Pausa Bar & Cookery: Your Premier Destination for Italian Cocktails and Wood-Fired Pizzas

One of the best real (i.e., Neapolitan!) pizza places in the area. There's been growing competition in recent years, but questi ragazzi are still the best, to my taste, and I have pretty high standards. Outdoor seating is a little close to traffic, but it's nice that they have it. I'd love to have a little more emphasis on sustainability on the menu, in the Italian Slow Food tradition, but for straight-up deliciousness, this place is hard to beat.

We had dinner at Pausa last night and the food was outstanding. Our server went above and beyond to make recommendations from the menu based on our preferences. He arranged a few menu items into “courses” for us, which turned our dinner into a culinary experience! We enjoyed a white pizza, a red sauce pizza, the 48-hour braised lamb, and the chestnut risotto. The cocktails and desserts were delicious as well. The warm ricotta doughnuts and Pausa cake (pictured) were the perfect way to end our amazing meal. Can’t wait to go back!

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

Delicious and authentic Italian food. The charcuterie boards, margherita pizza, two pastas (one with bone marrow, another spinach), and steak were all perfection! Thank you to Andrea and the rest of the incredible team!

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

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.

This might be my 10th time coming back here. We started with a couple of drinks, then small bites, then dinner date, then Chinese New Year celebration… This place keeps leveling up. Every time there is something new. The menu is creative, thoughtful, and beautifully presented as always. Highly recommend the the pistachio cake with cranberry sauce. And the signature grilled bone marrow totally lived up to the hype (rich, indulgent, and perfect with bread). Crafted cocktails are super creative and delicious, and the service is genuinely attentive — our server walked us through every dish and checked in on our drinks. Pausa has officially become one of our go-to spots in downtown San Mateo. You really can’t go wrong here. Oh if anything, I’d highly recommend you make a reservation this place is ALWAYS packed.

Came to celebrate a birthday and had a really enjoyable experience. Service was impeccable! Our server was very attentive, friendly, and paid attention to our needs. Food was delicious and beautifully plated. The bolognese was so good we ordered two of them!Birthday boy even got a small complimentary piece of cake at the end. I would definitely come back again.