A History of Elegant Dining in Portland

Dine in one of Portland's proudest mansions, the Rines Mansion, which was designed by Portland architects Francis Fassett and Frederick Thompson for J. Henry Rines and his beautiful wife Anna Isabel. This lovely building was constructed in 1887 and was occupied by the Rines family until 1919.

The main dining room is today as it was nearly 100 years ago, when Henry and Anna Isabel entertained the City's leading citizens. Through these doors passed judges, sea captains, traders from Boston and dignitaries from afar.

In 1935, The Roma Cafe, which was founded in 1924 by Dominic Marino, moved from 489 Congress Street to its current location. Today the same attention to detail that Messieurs Fassett and Thompson bestowed on one of their proudest accomplishments is stressed each day by Cindy and Peter Landrigan as they maintain the high standards that have earned numerous restaurant awards. Recently the food critic for the Maine Sunday Telegram awarded The Roma Cafe 10 1/2 stars for food, service and atmosphere stating "great professionalism in the kitchen and on the floor." Also, for the past four years The Roma Cafe has won the President's Award at "The Chocolate Lovers Fling."

Through the continued offering of fine food, service and ambience, The Roma Cafe remains Portland's most romantic restaurant as well as a favorite with the business community who voted it "best for business" in its most recent poll.

We hope that you will enjoy the new century at The Roma Cafe with us as we continue our tradition of elegant dining.

Roma Cafe Reviews

Classic Food Amid 19th-Century Elegance
"The Roma is a good place for a relaxed, extended dinner, preceded by cocktails (skillfully mixed), accompanied by wine (the list is varied and well priced), and followed by coffee and dessert (the tray of after-dinner delectables will test the strongest resolve)."

"While venerable, the Roma is scrupulously maintained and boasts one of Portland's most reliable and experienced staffs."

"That kind of professionalism marks everything about the Roma, and the attitude comes from the top. "We really do pay attention to detail," owner, Peter Landrigan insists. "We're very, very serious about repeat business. We won't buy any food that's not good quality, and if the customer has a problem, we find out what caused it and follow up. That's what you have to do if you have any integrity." "Integrity the Roma has, and plenty of it. But then that's what you'd expect from a civic institution."
- Down East Magazine