We do not offer delivery.

Third-party delivery companies charge restaurants 20–30% or more in fees, which would force us to raise our menu prices.

Delivery also means food often arrives cold or less fresh, leading to a disappointing experience. Sometimes this results in negative reviews or refund requests, which hurt the restaurant. Delivery platforms often issue refunds directly to the customer, leaving the restaurant to cover the cost.

Not offering delivery also helps us reduce packaging waste and focus on serving food at its best quality. For the best dining experience, we invite you to enjoy your meal fresh from our kitchen.

If you need it to go, we offer online ordering for pickup.

Yes, we offer table service.

We do not have waiters. Ordering can be placed using the QR code at each table, allowing you to order at your own pace.

How this works:

1. Find a table and scan the QR code to view the menu. Use your credit card or Apply Pay to complete your order.
2. Some people prefer to order at the kiosk for bigger pictures and tap to pay. 
3. A team member will bring your food to your table.

The kiosk and QR code ordering system help us keep menu prices fair for diners.

We don’t take reservations, but guest are typically seated within 10 minutes. We offer comfy lounge seating while you wait.

Sending an email or leaving a message does not guarantee a table. All seating is first come, first served.

Thank you for understanding!

Colander Kitchens is a 3-minute walk from the 2nd and El Camino Parking Garage and an 8-minute walk from the San Mateo Caltrain station. Ample metered street parking is also available nearby.

There is no valet service or parking lot on premises.

Find more parking options at cityofsanmateo.org

Absolutely! We love hosting private parties, team events, and special gatherings.

Please note that our liquor license is still pending and we are unable to host events with alcohol at this time.

Colander Kitchens features three distinctive areas available for private rentals, perfect for your next party or corporate event:

• Front Room: A relaxed, loungey space featuring our iconic 1969 Lambretta mini caffe truck, adding a nostalgic and unique touch that enhances the vintage vibe.
• Bar Section: Booth seating and two long standing tables, designed for socializing and drinks. Please note that our full bar will be available once our liquor license is approved.
• Back Room: A semi-private dining room with views of the kitchen kitchen. (still under renovation)

Together, these spaces can accommodate up to 160 guests.

To inquire about availability, pricing, or custom menu options, please contact us at eat@colanderkitchens.com.

We kindly remind guests that, under California Health & Safety Code §114259.5, pets are not allowed inside the restaurant. Our staff is required to mention this to anyone entering with a dog. Thank you for understanding that we’re simply following state health regulations.

If you have a service animal, please let our team know when you arrive. We’ll be happy to assist you and find a comfortable seating area for you and your service animal.

Service Animals

• As required by law, service animals are allowed in public areas of our restaurant, including the indoor dining room.
• A service animal is specially trained to help a person with a disability. These animals assist with tasks like guiding someone who is blind, alerting to medical needs, or providing support.
• Pets, emotional support animals, or therapy animals are not considered service animals under the law.

Service animals must be leashed or harnessed

• According to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section: The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability prevents use of these devices.

Service animals are not allowed on the furniture

• Restaurants, bars, and other places that serve food or drink are not required to allow service animals to be seated on chairs or allow the animal to be fed at the table.
• In accordance with California Health & Safety Code §114259.5, pets are not allowed on chairs, benches, seats, or other fixtures.

Non-Service Animals

In accordance with California Health & Safety Code §114259.5, pets, including dogs, are not permitted inside the restaurant and can result in our restaurant receiving a citation and lowering our health score.

Outdoor Dining Area

We are currently awaiting approval from the City of San Mateo for our outdoor dining area. Once approved, pet dogs will be allowed in the outdoor dining area only, provided they adhere to the California Health & Safety Code conditions:

• Leash or Carrier: Pets must remain on a leash or in a carrier at all times.

• Furniture Restrictions: Pets are not allowed on chairs, benches, seats, or other fixtures.

• Cleanliness: Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets immediately.

We take food allergies seriously and do our best to minimize cross-contact. However, our kitchen does handle common allergens including wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish. While we’re happy to discuss ingredients, we may not be able to safely accommodate severe allergies that could be triggered by trace amounts or shared kitchen environments.