The staff member on duty was a nice fellow, but the local couple that came in after us and joined/greeted the local crowd inside proceeded to stare at us relentlessly for some reason so we left abruptly. I'm sure it's related to these locals living in Old Catonsville for their entire lives. The elderly male proceeded to wait for his order by facing our table while standing and staring at my face. I am female and did not think much of it since he was slightly elderly. He also looked at what was on my friends cellphone, my friend whose back was turned to him. He finally left after waiting for what seemed to be eons of time since he was staring for so long. Not sure why this happened but since it was so awkward, we will not be coming back. --- The chocolate gelato was not bad, could have been a little stronger. The strocciatto (vanilla with chocolate chip flavor) tasted like ice crystals (freezer burn). I initially came into the store looking to try the mint gelato but when I saw the actual product I decided not to since it looked like a very brightly artificial green frosting instead of the yelp images I saw prior to visiting. My friend commented that the self serve coffee was not bad. read more

Service is painfully slow. Coffee tastes watered down. Too bad. But, the pancakes are good and it has a very friendly local atmosphere

Went there for an afternoon coffee, and was delighted. I had a wonderful coffee and the service was friendly and fantastic. The menu was intriguing and looked delicious I hope to be back soon to try more! Their pastries looked delicious and the next thing I think I'll try is their Maryland crab soup. read more

I love the rueben sandwich and the iced red eye coffee. The prices are great. It's a nice little local shop.

Sitting there right now, enjoying my coffee and gelato. I may have gone a bit overboard today, as those items are following up a very well-made chicken pesto wrap. Nonetheless, the staff has been friendly the two times I've come to the establishment thus far and the food has been superb. They were telling me how Thursdays one of the ladies hand makes their gelato! I had to fight off the urge to indulge right then, which explains this second visit! I highly recommend checking it out! read more

Excellent experiences! I've eaten here twice and have not been disappointed. Their service is fast and friendly. Would definitely recommend the mac & cheese and any of their home made soups! read more

Flash back to a cluttered, unkempt 80s café, tattooed with neon lights like you would see tucked between some rusted and dirty old apartments of a city. It's ceiling panels detached, it's eclectic array of items occupying the every inch of space, but its unique character emanates from everything and everyone and every incongruous poster, picture, and painting. The shop itself is premafashially rough against the neighborhood backdrop. But journey inside and fine something reminiscent of ages past. And as I sit and watch the sun fall behind the skyline and the cars buzz and rumble, and the neon lights ooze their colorful bodies more and more prominently, I feel some typa way... read more

Cafe Di Roma is such a great little place. It's a place where the locals get the best shrimp salad. The owners take pride in quality food and service. read more

Great gelato! The only beef (wink) I have with this place is that they also serve hot dogs - the nasal mix of coffee, gelato and hot dogs is not a good one. read more

Way back when, this was a fly fishing shop that brought in a slew of grizzled old men. It's strange to see it completely renovated into a younger, cooler, coffee and gelato hang out. The coffee is very tasty, especially for Catonsville which lacks this sort of thing. In terms of coffee shop decor, the place feels too sterile (think Baskin Robbins) and not warm and cozy. And although I haven't tried the gelato, I assume it will have a tough time competing with the delicious desserts from nearby Tastee Zone and Opie's. Regardless, the coffee is good and I'm pleased with that. read more

Great coffee and tasty bagels. We meet here after our run and enjoy the coffee. There are many tasty treats if you have a sweet tooth. Locally owned, and fast, friendly service. read more

Great Service! Got my coffee order in quickly and was able to choose from a selection of coffee in the back. Small space but with a decent amount of seating and the volume level was good for having a nice conversation or doing some work (free WiFi!). The ladies working were cheerful and attentive, overall a good experience and a nice find. read more

Excellent coffee, homemade soups and sandwiches. So delicious! I get the Maryland crab or cream of crab sound with some fresh chicken salad and potato chips. If you are gluten sensitive there are plenty of options as well. It's amazing. The coffee is bold - great roasts. If you are in the mood for a great meal, coffee and possibly dessert (in house made gelato). This is your spot. For gelatos I like smores or Reese's! Prices are very cheap for what you get. The shrimp salad sandwich delivers tons of shrimps and is under $10 you would pay at least $18 for this amount of shrimp at other places (or more). The shrimp salad is my husbands absolute favorite. Service is also great! Always smiling and running around to get your order made quickly. Kicks Starbucks butt. read more

What a wonder place to hang out and grab a quick bite to eat. This place has the best homemade soups and salads this side of town. Try the chicken salad it is to die for and the homemade md crab soup. Just the right touch of old bay. The owner makes you feel right at home and very sweet too. Would definitely come back again and try something else on the menu read more

I used to stop by here all the time for coffee in the morning. After a change of jobs and morning driving route, the place fell off my routine. I recently decided to stop in again on a lark, and this time, tried one of the breakfast sandwiches: I think it was turkey sausage, egg whites & cheese -- DELICIOUS!! And I'd forgotten their seasonal coffee selections and wonderfully rich selection of regular & sugar-free coffee flavorings! I'd have to add their seasonal pumpkin spice coffee to my "last meal" requests. Love the cafe's subtly continental vibe, great staff & fresh products. Looks like I'll have to alter my driving route again! :-) read more

I definitely drove right by when trying to find this spot but I turned back around an got a spot on the street right out front! There was only one other patron when I was there, camped out with a newspaper as I was setting up my laptop. There wasn't much room for it on the little tables but I didn't mind as I had a prime view of the gelato! Being good, I started with a piping hot bowl of chicken noodle and a smoothie. I'd recommend skipping their smoothies, not so good. But the soup was tasty. The girl working offered me the wifi password even before I asked and I got right to work. It wasn't long before I decided I had to reward myself with some gelato! I was a bit more crowded at that point, a set of grandparents with their four grandkids and a young couple also had squeezed in. No matter. I had vanilla with cherries and chocolate gelato! I can't believe I don't remember the name right now but it was fantastic. read more

My regular coffee stop in the morning. Oyster Reef is my favorite. Lattes and espresso drinks are also available. They also do breakfast sandwiches, big pancakes, French toast for breakfast. Lunch sandwiches and soups are great too. I love that the tomatoes are always great hothouse tomatoes and not the barely passable tomato imposters that are so typical everywhere. Get a BLT. You'll be happy. The shrimp salad is incredible and the chicken salad is my go-to. I'm always bringing friends in to get them hooked. (Oh yeah, and there' Gelato. Made fresh on site every Thursday. Coconut, stracciattela, caramel, and more. yum yum.) read more

Slightly overpriced, but a cute interior and convenient location. If you're looking for a place to hang out with a couple of friends, I'd recommend it, but it does not have enough space to accommodate large groups. However, they do have some outdoor seating. Their coffee is decent, but their food and desserts are good. They used to have gelato, which was delicious and different, but it has been replaced with the same Hershey's ice cream that every other place has. read more

Love this place. It's a small local simple cafe with excellent homemade gelato and nice baked goods. My wife and I been here on several occasions at different times of the year and we've never been disappointed. Never a ridiculous line and even if there was one, it would be worth the wait. A jewel just off of Main Street Catonsville. Definitely recommend. read more

Whenever I cruise by this location, I must make a pit stop to get at least $20.00 worth of gelato. I know, I have a serious sweet tooth problem! The staff is very friendly and I look forward to my next visit but my only suggestion is to check how much mint is added to the "mint chocolate chip". I was quite disappointed with the taste of my last serving, it seemed as if too much was added and I couldn't enjoy it so I wasted $5.00. read more

Personal service, great smiles and tasty food - - - and, in my humble opinion, the best darn blueberry pancakes in the Catonsville / Ellicott City area! Take your spouse or buddy and enjoy a great sandwich and coffee. read more

From breakfast thru lunch, including awesome desserts.... it's all very good!! Soups and chili too

This place has the worst food in history. We eat with our eyes first. They need a class in how to prepare food to look appealing to your clients. The food is ok but for what they charged it should have of been perfection. Will not ever be back!! I wish I could give zero stars read more

Sorry to say but the coffee and pastries were really quite mediocre. They have gelato but it looked quite sorry to my eyes. Nice folks but that's the only positive I can give. read more

The best! Excellent homemade soups, chicken salad and shrimp salad. And the gelato is made in the store. Also, very kid friendly.

I wanted to love this shop- as a supporter of small business owners/mom & pops shops...but unfortunately I don't think I will be back. I ordered a cafe mocha, but was unable to finish it because it was made so poorly. The milk could have been old, or the coffee could have been very burnt- I'm not sure exactly what it was. I also had a baked good that was not stellar. The environment could certainly use some sprucing up and cleaning. The barista was nice, but the overall experience was mediocre. I think with some updates and improvement this could be a great little cafe, especially since there are not many options in the area. read more

Amazing Place! Great prices, even better quality. Got Egg salad sandwich, w chips and pickle for under $5. The women working were awesome, very sweet and VERY Italian! Hand prepared everything in house, while I waited Recommend the pasta salad and Gelato! read more

Here's a secret: this place has the areas best iced coffee for a tiny fraction of the cost of any chain store. It's so good and so cheap that I feel like I'm robbing them every time I buy it. Just bring cash, no cards under $5. read more

Love this place! Really nice staff, and prices aren't bad. It's not common to find gelato made on-site! It was delish. I also enjoyed a slice of their carrot cake loaf. read more

Gelato made on premise. Rich, sweet and very satisfying. Very reasonably priced as well. Less expensive than Rita's and far better tasting. Breakfast and lunch menu looked delicious. Seating is a bit cramped indoors, but there are three sidewalk tables to enjoy your dessert and people watch. read more

Delicious homemade chicken salad garnished with a tomato that tastes how a tomato *should* taste in the summer! Free wifi, no pressure to clear out to free up the table. And wonderful creamy chocolate gelato. I'm a little sad that I don't visit the area more often. read more

Love this little place. Ive stopped here lots of time for the gelato and recently has the shrimp salad sandwich for the first time. Delish! Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area! read more

I think everything that Cafe Di Roma serves, from the homemade soups (my favorite is the MD Crab) & sandwiches (the shrimp salad rocks!) to the incredible Italian gelato & coffee is top notch. The prices are very reasonable for both the quantity and quality of food that you receive. As mentioned in another review, the only thing missing is atmosphere. The machinery (I'm assuming it's the gelato freezer) is very loud and the place does come off as pretty sterile. There's not a lot of room to work with and the ambience is more of an ice cream parlour vibe than that of an italian cafe, but that certainly won't keep me away. As for having to compete with the soft serves on Catonsville's Ice Cream Row? I think of Cafe Di Roma as more of the adult ice cream destination in Catonsville, though every kid I've ever seen in the place has loved it as well! So don't let that stop you from packing the kids in the car and pulling up to the curb. read more

The gelato is way better than what you get at Rita's. Prices are fair. I've gone here for breakfast a few times and haven't been disappointed with my bagel and croissant sandwiches. They don't have a huge selection of baked goods but what they have is really good. They also serve Lavazza coffee which is some of the best coffee I've had. read more

One of our favorite places for lunch or just a coffee date! Great sandwiches, excellent lattes, friendly service!

I ordered the mint chocolate chip ice cream. Really good! Found a hair in my food though. This won't stop me from going back, it was just gross. Ice cream was good and the portions were decent too. read more

I have been there many, many times over the time it's been opened. I live right up on Oakdale Ave. It's the ripped up street across from 7-11 as of now. HA HA! But this place is so wonderful...it cheers you up and has some real good coffee. Puts major coffee joints to shame. They have cinnamon buns that are not quite to die for...but they are delicious and not too sweet. They are actually a wee bit spicy...but I'm a fan. If you are in the Catonsville area...go stop by there maybe for desert after you have maybe eaten at the Caton or the Pit-Beef place. They will be happy to serve you. There is a loud purr of the refrigerator which is bad for people 35 or older that are starting to go deaf...so in the summer i suggest sitting outside. I am 15...so the purr doesn't phase me...i have great hearing as of now. Oh youth! If you are disabled...its real easy to get in. I know because im in a wheelchair. Curb cut outs and a really light door on the store itself. read more