Villa Romana in Fareham

Booked months in advance. Had a chat at the time to make sure it was "signed, sealed and delivered". Also messaged them 3 days before the actual date to double-check all was set. Arrived on the night, with my party, a group of friends who'd travelled 350 miles to attend, only to find my name "not on the list". In that moment, aside from the embarrassment in front of my friends and the prospect of having to find somewhere else at Christmas peak, could have pulled my hair out how this shambolic nonsense actually happens! Without an apology in sight, they graciously squeezed us in, near the loos, to allow me to spend over £60 a head! Classy.

Went out for our work Christmas meal and I have to say the food was delicious, although a little bit expensive even on the drinks. The only slight annoyances were the chairs were so tightly packed together that you had to slide your chair as far out as possible in order to leave the table and then re-slot it back in the spot to prevent it being in the way, although having nearly 30 people there was no real way around it so not the restaurant's fault. There was a bit of a delay between the main course and dessert but it was worth waiting for. Venue clean as were the toilets so many thanks for a nice evening.

This is a great restaurant. We had a lovely family pre-Christmas lunch. Great choice on the menu, food really good. We were looked after very well and it reminded me what good hospitality is. Can thoroughly recommend. We will definitely return.

Had a lovely meal on our Anniversary,service was great,we had a glass of free wine from the waiter,will definitely go back,lovely music & decor,overall good experience.

Fabulous location, historic building, phenomenal food. Enough said. The vitello al fungi was exquisite, the pork belly was unctious, melted in your mouth. Big portions, good value for money. Loved it.

Very authentic Italian restaurant would love to go again and would order the same meal again!

Great place for a special occasion or night out with your partner.

Everything good from the food to the service. But a little expensive

Lovley food as always very well displayed . waiter and waitress was very good and happy .

We have been to Villa Romana a number of times and it NEVER disappoints. If you want to spend your time enjoying the best food surrounded by excellent staff and feeling as if you are in Italy, look no further. We cannot wait to visit again!

Had a lovely meal, the place was busy but the service was great! Happy to see the place bustling, the food was amazing as always

Great food, beautiful building, efficient service despite being very busy on a Tuesday night. Not the cheapest, but probably just about worth it.

Thoroughly mediocre and consequently poor value for the prices charged. Arancini was a soggy splat of breadcrumbs and watery rice, cannoli rock hard, pasta dishes ok.

Food was pretty average, service was terrible, no care or attention, very brusque. Shame as it was a birthday celebration. Over priced, we will not be returning.

Never been here before , but will certainly be returning. Excellent food , Excellent service. Didn't have to wait too long for our food. Steak was cooked to perfection. Best restaurant I've been to in a long time .

Really nice atmosphere and really friendly staff. They were incredibly accommodating when we said we needed to leave after an hour to get to an event, we made it with more than enough time to spare.

Some of the best Italian food I've ever eaten

Delicious food, excellent service definitely will be back again.

Great food and the most comfortable restaurant seats ever!

Maybe the best Italian in the area.

We walked in the door to a waiter telling us we had booked for 7pm when we know we booked for 7.30pm. No apology he was right and we were wrong! During the meal one of our party got the wrong starter and rather than apologise they went out of their way to show why they were right! Simply awful customer care! Food was excellent but duty of care to the customer was shocking and disingenuous and for the prices charged not worth us ever visiting again! Such a shame this used to be a beautiful restaurant. When you pay those prices you expect that level of service

Great service, delicious food. Decent prices.

Arrivred without a reservation. However they found us a table for two. The restaurant was very busy. So the atmosphere was good. The staff seemed surely and uninterested. We ordered Lasagna Al Forno and Tagliatelle Villa Romana. The Lasagna comprised of a re tangle of stodgy dry pasta sheets plonked in the middle of a plate, no salad, nothing else! Where was the meat in it and where was the creamy sauce ? My Tagliatelle was ok, lacking in much fillet steak. A disappointing meal for our wedding anniversary. Over priced and underdelivered. Would have been better off with a M&S Meal Deal! Will not be going back.

we were recommended this restauarant so we decided to go for our anniversary. Food was lovely, atmosphere was really good.

Great food, friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Have been to this restaurant so many times over the years, and never had a problem...until now. The food was not up to the usual standard. The chicken was tough, and over cooked. One lasagne came out burnt around the edges and none of them were particularly hot. The staff were not particularly friendly. So disappointed, and won't be going back

Honestly disappointed. I've been once before but not for a long time. Not what I remembered. Not what I'd hoped for expected in a restaurant with a 4.6 star review. The starters of calamari and fried mozzarella were not good at all. Tasteless. The mains slightly better but I still expect more from a restaurant. Nice atmosphere and the staff are friendly but definitely not worth the money. Wouldn't come back.

I felt I needed to review this place as we went here because of a high star rating, but the food was really bad and it was expensive for the quality. The calamari was rubbery and tasteless and the fried mozzarella wasn't even melted and did not taste nice. For mains we ordered tagliatelle villa Romana which was ok at best, and the steak was poor quality. We also ordered the risotto villa Romana which was average. Both dishes were a 5 out of 10. For drinks we ordered a house red which was nice and a pint of coke which was full of ice and cost £6.50! If we are spending £71 on that, I'd expect the professional chefs to cook better than we do, which was just not the case. We won't return, as we feel like we wasted our time and money.

In two minds about this restaurant. First impressions restaurant looks and feels classy Pleasant welcome Well laid out with tables not too close. Lovely tablecloths and napkins . Can be expensive or not so depending on your budget. Mains from £14 up to £30 + Food arrived promptly and was excellent No complaints at all. However We had a 7 year old in our party and felt children are not really catered for. No children's menu. All that was offered was smaller portion of spaghetti bolognese . For dessert only adult portions so a little expensive. Our lady waitress was not particularly friendly. No smile at all. No interaction with us at all .Rather abrupt in fact . £10 deposit requested for parties of 6 and over. Bill handed to us with really very little time to check it as she was hovering. Realised after we left no bill given to check later either. To sum up I would return for the food. Friendlier staff would be a plus Unusual for Italian people who are usually very friendly particularly with children

Wrong food brought out which left me with no food whilst my partner ate hers. Then the correct food came out with no potatoes or veg like the menu suggests. Waitress was rude. Won't be coming again .

Amazing Italian dining experience at Villa Romana Fareham! I visited Villa Romana in Fareham on July 4th, and it was a delightful experience. The restaurant has a cozy decor with warm lighting, perfect for evening. The service was exceptional. Our waiter Manuel, was friendly and knowledgeable, offering excellent recommendations. The wine selection was impressive. Highly recommend and will definitely be returning!

Back again tonight for another visit. The decor has been revamped with new tables/chairs, but manages to keep the homely feel. Food, service and atmosphere remain top tier. Dont look elsewhere for Italian food. Go here!

Food gorgeous just think the service can be seen as abrupt

We had a party of 12 plus 2 babies for a special occasion and we chose this venue as we have been pleased with previous meals there. They certainly did not disappoint, the food is delicious, freshly cooked and beautifully presented and the service was out of this world. The staff obviously have a genuine love of children and they know interacted with the babies very naturally. Every member of our party commented on how lovely all the staff were and I would thoroughly recommend. This is not the cheapest night out but worth every penny for a special night out. We will definitely return.

Excellent food, good mix of seafood dishes, great menu choice, excellent setting, good service and good atmosphere. The last time we dined here was in September 1996, as we are not local. Still an excellent restaurant, and we will be back again.

I don't often leave reviews but this restaurant deserves it! We went based on word of mouth and it didn't disappoint. There is plenty of parking. The team are welcoming and very attentive. It has a lovely atmosphere, a great family feel. Not like a chain restaurant. The menu has options for everyone and the food is amazing. My favourite restaurant :)

The restaurant is in an old building with bags of character and the decor is very nice. The service was very good. There was just one vegetarian main and two starters but the waiter made suggestions and the restaurant is clearly flexible in creating vegetarian options that aren't on the menu.

The food and atmosphere were amazing!

Very good food, reasonable prices, and brilliant decor

I used the reviews here before booking. All enjoyed their choices but we like trying arancini wherever we can in Italian restaurants. Lovely. Whitebait good too. I will add that the profiteroles were the best I have ever had! We are suckers for Primitivo too! Will be returning.

Beautiful meal and professional service. Very nice. Great coster service. Very clean and stylish

Elvis impersonator night was brilliant. Good food, great act and superb atmosphere.

Absolutely lovely, good vibes and the food was amazing. Staff are so friendly. Will definitely be back

We found this gem whilst staying in Portsmouth. It’s a 20 minute drive from Marriott Hotel and we really enjoyed our dinner, the ambience and service were excellent.

The best Italian food around. Some of the best food I have ever eaten. Thank you for a great evening.

Superb meal, great service and ample parking at rear of restaurant.

Some of the best Italian food I've eaten in the UK.

The food was superb, truly delicious. Staff were friendly, attentive, and professional. Villa Romana is situated in the old coach house. The building is historic and gorgeous.

Pleasant surroundings, good selection of dishes easy free parking. Wheelchair accessible. Amazing A4 leatherette menus with plastic wallets containing typed sheets, very 1960s and for us giving a worn out feel. Obviously very busy as it was full on a Wednesday evening.

Amazing, as always love this place that's why we keep coming back.

Superb meal, excellent service, lovely surroundings and atmosphere. Great variety on menu.

Loved our meal here. They do a pretty decent roast, and the lasagne and garlic bread was excellent. Very friendly hosts and a cool historic venue on Fareham High St.

We felt very rushed from the beginning. We had 3 minutes in between our starter & mains! I was also asked if I wanted black pepper when I had no food in front of me???? Yet the other's all had food at our table. Maybe the tablecloth needed some. Very vacant waitress. All this said, the food was nice, which I suppose is the vital factor to any restaurant.

As we are not from the area we chose on reviews. We were not disappointed. From the moment we phoned to check availability through to eating, drinking and paying the bill, the evening was first class.

What a fantastic place to dine, wonderful food, great service and value for money best Italian restaurant around here

Always a lovely meal here and the staff are very friendly. Highly recommend the Tagliatelle Villa Romana

Lovely experience, food good , nice atmosphere 👌

First time we've been here, was lovely! Mother's day lunch with the family. Super friendly staff, quick service and great atmosphere. We had roast dinners (only improvement would be a bigger Yorkshire pudding and maybe some broccoli 🥦 ) one of the best I've had in the area, fish and risotto. All very tasty, and great desserts. Will definitely be back to try some more off the menu!

First time visit, The food was great quality and absolutely delicious. Nice cocktail and wine selection. We will definitely return Thank you

Loved it here ! Food fab atmosphere great ! What more can you ask for ! Friendly staff good service’

Superb Roast lamb Sunday lunch, the best in Fareham by a long way. Service was great, attentive but not overbearing. Can't be beaten for the quality of the food and attention to detail in a lovely, comfortable setting. Will definitely be a regular from now on.

This restaurant is fantastic. We had a great meal. The service was very friendly. Highly recommended

Fantastic food and lovely surroundings. The staff were attentive but didn't rush us. Perfect place for a family lunch.

Food was perfect. Staff were lovely. But the £56 service (£4 per head) charge was an unpleasant surprise. There was no indication that one would be charged.

I’ve not visited this rest before but I’ll definitely be back again. The food was fantastic. The service was excellent. The ambience of the restaurant was just lovely. The only criticism was that most of the starters were seafood, which I don’t eat but the arancini was delicious so the limited choice didn’t bother me. My partner couldn’t finish her main course because her pasta portion was huge.

Good food, and service, but it was lunchtime and only 4 people in.

They have started doing Sunday roasts this month, so we decided to give it a try. Result, delicious, and the best roast potatoes I think I've had with a restaurant or pub roast. We'll definitely be making this a regular thing.

Great little place and even put up a extra bed in our room for us. 👍 👌

Great meal with lots of flavours. Staff very friendly and a beautiful building to feel comfortable in . Loved it and would recommend

Our pasta was delicious and the service very good

Definitely gonna come back here! The food was divine, you could say it's owned and you are served by Italians judging their variety and some of them awkward behaviour where actually you need their attention when it gets busy! My partner lasagna tasted like one I had in Rome couple years ago and it was according to him best lasagna he ever tried!. Obviously place can go quite chilly cause the brick but it's worth! Climate very Italian and homemade!

Was treated to a lovely meal by friends. Food was delicious and our waiter very helpful and friendly. Was a bit on the pricy side but you pay for what you get.

It is fabulous! The food is so authentic Italian taste. I and my boyfriend enjoy it so much. We highly recommend! 👍🏻 We will definitely come back again!! Lasagna Al Forno is the best!!!

Very intimate atmosphere plus super food

Villa Romana is especially welcoming. No microwave re-heated meals here! My king prawns were so juicy & the tagliatelle & other pasta's all freshly prepared & the champagne cream sauce complimented the dish. Ample sized portions too. The Pinot Grigio very palatable, a tad pricey, but well worth it. Plenty of space to accommodate large parties. We had 8 around an oval table, preferable, so we could all talk to each other. The ambience & decor is authentically Italian, with a homely, cozy feel. Our waitress was very attentive & patient as we were there for four hours (chatting) the service was fast. My Tiramisu was so light, and the ice-cream's slipped down easily, loads of flavours to choose from. We will be paying another visit here soon, highly recommend.

We visited here last night for a family meal over the Christmas break. The food was excellent and the service was good. Unfortunately the night was let down by the fact that the restaurant was freezing cold. We were seated by the front door which did not help but there appeared to be no heating on in the restaurant at all. The only heater that could be seen was one in the toilets of all places! Whilst I understand businesses are trying to keep their costs down it’s a false economy as we would not return to this place unless it was a warm Summer’s night. My feedback to the owners is that your food & staff were great but our experience was let down by the freezing cold of your restaurant, eating a meal in the cold is not pleasant nor does it encourage customers to return. That extra cost on heating ensures your customers are happy and return to your business.

Came here against my will originally but was pleasantly surprised and now I voluntarily go back. Great place for a bit of a celebration. Food was lovely and the staff are brilliant. Decent atmosphere inside and the building has got character. Started off drinking beers but finished with a few espresso martinis, and I struggle to remember having a nicer one.

Amazing lamb chops, friendly staff

Always tricky serving large tables and didn't get it right BUT food was excellent and the atmosphere seasonal! Just what we wanted. I was dubious of an Italian Christmas dinner but it was fabulous.

very good food and excellent service and good atmosphere

Overbooked and overpriced. The service was appalling - I don’t find a 2hr wait for a pre booked meal to be acceptable. Some of our party finished their main course before others had been served with theirs. The restaurant was fully booked both upstairs and down. If they can’t cope with so many bookings, they shouldn’t accept them. Galling there was a compulsory 10% service charge!

Lovely family night for dad's 80th.

The food was very good but the service was terrible. The staff member who seated us was very rude and dismissive, we were made to feel like we were taking up space even though we had booked the table over a week before which spoiled the experiance for us.

excellent food. a bit expensive. but you only get what you pay for .

Reserved for 10 people for a work dinner. The food was exceptional, the service was attentive and the price was very good. It’s rare nowadays to find restaurants with white tablecloths and big cotton napkins/serviettes, so this was an extra treat. All 10 people were so impressed we will be returning next month for a Christmas meal.

Excellent place as long as you don't get the condescending and patronising waiter. The waitress though, was very helpful and polite.

Terrible food, aranchini served cold in the middle, I have never had squid as rubbery as this. Lacking flavour and quality and charged a premium for this. I was asked several times how my food was but the server had walked away before I could answer. Avoid if you enjoy good food!

Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Would heartily recommend, but make sure you book as it was busy even on a Wednesday evening.

Had the best night celebrating my 50th Birthday with my family. Amazing food, atmosphere, service, highly recommend for a fabulous night out! We were really looked after and everyone who came said how lovely it all was.

A lovely restaurant with an excellent menu as well as polite and attentive service

Superb! Asked for my favourite, not on the menu and it was one of the best I’ve ever tasted - well worth a visit, you will not be disappointed!!

Haven't been for a while, but glad I did. Staff were fantastic and food was authentic. Prices were really good so won't hurt your wallet either. Have already recommended to friends.

What a great find! We turned up quite late with no reservation but were met with a smile and the offer to set a table. We enjoyed a wonderful meal with a gorgeous Amarone and would certainly recommend Villa Romana to anyone. Great atmosphere, great food and great staff! Thank you. Kaz and Dave

We were invited by friends to join them for dinner and we had a super time. We had excellent service from Christian with a lot of banter. As it was a Monday evening they weren’t too busy so service was swift. I tried the sea bass with an orange sauce which was different and delicious. Christian recommended a Primitivo wine which was a good choice with various dishes we had. My last visit was many years ago so it was good to return and experience the cosy atmosphere again. They have new cream chairs which are rather heavy to shuffle to the table but they are very comfortable.

Great food and friendly service

Food average and overpriced.Duck came out well over cooked and grey,seabass overpowerd with the lemon sauce

Absolutely wonderful food, my favourite restaurant.

My friend & I had a lovely meal here. The service was excellent and great to see happy staff. Thank you so much! We will be back 😁

This was our first evening out since the birth of our Son, a year ago. Unfortunately we were so very disappointed. The restaurant was busy with a nice ambiance on our arrival. Sadly it was all downhill from there. Service was slow and we waited 15 minutes before a waiter took our drinks order. However I must say the wine was excellent. Some 30 minutes later we ordered our food, starters and mains came relatively quickly however the food wasn’t great. My wife’s main was awful and my side salad wasn’t washed and I had the pleasure of eating grit! We reluctantly complained and they addressed the situation by removing a main from the bill with no apology. From our perspective we wanted an enjoyable evening out with good food and were happy to pay the full bill, rather than bad service and low on quality food. To summarise we won’t be going back. Very disappointed.

Visited early Friday evening. Staff were very welcoming and regularly checked on us. Such good service. Lovely personalities and totally professional. Food was wonderful. Lovely ambience. Setting is an Old coach house, so lots of character. Best lasagna and garlic bread we have ever had in a restaurant. Followed by an amaretto cheesecake, absolutely delicious. One point to note is that you can’t leave a tip on your card, so make sure you are carrying some cash. Will be visiting again very soon. Thank you for a lovely time.