My absolute two favorite items on this menu are RADIATORI RUSTICA and TAGLIOLINI NERO DI SEPPIA. If you want something more creamy radiatori is great and if you want something more seafood red sauce then the tagliolini is the one. It usually doesn't have much of a wait so it's true to the name. The complimentary bread with their homemade sauce is also delicious and a nice pre-meal snack. read more

Very casual spot. Good service. The waiter offered to give me two samples of different wine, which I appreciated. The food quality... I was expecting better for their homemade pasta. I ordered the vongole , my go-to dish. The clams were good and decent portions, but the pasta was way too mushy and saturated with butter. The prices are reasonable. But I probably won't need to come back here. read more

Ordered the Squid Ink Pasta! Ambiance 3.5/5 Service 4/5 Food 4/5! Not super crowded so a good place if you want to talk! read more

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We went here on a Wed night and the restaurant was pretty full. My sister made a reservation for 6 people, so they had the seats all ready for us. My favorite is the radiatora rustica and the complimentary bread and dip. My husband ordered the squid ink pasta. Personally, it's not my thing, but he liked it and it had spicy kick to it. I tried the Chicken Alfredo, but my favorite os still the rustica pasta. The bread is warm, soft, and fresh and the dip is a tomato-oil sauce (it is my favorite!) We were helped by Dina and she was so friendly and answered all of our questions about the food. Fernando helped bring out the food and bread and dip if we asked. All of the food was so fresh and flavorful! The staff is amazing and attentive--We will definitely be back! read more

Sapore Express - Squid Ink Pasta - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We were on the list (party of 2) in front of a party of 6. Two-top opens up, and they decide to combine it with another table and seat the party behind us first. "People love us on Yelp"--presumably those seated fairly. We like the food here, but the service is basically sit around and wait. 30 minutes to get a table (we were told 5) and seemingly even more to get our order in. No reservations, no managed waitlist, like we're dining in the 90s. Maybe that's the point? read more

This is a great neighborhood gem. Parking is tough in the neighborhood and the few outside tables do not have patio heaters and the inside isn't that big. It was worth the 25 min wait for us. The host was super nice to us and staff was attentive to us. We never had to ask for more bread or more water. It just came. The bread came with EVOO and sun dried tomatos. The meatball antipasti was tender and flavorful. An extra helping of bread was brought out for the sauce. The salmon was cooked perfectly and flaky. The pasta with the salmon had ample garlic like an Italian restaurant should be. The Radiatori Rustica was delicious and held sauce so every bite was flavorful. The Scalatelli Alla Amateiciana was flavorful and came out napalm hot. The pancetta added a lot of depth and flavor to the dish and not surprisngly, was a little on the salty side. We were originally seated on a smaller table because the place was busy. Staff offered and moved us to a larger table for comfort when that became available. This place is a win for the food and a win for the service! We are definitely coming back to eat here again. read more

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Fresh pasta in a casual setting - a great bit of diversity in downtown San Mateo! The staff was jovial and the food came out quick. The free bread was nice but a little plain compared to other Italian spots in the area. We will be back to try more of the menu! read more

Sapore Express - Fettuccini Bolognese - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I've been here a few times and the food is always fresh and delicious. This place is casual and comfortable. It is located in downtown San Mateo with lots of meter parking. There's indoor and outdoor dining. Service is always great. It's our go to place for Italian food. read more

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This used to be just to-go during covid but now there's both indoor and outdoor seating. We got the Scilatelli Alla Amatriciana and Radiatori Rustica. All pastas are homemade. Both pastas were cooked al dente, so if you like your noodles softer, you can tell them to cook it longer. We also found both dishes to be a tad salty so we couldn't eat as much as we'd like to. A solid Italian option in San Mateo though. I'd come back. read more

Sapore Express - Scialatelli alla Amatriciana - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Soooooo Goooood!! I will dream about these muscles. They were the most delicious muscles I've ever had. The sauce is amazing!! I can't wait to come back and order these again! read more

Sapore Express - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

This restaurant is fantastic--a solid Italian spot worth visiting. We went on a Saturday around noon and were fortunate that it wasn't busy, so we were seated immediately at a nice window table. The atmosphere was comfortable and not too loud, which made it even better. The host mentioned that all the pastas are homemade (something not even listed on the menu), which was a great surprise. They start you off with fresh bread and a flavorful red sauce, a perfect warm-up for the meal. We ordered the calamari, the Rustica, and the lasagna. Every dish was excellent--sauces rich and creamy, portions generous, and the pasta cooked beautifully. The plates came out hot and quickly, showing how well the kitchen runs. Overall, it was a seamless, delicious experience. Great food, fast service, and a cozy atmosphere--definitely a place I'd come back to. read more

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The food here is so good. Fresh, well prepared and great flavor - definitely a little hidden gem in the heart of San Mateo

What a fantastic little place. A warm, inviting Italian restaurant that was exactly what we needed on a cold December night. The beet salad was very nice, with generous portions even though we split it, they put it on two plates and didn't skimp. The bread tasted fresh and warm, and the sauce they gave us on the side was amazingly good. The best, however, was the pasta. I was a little bummed because they weren't serving the carbonara I had seen on their website, so I went with the lasagna. Oh my gosh, one of the best lasagnas I've ever had. It's very saucey, almost like it's floating in a bowl of soup, but trust me, it works. The wife had the rustica pasta and loved it as well. Said it could've used more mushrooms but that's pretty minor. The service is great, very attentive and friendly. The decor and ambiance could probably be improved just a bit, but with the word express in the name I can't really complain. Overall just a great little Italian place that I'm happy I found. read more

Ordered delivery from here and pastas were still solid. FYI, they were all a bit more al dente than I'm used to, which is surprising since I would have expected them to be softer due to delivery. In order of preference: Tagliolini aloe Vongole: Great flavors from the pasta and the clams were a hit with the toddlers. Would order again. Lasagna: The bolognese sauce was divine and super flavorful. Would order again. Scialatelli alla amatriciana: The pasta was on the Al dente side and the pancetta flavors and amount was lacking. Good flavors, but wished there was a bit more meat. Fusilli alla pomodoro: The most basic pasta that we had. Flavors weren't too interesting and wouldn't get again. read more

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Excellent! Been on an Italian restaurant tour lately in the greater Bay Area and this place ranked quite highly so it made the list of candidates to try. Came by for dinner with a friend and tried the calamari, the radiatore and the frutti di mare pasta. Very flavorful tomato sauce, squid ink pasta was cooked perfectly, they used extra large high quality tiger prawns and mussels = winning dish. Easy 5 stars and priced extremely well compared to other similar restaurants in the nearby area. This is my winner for Italian in San Mateo at the moment! Would love to try their Burlingame location as well at some point! read more

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Don't try this at home, we arrived at 2:45 PM. I ordered the calamari, Scialatelli alla Amatriciana, Radiatori Rustica, and tiramisu. Everything was delicious! The prices are on the higher end, but it's definitely worth it for the unique and flavorful pasta dishes you get. Even though they were closing at 3 PM, I never felt rushed. The parking situation in downtown San Mateo is typical hit or miss but overall, it was a fantastic dining experience. Highly recommended! I guess you could say the pasta really pasta my expectations! read more

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Yummy pasta with housemade noodles, and the option for additional fresh parm. Comes with complimentary bread and dip, which was also delicious. quick and friendly service. read more

Sapore Express - Radiatori Rustica - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

This is such an underrated spot! I always come to eat in downtown San Mateo but never really saw this place until my friend recommended me to come to get dinner with her here. I cannot tell how the bread and the dipping sauce was one of the best I ever had! The bread was so soft and the sauce they had was amazing and different from other places I've been. I also got the lasagna and the Alfredo and it was so flavorful and delicious! The staff here are so sweet and very accommodating. the restaurant itself gives a very rustic vibe but very family friendly. I definitely recommend trying this Italian spot out. It's definitely worth it!!! read more

Sapore Express - Radiatori Rustica, Fettuccine Alfredo con Pollo, Lasagna - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

Lively and casual Italian restaurant in downtown San Mateo. We came on a Friday evening and the indoor seats were mostly full. Starter bread with tomato sauce - the bread was on the softer side but the tomato sauce was delicious. Sun dried tomatoes, olive oil and a hint of spice Calamari - I love that they include both tentacles and body of squid, they even fried up some peppers and lemon, crispy but would prefer to have a lighter batter Tagliolini alle vongole - buttery garlicky sauce, a bit on the heavier side, tender and plentiful clams Tagliolini Nero di sieppa - shrimp was juicy and scrumptious, mussels on the other hand tasted a bit mushy Both pastas were on the softer side and chewier texture is my preference. Overall, great atmosphere and service read more

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Sapore Express was such a nice surprise. Service was spot on. Our pastas were excellent and the portions were generous. Some of the best Italian food we have had in the Bay Area. read more

Visited on a Sunday evening, since we were in the area, craving some yummy pasta! I also saw some good reviews about their calamari, so that was even more incentive to try this out. The ambiance is casual for Italian, but I liked it and service was friendly. We ordered the Caesar salad, calamari, and pollo marsala to share. Everything was overall good, but quite bland. Caesar was coated with dressing but had no flavor, calamari was tasteless without the aioli, and the pasta and sauce was lacking. This was shocking for me because I grew up on simple flavors and simple food, but I was expecting more. On the bright side -- the calamari itself was cooked well (not chewy or rubbery) and the pasta had a great "toothsome" bite. Probably homemade or freshly made, which I don't see often! Total: ~$70 Tip: Go straight for the pasta! read more

Sapore Express - Caesar salad and Calamari Fritti - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Sapore Express is a hidden gem. It's fabulous Italian food in a relaxed, casual environment. Service is excellent, especially Dina who takes good care of us. Food is delicious and very reasonably priced as well. Highly recommend! read more

Went here for birthday dinner and it was a great move!! Was able to reserve for a bigger party and they were flexible even when there were people who came later. The service was efficient and friendly, and the ambiance was nice but also not too fancy. The food was great as well with very reasonable portions. The scilatelli that I got (which was my first time having it) was in the more al dente side with a nice sauce and salty meat. My favorite was the gorgonzola pasta though - really creamy and a nice lightly sweet filling inside the pasta. The radiatore is popular with people too and was also pretty good. Overall, would recommend! 5/5 read more

Sapore Express - Scialatelli alla Amatriciana - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

This is hands down my favorite restaurant to eat at. First off, I would like to mention how wonderful the staff is here. The service they offer is the best, and one of the reasons I keep coming back. I love that they offer complimentary bread. Next, the pasta is the best I've ever eaten. I am someone who's been looking for really good pasta, since most places are inconsistent or nothing special. However, their pasta is truly something else in the best way possible. It's always hot when it comes out, and they give a good portion, which makes it worth it for the price. The dessert never misses either. Their spumoni is my favorite, but all of their other desserts are so good as well. I am convinced there is not a bad item on the menu. I absolutely love this place and I come back frequently. If you're looking for good pasta, you have to try this restaurant out! read more

Sapore Express - Spumoni - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Order: TaglioliniI Nero Di Seppia Go to is the radiatori rustica but decided to be adventurous. SE is a tad on the salty side but the flavor of the sauces are good. Friends had the Pollo Marsala and Fettuccine Bolognese. Was told the sauce was good on both of those as well. read more

Sapore Express - TAGLIOLINI NERO DI SEPPIA (front) Pollo Marsala (back left) Fettuccine Bolognese (back right) - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

Sapore Express is a completely unassuming spot that serves up lip-smacking homemade pasta! Fresh ingredients and perfect seasonings yield unforgettable meals. My friend and I arrived in the earlier side for dinner and had our pick of tables. The staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive. We ordered the burrata and prosciutto + steamed mussels to start. The burrata melts in your mouth and the mussels were steamed to perfection (not chewy). For our entrees we had the squid ink pasta with mussels and the special, tagliolini with rock shrimp in red sauce. We were stuffed from the starters, so had quite a bit of our entrees left over. I'm sure they'll be equally delicious for lunch tomorrow. They serve beer & wine, and we skipped dessert. Sapore Express was a great find and I will definitely be back! read more

Sapore Express - Squid ink pasta with Mussels - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Fresh fresh homemade pasta with delicious sauces, you really can't go wrong. Radiatore is my favorite shape here. It's got that perfect toothsome texture. They do provide bread for the table, but it's not too special, just a good mop for sauce when you finish your pasta! read more

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Service - we ordered takeout through DoorDash. I took a star away because the order did not process for a long time and when you try to call the restaurant's number it goes directly to voicemail. RADIATORI RUSTICA - delicious. Totally recommend. The sauce was good and the pasta shape was really unique. The sauce was a mix between a red sauce and cream sauce. BOLOGNESE - with spaghetti noodle was just ok. The noodle was too thin, and there was nothing special about the sauce. Overall the pasta is well priced. You also get some complimentary bread with it which was pretty good. The restaurant offers both indoor seating and a few tables out front. Parking is pretty easy to find at this area of downtown. read more

Sapore Express - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Call it my little local authentic Italian restaurant located in the heart of downtown San Mateo. Sapore Express is not a large restaurant, in terms of space, but they pack a punch with their tasty and fresh Italian fare. The menu isn't the most extensive, but I could argue they cover a wide swath of flavors, pastas, and sauces. They provide complimentary bread which is nice. The multiple pasta dishes I have tried were home runs for me and I would re-order them again. Service is also where Sapore Express shines. All of the staff I have dealt with feels like this is a family run restaurant and they treat their customers like we're all regulars. read more

This is a solid Italian neighborhood spot with a small menu of classics. I actually like this better than the Burlingame Sapore because the small venue and quick, friendly service provide a great option for my special needs adult son far better than the busier, louder more formal restaurant. I love their lasagne and sauces are all good. read more

Sapore Express is a quaint local Italian restaurant that believes in friendly service and freshly cooked Italian dishes. They're located in the heart of downtown San Mateo so parking can be easy or difficult, really depending on the time and day and maybe with some luck or not. My favorite dish here is their Bolognese, which is fresh and flavorful. I'm lukewarm on their Beet Salad, which is very ordinary. Seating indoors is a little limited but there is a covered patio with additional tables, which would be amazing on a warm evening. I haven't had tried their Tiramisu or any of their adult beverages, but I will eventually. Service like I mentioned is always warm and friendly. This is a great option for Italian when you're in the area. read more

Good food and friendly staff. This place has been on my radar for a while now, and finally made it to try them out. Had the squid ink pasta. The pasta was cooked perfectly. Chewy and soft. The tomato sauce retains a lot of the freshness. The shrimps were big, succulent with the right amount of crunch. Though I'm not a big fan of mussels, I gobbled them. All in all, can't wait to come back and try other dishes. They aren't cheap, but you get what you paid for. read more

Sapore Express - Squid ink pasta - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

I absolutely love the pasta at this restaurant. It is my favorite in the Bay Area. It is my go to comfort food. The flavor on the chicken marsala is right on point and anything with their tomato cream sauce is delicious. Prices are reasonable for Bay Area. This location has a small outside patio that is dog friendly. The patio is covered so shaded when sunny but I don't recall heaters. The restaurant inside is fairly quaint and cozy. Service is fine - prompt and functional but could be more warm and welcoming. I appreciated they really made sure the outside tables were clean and dust free ahead of seating us. Plenty of metered street parking right outside. read more

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Sapore Italiano is normally my go to! Due to the pandemic, they are close for lunch. When my kids want some good homemade pasta (yes, pasta from scratch). We are so excited when they open up sapore express. Quick stop for lunch or dinner! Casual atmosphere! Now this is our weekly spot for lunch! Awesome job Geurvwe read more

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a tasty experience. Made a reservation for dinner and tables were plentiful upon arrival. Dining is available on the outdoor shaded patio or indoors in the super warm restaurant. A/C was later turned on midway during the dinner service. Sapore Express focuses on homemade pasta with an open kitchen and a cashier facing the door. They do have full waiter service. Meal started off with complimentary bread along with a dipping sauce. Opted for the squid ink seafood taglioni pasta as a main and it was tasty. The pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente and featured 3 mega prawns in addition to a dozen or so clams. Flavor was on point. Staff were courteous and checked up on us throughout the evening. Had the cannolis for dessert which I didn't fully understand... ~$30/head after tax and gratuity. There is a credit card surcharge along with a sign that is attached to the register. read more

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Don't overlook this place! I came here with my friend for a Sunday lunch and definitely will come back. The staff was super friendly and love how chill the vibe was. It's a cute little spot that makes everything from scratch. I ordered the lasagna and it did not disappoint. It wasn't your typical red sauce lasagna stacked. It was presented like an island in the middle of the sea because that's how much of the delicious sauce was surrounding it! It was the best lasagna I have ever had in my life. I have had dreams about it too! Can't wait for my next trip! read more

My friend wanted to try this place and I can now say that I have a new go-to Italian spot in downtown San Mateo! We made a reservation for a Friday night which is definitely recommended since there was a line for walk in. The restaurant is small and quaint, with around 10 tables, maybe less, to seat people. The pasta is made in house and you can definitely tell based on how fresh and well cooked the pasta is. Items ordered: - Bruschetta pomodori: Loved that there was plenty of tomatoes on the bruschetta! The balsamic sauce is pretty strong but overall great flavor. - Burrata prosciutto: Comes with 6 pieces of prosciutto and plenty of burrata to share! Simple yet great appetizer. - Radiatori rustica: I heard this is one of their more popular dishes and I can agree! I loved everything about this dish from the pasta, sauce, to the amount of vegetables and meat on the plate. Portion is pretty generous too and I had plenty of leftover for another meal. - Fusilli with pink sauce: I really liked the pink sauce in this dish! Protein costs extra but the pasta by itself is still amazing and flavor from the pink sauce really the dish! - Spumoni: An amazing dessert that comes as a dark chocolate ganache on the outer layer with ice cream inside. Our ice cream flavors were chocolate, pistachio, and strawberry which all paired well together. 11/10 would come back for a comforting bowl of pasta! read more

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Hidden gem in downtown San Mateo. With so many Italian restaurants in the area with fancier ambiances, the casual Sapore Express often gets forgotten, but the food here is just as good if not better than many of the other places and at a better value. I've come here for weekday lunch a handful of times, and it's usually pretty quiet. The service is friendly although can be slow because there's usually only one guy working front of house. The food is always excellent with pasta cooked perfectly al dente. My favorites here so far are the lasagna and the taglioni nero di seppia but there are many other things I've yet to try on the menu. I have yet to be disappointed. read more

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This place is really a gem! Simple, no frills but fun and chill ambiance. Food is always freshly cooked to order. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients with the rich & flavorful sauces of the pasta dishes! You can't go wrong with whatever you choose from the menu! Pleasant and friendly service every single time! Must try the Amatriciana pasta a d the tiramisu! read more

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HIDDEN GEM! Was gonna go to get Japanese ramen but it's so crowded. so I was just scrolling down the street and found Sapore Express. Sapore Express is an absolute gem in San Mateo! The pasta I ordered was bursting with flavor--perfectly al dente with a sauce that was rich, savory, and comforting. The arugula on top added a fresh, peppery touch that tied everything together beautifully. The attention to detail in every dish really stands out, and you can tell that the food is prepared with care and high-quality ingredients. It's rare to find such authentic Italian flavors in such a cozy and unassuming spot. If you're in San Mateo and craving delicious Italian food, Sapore Express is the place to go. I can't wait to return and try more of their menu. Highly recommended for anyone looking for amazing food in a relaxed, welcoming setting! read more

Sapore Express - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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