Romana – Review

A Slice Too Dry, a Shot Too Late

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Time of visit: August 2025

Atmosphere: Bottles, Bright Lights, and a Bit Too Much Buzz

Romana in Shinjuku, Tokyo, makes a good first impression. The space is clean, the decor is charming, and the wine bottles lining the walls add a rustic touch. It feels like the kind of place where you’d expect cozy vibes and mellow music. But that’s where things start to unravel.

The room is small, and the lighting is a little harsh—bright white instead of warm yellow. And the music? Loud and oddly energetic for a place serving Italian comfort food. The ambiance had potential, but it missed the mark. Ironically, it ended up being the best part of the night.

Starters and Sips: A Tripa to Forget

We kicked things off with Shandy Gaff and beer. I wish I could say the Shandy Gaff was tasty, but it tasted like someone poured beer and forgot the ginger ale. Dry and bitter.

Then came the Trippa and sausages. The Trippa was bland—no depth, no salt, just chewy disappointment. The sausages were better, with decent flavor, but they lacked that juicy, fatty punch that makes them memorable.

Pizza Problems: Dough You Even Ferment, Bro?

We ordered the Formaggi and squid ink pizzas. Both arrived looking promising, but the first bite told a different story. The crust was dry, under-fermented, and lacked flavor. It wasn’t crunchy, chewy, or flavorful—just flat and floury.

The cheese was sparse, especially on the squid ink pizza, which felt more like a topping tease than a proper layer. The squid ink sauce had potential, but everything was underseasoned. We had to ask for salt and sprinkle it ourselves. Only then did the flavors start to show up. It’s frustrating when the ingredients are decent but the execution is off.

Dessert Drama: Sweet, Frozen, and Fashionably Late

We ended with semifreddo and tiramisu. The semifreddo was literally frozen. Like, biting-into-an-ice-cube frozen. The tiramisu was forgettable—no coffee flavor, just a sweet, pudding-like texture.

We ordered espresso to go with dessert, but it took over 20 minutes to arrive. While we were waiting, the waitress told us the machine was broken. So the espresso came long after the desserts arrived. Timing matters, especially with coffee and sweets.

Final Bill: A Pricey Lesson in Disappointment

The bill landed at ¥17,400 for two. For small portions, bland flavors, and slow service, it felt way overpriced. There was no standout moment to soften the blow. Tokyo has plenty of Italian spots worth your time and money—this just isn’t one of them.

Details of the Restaurant

Romana

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4En6bi15pHDnnhps6

〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 1 Chome−5−6 156･御苑ビル 1F