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Casual Dining · Italian

Romano's Macaroni Grill Menu 2026: Full Dishes & What to Order

Romano's Macaroni Grill brings rustic Italian-American cooking to casual dining — think hand-rolled pasta, wood-fired proteins, and generous antipasto platters served in a warm, trattoria-style setting. The restaurant is perhaps as famous for its paper-covered tables and complimentary crayons as for its food, a tradition that invites guests to sketch and scribble while they wait.

Founded 1988Casual Italian diningHandmade pasta
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Spaghetti & Meatballs
Wood-Grilled Salmon
Chicken Marsala
Tiramisu
Jump to: Quick answers Full menu Most popular Compare prices About FAQ
Quick answers

What to order — at a glance

Signature item
Spaghetti & Meatballs
Most popular pasta
Chicken Marsala

A long-standing fan favorite

Complimentary starter
Rosemary Focaccia with olive oil & herbs Complimentary
Classic dessert
Tiramisu
Full menu with prices

Romano's Macaroni Grill full menu and current prices

Prices vary by location and are not listed on the official website. Visit your local Romano's Macaroni Grill or call ahead to confirm current prices.
Starters & Antipasti6 itemsSalads3 itemsHandmade Pasta8 itemsChicken & Veal4 itemsSeafood3 itemsWood-Fired & Grilled Entrees3 itemsSides3 itemsDesserts4 itemsDrinks4 items
Budget picks

Cheapest items on the Romano's Macaroni Grill menu

  1. 1Rosemary FocacciaHouse bread served complimentary with every mealComplimentary
  2. 2Soup of the DayTypically one of the most affordable items
  3. 3Italian House SaladSide salad portion available
  4. 4EspressoCoffee and espresso drinks tend to be modestly priced
  5. 5GelatoSingle-scoop option
  6. 6Bruschetta al Pomodoro
  7. 7Caesar Salad
  8. 8Sautéed SpinachSide order
Dish overview

Popular Romano's Macaroni Grill dishes at a glance

A selection of well-known dishes with their category and dietary notes. Prices vary by location.

DishCategoryDietary notes
Rosemary FocacciaStarterVegetarian · Complimentary
Calamari FrittiStarter—
Caesar SaladSaladVegetarian
Spaghetti & MeatballsPasta—
Fettuccine AlfredoPastaVegetarian
Chicken MarsalaChicken—
Wood-Grilled SalmonSeafoodGluten-friendly
Shrimp PortofinoSeafood—
TiramisuDessertVegetarian
Price comparison

How Romano's Macaroni Grill compares to similar Italian chains

Romano's Macaroni Grill sits in the casual-dining Italian segment alongside Olive Garden and Carrabba's. Pricing is not published online; this comparison reflects category and positioning rather than exact prices.

CategoryRomano's Macaroni GrillOlive GardenCarrabba's Italian Grill
Price tier$$$$$$
Complimentary breadRosemary focacciaUnlimited breadsticksBread with herb oil
Signature pastaHandmade — variesTour of Italy ~$20Pasta Weesie ~$18
Grilled fish entreeWood-fired salmonSeafood Alfredo ~$18Grilled Salmon ~$21
DessertTiramisuTiramisu ~$8Sogno di Cioccolata ~$9
About

About Romano's Macaroni Grill

Romano's Macaroni Grill opened its first location in 1988 in Leon Springs, Texas, founded by Phil Romano, the entrepreneur also behind Fuddrucker's and other restaurant concepts. Romano drew inspiration from his Italian heritage and wanted to create a trattoria-style experience that felt genuinely Italian rather than a generic American approximation. The restaurant quickly distinguished itself with a warm, lively atmosphere, an open kitchen, opera music piped through the dining room, and servers who would often serenade guests.

One of the brand's most enduring traditions is its paper-covered tables stocked with crayons, encouraging guests to draw and write during their meal — a nod to the relaxed, communal spirit of Italian dining. The bread service has also become iconic: loaves of rosemary focaccia arrive at the table with a ramekin of olive oil and freshly cracked pepper, served complimentary. The menu centers on handmade pasta rolled in-house, wood-fired proteins, and Italian-American classics like Chicken Marsala and Shrimp Portofino, with a wine program that leans toward Italian varietals.

Brinker International acquired Romano's Macaroni Grill in 1989, and the chain grew rapidly through the 1990s and 2000s to several hundred locations across the United States. After a period of ownership changes and contraction, the brand today operates a smaller but dedicated footprint of dine-in restaurants. Despite changes in scale, the core identity — handmade pasta, tableside warmth, and that crayon-and-paper table cover — has remained central to what makes Romano's Macaroni Grill a distinctive name in American casual Italian dining.

1988Founded
Leon Springs, TXOrigin
$$Price range

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Romano's Macaroni Grill still open?

Yes. Romano's Macaroni Grill continues to operate dine-in locations across the United States. The chain has a smaller footprint than its peak in the early 2000s but remains active. Use the restaurant locator on macaronigrill.com to find a location near you.

Does Romano's Macaroni Grill make pasta in-house?

Yes. One of the brand's hallmarks is handmade pasta rolled fresh at each location. Dishes like fettuccine alfredo and the restaurant's other pasta offerings use pasta crafted on-site rather than dried packaged pasta.

Why do Romano's Macaroni Grill tables have paper and crayons?

It's a long-standing brand tradition dating to the original 1988 Leon Springs location. The paper-covered tables and crayons are meant to encourage a relaxed, communal atmosphere reminiscent of casual Italian trattorias. Guests are welcome — and encouraged — to draw and write on the tablecloths during their meal.

Does Romano's Macaroni Grill serve complimentary bread?

Yes. Rosemary focaccia is served complimentary at the table with olive oil and herbs. It is one of the most recognized parts of the Macaroni Grill dining experience and has been a signature offering since the restaurant's early days.

Does Romano's Macaroni Grill have gluten-free options?

Romano's Macaroni Grill offers some gluten-friendly dishes, including certain grilled proteins and salads. However, the kitchen handles gluten-containing ingredients, so cross-contact is possible. Guests with celiac disease or serious gluten sensitivities should speak directly with their server and the kitchen before ordering.

Does Romano's Macaroni Grill have a kids' menu?

Yes. Romano's Macaroni Grill typically offers a children's menu with simplified pasta dishes and entrees at lower price points. Specific items and availability may vary by location, so it's worth confirming with your local restaurant.

Can I make a reservation at Romano's Macaroni Grill?

Many Romano's Macaroni Grill locations accept reservations, particularly for larger parties or peak dining hours. Check the official website or call your local location directly to inquire about reservation availability and policies.

Does Romano's Macaroni Grill have a happy hour?

Some Macaroni Grill locations offer bar specials or a happy hour with discounted wine, cocktails, and appetizers. Availability, hours, and items vary significantly by location, so contact your local restaurant for current specials.

Who founded Romano's Macaroni Grill?

Romano's Macaroni Grill was founded by Phil Romano in 1988 in Leon Springs, Texas. Romano is a serial restaurateur who also created Fuddrucker's, among other concepts. He drew on his Italian heritage to design a dining experience that felt like a genuine Italian trattoria, complete with opera music, open kitchens, and handmade pasta.