Espresso Roma - Berkeley

So sad to see you go, Roma! I have to write a special review to say goodbye to Espresso Roma – a landmark on the corner of College and Ashby. I’m not sure how l... read more So sad to see you go, Roma! I have to write a special review to say goodbye to Espresso Roma – a landmark on the corner of College and Ashby. I’m not sure how long Roma has been there – the first Yelp review was written in 2006, but it’s the kind of place that many people don’t bother reviewing, so it may be there longer than that. Coincidentally, I moved into the neighborhood in 2006 so it has always been my local (along with The Beanery, which sadly closed a few years ago). I’m not sure if it’s official yet, but I know that Roma is about to serve its last espresso. To all the folk who have worked there (both the kind ones – hey Alvaro and Maria! and the grumpy ones), to the lovely folk who played piano and sung in the afternoons, and to the other customers who came to Roma on a regular basis: FAREWELL! I’ll miss those days of working remotely at Roma and hanging out with the wide selection of peeps who found themselves there. The book clubs, the musicians, the people learning Chinese and Spanish, the Dungeons and Dragons groups, the tutors and tutees, the eccentric academic types chatting up students one third of their age, the Boggle group, and of course Kim, waiting for her usual table at the back.

Good place, with a variety of foods to go with your coffee. The chicken posole soup is excellent, the portions are okay and the service is good. Cafe or bistro... read more Good place, with a variety of foods to go with your coffee. The chicken posole soup is excellent, the portions are okay and the service is good. Cafe or bistro describes this place well. The atmosphere is good too, and it is not overly crowded. I would go here again.

This is a very nice place to come get some coffee, lunch, and breakfast. The owners are very nice people and it is a great place to come and get work done or ha... read more This is a very nice place to come get some coffee, lunch, and breakfast. The owners are very nice people and it is a great place to come and get work done or have a lively conversation. There are two couched areas and a piano which somebody comes by and plays every once in awhile. It is a large space so you are able to either be next to the liveliness or find a quiet corner. Another thing that I find particularly important when spending time somewhere is that they have a clean restroom which they do. Hands down it's one of my favorite cafes.

I come here when I want to sit down with a decent cup of coffee or a small meal and get some work done. It's spacious and relaxed. The Wi-Fi is okay, although I... read more I come here when I want to sit down with a decent cup of coffee or a small meal and get some work done. It's spacious and relaxed. The Wi-Fi is okay, although I've had it cut out on me a couple times. It's a great place to meet a friend or just hang out.

Plenty of seating and a good selection of drinks/sandwiches/soups. Not too loud, and it's a good place to get some work done or just to have a coffee chat. Food... read more Plenty of seating and a good selection of drinks/sandwiches/soups. Not too loud, and it's a good place to get some work done or just to have a coffee chat. Food coming out was a little bit on the slow side, and it wasn't exactly mind-blowing, but it's overall a nice, clean place to hang out.