Agnes Lin

My friend and I reserved bar seats during happy hour and ordered margarita pizza, squid ink linguine & truffle gnocchi. Not only the food was delicious but also the waiters were extremely friendly. They noticed my birthday is coming this week when checking the ID, and served a small cake surprisingly at the end of the meal. I’d like to recommend the overall great experience to future visitors.

Calvin Tran (MellowJello)

Absolutely delicious. Get the pizza. I know some of you are too snobby to order pizza in a high end restaurant but trust me. Get the damn pizza. The short rib was orgasmic too but that reflects the price. Skip the focaccia.

Lindsey G

Five stars simply isn’t enough to describe our exceptional experience at Pausa Bar & Cookery. From the moment we walked in, the staff’s warm hospitality stood out: we arrived on Valentine’s Day only to discover our reservation was set for the following evening, yet they graciously accommodated us without hesitation. This thoughtful flexibility on a busy night instantly made us feel welcome and set the tone for a remarkable meal. The restaurant itself is bright and modern, with a chic bar that displays an exquisite range of wines and liquors. There’s a certain laid-back sophistication in the air, underscored by tasteful music that complements the inviting setting. We started with the burrata, which truly lived up to its reputation. Handmade and plated with colorful, fresh ingredients, it delivered a light, creamy texture that was both refreshing and indulgent. Next came the real showstoppers: two of their Michelin-recognized pizzas—Romana and Margherita. The Romana was genuinely one of a kind, featuring a thin, blistered crust and toppings that harmonized perfectly to create a balanced, flavorful bite. The Margherita, on the other hand, demonstrated just how enchanting simple ingredients can be when handled with skill: sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil came together in classic Italian fashion. We continued with the Butcher’s Cappelletti, which showcased Pausa’s dedication to handmade pasta. The delicate yet satisfying texture of the cappelletti, paired with a savory filling, highlighted the depth of flavor that keeps this spot at the forefront of Italian dining in the area. As delightful as everything was up to that point, the true pièce de résistance arrived with dessert: bomboloni served warm, dusted with sugar, and accompanied by a sublime blackberry chocolate sauce. These pillowy Italian doughnuts were exquisitely plated, turning a sweet treat into a work of art and leaving us in awe of both the presentation and the taste. To top it off, the kitchen surprised us with an additional fluffy almond treat that wasn’t on the menu—a cute and thoughtful gesture that added another layer of sweetness to our evening. From start to finish, Pausa Bar & Cookery excels in every aspect—attentive service, vibrant ambience, and a menu that strikes the ideal balance between high-quality comfort and upscale Italian fare. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking an outstanding dining experience in San Mateo, Pausa deserves your highest consideration. We cannot wait for our next visit.

+2

Nick Walther

Found this place to eat by our hotel at the airport in San Francisco last night. Highly recommend everyone to go there if you want a great spot for dinner. Our server Katrina was amazing. She was so attentive and knowledgeable. The food was a combination of all different types of food around Italy. She told us the menu is always changing depending on seasonal ingredients. The wine is all Italian as well and the chef is from northern Italy we were told. The atmosphere was amazing. Great vibe in there and it was packed on a Wednesday night. We loved everything we tried especially the bone marrow, beet salad, tagliatelle, pizza and especially the sheep ricotta doughnuts. I would definitely go back. Probably the best service I have had in Bay Area as well.

Shirlene Kwan

The chef board was a great way to start the dinner. If you're looking for an app, wine and chit-chat before dinner, it's perfect. We enjoyed the pizza's thin chewy crust and interesting toppings. This is definitely a modern Italian fusion cuisine, not traditional. The pasta was very savory although portion was on the smaller side. I didn't love the risotto but I'm super picky with risottos in general. Staff was awesome. Our server was on point with her knowledge of the menu as well as the drinks offerings. She was ready with recommendations and were able to steer us to order enough for the table without over doing it.

+2

We had a lot of fun sitting at the bar watching the delicious drinks get made (try the fico d’India or for NA il sobrio). The margarita pizza was very very good though I didn’t think the sausage added much flavor. The gnocchi was light on sauce so a bit dry but the flavors (truffle? English peas, sunchoke) were excellent.

Grand Puissant (Bigmighty)

Nice place. Great date restaurant, cozy and quaint. Excellent service. Extensive cheese selection and wine list. Food is good: small portion. Expensive! ... and no bread with your meal ... at an Italian restaurant: Really??? 😄

David L.

Came here for a big group dinner and overall really enjoyed the experience. Felt like the appetizers were excellent, and surprisingly the pasta and entrees were good not mind blowing. Ok value for money. Overall, solid for San Mateo but didn’t meet expectations

Marlon Caballero

My friends took me here to celebrate a birthday. Our server was fantastic and friendly. He came to check on us frequently and made great recommendations for food. I didn't feel rushed out of the restaurant even though we had early reservations. And despite ordering dessert, they also brought an extra dessert for the birthday celebration. The food was good. I was trying to be adventurous and try something new. So I got the saffron spaghetti and a pizza that had a walnut puree. Although I enjoyed the food, I think I'm not one who has refined taste buds to enjoy the adventurous and different ingredients they used in their meals. My friends that were withe really loved the food.

Max Kay

Italian restaurant with good variety of cuisines and long list of drinks and wines. Variety of pasta and pizza. Check the ingredients carefully as many unexpected strong rare spice, nuts, or meets come your way. Veggie options available. Service is quick responsive and welcoming. Reservation is recommended. Indoor and outdoor seating with full bar. Private party and section available. Good for couples, gathering, date night, meetups. Paid street parkings. Flat entry and wide routes inside or outdoor accessible.

+1

Hari Narayan

The salami and the cheese plate was stunningly good. Made a mistake with the choice of pizza. The Pizza dough is superb, and their ingredients are really good, so if it was any other pizza other than the Pistachio(!!) pizza we had it would probably have been really good. The texture of the pasta was a bit off. I would stick with appetizers and Pizza.....just not the Pistachio pizza.

Mark Hassin

We recently visited Pausa in San Mateo for dinner with a group of six adults. From the moment we arrived, the staff welcomed us warmly and offered us a comfortable spot at the bar while we waited for everyone to arrive. Once seated, we were led to a great table in this upscale yet approachable restaurant, which sits somewhere between a Michelin-starred venue and a casual dining spot. Pausa specializes in fresh Italian cuisine, and it truly delivered. The drinks were excellent, and the wine we ordered was outstanding. The food was fresh and flavorful, with average portions that satisfied everyone at the table. Every dish was a testament to good Italian cooking. The restaurant was bustling and packed, which only added to the lively and enjoyable atmosphere. Overall, Pausa is a great place for a high-quality Italian meal

+4

travelfootprints

Went after a few years here, this place used to be something different! Being a vegetarian Our previous experience had a chef visit us and give us custom recommendations on what they can do for us since most of the menu is not vegetarian friendly! This was not the case this time. We went there to celebrate our anniversary but feel let down. Drinks were great though. The pizza was better, but the rigatoni pasta was too sour