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Rigatoni's Restaurant

2.9 (314 reviews)
ModerateItalian
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
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RIGATONI'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Rigatoni's Restaurant

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Reviews With Photos

Cajun chicken fettucini
Flora W.

A family-friendly restaurant with friendly staff and reasonable prices. They offer made-to-order pasta, complimentary bread, and half self-service. I visit at least twice a month.

Tomato Soup
Amanda H.

First time here trying out a new spot for dinner. Pros: - Customer service! They thaw your order upon entrance and bring your food to your table - Tomato Bisque was delicious! I'd come back for a cup of that on a sick day Cons: - my Cajun chicken Alfredo tasted like a cream sauce with hot sauce added....like you smell the hot sauce immediately....wasn't a fan... - hubby's salmon was okay, could have used more seasoning but got the job done and the cream sauce rigatoni was okay - the bread was a bit dry, my toddler wouldn't eat it and he eats bread everywhere we go Perhaps they have other better signature dishes we should have ordered....they were pretty busy an hour before closing so I'm sure that means something, just not our personal cup of tea :)

Menu at Rigatoni's Restaurant in Castro Valley.
Jason F.

Rigatoni's you had me at your namesake pasta! And what deliciously cooked pasta at that! Located in the Castro Village Shopping Center along Castro Valley Boulevard, which serves as the main thoroughfare that cuts through the small but burgeoning city that is Castro Valley, Rigatoni's Restaurant comes from the same team that founded Strizzi's Restaurants, which has three locations primarily in the tri-valley area of Alameda County. Ownership of Strizzi's Restaurants smartly redirected their focus on their signature pasta dishes, by taking out the middle-man and creating a fast casual dining experience where pasta is the star attraction. With every meal cooked to order with the freshest ingredients, Rigatoni's Restaurant is the epitome of a hidden gem that's laying in plain sight, as they have been thriving in this location for decades now and show no signs of slowing down. What brought me to discover this veteran gem of a pasta restaurant was the fact that a couple of friends had been here before and could not stop raving about how good the pasta was and how affordable it was when they came a few months ago and they could not wait to go back. So, on a recent weekend afternoon we decided to make our way down to downtown Castro Valley to enjoy a nice heavy meal of pasta so we could see if a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in made-to-order pasta was the real deal. The parking lot at the Castro Village Shopping Center can be a bit of a challenge even not on a weekend, so sometimes you have to get lucky. We came at just the right time as Rigatoni's Restaurant had just opened for their lunch rush, but there was no rush at all as the crowd inside the restaurant didn't pick up until well after 1 p.m. The menu at Rigatoni's Restaurant is posted on their wall and they have plastic coated menus for you to view up close and take to your table for reviewing before you order at their cashier counter. With a menu separated into categories including Starters, Entrée Salads, Pasta Favorites, House Specialities, Lighter Combos, Sandwiches, Today's Specials, Lunch Favorites, and their Kid's Menu. Many of their options sounded good on their menu board, there was something about their "Today Specials" that intrigued our group of diners, so we ordered their Spinach and Chicken Rigatoni, which was tossed in their tomato cream sauce; their Salmon Fettuccine, which was sautéed with fresh spinach in their garlic cream sauce; and from their House Specialities section of their menu, their Wagyu Ranch Steak, which was pan seared and topped with sautéed mushrooms and served with a side of their signature Rigatoni Bolognese. Since you pay up front at their counter, our total bill was $71.67 before gratuity was added in. It would take a while for our food to be brought to our table, as it was a two person operation on this day, which simply meant that the food was being prepared with a little extra care, as they were not busy and that meant to me that our steak was being cooked medium rare, which is how we ordered it to our liking. We took our time enjoying the "bread bar", which is a whole new concept that I am unfamiliar with, as they had both sliced white sourdough baguette bread and whole wheat bread, and plenty of complimentary butter and oil and vinegar. What was not complimentary were their soda machine, as since we ordered their pricier entrées and not their combos, sodas didn't come with our meal, which was a bit perplexing since we order more food overall to share between us, but the service they offered was very considerate. When our food did come out we enjoyed our steak and rigatoni entrée the most, as it was cooked to perfection and paired so well with the abundance of mushrooms and pasta that was topped with the perfect amount of meat sauce. The other dishes were fair, as the Salmon Fettuccine was a nice complete meal, but the chicken in their Chicken Rigatoni didn't feel as fresh as it could be. What cannot be denied is that the pasta is the star at Rigatoni's Restaurant, and we learned upon this visit that they cook a mighty nice steak as well. Grilled meat and pasta? A combination that can't be beat and when everything comes together as nicely and as affordable as it does at Rigatoni's Restaurant, then we are all winners for having the opportunity to try comfort Italian cuisine priced and cooked right!

Spaghetti and meatballs, though these meatballs look like they're made from ground pork, and no beef.
Benebell W.

Ordered to-go for pickup. This is my fourth time ordering the spaghetti and meatballs from Rigatoni's at Castro Valley, but pre-Covid, the meatballs had beef in them. This is the first time the meatballs were made of pork. Personally, I like that it's light on the salt, but if you prefer more intense flavor profiles, you may find it bland. Service here is always warm and friendly, and if you dine in, the ambiance is that small town Mom and Pop feel. Even to-go, they'll send you off with bread, butter with olive oil and and vinegar for dipping. Whenever I have a hankering for Italian but am not in the mood to cook, I'll get my spaghetti and meatballs fix from here. It might not be the most exciting food adventure, but it feels like wholesome, traditional Americana. Btw, if you go to their website and sign up for their email list, you automatically get a $5 off gift certificate.

Inside
Ultima M.

First time here Located in the Castro Valley Shopping Center Customer service is friendly Venue is clean and well stocked Prices are reasonable In door and out door seating available They serve lunch items until 4pm Dessert items are also sold I ordered Cajun chicken fettuccine $17 Food came out nice and hot It's a lot of food (almost shareable) My entree was tasty Friend ordered shrimp and crab fettuccine $22 He enjoyed his meal Garlic bread $5 was nice and soft but very flavorful Parking is easy to find

Phil A.

Rigatoni's is good and consistent!! I usually go with the Fettuccine Alfredo, Macaroni and Cheese, or one of their daily specials. If you like bread and butter, it's all that you want here, I believe there are 3 different types of bread also. The prices are reasonable, and you can ask for extra pasta if you're really hungry, I forget how much they charge for that. The service is usually not long, depending on how busy they are. But the food is always good and filling. Whether you dine in or take out, this is always a good option!!!

Cheesy Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad, Mixed Green Salad

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5 months ago

I love Rigatonis and this location doesn't disappoint! Lovely service, clean and with other shops surrounding it in the cute downtown CV!

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The food is mediocre nothing special about it and a little expensive. The only plus is close to us and the service is excellent.

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Food and service and location are great. Picked up. Ambiance is nice. This is on Castro Valley Blvd and close to the Starbucks

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

The food here is pretty boring. Tastes fine. Chicken Alfredo had quite a lot of sauce.

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Ask the Community - Rigatoni's Restaurant

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Paradiso Restaurant - Apple crisp very average, especially for $14!!

Paradiso Restaurant

4.1(3k reviews)
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Walked in on a Saturday night with no reservations around 6:30 and was seated right away for a…read moreparty of two. We ordered the brussel sprouts, Venetian aracini, summer special with swordfish, and rigatoni bolognese. The brussel sprouts were tossed and coated in parmesan cheese. The pieces were crispy without feeling heavy and paired nicely with the chili aioli. The aracinis were delectable. The filling was creamy, but the tomatoes provided freshness to the dish. The swordfish is plated on top of basil pesto risotto. Never had swordfish before, but this had my tastebuds dancing. The piece of fish was decently sized, marinated and moist, although the risotto can get a bit heavy. The pasta was cooked to al dente, and there were chunks of meat throughout the dish. Solid plate of pasta. Came out already topped with parmesan cheese. Some of their menu items are a part of a pre fixe menu for $55 thats offered in the afternoons Monday-Friday such as the salmon, short rib, and chicken piccata options. There is a bar area located deep in the restaurant. The servers were attentive and checked up on us and refilled our water several times.

I have been waiting years to visit Paradiso. From its previous location to the current one, it just…read morenever seemed to happen. But this birthday, it was absolutely meant to be! Not only did I find rock-star parking right in front, but we also had a reserved table by the window. It could not have been a more perfect birthday lunch. Parking is on the street, and spaces can be tight in that area. If you find one, snag it and be happy you did! Paradiso has a lovely menu, but I chose the $55 prix fixe lunch, which included an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. I ordered the mussels, chicken piccata, and tiramisu. The mussels were absolutely delicious. This was my first time having them in a red sauce, so I was trying to be careful because I did not want to get it all over my birthday outfit! The broth was rich, flavorful, and so good that I wished I had more bread for dipping. But I made it do what it do! The chicken piccata was also delicious, especially with all those capers. My only criticism was that the chicken breast had not been pounded thin enough. The center was very thick and reminded me more of a chicken breast prepared for a sandwich. I left that thicker portion, but the thinner, properly pounded part was amazing. I received a special birthday dessert, which I shared with my companion, so I took the tiramisu home along with my leftover chicken. Let me tell you, that tiramisu was absolutely delicious. I would return just to order it for takeout! Our table also shared the crab and avocado salad appetizer. It was beautifully presented and delicious, but at approximately $27, I did not feel it was worth the price. Then again, Paradiso is not necessarily where you go when you are overly concerned about the cost, so keep that in mind. I was also underwhelmed by the focaccia. Four pieces cost $4, and I did not think it was worth it. With a prix fixe meal, I feel the bread should have been included. One thing to be aware of is that ordering the prix fixe lunch results in a 20% automatic gratuity being added to the entire bill. This was not clearly explained beforehand. It was not a major issue, but it was important to know when it came time to determine whether an additional tip was expected. The service was excellent. Our server knew it was my birthday and was attentive, accommodating, and never made us feel rushed. Each course arrived only after we had finished the previous one, so we were able to relax and enjoy the experience. The ambience was curious. It was an open space and is very loud. Other conversations were easily overheard so probably not a good place to go if you want a quiet meal. Overall, I give Paradiso 4.5 out of 5 stars. I am so glad I finally had the opportunity to visit, and I would definitely return.

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12/12/24 Interior, open kitchen

Paradiso Restaurant - Water and bread with olive oil & balsamic vinegar

Water and bread with olive oil & balsamic vinegar

Paradiso Restaurant - Front of the restaurant

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Front of the restaurant

Cordial Cellar + Lounge - Hugo and Togarashi Deviled Eggs

Cordial Cellar + Lounge

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Cordial Cellar + Lounge (located downstairs at the Castro Valley Marketplace) is a great spot for…read moregrabbing a drink, eating some light bites and listening to music. They also have various events. :: Trivia Tuesday :: Wednesday Wine Tasting :: Live Music Saturdays :: Friday & Saturday: Olive & Finn Boutique and pop-up events throughout the month ** 5 Star Review: Pop Up Brunch and Saturday Live Music *** I recently attended Eats by E Brunch last Sunday and returned this evening to catch up with a friend and listen to music. Place is spacious, lively, dimly lit with music playing at a level you can have a conversation. Table ordered a steak sandwich with salad, cheese sandwich with tomato soup and a five-spice pork ragu over polenta. We all enjoyed our dishes. Food is 3.5-4/5 stars and would like to see a bit more to keep it interesting but know their kitchen setup is limited. No wine with this visit. Dessert: Orange brownie was simple with orange zest and the Hawaiian bread pudding was different and flavorful. Good to see the place bustling and look forward to future rotating pop up events. Got a chance to talk to the owner, Stacey as I recognized her from the Eats by E event the week prior. My bad, didn't know she was the owner of Cordial Cellar & Lounge but all good as she was super welcoming, friendly and was very accommodating when asked if we could pay for our own dishes separately. At the end of the evening perused the Olive & Finn Boutique and quickly welcomed by Jackie who was explaining items like the handmade jewelry and some hand stitched clothing. Such cute items and will visit another time. Recommend Cordial Cellar & Lounge for a date night, special group outing or relax and listen to some music. The Ken Seideman Jazz Trio plays the month of February. Great jazz!

Owner was so chill, knew everyone. Easy to talk with, seemed genuinely interested in what was going…read moreon on with her guests. The food was amazing and the drink selection was fun and interesting.

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Cordial Cellar + Lounge - Eats by E brunch - Cordial Cellars @ Castro Valley Marketplace

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Piatti Danville - Bolognese

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4.1(1.3k reviews)
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Exceptional. I…read moreworked with Tami, the events manager for my Mom's birthday celebration. She was responsive, thorough, and very transparent. In a world of guessing and reading between lines...she was as direct as they come. Love that! The food was 10/10. Every guest praised the experience, and were so grateful to be in a cozy space with friends old and new. We had 28 guests in the Tuscan room and that's definitely a bit on the tight end of capacity. The cocktails were delicious, and our dedicated server was a delight. Customer service was top notch. I ordered the prawn chittara to go and it was 100/10...I hope they never take it off their menu. Its phenomenal. Can't wait to come back for dinner soon.

Food: One of the…read morebest breads I've had! The dipping sauce is amazing as well. The Caesar salad has just the right amount of creaminess and a nice, noticeable anchovy flavor. The Linguine & Clams is delicious, with just the right amount of sauce, it keeps the clam flavor nice and intense while still giving me plenty of sauce to dip my cannelloni in. Everything was flavorful and well-balanced. Service: Our server was great and friendly. However, the older gentleman who appeared to be the manager didn't smile or greet us, which made the overall welcome feel a little cold. I also got the impression that the staff was more attentive and friendly toward their regular or assigned guests. I wish the overall service felt a little warmer and more welcoming. It would definitely make us feel more comfortable coming back as regulars. Ambiance: The restaurant is well maintained for an older establishment and has a comfortable, classic feel. The food is very good, and we enjoyed our meal. I just wish the overall atmosphere felt a little more welcoming, we'd love to feel like valued guests and become regulars.

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Rigatoni's Restaurant - italian - Updated October 2026

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