Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. Peninsula
  5. San Mateo
Pausa Bar & Cookery, San Mateo, CA
Award-winning

Pausa Bar & Cookery

4.7
4.7
1862 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 40 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for groups
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
  • Website
    http://www.pausasanmateo.com/
  • 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.
  • Location
    223 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401
  • 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

Featured in

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,862 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

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Pausa Bar & Cookery shines with "exceptional culinary offerings" and an "inviting vibe." Known for "creative and beautifully presented dishes," it offers a diverse menu. Guests highlight "attentive and friendly" service and "amazing cocktails." A perfect spot for casual outings or special celebrations, with a lively atmosphere.

1,862 Reviews

  1. Julia

    VIP

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    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?

  2. Matt

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    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?

  3. Janet

    VIP

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was excellent, food was fresh and served hot. The noise level was a little high, couldn’t hear too well. Overall great place for gatherings and special occasions.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Eddie

    VIP

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was very very good but the hostess was bordering on rude and the service was very slow.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Nader

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food and amazing staff. Cannot recommend this place highly enough. You absolutely HAVE to give this a try even if you’re not a fan of Italian food. Their Margherita pizza is phenomenal as is their cheese board and bone marrow appetizer. This is a food experience you’ll likely not forget.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Carmen Alicia

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was phenomenal and the food was fantastic. This was my first time here and definitely going to become one of my favorites in 2025!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. FCdinenwine

    VIP

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Thanks for making my daughter’s 18th birthday celebration special. It was super cool to see ‘Happy 18th Birthday’ on the printed menu. It will make for a memorable keepsake! Our waiter was super friendly, courteous, and personable. Food was super amazing as usual. Thanks again for helping to celebrate this big milestone.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Tony

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Simply fantastic server at our table and at the bar before hand. The food and drinks are always great.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Theresa

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We all loved our meal and our sever was knowledgeable and attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Annette

    VIP

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Pausa was truly amazing and went above and beyond to accommodate 13 of us in the later evening - so impressed by the patience of the staff! Many thanks!

    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 1862 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 40 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
  • Website
    http://www.pausasanmateo.com/
  • 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.

Featured in

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
  • Open for Business Blog
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo