannellini Bean Stew
Italian beans in a spicy tomato sauce with mediterranean vegetables (gfa)
Pesca Mista
Mixed Grilled Fish, Cod, Breem, Salmon & King Prawn (gf)
Contorni (Extra Sides)
Garlic & Rosemary Sliced Potatoes
Tomato & Onion Salad
Chilli & Garlic Green Beans
Hand Made Garlic & Rosemary Flatbread
Pasta
Spaghetti Aglio Olio Pepperoncino
Olive oil, garlic chilli & fresh parsley
Penne Arrabiata
Tomato, chilli, garlic & fresh parsley
Tagliatelle Vegetariana
Tomato sauce with slow cooked vegetable ragu
Spaghetti Bolognese
Tomato & slow cooked beef ragu
Spaghetti Vongole
Olive oil, garlic, chilli & in the shell clams
Lasagne
Pasta sheets layered with slow cooked beef ragu & tomato topped with beciamella sauce, mozzarella & baked (contains milk)
Spaghetti Gamberetti
Tomato, chilli, garlic & King Prawns
Spaghetti Puttanesca
Tomato, capers, olives & anchovies
Tagliatelle Salsiccie
Tomato & pork & fennel sausage with peas
Spaghetti Polpette
Tomato & home made beef meatballs (contains egg)
Tagliatelle Salmone
Tomato, cream & smoked salmon
Spaghetti Carbonara
Cream with bacon sauteed in onion & garlic
Penne Amatriciana
Tomato with bacon sauteed in onion & garlic
Pasta Share Platter for 2
A choice of 3 pastas on a platter for 2 people to share. Spaghetti Gamberetti £2 surcharge.
Pasta Share Platter for 2
A choice of 3 pastas on a platter for 2 people to share. Spaghetti Gamberetti £2 surcharge.
Pizza
Traditional hand made stone baked pizza. Dairy Free? Ask your server for Plant Based Cheese! (£1 Extra)
Margherita
Tomato and mozzarella
Diavolo
Tomato, mozzarella, pepperoni
Prosciutto e Funghi
Tomato, mozzarella, ham & mushrooms
Quattro Stagioni
Tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, artichokes, olives & ham
Vegetariana
Tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, olives, peppers & onions
Puttanesca
Tomato, mozzarella, olives, anchovies & capers
Funghi
Tomato, mozzarella, fresh mushrooms
Capricciosa
Tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, olives, boiled egg
Quattro Formaggi
Tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, gorgonzola & provolone
Calzone
Traditional folded pizza filled with tomato, mozzarella & ham
Small Plates
£6 EACH OR 3 FOR £15
Burrata
whole burrata cheese on fresh tomatoes with basil oil & balsamic (gfa)
Antipasto
Cured salami & prociutto with olives, pickles & parmesan (gfa)
Vegetarian Antipasto
Chargrilled mediterranean vegetables, olives & pickles (vv) (gfa)
Bruschetta Pomodoro
Crusty toasted garlic bread topped with fresh tomato & onion, fresh rocket & balsamic (vv) (gfa)
Minestrone
Home made mixed vegetable & pasta soup (vv) (gfa)
Spicy Beans
Italian beans in a spicy tomato sauce (v) (gfa)
Sides
Fries
Mixed Salad
Garlic Bread
regular (4pcs)
Garlic Bread & Mozzarella
regular (4pcs)
Tomato, Onion & Rocket Salad
Mixed Olives
Grissini
Mixed olives, breadsticks, balsamic & olive oil dip & fresh bread
Lunch Pasta
All Pastas are served with Garlic Bread. Vegan/Gluten free Pasta & Bread are available on request. Mid-Week Lunch Meal Deal: ANY PASTA FROM THE MENU WITH GARLIC BREAD & A SELECTED DRINK ONLY £9. Included drinks – Coke/Diet Coke Orange/Apple Juice Tea or Coffee. Monday – Friday 11.30am-3pm.
Penne Pomodoro
Tomato & basil
Spaghetti Aglio Olio Pepperoncino
Olive Oil, Chilli, garlic & fresh parsley
Penne Arrabiata
Tomato, chilli, garlic & fresh parsley
Penne Crema Funghi
Mushrooms sauteed in onion & garlic with cream
Tagliatelle Crema Funghi Pomodoro
Mushrooms sauteed in onion & garlic with cream & tomato
Tagliatelle Vegetariana
Slow cooked mixed vegetable ragu & tomato
Penne Amatriciana
Bacon sauteed with onion & garlic with tomato
Spaghetti Carbonara
Bacon sauteed with onion with cream
Spaghetti Polpette
Home made beef meatballs & tomato (e)
Spaghetti Bolognese
Slow cooked beef ragu & tomato
Tagliatelle Salmone
Smoked salmon, cream & tomato
Spaghetti Cozze
Mussels sauteed in chilli & garlic with tomato
Lasagne
Pasta layered with slow cooked beef ragu, topped with beschiamella & mozzarella & baked
Lasagne Vegetariana
Pasta layered with slow-cooked vegetable ragu, topped with plant-based white sauce & your choice of mozzarella (regular or plant-based, please specify)
Lunch Pizza
Home Made Thin Crust Stone Baked Pizza. DAIRY FREE? SWAP TO PLANT BASED MOZZARELLA ON ANY PIZZA FOR ONLY £1 EXTRA.
Margherita
Mozzarella & Tomato
Funghi
Mozzarella, Tomato & fresh mushrooms
Diavolo
Mozzarella, Tomato & Pepperoni
Prociutto e Funghi
Mozzarella, Tomato, Ham & mushrooms
Puttanesca
Mozzarella, Tomato, Anchovies, Olives & Capers
Quattro Stagioni
Mozzarella, Tomato, Mushrooms, Ham , Olives & Artichokes
Vegetariana
Mozzarella, Tomatoes, mushrooms, Peppers, Onions & Olives
Quattro Formaggi
Mozzarella, Tomato, Parmesan, Gorgonzola & Pecorino
Capriciosa
Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Olives & boiled egg
Primavera
Tomato, Mushrooms, Spinach, Marinated Peppers, Plant Based Mozzarella
House Specials
Served with your choice of either Fries, Salad or Seasonal Vegetables
Pollo Speciale
Chicken in a cream , mushroom & mozzarella sauce topped with Parma Ham (gfa)
Pollo Arrabiata
Chicken breast in a spicy tomato, chilli & garlic sauce (gfa)
Polpette Roma
Home Made Beef Meatballs in a red wine & tomato sauce with peppers onions & olives (e)
Polpette Picante
Home Made Beef Meatballs in a spicy tomato & garlic sauce (e)
Melanzane Parmigiana
Layers of grilled Aubergine baked with tomato, parmesan cheese & mozzarella (v)(gfa)
Parmigiana Vegana
Layers of grilled Aubergine baked with tomato, plant based parmesan & plant based mozzarella (vv)(gfa)
Homemade Desserts
Torta Al Cioccolato
Rich chocolate cake with chocolate icing & topped with chocolate shavings. (e) (v)
Cassata
Home made tutti frutti ice cream layered slice with pistachio & marsala soaked biscuits drizzled with chocolate sauce.
Tiramisu
An Italian classic dessert of ladyfinger biscuits soaked in Marsala wine & espresso, layered with cream & topped with cocoa & chocolate shavings. (e) (v) (a)
Panna Cotta
Meaning ‘cooked cream,’ this is a traditional dessert of set vanilla cream. Enjoy as it comes or topped with homemade berry coulis, Nutella, crushed amaretti, caramel sauce, or pistachio cream. (gf) (g)
Crostata
Shortcrust pastry tart filled with homemade plum jam, served warm with cream or ice cream. (e) (v)
Vegan Almond & Chocolate Cake
Almond and chocolate sponge served warm with vegan ice cream. (vv) (n)
Cassata
Homemade tutti frutti ice cream slice with a layer of Marsala-soaked ladyfinger biscuits, drizzled with chocolate sauce. (v) (e)
Cheesecake
Please ask your server for todays cheesecake flavour. (v)
Affogato
A shot of hot espresso for you to pour over a scoop of vanilla ice cream (vegan available). Add a shot of liqueur for £1 extra. (v) (gfa)
Formaggio
A selection of Italian cheeses served with Crackers.
Extra Scoop Of Ice Cream
Brunch Menu
WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS – ANY HOT DRINK OR JUICE FOR £1. SATURDAY’S FREE COFFEE OR JUICE WITH ANY BRUNCH.
BURRATA BRUSCHETTA
CRUSTY TOASTED BRUSCHETTA TOPPED WITH PESTO, WHOLE BURRATA CHEESE, DRESSED TOMATOES, PARMA HAM, BALSAMIC GLAZE, FRESH ROCKET
EGG & BACON ROSTI
CRISPY POTATO ROSTI POACHED EGGS, CRISPY PANCETTA BACON, ONION CHUTNEY
FUNGHI BRUSCHETTA
CRUSTY TOASTED BRUSCHETTA, HERB RICOTTA, SAUTEED MUSHROOMS, SPINACH & POACHED EGGS
GO VEGAN
GARLIC MUSHROOMS, VEGETABLE RAGU, ROCKET
TUSCAN BAKED EGGS
BORLOTTI BEANS IN SPICY TOMATO SAUCE TOPPED WITH EGGS & BAKED WITH PARMESAN
SMOKED SALMON RUSTICA
HOME MADE FLAT BREAD, SCRAMBLED EGGS, SMOKED SALMON, SPINACH, LEMON & BASIL DRESSING
FRITATA
ITALIAN BAKED OMLETTE WITH COURGETTE, ONION & POTATO TOPPED WITH MOZZARELLA
Desserts
TOPPINGS: Mixed Berry Coulis – Pistachio – Nutella-Caramel & Crushed Amaretti – Chocolate
TIRAMISU
Classic! Made Fresh in house (ea)
TORTA AL CIOCOLATO
Italian Chocolate Fudge Cake (e)
PANNA COTTA
Set Vanilla Cream, choose your topping (g)
CASSATA
Tutti Frutti Ice Cream slice with Pistachio & Marsala Soaked biscuits (ean)
CHEESE CAKE
Vanilla Cheese Cake, choose your topping
CROSTATA
Shortcrust pastry tart filled with home made Jam (e) Served with cream or ice cream
AFFOGATO
Vanilla Ice cream served with a shot of espresso. Vegan Available – Add a liqueur for £1.50
VEGAN CHOCOLATE & ALMOND CAKE
Served warm with Vegan ice cream
FORMAGGIO
Italian Cheese selection with pickles & crackers
Aperitivo & Cocktails
Martini & Spritz: £10 each or Any 2 for £17
CLASSIC ESPRESSO MARTINI
Cold brew coffee shaken with vodka & coffee liqueur coffee bean & chocolate garnish
PASSION FRUIT MARTINI
Passion fruit vodka, passion fruit juice, shaken & garnished with orange & a shot of prosecco
APEROL SPRITZ
Aperol liqueur, prosecco & soda over ice with lemon & orange
LIMONCELLO SPRITZ
Limoncello Liqueur. prosecco & lemonade over ice with lemon
HUGO SPRITZ
Elderflower syrup, prosecco & lemonade over ice with lime & fresh mint
GIN SPRITZ
Pink gin, prosecco & lemonade over ice with berries
AMERICANO
Campari & martini Rosso topped up with soda & a slice of orange
NEGRONI
Campari, Martini Rosso & Gin shaken over ice with a slice of orange
COOLER
Prosecco & Limoncello liqueur
MIMOSA
Prosecco & orange juice
BELLINI
Prosecco & peach juice
Zero Alcohol Cocktails
0% MIMOSA
NoZeco & orange juice
0% BELLINI
NoZeco & peach juice
APEROL SPRITZ 0%
No Zecco, Zero Aperol & a top of soda
HUGO SPRITZ 0%
Elderflower cordial, No Zecco & a top of soda