BESTTTTT PASTA AND PIZZA IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE OMG! I genuinely don't leave yelp reviews but this was fire. I literally was going to cry it was so good. 10/10 recommend the spicy rigatoni and bee's knees pizza!! actually so good read more

Rudolfo's - Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka & Bee's Knees Pizza - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Had to make an unexpected trip up to Monterey/Pacific Grove to drop off a vehicle for our daughter. Before arriving, she mentioned that there was a place she wanted to try based on excellent reviews from her friend. So she made reservations and off we went to Rodolfo's. The place gives off an Italian bistro vibe with a neighborhood atmosphere. That's a good thing because most of the people here were locals. We were seated and our waiter was there to take our drink and appetizer orders. I had a beer and we shared the Cheesy Garlic Bread with a side of marinara. Delicious!!! For dinner, Kylee ordered the Spicy Rigatoni Alla Vodka entrée & Caesar Salad while I had the Brisket Sando with a side of fries. Fantastic!!! We finished off the meal with the Oreo Cookie Cheesecake. This is one of those local "finds" that exceed expectations. Great food, service and ambience. Will definitely return when I visit PG. read more

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3.5 STARS Here for the parm showers. Che Fico (SF) popularized showering freshly grated parm on pizza crusts and I love seeing the trend show up in restos like Rudolfo's. Aside from the visual appeal, they make pizza crusts extra delicious so they don't go to waste. While looking for restos for a recent staycation, Rudolfo's kept popping up on TikTok and the high ratings on yelp seemed promising. They serve Modern Italian cuisine with a California flair: salads, burgers + sandwiches, sourdough pizza, and house-made pastas. On "Heatwaves Sunday", they run a Nashville Hot Chicken pop-up. Beer and wine only. Looking for a sweet treat? There's a small dessert counter where you can stop in for their house gelato. Rezzies are a MUST for dinner. Even on a weekday, I overheard the wait being 1+ hours. Bring a warm coat! There's more seating outside than inside and there's no heat lamps. F O O D * Caesar Salad w/ romaine, caesar dressing, fried capers, breadcrumbs, parmigiano (OTH): https://tinyurl.com/yt3dut3d Our app was taking a long time so they brought this on the house - such a thoughtful gesture! I enjoyed the freshness of the romaine and the contrast of crispy, crunchy textures from the fried capers and breadcrumbs. The dressing was creamy tho quite mild. Personally, I would have preferred a bolder caesar with more garlic and stronger umami punch. * Rudolfo's Fried Chicken w/ pickles, hot sauce (App-$15): https://tinyurl.com/4jb28h8e The fried chicken arrived hot and crunchy, with a nicely craggy batter and tender meat underneath. The menu didn't state it was boneless - while less messy to eat, I felt it sacrificed some of the juiciness and flavor. I liked that the accompanying habanero sauce was fiery hot. * Short Rib Ravioli w/ tomato-garlic compound butter, beef stock reduction ($29) - add burrata (+$4) This looked amazing on TikTok but fell short in reality. The pasta itself was too thick and there was was little short rib filling. Also, the sauce was underwhelming and bland. They allowed us to add burrata which added a rich, creamy flavor. * What Rudy's Having: Tomato sugo, fennel sausage, chilis, stracciatella, basil ($23) + garlic butter parm crust ($2): https://tinyurl.com/4nuz5z8s I read that the owner previously worked at Ciccio (Yountville) and brought over their 30 year old sourdough starter. I love Ciccio's pizza and with an option to add the parm shower?! Say less. My fav part of the pizza was the crust, it had a good balance of crispiness and chew with a nice char and tang. The garlic butter and parm shower took it over the top adding a rich, garlicky, savory umami. Unfortunately, the toppings weren't my jam - the tomato sugo ran too salty and the fennel sausage felt more like ground beef. S E R V I C E Cordial. Food service was very slow with the fried chicken app taking what felt like 40 minutes so I appreciate the salad to tide us over. A M B I A N C E Cozy Italian cafe vibes on the inside and modern casual on the patio. Overall, we thought the food was just ok...obvs in the minority tho. Maybe we ordered the wrong things or it was an off day? But, I love the concept and the contemporary touches that you don't often see in Monterey County. 3.5 rounded up for a small local business. read more

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I've been to Rudolfo's on a Saturday, and the food was delicious. But I'd probably skip "HeatWave Sundays." Everything tasted like it took an extra trip through the fryer and somehow still forgot to bring any seasoning. I left feeling like I'd just eaten my way through the county fair. The biggest thing missing flavor, though? The service. Our dark curly-haired waitress called our name across the restaurant like we were boarding the last flight out, then practically launched our bag into our hands as we walked up to get it. Five stars for arm strength. No sugar for the iced tea. No knives to cut a giant sandwich or burrito in half. Just a whole lot of "figure it out." Saturday? I'd go back. HeatWave Sunday? I'll let someone else take the heat. read more

Found this lovely little place thanks to Yelp. It has a charming outdoor area, and the weather made it perfect. One caveat: their menu changes so don't get your heart set on a particular pizza. I ended up getting What Rudy's Having with a Caesar salad and a very tasty Paloma. I would definitely love to go back and try more on the menu. read more

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Absolutely incredible! Best pasta I've had in a LONG time. The ambiance felt sophisticated yet welcoming. We even had a candle on our table --so cute! They asked if we had a reservation when we walked in, which says a lot about how popular this place is. We were quoted an hour wait but got seated in 25 minutes, and the service was still great despite how packed it was. read more

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My son and I came here after a day at the aquarium. Little hole in the wall place. My son said "mom you have to rate them at least 4.5 stars". He really enjoyed it. So did I. We ordered meatballs, tomato soup and the braised short rib dish (I think). It was VERY good! We devoured our food and had some to take home. If I remember correctly, they make the noodles in house... it was perfectly cooked. Perfect layered flavors.. no complaints and you can't beat the price or view. Service was excellent. read more

Rudolfo's - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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I think this is such a solid spot, I have no complaints on the food and the FIG PIE was phenomenal. I think all the pastas are solid but the pizza was more spectacular to me. The pastas were all slightly too saucy and overcooked (slightly) for me. The espresso martini was also very very good. I think its absolutely worth a reservation here! read more

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8.5/10 Ordered the Margherita Pizza and The Works Burger, both had their highlights and a few drawbacks. Starting with the Margherita Pizza, a classic pie topped with fresh mozzarella and basil on a sourdough crust. The crust was easily the standout feature, crispy on the outside, airy inside, and packed with great texture. Unfortunately, the rest of the pizza fell a bit flat. The toppings were light on flavor, making it feel more like a basic chain restaurant pizza than a memorable artisan pie. 7.5/10 The Works Burger was the true star of the meal and an absolute must order. Made with wagyu beef, cheddar, caramelized onions, onion rings, pickles, and French aioli, every bite was rich, juicy, and full of flavor. The beef was well seasoned, the bun was incredibly soft, and the generous sauce tied everything together perfectly. My only complaint was that the onion ring could have been crispier to add more texture. I also appreciated being able to substitute the fries for a salad. 9.4/10 Service was fast, attentive, and welcoming despite how busy the restaurant was. We were seated outside, and they even brought us a blanket, which was a thoughtful touch that elevated the experience. read more

Rudolfo's - Margarita Pizza and The Works - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Came here on a Saturday night for dinner and loved everything we ordered. The spicy rigatoni alla vodka with burrata and the Bee's Knees pizza were both excellent, and the sourdough crust on the pizza was a standout. This place gets busy, so I highly recommend making a reservation. Indoor seating is limited, but we were seated right away with our reservation while walk-ins were facing an hour wait. read more

Rudolfo's - bee's knees pizza - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Best onion rings ever! Not much to say other than you need to try them. Pizza with hot honey was good, crust was delicious. Portion was perfect for lunch and made a great midnight snack. Brisket sandwich wasn't my favorite, the meat was shredded so finely, it felt like there was more slaw than protein. Was a bit messy and tricky to eat, the fries were my favorite part. I wouldn't order it again, but everything around me looked so good I'm excited to come back and try more. If you can sit outside, opt for an outdoor table, it's a bit warm and stuffy inside. Staff were super friendly, responsive, and everything there was loving it. Will definitely be back again. read more

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Rudolfos is a MUST try for locals and visitors alike. They have the best pizza, pasta, and desserts in PG. It's our favorite place to take visitors, and do family style (because who can just choose 1 plate??) The menu shifts seasonally, and the whole staff always ensure it's a great experience. You'll always leave full and happy, but highly recommend getting extra dessert to go - for later! Rudy is the GOAT read more

Rudolfo's - Burger - so good! - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Tried Rudolfo's for the first time while visiting family, and it did not disappoint! Super cute spot makes you feel like family. The food was amazing, the service was outstanding, and the desserts were absolutely delicious. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and made for a wonderful dining experience. I will definitely be coming back the next time I'm in town! read more

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There is NOT a BETTER chicken sandwich that exists on the WHOLE PLANET EARTH! In fact if your coming to Pacific Grove from anywhere else on the planet. Make sure you make it here on Sunday for HEATWAVES! read more

My favorite sight at a restaurant is seeing staff hustle, enjoying their job (or at least appearing to), and working as a team, and this place has that. We came in as walk-ins on a busy Saturday evening and waited about 35 mins to for a table. During our wait, I was able to observe the young and mostly Latino staff. They hustled, they all knew what needed to be done and when, they where attentive to the customers and patrons walking up for table availability, and they were gracious hosts. It was impressive to see such a young staff (average age mid-late 20s) running a popular restaurant as if they've been doing it for decades. On top of their amazing staff, the food was fantastic. We ordered spicy rigatoni, and chicken parmean, and both came with some of the best sauce we ever had. Flavor was balanced and not heavy, and complimented the pasta perfectly. We'll be back anytime we're in the area. read more

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We had such a pleasant dining experience at Rudolfo's! The food was absolutely delicious and the service was great as well. It was a very cozy and welcoming ambiance. We will definitely be coming back to visit! read more

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Omgggg! This place was amazing!!! The food was 10/10! The staff very attentive and nice. We can wait to come back and try more things! Next time we need to save room for dessert because it looked so good! read more

Rudolfo's - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Delicious pizza!! Great indoor and outdoor seating. We chose to sit outside and enjoyed visiting with people and their pups. (The only downside is our table was lopsided and glasses kept sliding) Servers and hostess were kind and efficient. I already want another pizza! The crust was amazing! Perfectly crisp and chewy at the same time. We ordered a Margherita with burrata and spicy chili honey drizzled on top. So good!! Our Caesar salad was also good but the pizza was definitely the star!! read more

Rudolfo's - Margherita pizza with burrata and spicy chili honey - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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My friends and I stopped by this place on our way down hwy1, and tried their brunch menu ( they don't serve lunch menu after 1pm on fri and sat). Overall, the food was quite enjoyable, and the service was very welcoming and friendly. I ordered the breakfast burrito and it was just bit on the bland side; i think it wouldve been better if they provided some more sauce, but that's just a personal preference. Their portions are quite large, and they go to every table offering takeout boxes. read more

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Sat outside and they provided lap blankets so even in winter we were cozy! Waited a bit since we didn't have a reso but WORTH IT! Got the cheesy garlic bread, soup of the day, and Parmesan crusted chicken. Was probably the best parm chicken I've ever had! read more

Rudolfo's - Menu 1/31/26 - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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I always walk by this place and finally decided to pop in for a quick brunch. Their eggs were the fluffiest I've ever had so delicious it makes you want to lick the plate clean. The brioche toast was a nice touch as well. Our server was super nice and fast good service. I will have to be back to try their dinner! read more

Rudolfo's - American Brekkie - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

My sister ordered us dinner from here, its been on a list of mine for some time, she ordered on line & it was ready quickly, i ordered the lasagna, she tried onion rings, caesar salad & garlic cheesy french bread, everything was delish, she said the place was packed, inside & out & its obvious why, the food is outstanding, cant wait to try other items read more

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Last Wednesday my husband and I were looking for a date night spot that we hadn't tried before. Rudolfo's had been on my list for a while, and it was perfect in every way. We walked in (sans reservation) around 6 last Wednesday night and they had room to seat us outside. The service was attentive, friendly, and the recommendations were wonderful. A lovely gal sitting at the table next to us noticed us struggling with what to choose and recommended the fig pizza. She said she visited a few times a year from Santa Barbara and always came here for that dish specifically. She even gave us a slice prior to us ordering! She wasn't lying- it was otherworldly. Don't go here without trying it. We started with some tasty beer and wine and with the caesar salad with chicken which was crisp, refreshing, and huge (plenty for 2-3 folks to split). My husband got the fig pizza (fig jam, basil, generous amounts of ricotta, and added prosciutto. I ordered the spicy rigatoni alla vodka (a wild card for me, since I don't typically do spicy but it's one of my favorite dishes at Jon & Vinny's which I've been craving). The pasta (albeit a tad spicy for me) was absolutely delicious and plenty for a lunch the next day as well. Overall, I can't believe we waited so long to try Rudolfo's. It's become our new favorite date spot and we look forward to returning! read more

Rudolfo's - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

My first experience was great. Good food, good wine, good service. Since I've been back to Pacific Grove, they insist that there's an hour wait and that everyone has to sit outside, when there's multiple tables available inside. I think they want to make the restaurant look busy. It's strange not to make the people present happy and want to give priority to people who haven't even shown up. read more

Always a treat! Share a pasta plate and get a fresh cookie! Make sure to make reservations! read more

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Great service (Chris was very attentive and friendly) Wait time for food was minimal Brussel sprouts were excellent Caesar Salad very good Pasta dishes al dente, rich sauces Tiramisu was excellent as was the gelato Definitely recommend read more

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The staff was so polite, the wait wasn't long on a weekday for lunch, and the food was mouthwatering. You might hear a lot of joyful moaning when people are savoring their food. Let's call it a delightful symphony. I had the carbonara but ate it before thinking to take a photo. read more

Another place I so wanted to love. It started off great. They were crowded but i had a reservation so we were seated outside with our pup promptly. There were lots of nice outdoor tables. Service was excellent. We ordered two side salads , one arugula and the other ceaser. They were plenty big and very tasty. Then came the big disappointment. The margherita pizza we ordered was not good. The crust, though crispy, was incredibly bland. They need to add some salt to this crust. It was not good at all. The tomato sauce totally overpowered the pizza and there was practically no cheese at all. It was like eating a plain cracker with tomato sauce. Yuck read more

$17 Breakfast burrito was OK. Nothing wrong; it was just boring. $9 key lime pie: pretty damn good actually. Love me a good key lime. read more

We stood at the sign that said please wait to be seated for about 10 minutes before someone finally sat us at one of the mostly empty tables. The water they serve is tap water and terrible. We asked for bottled water but they were sold out. We placed our order for meatballs with focaccia, two pizzas, ravioli and penne for lunch and it took almost 40 mins to get our food. Waitress said it was because they had to close the kitchen for a bit. I'm still confused as to what happened. The short rib ravioli tasted decent but was not really a full meal. My husband seemed to like his spicy penne. The kids didn't love the pizza but it did look pretty good. The focaccia is heavily soaked in olive oil so I was not a fan at all. Overall, not a great experience and wouldn't really recommend. read more

Wowwy!! This place is absolutely wonderful. The service was great - kind, courteous, and friendly. The food is delicious and the portions are large. Inside is tight but they offer outside seating. It was a bit cold (typical Pacific Grove weather) so we waited for a table inside. All our food came out fresh and hot. We didn't have to wait long either. See my pics of the entrees we ordered. I highly recommend giving this place a try. I've lived in PG for 8+ years and I've been to this place many times for their wonderful gelato. This is the first time I tried their food but it won't be the last. My new Italian "go to" from this day forward! read more

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Went with kids, grandparents, and a puppy and all were happy with the experience. The patio was lovely. They have blankets to keep you warm. We had the arugula pear salad, Wagyu Ragu, meatball apps, chicken risotto, truffle fries, cheesy bread for the kids and it was delightful! Paired with glass of Pinot noir perfection. We will be back! read more

Amazing pasta, hands down one of the best I've had. Service was super quick and servers were friendly. Bolognese was super creamy and the vodka pasta was amazing. Would stop by if I ever am back in town. P.S get a gelato on the way out, you won't be disappointed. We saw so many people go in and out for gelato we couldn't resist and we now understood why read more

Rudolfo's - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Go here and thank me later! Great food and excellent service in a small, quaint setting. Dined here with friends and our server, Bella, was fantastic. All 4 entrees were spot on. Hard to go wrong. Be sure to finish with a cup of gelato. Thanks again to Bella and the Rudolfo's crew! read more

Had the jalapeno business burger, that was hefty and favorable beast of a burger. They make their fries in house, and plentiful portion. Ordered a tuxedo cake and each bite was true loves kiss. Facilities clean. Staff was attentive and friendly. Would want to try their pizza and pasta next time. read more

What a great find! Excellent service and ambiance! The food is amazing! Started with the Sourdough rosemary bread and then the pear-arugula salad. Our organic beef lasagna was delicious. Finished off with the Ube cheesecake which was equally amazing! Highly recommended! We're going to be back! On a Tuesday night, they were sold out. Reservations are recommended. read more

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I came here for the first time during a work trip to the Monterey Bay Area. I had the Rigatoni a la Vodka with Burrata and it was absolutely delicious. You could tell all the ingredients were fresh and everything was house made. The staff was friendly and attentive and I was seated really quickly as well. I definitely recommend giving them a try. I'll certainly be back to try something else (everything sounded so good). read more

Rudolfo's - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Highly recommend. The French toast was amazing and best biscuits and gravy that I've had in Monterey! Very friendly staff and they have a patio if you want to bring your dog. read more

Rudolfo's - Brioche French Toast and biscuits and gravy - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Amazing! Cute little spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Menu was full of savory options, and a sweet dessert menu. We got two chicken dishes that were SO BIG this was definitely enough to feed 1-3 people. The chicken sandwich was moist, full of savory flavor, and a sweet bun. The chicken parm was lasagna like, with lots of layers. Both were easy to cut, eat, and enjoy. The atmosphere was lively and outgoing. The Brussel sprouts with bacon were AMAZING and I highly recommend them. Our waiter was kind and quick. read more

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Was exploring downtown Pacific Grove and decided to stop here for dinner. I ordered the "Fun Guy" pizza to go since they had no seating. Surprisingly my order was quickly made and very warm when I took it back to my hotel. All I can say is WOW! I was blown away by how filling and flavorful the pizza was. It also maintained its crispiness. It was literally perfect. The only problem is that I didn't find them sooner on my trip otherwise I would've made a second visit! Definitely will be back here again when I'm in Monterey. read more

Rudolfo's - Fun Guy pizza - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California