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Pausa Bar & Cookery, San Mateo, CA
Award-winning

Pausa Bar & Cookery

4.7
4.7
1871 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 41 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
  • Neighbourhood gem
Pausa, a bar and cookery in San Mateo, calls for guests to take a recess from life and enjoy a dining experience that transports them to a place of leisure. With a strong focus on modern Italian, our menu will consist of house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, wood-fired grill, and house-cured meats. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will ensure your pause is a memorable one.

We are now taking reservations for our patio tables, bar, and indoor tables. As we practice social distancing with our new limited floor plan, we ask that you and your guests limit your dining to 2 hours to accommodate all reservations.

When checking table availability, if outdoor seating is not an option to select, then your reservation will be for an indoor table as the outdoor may be booked.

Thank you for understanding.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Farm-to-table, Contemporary Italian
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (650) 375-0818
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Andrea Giuliani
  • Private party facilities
    Bolle Room: Outfitted with elegant drapes and a skylight, the Bolle Room is a great destination for memorable events Chef's Table: Enjoy our Chef's Table with a front-row view of our open kitchen and dough room. Set in the heart of our restaurant, your dinner will be unlike any in recent memory.
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighbourhood
    San Mateo
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Entertainment
    Enjoy Pausa's full menu in our bar or dining room until midnight on Thursdays through Saturdays. Book a private dinner or cocktail reception in our 'Bolle Room' for late night parties.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access

What 1,871 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Pausa Bar & Cookery impresses with its "fabulous food," "amazing staff," and vibrant atmosphere, ideal for any occasion. The menu delights with creative Italian dishes and exceptional cocktails. The "service was impeccable," and the "charcuterie boards are out of this world." Though sometimes noisy, Pausa remains a "hidden gem" worth experiencing.

1,871 Reviews
  1. Michele

    VIP

    New York City

    26 reviews

    4.0

    26 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was great and the food was delicious and served an acceptable temperature.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Stephen

    VIP

    San Francisco

    71 reviews

    5.0

    71 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food choices, lovely cheeses, the service was professional and attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  3. SANDY

    VIP

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Definitely Michelin star worthy! Katie, our server last night, is amazing.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kimberly

    VIP

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We have reservations at the bar. I’m not sure why the server allowed another couple to sit/stand next to us. Literally there was only ONE seat, my partner and another group totally felt bothered by how cramp it was. Another guest broke his glass water cup that splashed all over my partner in the waiting area. We had our meals spaced out, but their was an awkward pause of almost 25 mins after we we done with our breast and salad for our entrees. While cleaning the bar tender dropped the utensils all over my partner while removing the plates… Margarita pasta was soggy. The plus side was the drinks were good! We enjoyed the bread, salad, and pasta.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Beth

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Pausa never disappoints, but last night was exceptional! It was my first time going there for my birthday and they could not have made it more special. They accommodated our table indoors when we made the reservation even though they were full at that time and the staff was amazing the whole night. The hardest part was trying to decide between the pizza and their other delicious entrées. Their pizzas are incredible. I can’t wait to go back!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Daniel

    VIP

    Austin

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was really good. The entire staff was solid.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Keith

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place for a date. Not too loud and the food was great!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Pat

    Los Angeles

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went early (4:30) for drinks and appetizers before an event. Our waiter, JohnCarlo, was knowledgeable about the spirits and wines and helped us select some great choices. We also thoroughly enjoyed the burrata and tuna appetizers. Great choices.

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  9. Julia

    VIP

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on January 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous food, great atmosphere and amazing service. Really outstanding and I highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Matt

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went on a Friday night. Vibrant atmosphere, noisy but not in a negative way. Fantastic, attentive service. Our waiter knew the menu well and made great recommendations. Fantastic drinks, great appetizers and wonderful entrees. Highly recommended!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Pausa Bar & Cookery offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 375-0818.

Pausa Bar & Cookery is rated 4.7 stars by 1871 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 41 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Pausa Bar & Cookery

223 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighbourhood
    San Mateo
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Farm-to-table, Contemporary Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Andrea Giuliani
  • Entertainment
    Enjoy Pausa's full menu in our bar or dining room until midnight on Thursdays through Saturdays. Book a private dinner or cocktail reception in our 'Bolle Room' for late night parties.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access
  • Phone number
    (650) 375-0818
  • Private party facilities
    Bolle Room: Outfitted with elegant drapes and a skylight, the Bolle Room is a great destination for memorable events Chef's Table: Enjoy our Chef's Table with a front-row view of our open kitchen and dough room. Set in the heart of our restaurant, your dinner will be unlike any in recent memory.
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