San Mateo dining rooted in tradition.
Brazilian Pizzeria and Grill for San Mateo
Welcome to Nelci’s Kitchen—where we’re keeping the best pizza traditions of Mr. Pizza Man alive right here in downtown San Mateo, CA. We’re not just another pizza joint. The truth is, we’ve poured hearts into bringing homemade comfort to your table, just like you’d expect from a family kitchen near San Mateo’s own Hillsdale neighborhood. Whether you’re grabbing a pie after a long day at San Mateo County offices or feeding the kids before a Little League game at Central Park, we’ve got you covered.
Our San Mateo Story
Tradition in the kitchen, family at the table. Pull up a chair, you’re home for San Mateo.
In the fast-paced downtown San Mateo district, we are committed to creating dining experiences that are shared, spirited, and always feel like home. You won’t find that cookie-cutter feel here. We hear it all the time from folks who live near the San Mateo Caltrain station—they want a spot that actually feels local.
That’s exactly why Nelci’s Kitchen exists.
Nelci’s Kitchen is the realization of a lifelong dream for Chef Nelci Vieira. Her journey began in the kitchens of Minas Gerais, a region celebrated as the soulful heart of Brazilian home cooking. And here, near San Mateo’s 9th Avenue corridor, we’ve blended those traditions with the best of Italian-style pizzas. Honestly, we’ve seen families from the Baywood neighborhood stop by after a day on the Bay Trail, craving that slow-fermented dough and fresh toppings.
Our purpose is to bring the vibrant, welcoming spirit
of Brazil to California, and especially to San Mateo, by sharing authentic homemade
food, grilling, artisanal pizzas, pastas, salads and desserts.
—Nelci Vieira, Chef de Cuisine
Our San Mateo Menu
San Mateo Tradition, Carved and Shared.
At Nelci’s Kitchen, we honor the slow-cooked traditions of our grandmothers. From the fire of the grill to our hand-stretched, slow-fermented dough, everything is made to be passed around and enjoyed together. We’ve served pizza to San Mateo locals celebrating birthdays at the 101 Drive-In parking lot and delivered piping hot calzones to folks living near Bridgepointe Shopping Center. For us, it’s about the taste of San Mateo itself—a mix of homey neighborhoods and that busy Peninsula energy.
Artisan Cravings near San Mateo
San Mateo Pizzeria
Menu
- SALADS
- BOWLS
- PIZZAS — made from scratch daily for San Mateo
- PASTAS — hearty Italian classics San Mateo loves
- DESSERTS — sweet endings with a local twist
San Mateo Grill Tradition
San Mateo Food & Grill
Menu
- AUTHENTIC HOMEMADE FOOD — crafted right here near San Mateo
- DESSERTS — baked fresh daily for San Mateo sweet tooths
The San Mateo Experience
The Soul of Minas, The Heart of San Mateo
From our family kitchen on East Hillsdale Boulevard to your table near San Mateo, every dish is a celebration of the traditions that turn guests into family. We’ve been serving the San Mateo community for years, and we know what you’re craving after a long day at Bay Meadows or a hike at Sawyer Camp Trail. Honestly, there’s nothing better than sharing a meal with neighbors who feel like old friends. Whether you’re off Highway 92 or near Central Park, we’ve got your table ready. The truth is, we treat every order like we’re cooking for our own — because near San Mateo, that’s how it should be.
Authentic Brazilian Grilled Meats for San Mateo
Are you up for a smoky, salty masterpiece that tastes like a Sunday afternoon in Brazil? Our churrasco-style grilled meats are a hit with San Mateo families who love bold flavors. Picture this: you’re driving down El Camino Real after picking up the kids from Bayside STEM Academy, and the smell of grilled picanha hits you. That’s what we bring to the table. We hear this a lot: ‘I didn’t know I could get real Brazilian food near San Mateo.’ Now you do. It’s the kind of meal that turns a regular Tuesday into a mini-vacation.
Artisanal Pizzas for San Mateo
Hand-stretched, long-fermented dough paired with organic sauces and premium local ingredients. We source our tomatoes from the farmers’ market on College of San Mateo’s campus, and our mozzarella comes from a small creamery down the Peninsula. Every pizza we make for San Mateo gets that extra attention — because when you’re ordering for a movie night in the Shoreview neighborhood or a birthday party at Beresford Park, you deserve the best. We don’t cut corners. Never have. It’s why locals keep coming back.
Premium Pastas for San Mateo
Our chef-curated selection of traditional Italian all-time favorites. Served with a side of buttery toasted garlic bread. We’re talking fettuccine Alfredo that reminds you of nonna’s kitchen, baked ziti that disappears in minutes, and spaghetti and meatballs that are pure comfort. San Mateo’s weather can be foggy and cool — perfect for a bowl of hot pasta after a walk along the Bay Trail. Whether you’re in the Hillsdale Shopping Center area or tucked away near the San Mateo County Event Center, we deliver warmth in every box.
Greens and Grains for San Mateo
Seasonal ingredients and crisp textures, prepared fresh daily to celebrate the lighter side of our kitchen. For San Mateo’s health-conscious crowd — we see you jogging along the 101 overpass or grabbing a smoothie at the Hillsdale Farmers Market — our salads are a game-changer. We toss in local greens, roasted veggies, and house-made dressings that don’t taste like an afterthought. The truth is, even pizza lovers need a break sometimes. And when you do, we’ve got your back with something fresh and satisfying.
San Mateo Testimonials
What Our San Mateo Guests Are Saying
Shared Experience near San Mateo
A Seat For Everyone for San Mateo
Whether you crave the sizzle of the grill, the craft of an artisan pizza, or the comfort of premium pasta and fresh salads, there is a place for everyone at our table near San Mateo. We’re not just another pizza joint — we’re the spot where San Mateo’s families, students from College of San Mateo, and commuters getting off the Caltrain at Hillsdale Station all find something to love. Here’s what that means for you: no matter your mood, we’ve got a dish that hits the spot. Come see why San Mateo makes us feel at home.
- We’re talking tender, flame-grilled cuts that taste like they came straight off a churrasco in São Paulo — but you’re right here near San Mateo, CA, just off El Camino Real.
- Our slow-fermented artisan pizzas? They’re the kind of thing you crave after a long day on 92 or a weekend hike at Coyote Point. We proof the dough for 48 hours — makes all the difference near San Mateo’s cool coastal air.
- Kitchen-crafted premium pastas that locals in the Baywood neighborhood swear by. We’re talking handmade fettuccine, slow-simmered sauces — stuff that warms you up on a foggy San Mateo evening.
San Mateo Shared Moments
San Mateo Catering & Corporate Events
Whether you’re planning a team lunch at a tech office off 101, hosting a birthday party at Shoreview Park, or just feeding the family after a hectic day near San Mateo — we’ve got your back. Here’s what sets us apart for San Mateo’s corporate crowd and neighborhood gatherings alike:
- Corporate & Office Dining — We deliver straight to those office parks near San Mateo’s Bridgepointe area. No more sad desk lunches.
- Preferred Partner Programs — For San Mateo businesses that order weekly, we offer a dedicated account manager and priority delivery. Saves you time.
- The Full Brazilian Grill Experience — Picanha, linguica, and all the fixings. It’s a taste of Brazil, right here near San Mateo, CA — perfect for a family dinner or a celebration at home.
- Artisanal Pizza Packages — Custom pizzas for your next San Mateo event. Think pepperoni with a twist, or a margherita that’d make Naples jealous. We’ve done hundreds for birthday parties in the Laurel neighborhood.
- Heritage Pastas & Salads — From our nonna-inspired lasagna to a crisp Caesar that holds up on the drive across San Mateo. Great for a quick dinner before a show at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center.
- Artisanal Desserts & Beverages — Finish strong with our house-made flan or a Brazilian-style lemonade. A hit at any San Mateo gathering.
- Chef Nelci’s Heritage Menus — These are the recipes passed down through generations. Every dish tells a story that connects San Mateo to Brazil. We hear this a lot: “It tastes just like my grandmother’s.”
- Administrative Diligence — We handle the paperwork for large San Mateo orders — itemized invoices, dietary notes, delivery windows. You focus on your event; we handle the food.
For more information or to inquire about tailored solutions and special packages, please contact us.
San Mateo Authentic Edge
Our Promise toTable for San Mateo
50+ Years of Culinary Mastery near San Mateo
From Minas Gerais with Love. Rooted in Tradition, Crafted for You.
Authentic Grandma-Style Brazilian Homemade Food near San Mateo
A collection of family recipes preserved through generations, served for the way we eat today.
San Mateo Handcraft Approach
Honest flavors from the heart of Minas Gerais, prepared with high-quality, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, love, patience and a grandmother’s steady hand.
A San Mateo Place That Feels Like Home
Our food is made by hand, and served with the same heart you’d find at our own family table.
We’re saving a seat at the San Mateo table for you.
Whether you’re joining us for a quick slice or a long family feast, we’re ready to welcome you home.
- PIZZAS
- PASTAS
- GRILL
- DESSERTS
Nestled in the heart of the Bay Area with a population of roughly 105,000, San Mateo feels like a small city with big appetites, where families and tech commuters from biotech hubs along Highway 101 meet downtown. Between watching a film at the historic 1920s-era Century Theatre or hiking the Sawyer Camp Trail, locals crave a satisfying, no-fuss meal. With San Mateo’s busy workforce and its blend of suburban homes and commercial corridors, there’s a constant demand for a pizzeria that delivers both high-quality ingredients and quick service to fuel the city's diverse daily rhythm.