Sapore Express

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!

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: ~$70Tip: Go straight for the pasta!

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.

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!

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.

If you love pasta I recommend trying this place out, the server was nice, sweet and attentive. The tiramisu looked delicious so I'll have to come back next time to try it.

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!

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.

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.

Sapore Express is hands down one of the best Italian spots in San Mateo! The moment you walk in, you're greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that sets the tone for an amazing meal. Their menu is packed with delicious options, but the pasta is definitely the star of the show. The dishes are flavorful, perfectly cooked, and made with high-quality ingredients that shine in every bite.The Bolognese is rich and savory, and the pesto pasta is fresh and fragrant--both are absolute standouts. Plus, the wood-fired pizzas are crispy and loaded with delicious toppings that will leave you craving more. You can tell everything is made with care and passion.The service is top-notch! The staff is friendly, attentive, and always ready to offer recommendations. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a leisurely dinner, Sapore Express makes sure you have a fantastic experience every time.I can't recommend this place enough! If you're in San Mateo, don't miss out on this hidden gem. Five stars all the way!