The staff was friendly. we shared the arugula Gorgonzola salad and the worked burger-both delicious! we returned the same evening for vanilla lattes and double chocolate cheesecake, enjoying the end of the evening on their outdoor seating area. We will definitely return. read more

Last night was my second time at Rudy's place. I went back to confirm my opinion. This place is FIRE! The ingredients are fresh. The execution from the chef is spot on. Great menu selections. Perfect date night or hanging with friends. Really really good. Can't wait to go back!! read more

Something special is happening at this spot. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit Rudolfo's since it has changed hands I urge you to do so immediately. Every meal I've had here is outstanding. The applewood smoked chicken with risotto is otherworldy, the pasta fresh and sauces carefully layered with flavor and crafted with care. The breads are baked in house and the desserts are scrumptious. (get the PBJ cookie and Tiramisu) The chef and owner, Rudolfo is a student of the culinary arts and it shows. The quality of the food far exceeds the fair and reasonable pricing. Picky eaters and gourmands will find something on this menu. Creative, classic and expertly executed everytime. Rudolfo's is a hidden gem for now, I suggest you get with the program and try it for yourself. You won't be disappointed. read more

Rudolfo's Cafe is a casual Italian / American restaurant. They have salads, pizzas, paninis, pasta, burgers and a large dessert menu. They still have a really nice outdoor dining area on the street which is nice to people watch from. We went for lunch and got two items. The Pesto Chicken panini was one item and it was totally average. Barely any pesto, too much mayo, chicken was bland. It was decent but nothing special. It came with some totally boring coleslaw. The other item we got was much better. The Works burger was phenomenal. Brioche bun, grilled onions, perfectly cooked meat accompanied by well seasoned fries. Dessert was great, reminiscent of Rosines, they have a ton of cake options. Lots of gelato too but we didn't try those today. Service was slow, but understaffing seems to be a common issue at many places these days. Go here on Sundays to get the Heatwaves hot chicken which I wish they served everyday read more

We have a yearly trip to Pacific Grove typically visiting the same restaurants but after a couple disappointments trip to our usual spots we decided to try Rudolfo's to try a new place and we were so happy we did.l! The food was amazing and the customer service excellent. We had the herb focaccia, meatball and pear gorgonzola salad as appetizers and all of them were great. For main dishes we ordered butternut squash ravioli and the chicken Parmesan which were so incredibly good and flavorful. It seemed like they made the pasta in house because it tasted homemade and far from premade pasta noodles and sauce. Not only was the food well worth it, their service was top notch as well. Caesar was our server and he was wonderful. We noticed a hard working gentleman working in the kitchen who was also doing line staff work which we found out was the owner. It is reassuring to see an owner so involved in the business and doing line staff work along side the employees. There is a level of pride and success when an owner is present and doing the work too. Please don't miss the opportunity to eat at Rudolfo's because it is one of the best Italian restaurants we have been to in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel area. We can't recommend the business more! read more

Wow!! Great sidewalk seating with room for friends. The food was amazing, paired with local beers and wines. The real winner was the owner and staff. We have a new favorite in Pacific Grove! Try it once, you'll see. read more

Food was absolutely great, comes out quick and is cooked very well. Doesn't taste super unhealthy like other restaurants, you can tell the ingredients used are high quality. Staff are very welcoming. From starters, to main courses, to desserts, I was really blown away. Easiest 5 stars I've given. read more

Wow what a great little Italian Cuisine festival! You have to go there. The food is delicious and carefully prepared. It is a tiny spot but the flavors are big and very special. read more

Amazing food! I've been eating there since they first opened and Rudolfo's is my go to whenever I have guests visiting. Everything is fresh and the pasta and bread are made in house every morning. Great desserts as well! Prices are very reasonable for the area and I've always had great service. There's a nice outdoor seating area that my dog also enjoys. Highly recommend! read more

GREAT FOOD!!!! Great friendly service! Nice wine selection. Will definitely go back over & over again!!! You would not normally think this small gelato & pizza place was a place where you'd also get amazing pasta & risotto dishes but it is! There is literally a very special chef they are hiding in the kitchen!!!!! read more

This place is very good! We had a group of 10 and loved all of the dishes. Our server was adorable and her service made our experience even better:) read more

Such delicious food and great environment. Service is the best would recommend anyone come here for any occasion! Miguel is a great host! read more

Rudolfo's - Pesto panini Italian sausage panini - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

See all

Went here during a trip to Pacific Grove. The food was so good that we came back 3 days later! I especially enjoyed the short rib ravioli and the Fun Guy pizza. Also, I'm not usually a spaghetti and meatballs kind of person but, I tried my son's and was blown away! A delicious combination of flavors that made what is usually a plain dish into something magical. And speaking of magic, the chocolate torte was amazing. Delicate, buttery crust, with a layer of homemade caramel and sinfully dark chocolate. read more

Obsessed with the meatball appetizer. I crave this weekly. Got the fig pie as well and YUM. Great ambiance on the patio hearing the jazz music next door read more

Food was amazing! The service was even better. Friendly and fast. We will be back for sure.

Rudolfo's is wonderful! The food is great and the service was outstanding! We will be back for sure!

The Nashville chicken sandwiches on Sundays are incredible! Also, best burgers in Monterey area!

This is my favorite place in Pacific Grove. Owned and operated by Rudolfo and Miguel. Super hospitality and the food is exceptional.

We had our rehearsal dinner at our wedding here! The owners are so incredibly nice and the food is spectacular! I highly recommend any of the pastas or pizzas! You cannot go wrong! read more

Love this very sweet ambiance restaurant with very delicious food. Very amiable and attentive servers. It's our new local spot.

Great Service Great Food Check Out Heatwaves Pop Up On Sundays And Really Good Dessert

Holy cow what a place! The food is EXCELLENT and the service was impeccable. I hear everything is homemade and fresh and I have no doubt. Love it! read more

Really good Italian food. Service was great. Food came out quickly. Meatballs and focaccia were great, as were the Brussels sprouts. Homemade ravioli was good as well. I would come back to try their other pastas. read more

Highly recommend! Everything was amazing. You must try the Shortrib Ravioli and Spaghetti and meatballs. Also the desserts were to die for, we got the strawberry shortcake, devil cake and cheesecake, cookies and cream and tiramisu. Definitely would come back to try more things. The chef and owner came out to check in on our table, very friendly staff. read more

See all

Amazing service and food at this newly opened Italian place. We are from out of town and found this place. The food was amazing and catered to our vegetarian needs perfectly! read more

Rudolfo's - Porcini Ravioli with Garlic Basil Cream Sauce (x2) Fettuccine Melanzane (Eggplant) Parmesan Spaghetti with Vegetables (custom order) - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Heatwaves spicy chicken sandwich is so good. Definitely has some heat. Ordered the medium spice with Mac and cheese. Huge piece of chicken. I will be back. read more

We had the most amazing meal! Everything we had was incredible. We will be telling all of our friends and can't wait to come back. Rudolfo, your menu and food is a gift to Pacific Grove! read more

October 28, 2022. Second time in two weeks. The food is excellent and such a nice relaxed addition to PG's restaurant offerings. Last night we enjoyed the arugula salad, Brussels sprouts, arancini and Bee's Knees pizza. Truth be told, we didn't need the pizza and took it home after having one piece. The food is fabulous and all made "in house" according to Rudolfo himself. Rudolfo was quite humbled and appreciative of our praise, something I very seldom do at a restaurant. Bottom line, we have a new favorite spot when we just want to stroll downtown for dinner. We highly recommend Rodolfo's. read more

a few of us ate there for the first time this week. the staff was very friendly, helpful, and attentive. we had two different pizzas, both very good. a friend had the brussel sprouts and loved them; i am not a sprouts fan but i tasted them and they were good (...for a brussel sprout). the desserts look very tasty and diverse...perhaps next time. and the iced tea was a very good simple black tea; not some awful sports tea! they also have an outdoor eating area which i find appealing.. we went on a weekend evening and the place next door has a live jazz combo outdoors which provides entertainment as an incidental 'freebie'. a pleasant dining experience in downtown p.g.! read more

Delicious food, friendly staff, indoor and outdoor dining. Reasonably priced for this day and age. I enjoyed a salad of arugula with strawberries, beets and goat cheese but was envying a friend's choice of artichoke with bruschetta and aioli. Pizzas and pannini got rave reviews, too. And, they have house-baked desserts and gelato as well as coffee, beer and wine. One of my go-tos in downtown PG read more

Amazing food, amazing service, can't ask for more! This place is a must. We had the Mac and cheese and creme brûlée cheesecake!! Omg!!!

This is everything you want in a small family owned restaurant. Clean, friendly with delicious food. The waitress was courteous and helpful. We had a couple glasses of red wine, shared a wonderful crisp Caesar salad perfectly seasoned. Hubby had the most amazing bolognese and I had a Bianca pizza with artichokes, arugula and sausage. The pasta was the best we've ever had. The pizza was incredible. Topped it with gelato. Perfect spot on Lighthouse Avenue where you feel like a neighbor not a customer! read more

Excellent pizza. Great service. Met Rudolfo and he is very customer oriented. Has excellent and varied Gluten Free options. A must for lunch on the Monterey Peninsula read more

Because of all the good reviews, we ordered takeout the first night we arrived in town, Dec 30th. Here's what we found: the eggplant Parmesan was tough and rubbery, the cream sauce on the gnocchi was not appetizing, the Italian meat lasagna was tasteless and the chicken for the chicken Caesar salad was left off. The two soups, butternut squash, that night, was odd -- creamy tomato but not great. When the restaurant was called, they did reverse the charge on the salad which was nice. Was this an off night? I hope so. This was sub-par Italian food. read more

Okay sooooo, Rudolfo's Cafe is the BEST place if you're hunting for gelato in downtown PG!!! Their gelato is so delicious and yummy when it first enters your mouth and is just as amazing when you lick the spoon clean. And also about every week, there are brand new flavors ever now and then that come in and all of them are sooo gooood!!! They also have a bunch of Italian dishes that I have never tried before, but Im sure they're just as good as the gelato judging from the smell. The service there is also pretty good and the people working there are cool and soooo in conclusion, I give this cafe a 100/10 for taste, yummyness, and service. read more

The Tri Tip was the best I have had!! The salad was sensational and the tiramisu is homemade and the best!! Best food I ever had in not just Pacific Grove, but in the Monterey County! Outstanding customer service employees as well! Can't say enough about this experience and they are pet friendly as well! We will be coming every year that we come up this way, that's for sure!! read more

amazing tri-tip sandwich we talked about for days. very nice people . Right in the main shopping area

Honestly, where do I begin? Rudolfo's is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Monterey, without a doubt. The warm and welcoming atmosphere is immediately what draws you in, in addition to how pretty the place is. The outdoor seating area is the perfect setting for a cute date night or even just a night out with friends and family. Everything I've tried from the menu has been incredibly good, without fail. I recommend the truffle gnocchi in the tomato cream sauce with fresh ricotta. Dreamiest dish ever. Their gnocchi is freshly made and you can tell from the quality. To top everything off, the owner Rudolfo is super kind and friendly, always making sure to check in on every guest. Wonderful place, I can confidently say that I love it. If you're visiting Monterey or are local and haven't tried Rudolfo's yet, it's definitely a must-try. Thank you Rudolfo for an excellent experience every time! read more

Rudolfo's - Fresh burrata crostini with fig jam - Italian Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

See all

This place is amazing, having great food, outdoor eating, and a great view. I love this place, and I hope I have the chance to go again.

The restaurant was very clean, the owner was very kind to take a photo of us(which you will not see! Hahaaa) we will return to this place! read more

See all