We went for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised how good the espresso martinis were and the great service from Andrea the manger.

Food 9/10 Service 10/10 Ambiance 8/10 I always get a pizza and salads from here. Their salads are the BEST and the staff are nice and friendly! I observed that the manager does all they can to work with limited staff and make sure everyone has a grand experience! I think most of the other reviews just don't understand how the business is after Covid. Yes, there are QR codes on the menu but where is there not? Shrimp pomodoro is also really good. Highly recommend if you are in the area and want a quick drink or bite to eat. Also a great place for families! read more

Great fresh food! Amazing happy hour prices for food and cocktails!! Service is great always friendly! The general manager is always talking to customers and helping staff You have to try this place! read more

Soo good Delicious, great atmosphere, friendly staff. qualitatively and quickly. Thank you.

Arrived with no reservations and they sat us down immediately! Our order was taken right away and the food was delicious.

I had a hard day. I was very hungry when I ordered at 5:30 pm. I was pretty sure I heard 15 minutes. As it turned 6:45 I had to ask the bar back where my order was. You brought it to me all smiles kmowing it was stone cold when you put it in the bag. I didn't say anything because in the state I was in I'd could have gone ballistic. Enjoy the money you got because it's the last you'll ever see from me. read more

Tldr: food poisoning go elsewhere This is the most honest review you will get, I've gone to tomatina over 20 times in the last 3 years and I'll admit it used to be really good most of the time. It's very hit or miss though now some days it's ok some days almost inedible, the last 5 or so times I've gone I've been let down every time. The restaurant is failing and there's only one waiter now, you have to order through your own phone and a QR code which is very awkward and makes you feel like you have to do extra work and still pay $20 for a mediocre meal. 2 days ago I got the penne pesto with chicken and some bread rolls, that night I got violent food poisoning and was up all night throwing up and with a upset stomach. I had eaten only fruit that day and 100% know it was from here based on how quickly my stomach hurt after eating. Mistakes happen and I called the next day to warn the manager they have contaminated food, he didn't care and was very rude on the phone, I mentioned I'm a long term customer and asked if I could get refunded, not the $60 overpriced meal but just for my pasta that made me sick, I missed work and that pasta dish cost me $150 worth or pay that day so I wanted my money back. The "manager" rudely told me I'd need to talk to the real manager and show them a doctors note! I'm not in high school we are adults and you should trust your customers my request wasn't unreasonable and if no refund was possible some kindness was. I will never eat here again and will forever tell people to avoid this place(and other locations) at all costs. I can't believe the way management handled this and will file corporate complaint. read more

Incredible happy hour deals especially the delicious $6 2 topping pizzas. I got a beautiful woodfired pizza with prosciutto and arugula for $6. Incredible. Lovely outdoor seating and our server Mara made this an incredible experience. Your food is good but your server is why we will always come back. read more

Tomatina - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

very different than before! I was so excited yesterday because I would eat again at one of my favorite pre-pandemic places! and it was totally disappointing .... the food tasted completely different! not even the starter bread had a taste of Italian food !! my fettuccine alfredo pasta tasted like milk with butter! the attention is still good, but the food was definitely a disappointment. Sorry to say but I'm honest and hopefully they can bring back the old and delicious taste of food. read more

Tomatina - "Fettuccine Alfredo" - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

We've always loved Tomatina so my review may be biased. Food: 4/5 Garlic Rolls - nice and crisp but less than usual seasoning ;( Brussel Sprouts - a bit over-roasted but prolly necessary to overcome the bitterness - lemon and garlic seasoning was perfect. Our favorite is the spinach side but this was as good Hummus Piadine - this one was a 5/5. Soft yet crisp with just the right flavor despite that I had asked for the feta on the side. Service:4/5 Service was friendly, but we had a coupon that was sent to us in 1/1. We came here on 1/2 and when we tried to use the coupon, we were told it had already been used!!!! The manager overrode and forced the coupon through anyway which was nice to do, but weird that a coupon issued the day before would have been used already! read more

Tomatina - Hummus Piadine - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Great food and ambience. Tried 1.garlic rolls with their sauce from scratch-5/5 2.mini hand tossed pizza -4.5/5 3. Pasta -5/5 portion size was good for 1.5 servings We went during happy hour. Slightly understaffed though. read more

Absolutely HORRIBLE service here. About two years ago my husband and I were turned away quite rudely at 7:45pm because they were "closing." Swore we'd never try to eat here again. For some reason gave this spot a second chance today and what a mistake. Came in for a pick up order and walked into utter chaos. First, couldn't even figure out how to enter the establishment. Once someone finally let us in from the inside (a customer), there were no hostesses or servers to be found. Had to ask the bar tender multiple times over 15 minutes if our pick up order was ready until we were finally helped. As we were leaving the poor folks who let us in still weren't seated. Hope the food was worth it, but regardless wouldn't go back. read more

When all bars don't live up to what we're looking for, Tomatina's doesn't disappoint! My friends and I rolled in around happy hour. Cocktails were $6 and Beers were $5. I ordered the Basil Lime Martini which was SO. GOOD. There was lemon vodka, basil, lime, and mint so if you like mojitos, this is a great twist. I downed that thing like juice and it hit me all at once. Call about a good time! I had a taste of my friend's Moscow Mule, which is a crowd pleaser, and the Strawberry Gin, which was so delish! I would totally recommend this! read more

Friends were back in town and craving Italian food so they suggested Tomatina. Service and food were good. I got the spaghetti and meatballs, which was greatly lacking in flavor - wouldn't recommend. Girlfriend got their lasagna and liked it. The boys got the pesto chicken pizza and it was deeeelicious! The best part of my meal, sadly, was my drink, the Razzle Dazzle, ruby cranberry juice, all-natural raspberry syrup, and lemon-lime soda. I'm disappointed they couldn't do a tasty spaghetti, but I'd come back for the pizza and classy ambiance. read more

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This might be the best family restaurant in San Mateo. Spacious, good food (my kids love it), friendly staff, and inexpensive. I hope this place survives to become a local institution. read more

Tomatina - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I would steer clear of this place. I don't like writing negative reviews. I went in the afternoon at 2 PM when basically, nobody was in the restaurant. They would not seat my small group at the bar and refused our service. I was shocked at how unaccommodating they were. There was high top tables where we could have relaxed, that were completely empty, but they still refused us to be there. read more

It's been 40 minutes since I ordered the food for lunch and it's still not here. Very bad experience

After visiting the toy store nearby, we decided to get some food at Tomatina. They welcomed us and the children without a problem. I ordered a very tasty meatball sandwich and Cheryl got some chicken alfredo. Pizza and mac & cheese for the kids! It was all so good and our waiter was very patient with us. A little expensive but definetely worth it. read more

Thank you ! Everything was delicious! Also want thanks a guy who was cleaning our table !

After searching the area can't really decide which place to eat out and me and my friends decided to eat here instead. The food were good. Didn't have any complaints. Except their Tiramisu. It tasted kinda off. Funny thing is that Oliver garden tasted better than this one. Wished that it would've been a lot better. Customer services was great and the environment is lovely and bright. Plus I enjoyed watching the people cook on the other side. I like that my food came out hot and fresh. I got the Shrimp fettuccine which it was good. My friends' dishes tasted better than mine. They were good so will come back next time again and see if there is anything different than last time. Again still a good Italian food to eat around the area. read more

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Great customer service. I come here for the yummy lunch specials. The pizza for the lunch special is perfect in the portion size and the salads are minimal too (a little to minimal if you ask me). The food is always fresh and I enjoy the atmosphere, it's usually not to busy at lunch so you don't have to worry about being forgotten. read more

Tomatina - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Since there is the SIP for the covid-19. Me an my boyfriend were hungry and decided to drive around and find something to eat. Man did we find the place to eat. The food is super delicious! Came in the person working was very attentive and we had the best customer service ever The calzone I got was amazing it was delicious. The lunch special was good and the pizza was made to perfection. Definitely coming back here read more

I really enjoyed the place And the food. I went there with a friend and we had the calamari, and the butternut squash ravioli. Service was great . Very friendly service . read more

Tomatina - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

For years Tomatina has been a rendezvous spot for me and a friend, two aging ladies, as we come from different directions to have lunch. We have never been disappointed with the food or the service. On this occasion, we split a lunch special (a unique and delicious ravioli dish -- kudos to the chef) and a glass of wine. The waitress was extremely helpful and cheerful; no one every questions our splitting a dish or a glass of wine. Tomatina is part of a chain of restaurants, but at this location (and perhaps others), customers are made to feel as if they were at a friendly neighborhood cafe. read more

The Echoes family: I just wanted to give my input on the extraordinary service and mannerism that my family and I received dining at Tomatina restaurant at 401 South Beach Street, San Mateo. We are a regular at this restaurant and feel like family. The attention and personal service that we always receive from Bea makes dining a pleasure. We thought that she was only giving us her attentiveness only to realize that she treats every customer in a special manner. Other customers even felt very pleased with her attention to their needs. She is phenomenal and her smile is like the sunshine. It touches us all. She deserves to be complimented for being a positive asset to your restaurant. Five stars read more

What a wonderful experience. Came with a party of 10, of which all 10 are difficult. Our server was incredibly sweet and accommodating with a great sense of positivity. Food was delicious, everyone enjoyed their meal and polished it off. Calamari.. amazing!!! Wine selection was wonderful and everyone enjoyed the Sangiovese. Special thanks to the general manager who made a dwelling day just lovely. And my apologies I forgot the name of our server but she was just great!! read more

I was really excited to try this restaurant, really craving pasta. We curiously walked in eager to be seated. We stood by a sign that stated "wait here to be seated" sadly we waited there for 5-10minutes as if we were ghosts. I understand it's covid and they're understaffed but the server walked past us like we were ghosts and no one even said hi. So unfortunately, we left without trying this place. One day we'll get our pasta fix. Not today tho read more

This place is a family favorite! Jeff and his team are always smiling and ready to please. Plates are big and the food is always great! Save room for the ever-changing dessert special. If you're lucky you'll catch Sarah or Lili at the bar for a great cocktail. Perfect stop before catching a movie or doing a little downtown SM shopping. read more

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Excellent host who knew how to multitask. Considering how slow a lot of places are during the week right now. They were able to help quickly with the small staff they had. The lasagna was great and peach Italian soda. The bathrooms are clean as well. The safety was great with lots of spacing. Tables a d chairs were very clean. Fun Motown style music made our day. read more

What does meatballs and happy hour have in common? Why Tomatina, of course! An what happens when you let Yelp Elites do a tasting of some of the tastiest dishes at Tomatina? You get all the elements of a party - great food and drinks...and a fantastic evening of fun and friends! My faves were the baked cannelloni and the fusilli Gorgonzola. I usually have the chicken piadine, meatballs and garlic knots, but it was great to try new things and find new favorites! I also have to recommend their pizza (which also is on the happy hour menu!). They have a good selection of beer and wine...including Sophia Coppola Brut Rose (try that with the garlic knots or fusilli gorgonzola!). The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is as festive as a Friday night out...even on a Monday!). Maybe I shouldn't share how much the place is a hidden gem in the sea of San Mateo restaurants, because then everyone will want to take my happy hour spot at the bar! read more

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Great atmosphere, drinks were great and the baked penne was delicious. The service was greatThe manger Gina is very helpful and the bartender Kurt was very patient with my indecisiveness. We will be coming back! read more

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Came here for lunch today and the restaurant was empty. When I walked in the server looked at me and didn't greet me, he just continued wiping the tables. I asked if they were open and he replied with "have you been here before?" I was little shocked on his reply but I just brushed it off. Got sat and ordered, when the food came I ask for black pepper and he gave me packaged pepper which I didn't think much of it. A little later I saw a white male customer ask for pepper and the waiter brought out the pepper grinder and grind the pepper for him fresh... That pretty much summed up the experience at this place. read more

Can't speak for the food because I never got a chance to even see a menu. Walked in around lunch, place was 1/4 full if that and was left standing at the door for 5 minutes with no service, eventually just took a seat and was still ignored for another 5 minutes. Food looked great but man s****y service will really spoil an experience. Whoever works Saturdays needs a pep talk. read more

Went to San Mateo location for lunch, service kinda slow, we have to ask to refills My chicken fettuccine was fake, instead of grilled chicken with spices they used sliced lunch chicken. What a shame and an insult to Italian Kitchen read more

We are regulars at Tomatina in San Mateo - often stopping in for date night on Wednesdays, and occasionally on Fridays or weekends when we have family in town. The food is delicious, rotating specials keep the selection fresh, and we appreciate how thoughtful the staff is. In particular, Ashley often stops by during our meal to make sure we are enjoying everything, and she always makes us feel welcome. A great spot in downtown San Mateo for a casual yet classy meal. read more

Was this place a buffet type place anytime or I am getting mixed with another restaurant? On a Friday evening walked into the one in San Mateo downtown, got seated quickly. Me and my son were eager to try their Italian seafood fare. Both the entree's (roasted salmon pasta, shrimp alfredo ), calamari appetizer and lime soda were great. The salmon dish also included roasted broccoli n cauliflower- which was delish light salt roasted and with creamy rigatoni, although the salmon could have gotten little more softer. My son liked the shrimp Alfredo as well hinting to come back again. The calamari appetizer was slightly dry and none of the dishes came with any side bread as normally seen nor was there any welcome warm bread. Happy hour items were limited and good. Their strawberry shortbread dessert was yummy - not too sweet and I believe had rosemary topped! Found another spacious place not too crowded but some good options worth trying with family! read more

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Really good food! This is my second time going and the bread is so good!!!! I also think the gelato is really good.

Nicole B is the best server you could ever ask for. Every time I come she remembers my name and order. She is always on top of it. I will keep coming back to this restaurant for the best happy hour and great company read more

I came here just recently with a coworker for lunch. We both did the lunch specials which allow you to pick two different items.. I went with the mediterranean salad and the penne pasta in alfredo sauce. The portions were pretty big and I left super full. My coworker ordered a caesar salad and the meatball sandwich--this was also very large!! It is cut into two pieces, but you will definitely be in a food coma should you decide to finish it all (we did). Other options to choose from where soups and some type of cauliflower dish that sounded interesting. Seeing as this is located in downtown San Mateo and close to work, I would definitely come back to try more items on the menu! read more

So unassuming but my favorite spot in the area! great drinks at a super reasonable cost. The garlic knots are TO DIE FOR and the staff is seriously the best. Very attentive and kind. You can't find service like this anymore so I love this spot! read more