I had the artichoke&sweet corn pasta with walnut sauce, and it was delicious. Multiple vegetarian pasta options. Very cute place.

Delicious pizza and had gelato for dessert. Friendly staff and great service. Might want to make reservations. We were there early on a Thursday evening every table inside was reserved. Popular place!

Very welcoming staff who sat us promptly, when we arrived. Since it was our first time we were not that familiar with the menu offerings. However the menu was well presented with many choices. We started out with the Brussel Sprouts + Pancetta, which was good but a little dry and slightly overcooked to my liking. We order a side of Focaccia Bread, which I felt was overcooked as well. Our entrees were the Bee's Knees Pizza which was very good and we had Bucatini Carbonara which was good too. Plus a couple of glasses of wine, plus ice cream for dessert. We will return and recommend this restaurant to anyone who is seeking a casual place to dine, with great service and good food.

Love the Spicy Chicken sandwich and the TriTip burrito. So hard to decide which to get. Bring a friend and split them! Great sunny outdoor seating with cover right out front and right on the main street of downtown PG. Blocks from the ocean / Monterey Bay. Eat a delicious meal and take a walk around town after or get it to go and head to Lover's Pointe beach.

Service was a little slow, but the food was fantastic. Really enjoyed the wild boar ravioli.

We got into Pacific Grove a little late and it so happened that this Cafe was open. It was nothing short of amazing with their hardy portions and refreshing iced tea. If it wasn't for my exploratory nature, I'd eat there every meal!

The lemon ravioli was so so amazing! Kind of tiny so you might wanna call ahead to reserve but very worth it.

Best restaurant in the PG/Monterey area. Amazing food, considerate service, great menu, and absolutely worth every dollar. Their chicken parm is the best in the area. I don’t even want to try new restaurants because I keep going back to Rudolfo’s!

Get the spicy rigatoni vodka 100/10 😍!!! Espresso gelato is great too! Great local establishment, not very touristy at all. Charming atmosphere

Great food, great service. Seems like a spot that could be passed up on, but it's worth the visit.

Visited with my family. My dad and I have the bolognese pasta, and it was AMAZING!! Very authentic bolognese from Napoli. My husband and so had pizzas, and were good as well. Service could improve some, but good overall.

Rudolfo's is unrivaled. Crust on the pizza is immaculate--crunchy and thin but not impossible to chew. Sauce is flavorful and packs a punch. The carbonara is insanely rich and creamy. Staff came by several times to ensure we were well attended to. Can't recommend more!

Their pizza is the one of the best on the peninsula, if not the best. We moved to the area from NJ and have been trying to find good pizza but have been very disappointed with every recommendation we’ve gotten. Admittedly we have a high bar because there is a pizza parlor every couple of blocks in NJ, all severing great NY or Sicilian style pizza. Rudolfos has gotten the formula just right. We ordered three different pizzas, (margerita, build your own with sausage, and a “fun guy” white pizza) and all were outstanding. The meat ball appetizer was very good. Just the right mixture in them. I did think that the sauce was good but a little sweeter than I like, but that’s just a personal preference. We will definitely make this a regular stop.!

Absolutely one of the best meals I’ve had in Monterey. The meatball appetizer is delicious. For my entree I ordered a pork chop with mashed potatoes and candied fruit. It was the special that night, it was cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful. Everyone in the staff is extremely kind helpful and very easy to talk to. It’s a nice quaint restaurant that feels modern and cozy. Expect it to be busy though because with food that good it’s bound to be.

The owner and his team have done a really fantastic job! The staff is always super friendly, the menu has a variety of really great dishes- any of the pasta dishes are incredible! It’s definitely a must try if you’re in Pacific Grove.

What a cute little restaurant. Homemade pasta for the win. I asked my very friendly server for a recommendation and she chose the Bolognese. It had so much flavor, I just savored little bite of it. It was a generous portion so i was able to take some home. I also enjoyed the fresh focaccia bread, a hearty glass of chiati, and the ambiance on the patio.

My family and I had dinner there last night. Great experience. We didn't have a reservation so we waited for 20 or so min. but the owner was wonderful. Brought out wine and glasses for the folks waiting in line. Ordered the Arugula salad, broccoli pesto pasta, carbonara, and a margarita pizza for the kiddo. For dessert we got the mango cheese cake. All of our food was super tasty. Almost came back the next day for more!

Big combo that, even I can’t finish. Love the flavors and options. We personally had the Heatwaves Sando’s. Yum

Great food, staff and atmosphere. One of my favorite restaurants on the peninsula.

My friends and I absolutely love this restaurant. We come here every time before our races because we know that the food will always be delicious and the service is always great. The owners, Rudolfo and Miguel are really personable and they have been super accommodating for our reservations for a number of different occasions. We’ve even come to the restaurant with groups as large as 15 people and they still gave us really good service. Thanks for everything, guys.

Was walking past Rodolfo’s on a lovely afternoon and checked out the menu out front. It looked super tasty, so we decided to grab a bit to eat. We got the Pasta Bolognese and Margarita Pizza and they were both delicious. We also tried the Aperol Spritz as well and it’s a must have. The pasta was one of my favorites I have had! We will definitely be back to try other things.

Probably the best meal we’ve had in PG / Monterey! This place is so good that we will probably be back at least once or twice this visit. The entire menu is amazing, but the homemade pasta is UNREAL. Both the carbonara and the short rib ravioli were fantastic. Highly recommend!

I had penne puttanesca and my husband had braised short ribs with penne. They are both delicious. I also had tiramisu the tiramisu is okay I have tasted better but it's not bad. overall it's good eat. Service is okay too.

Stopped by Rudolfos for desert after hearing the good reviews on their gelato. The options are limited, but the portions were generous and tasted great!

We got spicy rigatoni, focaccia bread, beet salad and a fun guy sourdough pizza . All things were really tasty. The service was quick and the server was very friendly.

I love this place is incredible. Food, service, location are all great. 1st time had the meatballs, bolognese, Brussels sprouts (huge serving) and lemon ricotta ravioli. Next was the terrific spicy rigatoni alla vodka with burrata. Spiced just right! We made our own pizza with red sauce, basil, and arugula. What a great pizza. Crust is perfect and sauce is spiced just right. We’ll definitely be back for more and bring friends.

Really wonderful place! Out 3yo loved the kids pizza. We had the polenta appetizers and they were fab! My calamari ink ravioli were sooo good, felt like I was transported back to Italy. We had a pistachio cake for the dessert. Love it all!

Everything at this restaurant is great and the food is amazing. We like to bring out-of-town guests here and they're always impressed. Follow them on the socials, but be aware that the videos WILL make you hungry! 😂

My husband and I were visiting from Colorado and kind of stumbled upon this place. Of the 3 nights we were here, we ended up eating here twice for dinner because it was THAT GOOD. The spicy vodka pasta was seriously fantastic. I’ve rarely had a dining experience where the food makes me feel so passionate and excited. After reading about his story on the website it made the experience ten times better too. Such a cute restaurant, incredible food, and the staff were all so nice and sweet. 10/10 experience and truly made our experience in Monterey that much better. If we could come back all the time, we 100% would. Thank you Rudolfo’s!

Amazing pasta. Some of the best I have ever had, and yes that counts comparisons to restaurants in Italy.

Are you kidding me!?! So cute so perfect such delicious food.. We got a beautiful custom margarita with a huge arugula salad to share. The service was incredible. We had great ambience on the patio and the pizza was amazing! We are in from out of town, so I really did not know what to expect as we googled to look for places to eat. We came back again for some gelato simply because we saw they had some and there wasn’t an ice cream store nearby. Both of us were blown away at the flavor! Clearly custom-made With a perfect balance, not too sweet not too milky, but just full of incredible flavor. I don’t mean to go on and on, but where we live there’s not a lot of great food options. We were expecting a local casual experience and it turned out to be our favorite! Low-key, easy to get a table, great ambience. We will definitely be back!

Rudolfo’s Cafe is such a gem in Pacific Grove. The Parisian style cafe is the perfect combination of elegance and grace. It’s cozy vibe makes it very comfortable for every type of customer, whether you’re looking to have a cute date night, eat out with friends, or have a solo bite while catching up on emails. The diversity that the cafe brings to this community is truly something unique and special. Not only is the cafe warm and welcoming, but the staff is exceptional as well. My family and I ordered a wide variety of appetizers and plates; including: the foccacia bread (which was phenomenal), the perfectly prepared artichoke and dip, several amazing pizzas, the well cooked burgers, and the yummy chicken Parmesan. This was all topped off with the BEST dessert in town. The key lime pie and chocolate cake are undeniably delicious and a must try. Thank you Rudolfo and staff for the amazing food and service!

My husband and I had a wonderful night at Rudolfo's last week. The food was delicious and we loved the ambiance of the outdoor patio, even though the night was a little chilly. It was our first time staying in Pacific Grove, and one of the owners took the time to recommend places to visit when we were in town. Highly recommend eating here if you get the chance!

The spicy rigatoni alla vodka is one of the best dishes I've ever eaten. The service was excellent and fast. Bit loud and cramped, so if you have sensory issues I'd sit outside. In all, amazing spot. Place a reservation!

My husband and I had a delicious lunch here! He ordered the chicken soup and I had the pasta - both delicious! The gelato was amazing as well. Service was great!

Rudolfo’s has become my regular spot. Every dish I’ve had has been incredible. The pear and arugula salad is fresh and flavorful, the fig pie pizza is a perfect mix of sweet and savory, and the jalapeño burger is maybe my favorite. Every time I have a friend visiting I bring them here. Just tried their pasta bolognese tonight and it was amazing. Their homemade cookies are also a hidden gem. Can’t go wrong with any of them but raspberry cheesecake and peanut butter chocolate chip are my top choices. The staff is always very friendly as well!

This place was really low key. We had great service and great comfort food! Their deserts and coffee are wonderful! Super great quality and portions. Just wow.

I highly recommend this cafe to eat. The service was great, I always appreciate when they keep a glass bottle of water for the table. The food was absolutely delicious as well. I recommend the bucatini carbonara and the Bee’s Knees pizza, both were so bomb! I was only in the area for quick trip but if I lived in the area I would go back regularly!

Placed an order of cookies for a recent party and they were a huge hit! Way more fun than a boring cake—and so much easier to pass around. The flavors are super fun and absolutely delicious. This is officially my new go-to for parties or a sweet little gift! Pick up was super easy and the staff is always so helpful! Thank you all so much!!

We decided to get a takeout dinner here, and the food was stellar. The ravioli was on point, and the brisket sandwich was perfect! This is how you make food: with attention to detail, textures, and tastes. You can tell the chef worked hard to perfect the meal!

So happy we found this place! The food was delicious. We ordered the pesto pasta, Margherita pizza, and vanilla gelato and everything was excellent. The service was fresh and the owner was very friendly. Will be back whenever we come to the area.

First time my boyfriend and I visited, my first time trying a panini and so glad we did! Excellent service! The owner was sweet enough to take a pic of us! Will be returning. Highly recommended!

Excellent place for a casual meal or dessert. We stopped by for coffee (which was good, they use Lavazza), and my mouth started watering as I looked at the menu. The owners were very friendly, so we ended up coming back later for lunch, and we weren't disappointed! I had the braised short rib ravioli, which was delicious. My wife had Tuscan white bean soup and salad, which she enjoyed, and my daughter had a turkey and cheese panini on really good bread. I was tempted to get gelato afterwards (the flavors were all right up my alley), but I was way too stuffed!

I recently had an opportunity to bring my family to Rudolfo’s and it was fantastic! The pizza had a crispy crust and flavorful toppings, while the fried chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside. Don't miss their delicious desserts as well! Overall, a great experience that I can't wait to repeat. Highly recommend!

Love the atmosphere here! Very friendly server and great food. Made for a wonderful dinner with my husband.

probably the best service we had on our trip to california. they were so attentive and accommodating when informed of dietary restrictions! gluten free people, go here! the pasta was great.

I first selected Rudolfo's as a lunch spot under the impression that it was a hipsterish café, which was definitely reinforced by the decor: light colors, plants, rustic wood, and a pastry counter. But upon being provided a chilled bottle of water and reading the pretentiously plaintext menu, I realized this was a much fancier place than I thought. The menu is pretty heavily weighted toward Italian fare, with an extensive pizza and pasta menu. The waiter is great, courteous and chill, efficient and kind. I ordered the cheesy garlic focaccia and the fungi pizza. The focaccia was served sliced into thin strips on a long cutting board. It was ok, but far from great. Because of how it was sliced, the cheese cooled quite quickly. The focaccia itself wasn't really focaccia, but was far too cakey in texture; this wasn't helped by how it had been baked a second time, making it even more brittle. Both the cheese and the bread just tasted a little... off. The garnish of parmigiano was tasty, but the basil was a little overpowered. But you're probably here for the pizza anyway, so let's discuss that. Initially I was apprehensive about the huge lumps of ricotta. But they tasted very fresh and did much to balance the rich savoriness of the mushrooms and spinach. In fact the whole pizza had several different flavors working quite well together, all very strong but none overpowering. Mushroom pizzas can typically suffer from being too anemic, but the fungi here were bold and juicy. Also, the crust was actually great! I was afraid after the bizarre focaccia that the pizza dough would come from the same stock but this was decently stretchy and quite flavorful. This was a really enjoyable pizza, and I only wish it was a little bigger for the price. Rudolfo's does have a lot packed in to its menu despite being on such a small sheet, so I do hope to try some of their other dishes, especially the pastas.

I went here to try Heat Waves fried chicken sandwiches, and left a life long customer! Absolutely the best fried chicken in the county! The hot was actually too spicy for me, which I rare and I loved! The fries we got was a meal on its own; it was so delicious with the seasonings they had on the fries! Last but not least the mack and cheese is the best I've ever had. I imagine it's the type of mack and cheese jeff bezos or Bill gates have when they ring a bell for it. It was seasoned amazingly with the best cheese blend. You need to come here and try them out!

In a sea of bland food and soaring prices, we rely on Rudolfo’s menu and service for celebrations or a casual order of fries to take home. Great staff with patience and kindness to spare.

This was place was bomb! So nice to find somewhere in the Monterey area that has good wine and great food without making you feel like you're a lizard person in the Hamptons 😂 it was so nice the staff was super friendly. We felt very comfortable just having a good time hanging out for dinner here, it was so refreshing. I asked for a rec for a red wine from California (I'm no snob, so idk what to order) and she brought me three generous tasters that my gf and I tried and loved all three. I ordered one of those three, but could have enjoyed any of the three. We had the bees knees pizza and it was SO good. Crunchy crust but also really nice toppings and soft cheesy dough. The highlight of the night was the rigatoni pomodora. Truly a special pasta dish where most of the flavor comes from the Calabrian chilis, without being too spicy at all. We really really loved that dish. I will be coming back here whenever I am on the Monterey area for good wine, good vibes, kind service, and delicious food. Thanks so much for having us! PS the espresso gelato is AWESOME

+1

Delicious American Italian food with a nice vibe, this is a great family friendly option.Family-owned and always buzzing, they serve up pizza/burgers, elevated dishes, irresistible gelato and desserts. Their wine selection is also on point. My family frequents often because we know it’s delicious consistently and the service is never off.They also have a really cool pop up on Sundays that serve good take out food and fried chicken sandwiches .

Friendly staff, excellent food, and very clean restaurant.

+1

Cozy spot for a good meal. The service was a little slow with the food coming out but might’ve been because they were understaffed on new years. The wait was worth it though. The food was well seasoned and good portions. Shout out to the staff working on a holiday!

We had the Meatballs with Focaccia, Spicy Rigatoni and Tiramisu. The food was really good and tasty. Make sure to taste the focaccia, that is amazing. Also the wine was really good.

Rudolph’s will make you feel like you are in a small cafe in Italy. They have a good selection of fresh ingredient food! The service is outstanding (Thank you Jocelyn!). In addition, you can choose from a variety of gelato or treats for dessert! The manager and team will ask about your food and service! It is like going to an Italian family home for lunch or dinner. They also are knowledgeable and have gluten free options! Great experience!!!!! Came back a second time and it was equally as good with great service. I highly recommend Rudolfo’s Cafe for people who live in PG or visitors😊😊! Rudolfo is outstanding and takes care of you!!

Rudolfo’s is a must when in Monterey/Pacific Grove! The food is exceptional! Pasta, pizza, small plates! Desserts do not disappoint. The pistachio cake was awesome. All ingredients are fresh and you can tell food is his passion and made with ❤️. Nice wine list to choose from. Met Rudy and he is humble and friendly. Can’t wait to return often when in the area!

One of my new favorite restaurants in the area! Had the truffle fries and the fig pie and both were delicious! Great atmosphere and excellent service, too

+1

Delightful place...the Leek Soup was good, and the side salad was large & fresh. I had some basic spaghetti and meatballs, and the meatballs were very good. The place is clean, the service is excellent. We'd been here last year when we were in the area...and we'll be back again!

We enjoyed our wine 🍷, pizzas 🍕 and dessert 🧁 at Rodolfo’s. The pizza verdure was loaded with delicious vegetables. The desserts are made here. We had the chocolate peanut butter cake - molto bene! Check out the menu I photoed for latest prices. If you’re in PG you should come here for a meal. 🍕🇮🇹😁

Absolutely delicious! I’m still dreaming about the homemade pasta. The chicken parm was amazing and great portion sizes. Get the tiramisu, it’s incredible.

I had such an incredible experience at Rudolfo’s. Even though I was dining solo, the team made me feel so welcomed and taken care of — truly some of the best hospitality I’ve had anywhere. The food was outstanding. The spicy rigatoni was perfection, the Caesar salad completely blew me away, and the dessert is absolutely not to be skipped. Everything was flavorful, comforting, and beautifully done. As someone who used to live here and comes back often, Rudolfo’s is my forever favorite spot. It’s the place I look forward to visiting every single time I’m in town, and once again it did not disappoint. An all-around amazing dinner. I couldn’t recommend more!

My family and I loved our experience here recently. All the food was fantastic. The dough on the pizza might be the best I’ve ever had. I would love to return and try the pastas in the future. Our Brussels Sprouts with pancetta were delicious. The Cesar tasted fresh and savory at the same time and the house made croutons gave the salad a delicate and not super hard crunch like store bought. We sat out on the sidewalk on a beautiful day and look forward to being back.

Any meal here is great really however recently we really try to make it to their brunch . We have had so many of their items on the brunch menu and we never had a miss but we always order the breakfast burrito it’s one of our favorite breakfast items anywhere. If you can’t make it for brunch they have great pasta dishes and pizzas . On Sundays they have a pop up and we always get fried chicken sandwiches and Mac n cheese to go when we are on family outings to the beach or park . I wish I had got some better photos because this does it no justice. It’s a great restaurant for families or date night in a cozy location.

Amazing food I had the Pepperoni Pizza, which was amazing. The meatballs with the fresh focaccia bread was really tasty, the Brisket sandwich was amazing and the Burger was delicious. Fast and friendly service. Will definitely go back here.

DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN! We started with apps: onion rings (normally a side), cheesy garlic focaccia, and pancetta balsamic Brussels sprouts Entrees included: spicy rigatoni with burrata (burrata was extra and 10/10 worth it), butternut squash ravioli with ricotta (ricotta was extra and worth it), organic beef lasagna, and parmesan crusted chicken. Desserts: s’mores cookie, birthday cake cookie and tuxedo cake. Didn’t have a bad thing and wish we could’ve eaten more! Rudolfo and his team run an efficient and great restaurant. Though it seems small in size, the portion sizes were hearty and every bite packs in so much flavor and we are SO excited to come back in the next couple months. This for sure will be a staple any time we visit Monterey.

We came up to Pacific Grove for the Motorcycle Races at WeatherTech raceway. And where staying in Pacific Grove for the weekend. My partner in crime was looking for something different for dinner and found this little cafe on Yelp. Omg this place was amazing. Outside dining and Italian dining dishes that were out of this world. We managed to get in without having to book a reservation on short notice the staff there were very polite very helpful. I trade the lasagna and oh my God the portions they serve there were amazing so filling so good. My girl had a pear and apple salad with also some handmade lemon raviolis. They were delicious and for dessert she tried their dark chocolate Italian gelato hit the spot dinner for 2 this quaint little intimate little restaurant. I highly recommend if you’re staying in Monterey or in Pacific Grove it’s Fairly priced for what you’re getting in the service is amazing. We also found out that if you order a head special order, they do serve a very, very nice Tomahawk steak.! 🤓👍 we will definitely make this a regular spot every time we visit Pacific Grove and when we’re traveling the Bay Area

We are locals and love Rudulfo’s. It is a hidden gem. We enjoy going on the weekends for breakfast. They have a wonderful brunch menu Friday and Saturday and a Heatwaves menu on Sunday with chicken sandwiches that are to die for. The breakfast burrito on Sunday is one of the best in the area and has an awesome cheese crust and sauce and it’s so good I forgot to take a picture before devouring half of it. They also have great cocktails. The atmosphere is very relaxed and they have outdoor seating as well.

Service was outstanding. They picked up my knife when I dropped it on the floor, brought out a side of marinara when I asked, replaced a dirty napkin on the table without even being asked and made sure water was full the entire time. Also, the carbonara noodles are some of the most unique and delicious noodles I’ve ever had! Live music was so beautiful. We got cheesy bread and fettuccine also as well.

The apple bacon smoked half chicken and butternut squash risotto was absolutely amazing! Our server was the nicest ever! Great experience and food!

My wife and I were visiting Pacific Grove for the first time and were looking for a good place to eat for dinner. Rudolfo’s knocked it out of the park! Our server was incredibly attentive, thoughtful with her recommendations, and a true delight with every interaction we had with her. We ordered the soup of the day, which lucky for us was an artichoke bisque- the best we’ve ever had. We also ordered the pesto tagliatelle, which was incredible. We took home a piece of chocolate cake that we have yet to try, but I’m here to say that if you find yourself in the area and want a lovely dining experience, please try Rudolfo’s. We will definitely be back. Hopefully sooner than later!

Fried chicken Sundays are something that I’m adopting. Bloody amazing sandwiches, phenomenal service! Have also got desert here a few times and everything is delicious. Such a great establishment!!

Ernesto Hernandez

My family and I loved our experience here recently. All the food was fantastic. The dough on the pizza might be the best I’ve ever had. I would love to return and try the pastas in the future. Our Brussels Sprouts with pancetta were delicious. The Cesar tasted fresh and savory at the same time and the house made croutons gave the salad a delicate and not super hard crunch like store bought. We sat out on the sidewalk on a beautiful day and look forward to being back.

Caroline Mehls

I had such an incredible experience at Rudolfo’s. Even though I was dining solo, the team made me feel so welcomed and taken care of — truly some of the best hospitality I’ve had anywhere. The food was outstanding. The spicy rigatoni was perfection, the Caesar salad completely blew me away, and the dessert is absolutely not to be skipped. Everything was flavorful, comforting, and beautifully done. As someone who used to live here and comes back often, Rudolfo’s is my forever favorite spot. It’s the place I look forward to visiting every single time I’m in town, and once again it did not disappoint. An all-around amazing dinner. I couldn’t recommend more!

Stephanie Johnson

Amazing food I had the Pepperoni Pizza, which was amazing. The meatballs with the fresh focaccia bread was really tasty, the Brisket sandwich was amazing and the Burger was delicious. Fast and friendly service. Will definitely go back here.

Michael Ali

We came up to Pacific Grove for the Motorcycle Races at WeatherTech raceway. And where staying in Pacific Grove for the weekend. My partner in crime was looking for something different for dinner and found this little cafe on Yelp. Omg this place was amazing. Outside dining and Italian dining dishes that were out of this world. We managed to get in without having to book a reservation on short notice the staff there were very polite very helpful. I trade the lasagna and oh my God the portions they serve there were amazing so filling so good. My girl had a pear and apple salad with also some handmade lemon raviolis. They were delicious and for dessert she tried their dark chocolate Italian gelato hit the spot dinner for 2 this quaint little intimate little restaurant. I highly recommend if you’re staying in Monterey or in Pacific Grove it’s Fairly priced for what you’re getting in the service is amazing. We also found out that if you order a head special order, they do serve a very, very nice Tomahawk steak.! 🤓👍 we will definitely make this a regular spot every time we visit Pacific Grove and when we’re traveling the Bay Area

Sarah Mumper

DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN! We started with apps: onion rings (normally a side), cheesy garlic focaccia, and pancetta balsamic Brussels sprouts Entrees included: spicy rigatoni with burrata (burrata was extra and 10/10 worth it), butternut squash ravioli with ricotta (ricotta was extra and worth it), organic beef lasagna, and parmesan crusted chicken. Desserts: s’mores cookie, birthday cake cookie and tuxedo cake. Didn’t have a bad thing and wish we could’ve eaten more! Rudolfo and his team run an efficient and great restaurant. Though it seems small in size, the portion sizes were hearty and every bite packs in so much flavor and we are SO excited to come back in the next couple months. This for sure will be a staple any time we visit Monterey.

Aveya Carter

Any meal here is great really however recently we really try to make it to their brunch . We have had so many of their items on the brunch menu and we never had a miss but we always order the breakfast burrito it’s one of our favorite breakfast items anywhere. If you can’t make it for brunch they have great pasta dishes and pizzas . On Sundays they have a pop up and we always get fried chicken sandwiches and Mac n cheese to go when we are on family outings to the beach or park . I wish I had got some better photos because this does it no justice. It’s a great restaurant for families or date night in a cozy location.

Marlene Ac

The apple bacon smoked half chicken and butternut squash risotto was absolutely amazing! Our server was the nicest ever! Great experience and food!

Fiona

We are locals and love Rudulfo’s. It is a hidden gem. We enjoy going on the weekends for breakfast. They have a wonderful brunch menu Friday and Saturday and a Heatwaves menu on Sunday with chicken sandwiches that are to die for. The breakfast burrito on Sunday is one of the best in the area and has an awesome cheese crust and sauce and it’s so good I forgot to take a picture before devouring half of it. They also have great cocktails. The atmosphere is very relaxed and they have outdoor seating as well.

Larissa Orison

Service was outstanding. They picked up my knife when I dropped it on the floor, brought out a side of marinara when I asked, replaced a dirty napkin on the table without even being asked and made sure water was full the entire time. Also, the carbonara noodles are some of the most unique and delicious noodles I’ve ever had! Live music was so beautiful. We got cheesy bread and fettuccine also as well.

Joshua Hutapea

My wife and I were visiting Pacific Grove for the first time and were looking for a good place to eat for dinner. Rudolfo’s knocked it out of the park! Our server was incredibly attentive, thoughtful with her recommendations, and a true delight with every interaction we had with her. We ordered the soup of the day, which lucky for us was an artichoke bisque- the best we’ve ever had. We also ordered the pesto tagliatelle, which was incredible. We took home a piece of chocolate cake that we have yet to try, but I’m here to say that if you find yourself in the area and want a lovely dining experience, please try Rudolfo’s. We will definitely be back. Hopefully sooner than later!

Ella

Fried chicken Sundays are something that I’m adopting. Bloody amazing sandwiches, phenomenal service! Have also got desert here a few times and everything is delicious. Such a great establishment!!

My friends will tell you how much I love to cook. Apparently, I'm quite good at it. My friends will also tell you I am a food snob. I was too tired to cook this evening and decided to get take-out from Rudolfo's for the first time. Apprehensive that the chicken in the Chicken Alfredo might be dry or overcooked (as it is in too many restaurants), I was delighted to find that it was (just about) perfect (a bit dry). The Alfredo sauce was absolutely creamy and perfectly balanced - no need for extra parmesan! I live for brussel sprouts on my plate. I have had them at several restaurants. I can tell you that Rudolfo's brussel sprouts are THE BEST I have ever eaten! Just enough balsamic, perfectly roasted and seasoned. Thank you

We were excited about dinner after some local friends recommended; seems like a popular spot for good reason; didn’t make reservations ahead so opted for takeout vs waiting an hour for patio table; food was ready quietly and delicious; wagyu burger on house bun was fresh and delish but the bees knees pizza - spicy pepperoni & honey with rosemary - stole the show. Amazing. Mouth watering. Will book a trip just to rerun again.

Not often that I write reviews, but the food here is very very good and I feel like I’ve had this kind of meal many many many times sort of bistro bar food, American food, Italian food and this was among the best, nothing super flashy just really tasty. Done a lot of Michelin Star dining and it’s nice to see restaurants do simple very well. The oxtail Bolognese was delicious and the ricotta was super high-quality. You can tell that the quality of ingredients here are very high. The jalapeño burger was absolutely enormous, and the quality of the beef was very very high and I ordered my burger, medium rare. I couldn’t help but eat all of it even though I was stuffed. The service is friendly and the sage Paloma was tasty and tart and not sweet at all which was nice. I will say the one thing about entering. The restaurant immediately is at the bright kitchen lights from the back or a little disturbing cause they’re like white fluorescent lights and it distracts you from the mood lighting, which is nice from the tables. Another customer did leave a bit of their tiramisu on the table outside on the patio and I couldn’t help myself but grab a spoon and take a bite myself cause I’d hate to seafood good to waste and I have to report. The tiramisu is good but not great. That said it was a rainy evening and the cake was probably sitting in the rain for a good 30 minutes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Theresa Houseman

My friends will tell you how much I love to cook. Apparently, I'm quite good at it. My friends will also tell you I am a food snob. I was too tired to cook this evening and decided to get take-out from Rudolfo's for the first time. Apprehensive that the chicken in the Chicken Alfredo might be dry or overcooked (as it is in too many restaurants), I was delighted to find that it was (just about) perfect (a bit dry). The Alfredo sauce was absolutely creamy and perfectly balanced - no need for extra parmesan! I live for brussel sprouts on my plate. I have had them at several restaurants. I can tell you that Rudolfo's brussel sprouts are THE BEST I have ever eaten! Just enough balsamic, perfectly roasted and seasoned. Thank you

Daniel Rowe

We were excited about dinner after some local friends recommended; seems like a popular spot for good reason; didn’t make reservations ahead so opted for takeout vs waiting an hour for patio table; food was ready quietly and delicious; wagyu burger on house bun was fresh and delish but the bees knees pizza - spicy pepperoni & honey with rosemary - stole the show. Amazing. Mouth watering. Will book a trip just to rerun again.

Spicy Rigatoni a la vodka was excessively spicy and gave me heartburn for an entire night and day. I eat spicy...but it was too much. Focaccia too salty. Menu has great options...really enjoyed meatballs, chicken parm and lasagna.

We ate at Rudolfo’s Café for dinner while we were staying in Pacific Grove and really enjoyed our meal. The restaurant was quite busy as it was the holiday season, but the staff did their best to accommodate us in a timely manner. We were seated inside by the window and our order was taken pretty quickly. We ordered the arugula pear salad, four cheese ravioli in tomato basil sauce, and porcini mushroom ravioli in garlic basil cream sauce. The salad was alright but both of the pastas were delicious and were very filling. We finished everything and were satisfied with our orders as well as the overall experience.

Overall I liked this place a lot! I took off 1 star because the service was quite slow. (Waited over 45 minutes for a refill of water.) Went here on a Saturday night and was busy, but was able to get a table. There is also a beautiful seating area outside available. Ordered the bread appetizer, pizza for my friend, a burger for myself, and the pumpkin cheesecake. Everything looked amazing and tasted wonderful. Also met the owner and he was extremely welcoming and kind. Military discount not offered here.

Very cute cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Service was really friendly. Food took a while to come out of the kitchen even with just three tables dining (total of 7 diners). Pasta and burger were delicious. Chicken sandwich could have been amazing if it was a grilled chicken breast - unfortunately the breading and oil on the chicken took over the entire taste of the meal and it just tasted liked fried breadcrumbs. For the high price of the pasta, it should come with a small salad and garlic bread or something like that. The chips were too salty to eat.

Super cute spot for dinner on a Saturday night - esp seated outside where there's live jazz and a host of buzz across a number of restaurants with outdoor seating side by side. Rudolfo's is dog friendly, too! The brussel sprouts are to die for - so so so good! The penne arrabiata was good, but not special enough to be worth breaking my normal no-pasta rules. I ordered a margarita pizza to-go and, out of everything, that was truly disappointing - and not because it had to be eaten later. The crust is decent and thin, but not chewy. The tomato sauce didn't work for me - too much tomato-paste flavor - and there wasn't nearly enough cheese. I'd definitely go back for the Brussels alone - and the service was fantastic!!! Also, they had a great list of wines by the glass and many other things I'd like to try.

Matt Evans

Overall I liked this place a lot! I took off 1 star because the service was quite slow. (Waited over 45 minutes for a refill of water.) Went here on a Saturday night and was busy, but was able to get a table. There is also a beautiful seating area outside available. Ordered the bread appetizer, pizza for my friend, a burger for myself, and the pumpkin cheesecake. Everything looked amazing and tasted wonderful. Also met the owner and he was extremely welcoming and kind. Military discount not offered here.

RES RES

Very cute cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Service was really friendly. Food took a while to come out of the kitchen even with just three tables dining (total of 7 diners). Pasta and burger were delicious. Chicken sandwich could have been amazing if it was a grilled chicken breast - unfortunately the breading and oil on the chicken took over the entire taste of the meal and it just tasted liked fried breadcrumbs. For the high price of the pasta, it should come with a small salad and garlic bread or something like that. The chips were too salty to eat.

Suzanne Frey

Super cute spot for dinner on a Saturday night - esp seated outside where there's live jazz and a host of buzz across a number of restaurants with outdoor seating side by side. Rudolfo's is dog friendly, too! The brussel sprouts are to die for - so so so good! The penne arrabiata was good, but not special enough to be worth breaking my normal no-pasta rules. I ordered a margarita pizza to-go and, out of everything, that was truly disappointing - and not because it had to be eaten later. The crust is decent and thin, but not chewy. The tomato sauce didn't work for me - too much tomato-paste flavor - and there wasn't nearly enough cheese. I'd definitely go back for the Brussels alone - and the service was fantastic!!! Also, they had a great list of wines by the glass and many other things I'd like to try.

I found the pasta to be super salty. They used to cook their sourdough bread crispy and salted to perfection with a drizzle of olive oil but now it seems like there's no flavor to it and they just steam it. It's not near as good as it used to be. When I asked the manager why it was different she basically remade it and kind of threw it at me. Ever since then the experience has been ruined.

Went for dinner. All tables inside reserved but we were early so said we could sit inside if we’d be out by 6:15. The menu was bizarre! I and the waitress was not very helpful ! So after about 15 min we left!

Went for brunch. They seemed understaffed. Saw only one host, one server. It was perhaps a busier morning than they anticipated because of the PG Light House 5k. Breakfast Burger - wagyu beef cooked medium rare (without me having to say and without the server asking, yay!) and the maple bacon jam was so good. They gave me bacon instead of the avocado I asked for, but I was too hungry to wait for a correction so I didn’t bother to let them know about the error. I would have preferred more lettuce and tomatoes (there was only one slice of tomato and a folded leaf of lettuce). I set the bacon to the side to keep it crispy rather than letting it get soggy in the burger. Fried Potatoes (side) that comes with the Breakfast Burger was cold and some of the bigger pieces seemed to be almost undercooked (too hard). We were seated outside in the shade, so it was a relatively chilly morning, but I ate a couple different pieces of potatoes as soon as the plate arrived and all the pieces were definitely cold. Glad the burger was warm and cooked properly. I can air fry the leftover potatoes at home, anyway. Chicken & Waffles - chicken is good and not dry, but it is not as seasoned/flavorful as Winston’s. Single French Press (Brazil) - It’s OK but I wouldn’t order it again. It got cold fast. It arrived with the food instead of before the food and I’m the type to not drink anything until after I’m done eating. Or in this case, I would have drank the coffee prior to eating. But since food and coffee arrived at the same time, I decided to eat before my food gets cold. He gave two large paper cups even though I ordered a French press for one, so I let him know one cup is enough. I also expected a mug, not a paper cup, for my coffee. It was also weird to receive a dipping cup of what looked and tasted like milk—which they brought as a standard side of the coffee. Weird because I’d think cream is standard. Also weird because they could have asked if I needed milk/cream/sugar. Took my coffee to go but couldn’t finish it because it got too cold and tasted bad and I saw a bit of coffee grinds in my cup. It was hard to get their attention when we wanted to request hot sauce. This was another reason why I didn’t want to bother them about how I ordered avocado but got bacon instead. They didn’t really check on us at any point—which wouldn’t have been so bad if they also didn’t run away when we were yelling “excuse me!” and raising our hands to get their attention, even walking towards them at one point. They were nice when we *did* have their attention, though. The habanero hot sauce is really good though! Very spicy and seems made in-house. I’d want it as a staple in my home. Despite all the hiccups, I’d still be willing to give this place another try in the future.

I met a friend for brunch here. I was super excited because their social media always has delicious looking food on their posts. I was extremely disappointed. We were seated with barely a greeting. Many of the items on their posts weren't even on the menu. I ordered the chilaquiles with chorizo and an egg ( both were extra charge additions) I didn't get the chorizo or the egg. The waitress noticed right away, and brought it back with an almost raw egg and no chorizo. The red sauce completely overpowered with dish, and made the meal soggy. It wasn't edible. My friend got the chicken and waffles. Looked like chicken strips and small waffle triangles. The waitress had no people skills, and the hostess (?) Wasn't welcoming at all. We noticed several groups interested in coming in, but they waited without being helped and left. Super disappointed after all the online hype.

First time here, we ate for brunch this morning. Pancakes were delicious but not enough berry compote for three huge pancakes. The eggs were so under the whites were see through (I ate them anyway because I was too shy to ask for them cooked more) the avocado side is half a avocado for four dollars and it wasn’t seasoned at all. My partner got the breakfast burrito I tried it, was delicious but needed a lot of salt. We def want to come back for dinner though!

Catherine O

First time here, we ate for brunch this morning. Pancakes were delicious but not enough berry compote for three huge pancakes. The eggs were so under the whites were see through (I ate them anyway because I was too shy to ask for them cooked more) the avocado side is half a avocado for four dollars and it wasn’t seasoned at all. My partner got the breakfast burrito I tried it, was delicious but needed a lot of salt. We def want to come back for dinner though!

Minerva Ong

Went for brunch. They seemed understaffed. Saw only one host, one server. It was perhaps a busier morning than they anticipated because of the PG Light House 5k. Breakfast Burger - wagyu beef cooked medium rare (without me having to say and without the server asking, yay!) and the maple bacon jam was so good. They gave me bacon instead of the avocado I asked for, but I was too hungry to wait for a correction so I didn’t bother to let them know about the error. I would have preferred more lettuce and tomatoes (there was only one slice of tomato and a folded leaf of lettuce). I set the bacon to the side to keep it crispy rather than letting it get soggy in the burger. Fried Potatoes (side) that comes with the Breakfast Burger was cold and some of the bigger pieces seemed to be almost undercooked (too hard). We were seated outside in the shade, so it was a relatively chilly morning, but I ate a couple different pieces of potatoes as soon as the plate arrived and all the pieces were definitely cold. Glad the burger was warm and cooked properly. I can air fry the leftover potatoes at home, anyway. Chicken & Waffles - chicken is good and not dry, but it is not as seasoned/flavorful as Winston’s. Single French Press (Brazil) - It’s OK but I wouldn’t order it again. It got cold fast. It arrived with the food instead of before the food and I’m the type to not drink anything until after I’m done eating. Or in this case, I would have drank the coffee prior to eating. But since food and coffee arrived at the same time, I decided to eat before my food gets cold. He gave two large paper cups even though I ordered a French press for one, so I let him know one cup is enough. I also expected a mug, not a paper cup, for my coffee. It was also weird to receive a dipping cup of what looked and tasted like milk—which they brought as a standard side of the coffee. Weird because I’d think cream is standard. Also weird because they could have asked if I needed milk/cream/sugar. Took my coffee to go but couldn’t finish it because it got too cold and tasted bad and I saw a bit of coffee grinds in my cup. It was hard to get their attention when we wanted to request hot sauce. This was another reason why I didn’t want to bother them about how I ordered avocado but got bacon instead. They didn’t really check on us at any point—which wouldn’t have been so bad if they also didn’t run away when we were yelling “excuse me!” and raising our hands to get their attention, even walking towards them at one point. They were nice when we *did* have their attention, though. The habanero hot sauce is really good though! Very spicy and seems made in-house. I’d want it as a staple in my home. Despite all the hiccups, I’d still be willing to give this place another try in the future.

Pizza was really not great at all. We got a gluten free margarita and it was so charred that it crumbled like charcoal in places. Flavorless. The other pizza ordered was on their specialty list that came with onions mushrooms pepperoni and there were such a ridiculous amount of toppings on it the dough was completely raw. Service was good.

After having fabulous takeaway experiences here, I couldn’t want to sit down for a meal. After a long day at work I brought my friend with me for lunch. Unfortunately, our experience will deter me from returning. The person who seated us immediately shared that their day had been quite terrible, which I can understand—but it set a tone that made us feel unwelcome. Even though the restaurant wasn’t very busy, service felt slow and disconnected, and there seemed to be an underlying tension as though we were overstaying our welcome despite being seated in the middle of service. It felt like each time we were checked in on it was an afterthought. As someone who works in the service industry, I know how hard the job can be, and I truly empathize with anyone having a rough day. That said, this was something we had been looking forward to all week and left feeling like burdens rather than welcomed guests. I honestly haven’t had a service experience this apathetic in a long, long time. Idk if we caught the staff on a bad day or if there’s another underlying issue, but either way I honestly can’t recommend sit-down service. Honestly bummed as I’ve always enjoyed grabbing coffee and dessert here.

Don't order coffee. It's about the worst coffee I have ever tasted. Don't order the burrito unless you don't mind greasy tortillas. The menu has no prices. Actually, I didn't see a price listed anywhere. We ordered 1 burrito, 2 chicken tenders and 1 carnitas sandwich. The total, including the nasty coffee, but not including tip was $100. We were served on take-out containers though we had not ordered take-out. On the other hand, taking the food home was a good idea and we did leave. The food WAS tasty and it the portions were generous. The seasoning is on the heavy side, but in general the food tastes good though a bit too spicy. Lastly, would we go back? The answer is no, except that I might go back to taste their gelato ice cream. The main warning is check the price of the items unless you don't mind a surprise at checkout and whatever you do don't order coffee.

Charles Pappa

Don't order coffee. It's about the worst coffee I have ever tasted. Don't order the burrito unless you don't mind greasy tortillas. The menu has no prices. Actually, I didn't see a price listed anywhere. We ordered 1 burrito, 2 chicken tenders and 1 carnitas sandwich. The total, including the nasty coffee, but not including tip was $100. We were served on take-out containers though we had not ordered take-out. On the other hand, taking the food home was a good idea and we did leave. The food WAS tasty and it the portions were generous. The seasoning is on the heavy side, but in general the food tastes good though a bit too spicy. Lastly, would we go back? The answer is no, except that I might go back to taste their gelato ice cream. The main warning is check the price of the items unless you don't mind a surprise at checkout and whatever you do don't order coffee.

This restaurant has the worst service. I requested 2 specific items, one being pepper, and was not provided while eating even after numerous requests. Server did not have the courtesy to inquire how we were enjoying our food. Appears she was in another world. One and done.😠

HORRIBLE SERVICE!!! Not friendly to my family with small kids. They kept saying they had reservations, so they only had tables outside; but the restaurant had tables open inside the whole time. The only reason I mention this is that it was COLD outside and they basically refused to seat us inside while they sat 2 other families INSIDE without reservations too (like us). The first family had also requested to go inside due to the cold after sitting outside and they let them. I then asked to move inside too and was denied. The 2nd group they sat inside immediately while we ate outside! When I brought it to their attention that they sat TWO groups inside while they left my family outside, they brushed it off and said they didn’t want to put a time limit on my family if they sat us inside. Discriminatory much! The other two groups were adults- just stating the facts. HORRIBLE BEHAVIOR.

I have tried Rudolphos three times, and after my last trip to the restaurant I regret to say I will likely not return unless changes are made. Not because of the food, which I think is good, but because of the attitude of the staff and the owner and lack of consideration for the needs of their guests. The first complaint I have is that my boyfriend and I were kicked out of the restaurant after only being there for one hour and fifteen minutes. We were in the middle of dessert and I wasn't finished with my wine when we were asked to leave at 7:00 because of an incoming reservation in fifteen minutes. One hour and fifteen minutes is not a long time, and there were plenty of empty tables in the room. If we needed to hurry up, I would have appreciated knowing when we booked our reservation or when we were seated, but we dine out frequently and find that most restaurants wouldn't be so impolite as to rush us out after only one hour and fifteen minutes at our table. My second complaint is the trip to the restaurant before the last one, around one month ago. I ordered the lasagna and found it to be lacking in noodles. It was mostly meat and cheese with two pieces of noodle: it felt unbalanced and I only had a few bites before I asked for something else, and when the owner brought back another dish it was a reduced portion size. He didn't seem happy that I raised the issue, and I felt uncomfortable pointing out the reduced portion size because he seemed irritated and disgruntled. My third issue is the owner's response to some of the reviews for the restaurant. When I went to consider making a review I read through the ones that already existed, looking for a pattern. One alarming thing I noticed is an unprofessional attitude from the owner when responding to complaints. I see a fragile ego, entitlement, and a lack of hospitality and courtesy shown towards people who had a less than positive experience. My advice, if you are wise enough to consider it, would be to treat your guests with consideration and care. Be hospitable and welcoming, because you rely on your customers to keep your business successful. Don't overbook reservations too close together so people will feel welcome and valued. Not just like numbers who are lucky to be there. Listen to complaints with warmth and understanding, and don't take them personally. Restaurants are easily replaceable but loyal clientele is not. I regret that this review had to be made, but I felt like after being treated so inappropriately this was warranted and necessary.

R G

I have tried Rudolphos three times, and after my last trip to the restaurant I regret to say I will likely not return unless changes are made. Not because of the food, which I think is good, but because of the attitude of the staff and the owner and lack of consideration for the needs of their guests. The first complaint I have is that my boyfriend and I were kicked out of the restaurant after only being there for one hour and fifteen minutes. We were in the middle of dessert and I wasn't finished with my wine when we were asked to leave at 7:00 because of an incoming reservation in fifteen minutes. One hour and fifteen minutes is not a long time, and there were plenty of empty tables in the room. If we needed to hurry up, I would have appreciated knowing when we booked our reservation or when we were seated, but we dine out frequently and find that most restaurants wouldn't be so impolite as to rush us out after only one hour and fifteen minutes at our table. My second complaint is the trip to the restaurant before the last one, around one month ago. I ordered the lasagna and found it to be lacking in noodles. It was mostly meat and cheese with two pieces of noodle: it felt unbalanced and I only had a few bites before I asked for something else, and when the owner brought back another dish it was a reduced portion size. He didn't seem happy that I raised the issue, and I felt uncomfortable pointing out the reduced portion size because he seemed irritated and disgruntled. My third issue is the owner's response to some of the reviews for the restaurant. When I went to consider making a review I read through the ones that already existed, looking for a pattern. One alarming thing I noticed is an unprofessional attitude from the owner when responding to complaints. I see a fragile ego, entitlement, and a lack of hospitality and courtesy shown towards people who had a less than positive experience. My advice, if you are wise enough to consider it, would be to treat your guests with consideration and care. Be hospitable and welcoming, because you rely on your customers to keep your business successful. Don't overbook reservations too close together so people will feel welcome and valued. Not just like numbers who are lucky to be there. Listen to complaints with warmth and understanding, and don't take them personally. Restaurants are easily replaceable but loyal clientele is not. I regret that this review had to be made, but I felt like after being treated so inappropriately this was warranted and necessary.