Update: I recently returned to Ray's on the River for the first time in ages. This place is an Atlanta institution. Still good. Simply put, this place suffices for a nice night out if you're looking for steak, seafood, and elevated American/Southern food. They also serve weekday lunch and weekend brunch. Note: Even though the Ray's restaurants are unique to metro Atlanta, this place does have a more corporate/chain feel to it (not saying that's a bad thing). Book your reservation using OpenTable and get dining points. Parking is complimentary valet. I tipped using Venmo. We visited on a Sunday night and the dining room was fairly busy. Here's what I tried: Martinis: * The Meredith ($18) - Grey Goose vodka, extra dirty, Castelvetrano olives * What's the Catch ($18) - Absolut vanilla vodka, Chinola passion fruit liqueur, lychee, lemon Starters: * Pimento Fritters ($17) - original Ray's 1984 recipe, jalapeño jelly * Calamari "Fritto Misto" ($18) - flash-fried, baby vegetables, Ray's aioli Soups & Salads: * Ray's Greens ($14) - Bibb lettuce, fennel, radish, herbs, mustard vinaigrette Seafood: * Horseradish Crusted Black Grouper ($52) - Atomic Horseradish cracker crust, seasonal vegetables, Dijonnaise Sides: * Whipped Potatoes ($14) * Brussels Sprouts ($14) - bacon and shallot jam Desserts: * Warm Butter Cake ($12) - lemon butter cake, blueberry compote, vanilla ice cream * Chocolate Brownie Sundae ($12) - caramelized bananas, strawberries, pecans, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce Everything was delicious. I enjoyed the martinis and was pleasantly surprised by Ray's Greens (I love salad) and the grouper. The Pimento Fritters are heavy, but can be considered a must, especially if you're entertaining guests from out of town. The desserts were fantastic. Good service. The staff was nice. read more

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Ray's on the River delivered an amazing experience from start to finish. We went on a Friday night and sat at the bar, and everyone, from the staff to the other guests, was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Our bartender was fantastic. She checked on us often and gave great recommendations. We ordered the Wagyu filet, ahi tuna, and also shared a Caesar salad, which was fresh, well-balanced, and a great way to start the meal. Everything was absolutely delicious and perfectly prepared. I started with a classic Old Fashioned, which was excellent. I did venture into the holiday cocktail menu and tried the Jingle Juice, which wasn't quite my favorite, so I happily went back to the Old Fashioned. The atmosphere really tied everything together. There was live music playing in the background, the football game was on, and the Christmas decor was top-notch, making the whole night feel festive and fun. Great food, great drinks, great service, and an overall fantastic vibe. read more

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Finally tried this place out. I've been hearing about it for years! Ambience is very nice. Beautiful setting for a meal. Service was good Unfortunately the food is forgettable. My martini was good. The $85 steak was overcooked and under seasoned. The bernaise was kinda gross. Mashed potatoes were fine, but I can do better in my sleep. Creamed corn was amazing!! Also $6 for 2 small rolls is ridiculous. Seriously Ray's. Get over yourself. Either drop your prices or delivery something better. read more

We decided on dinner here while visiting Atlanta. This place was incredible and our service was impeccable. The restaurant was absolutely gorgeous. They did everything right! The food. Wowsers!! So fantastic. Definitely a place to check out while in Atlanta! read more

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Rays is a fine dining experience all around. No short cuts. A little disappointed when my wife's grouper came out undercooked. No big deal, they took it back and re made her dish, but didn't bother to take it off the check. A little surprising since everyone else at the table was almost finished before she got her re made dish. The food and service were excellent though. read more

Ray's On the River - Famous seafood tower - Seafood Near Me - Sandy Springs, Georgia

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We had reservations at 5:45, perfectly timed ahead of the evening rush, and once again Rays at the River delivered an incredible experience. This was our second visit, and it's clear this place knows how to make every evening feel special. For drinks, the fig old fashioned was a standout--smooth, balanced, and full of flavor. Our daughter enjoyed a classic burger piled high with shoestring fries, while Nicole and I tackled the seafood platter for four (yes, for four!) and happily annihilated every bite. To finish, the butter cake was decadent and paired beautifully with two pours of Angel Falls bourbon. A huge shoutout to our host, Mike, who was extremely accommodating and seemed to know exactly how to elevate the night. His attention to detail and warm hospitality made the evening feel effortless and memorable. Rays at the River has now impressed us twice, and we can confidently say it's always a fun, flavorful, and welcoming experience. We'll absolutely be back again soon! read more

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Came for the v-day pre-fix menu. Food was great as usual. There was live music which created a peaceful ambiance. The staff was helpful but a bit busy as it was a holiday. We booked it weeks before and then a week before the valentine's day they shared it was pre-fix. A bit disappointing since it was too late to try and book somewhere else. read more

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Wow! The food is so good and the river view just adds to the ambiance. Great service, too read more

Ray's On the River - Scallops risotto - Seafood Near Me - Sandy Springs, Georgia

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Ray's on the River was absolutely beautiful for Valentine's Day. The river view from our table inside set the perfect romantic vibe for me and my wife, and the atmosphere was intimate and classy. The food was amazing and cooked perfectly, and the service made us feel special all night. It was the perfect place to celebrate love, and we'll definitely be back. read more

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I made it to this Atlanta fixture in the restaurant scene. Open since the 80s they still have IT! My birthday club decided on this restaurant to celebrate one of the members birthday and it was the perfect choice. Walking into the restaurant we were by beautiful understated decor. But the view of the river was so peaceful. I got there early and initially had a drink at the bar. The golden hour was mixed perfectly. Not too sweet, just how I like it. At lunch what stood out for me was the grouper.... So moist and the crust so crunchy and flavorful. I also really enjoyed the pimento cheese fritters, so yummy. The servers there were professional, knowledgeable and very warm and hospitable. The team also brought out a complimentary dessert for the birthday girl! We truly appreciate that. Things to know: post dinner take a walk to the river there is seating for guest. Great way to wind down post dinner. Also there is lots of free parking on site. read more

Ray's On the River - Seafood Near Me - Sandy Springs, Georgia

We had a reservation for a Friday night at 8:15, very easy to get a reservation through open table. We get to the restaurant at 8:20, complimentary valet (super nice!) however we then had to wait for our table which I would expect it to already be ready by the time we got there. The service was nice, however I expected a little more considered the atmosphere of the restaurant and comparing it to other restaurants of the same caliber in the area. Our server, Will, was great! I was celebrating an anniversary and we got a free dessert and he did a phenomenal job taking photos. We ordered the rolls, mac and cheese, lobster tails, and mahi. The mahi was not really great, I got it grilled and it tasted very fishy, this could be a mistake on my part but alas I still did not really enjoy it. The Mac and cheese was too liquidy for my liking, I think baking it would be better. The rolls were delicious and so were the lobster tails. I had a good night, our table was well dressed and prepared and the valet people were very nice and speedy. However, at a restaurant of this caliber with these prices, I expected more. 3.5/5 There is also a pretty outdoor area that adds for a great atmosphere, this restaurant biggest strength. read more

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Food and service is top notch! Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just having a good meal, Rays still has that relaxed atmosphere and service. The buffet has gotten a bit pricey but so has everything. read more

It is incredibly frustrating when a meal that starts with such promise especially one with a "special" atmosphere is derailed by service that feels both chaotic and dismissive. There is a specific kind of disappointment that comes from spending $150 and being treated like a number in a queue rather than a guest. Being "rushed" out while you are still mid-bite, Waiting 15 minutes for water in a high-end establishment is a major red flag for "front-of-house" mismanagement. Dropping a card reader without a request especially during dessert is a tactic used in high-volume diners. read more

Ray's On the River - View of the river - Seafood Near Me - Sandy Springs, Georgia

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Came here for a date night, and we were treated so well. Our server was excellent! So knowledgeable of the menu, patient with us as we made our decisions, and gave us an experience that we've never had with people in Atlanta. The food itself wasn't bad, but it was just okay. I got a crab cake. It was pretty good, but nothing special. I liked the sauce that it sat on. Same with the mac and cheese. The Brussels were underwhelming to me. A little too soggy for my liking. Wish they had a little more of a glaze but every restaurant is different. This is definitely a cute date night spot that overlooks the Chattahooche river. My stars are more for the service and experience than the food. The service, a 5, the food, 3.5. read more

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The food here was AMAZING! This is probably one of the best restaurants in the perimeter. Our waitress, Blythe, was really nice. We came here for my birthday and it was the best birthday dinner I've had. I ordered the delmonico ribeye and it was so good. The fat melts in your mouth. My husband got the colossal seared scallops. It comes with risotto and he enjoyed it. We also got a side of the lobster Mac n cheese and the twin lobster tails. The lobster tails were so good and it came with a good amount of meat. I would recommend having a seat that has a view of the river. It's gorgeous and stunning especially when the sun is going down. Don't forget to go outside after dinner and take in the view. Definitely coming back! read more

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RAYs on the River delivers a beautiful ambience, the kind of setting that instantly relaxes you. Being right on the actual river gives the place a natural elegance, and the view alone feels like part of the meal. The shrimp cocktail was delicious, fresh, chilled perfectly, and one of the standout items on the menu. It's the type of dish you'd gladly order again without thinking twice. Where the experience falls short is the bar program. For a restaurant with this kind of setting, the mixology should be stronger. The cocktails taste basic, like something you'd get at a standard bar rather than a premium riverside restaurant. With a more skilled mixologist and a focus on higher-end, craft cocktails, the entire experience would climb to a new level. Great atmosphere, great food, but the bar could use an upgrade to truly match the setting. read more

We recently tried Ray's for the first time, and found it to be a wonderful experience. The ambience of the restaurant was dark and quiet, and offered a wonderful opportunity to watch the sunset over the river. Our server Luis was excellent. Extremely attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The food on offer included a variety of steakhouse staples, as well as a selection of southern specialties. Highlights for us were the New York Strip, the shrimp cocktail, and the wedge salad. The cocktail menu was also very good - there was a clarified whisky cocktail (forget the name unfortunately) that was especially excellent. read more

One of the finest restaurants in Atlanta. From the freshest seafood, to some of the best steak in town; hands down Ray's is one of my top five favorites! Set along the Chattahoochee River, the view is amazing. Service is top notch, never a hesitation nor hitch throughout the many times I've dined there . read more

Started with big freshly chucked blue point oysters and parker house rolls. An order of rolls was one large roll apiece, which was a good size appetizer, along with a few crackers to dip up the extra cocktail sauce (not so much "atomic" as advertised, but still good). We both enjoyed our salads, my wedge and her Ray's greens. Fresh and attractive, and plentiful green leaves before our mains. I did the horseradish crusted grouper. It was a good size filet, the crust was pleasant, but without the expected horseradish kick. Sat on top of a pile of brussel sprouts, which I gathered were the "seasonal" veggies. No need for sides, the oysters, rolls, salads and fish were plenty for us to leave stuffed, and not even wanting to look at the dessert menu. Really a pleasant experience, with the trees and river as our view, and nicely spread out dining room for some privacy. read more

We were seated right away for our reservation which was a birthday celebration! Beautiful ambiance with a fantastic view of the Chattahoochee. Ken our server introduced himself and took drink orders. We had a large party of 10 so he placed that an told us about the specials and made suggestions for appetizers for our table. We opted for the hot tower which had a mix of several items.. lobster bites, bbq shrimp, fried calamari, chargrilled oysters and crab cakes. While we waited for those we placed our entire orders. Overall food was good, portions were generous and everyone enjoyed their meals. My only issue was that my poached eggs on the lobster Benny were overdone. I got a complimentary dessert for two birthdays in our party and if I needed an excuse to come back that lemon butter cake with the blueberry compote and vanilla ice cream would be it. Omg!! 1000% delicious yum After brunch we headed outside to the garden for some group pictures. A fantastic end to a great dining experience! read more

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We had a reservation for 7PM on Saturday and the place was packed. There's complementary valet parking and self parking with an overflow parking lot down the road with a shuttle. The drink menu was great at first glance. I got the Aper-Fall Spritz and it was basically a normal spritz. I didn't taste the rosemary at all. For appetizers we got the calamari, tuna poke, and the crab cake. The crab cake is definitely a rip off. $20 for one single crab cake that is about the size of your fist. For dinner I had the scallops and they were incredible with the parmesan risotto. That and the horseradish crusted grouper were great. Dessert was 50/50. The key lime pie was underwhelming as a key lime pie lover. It was basically all cream with the essence of key lime. It wasn't like a more tart and compressed dessert and more light and airy. The star of the show was the butter cake. My biggest gripe was that at a restaurant of those prices/caliber is that we had dirty dishes/glasses sitting at the table long past due. I was sitting with my empty entree plate with dessert on the way. The manager ended up coming by and asking us how the meal was and took our plates away. I love the history of Rays but I feel that there are newer restaurants that perform better at the same caliber. read more

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This was our second year in a row celebrating our wedding anniversary at Ray's on the River, and unfortunately the experience this year fell far short of our first. Last year, we were impressed with the warm, thoughtful touches: friendly service, an anniversary card waiting at the table, and a complimentary dessert that made the evening feel truly special. This year, the start was disappointing. We waited several minutes at the host stand while one hostess stayed on the phone. When we were finally acknowledged, we were greeted with a curt, almost annoyed "Can I help you?"--not the warm welcome you hope for on an occasion you've planned in advance. Despite noting our anniversary in the reservation, there was no card, no acknowledgment, and no mention of the celebration throughout the evening. It felt like a completely different--and far less attentive--restaurant than the one we visited last year. For the price point and expectations of Ray's on the River, this kind of inconsistent service makes it hard to recommend for a special occasion. read more

Stopped in for lunch. Had the crab cake and a ribeye. All food was exquisite and cooked to liking. Restaurant was clean and staff was friendly and attentive. read more

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Went to Rays on the River for a birthday celebration and had a great experience. I knock one star off as one of our party was really looking forward to the pork belly app as her main, and they were out - how that happens at the start of the night is poor planning. Otherwise, we had a lovely experience. read more

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Everything about the experience was good. I thought the service was good and the food was great.

I loved everything about this restaurant. I visited on a cloudy Saturday around 4:45 pm and observed guests waiting to be seated. I'm thankful for the dinner reservation which I recommend to anyone visiting. There is valet available. Inside the atmosphere was relaxed and dimly lit. I highly suggest this place for date night. Dillan, the waiter, was awesome! He suggested I try the grouper with brussel sprouts because it is a popular dish and has been on the menu for over 40 years which I found to be quite impressive. The horseradish opened up my nostrils. I didn't realize it was so powerful since this was my first time trying it. Next time I'll ask to leave it off. The restroom was clean. There were four stalls and one large enough to house a changing table. The service was quick. Dillan was attentive and I appreciate Jamie, at the bar, for recommending the wine. Overall, I'd award more stars if I could. Go try it out for yourself! read more

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Food was great, the area was pretty nice. Service was very good thanks to Daniel for making our night.

Excellent food, drinks, service and wonderful atmosphere! Highly recommend! Sitting inside, looking at the river, you'd never know you were in the city. read more

Ray's On the River - Looking out the window at Ray's on the River - Seafood Near Me - Sandy Springs, Georgia

Came here for the Thanksgiving buffet! All parking was valet but it was free. Cutely decorated restaurant with amazing service & a great view of the river - I feel like that is what you are mainly paying for. The lunch buffet was $75/pp and had a range of classic foods & sides. We enjoyed the prime rib, mashed potatoes, & shrimp the most. The salad was good too. Other meats were dry. Wished there was more of an assortment of desserts - some fruit would be nice. There were regular choco chip and oatmeal cookies which seemed very basic for $75/pp. Some pies and an apple cake as well. The apple cake was the best, everything else was kind of dry. Not sure if we'll return but it was nice to try. The team seemed like they were operating really well for a busy holiday lunch! read more

Ray's On the River - Thanksgiving buffet - Seafood Near Me - Sandy Springs, Georgia

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Group of four, had reservations for 6:30, were seated right on time. Ordered three different appetizers, all good, Group had steaks and crab cakes, all excellent. Sides were good. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable and courteous. Only not so great was it took a while to get our cocktails, and it is kind of spendy (but what upper end dining isn't?). The view is always great. Over a very good experience. read more

The entree was favorable. 9/10 , adding extra scoops of the celery root puree to make it a side vs a spoonful would be nice especially given the price. The dessert was a sad story though. Dry and clearly not made with love. Old bananas and plastic residue sprinkled on top. read more

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We were in the Atlanta area for work and have heard about this Atlanta staple for years but never been able to make a reservation for dinner due to my schedule. Luckily we got a reservation and were delighted to be able to bring a client from NYC to this southern classic. It did not disappoint, from the greeting at the door to the final sip we had an outstanding experience. The oysters were fresh and delicious all the way from Canada! The herb chicken dish was very tender juicy and flavorful. The Palomas were very tasty and went perfectly with my meal. The house bread was good but I have definitely had better and feel it was the only disappointment and that was due to all the hype about it being so good. It was mid and the top was just so so, the butter was the only thing that saved it from not getting eaten. It was dark so we didn't get the full experience of the river even though we had a wonderful booth facing the river. Some lights along the edges gave us some views but I'm sure it is gorgeous during the day or summer evenings. The crème burlee was pretty and very creamy with fresh berries on top, a great way to finish the meal! read more

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Stopped in for an after work Happy Hour at the bar with a local Atlanta professional organization. Had a good experience overall and could see myself coming back for dinner or another such event. Coming at 4pm there was plenty of self parking. Parking situation did change when I came out a couple hours later where there looked to be Valet setup. It was a cold night, but the heaters were blaring at the front entrance. So even if there was a wait (which I had none), I would have been comfortable. As the point of the night was networking, I only had a slider sandwich and some cheese puff appetizers. Both were delicious and complimented my spirits well. A seafood tower with mussels and crab was also available, but that was a bit too much work for a social gathering. In terms of the bar, it got a bit crowded quickly. There was only one bartender for a bit, but as the hour progressed...there was an opportunity to put my order in and the drink was delicious. read more

Ray's On the River - Seafood Near Me - Sandy Springs, Georgia

Our family always goes to Ray's On the River restaurant to celebrate the special occasions, like birthdays, Christmas dinners, and just because. We always enjoy the food quality, and the service. But unfortunately not this time.. we made a reservation for our Christmas dinner on December 24 at 6:30 PM. The restaurant was overbooked, and we had to wait a long time to be seated. Our table was in the private tiny little room that was cramped in with people, and we've been sitting back to back with the next table behind us in less than 12 inches distance. The service was very hectic, our waitress forgot to bring my drink. I usually order my Bronzino, and it usually comes as the whole fish stuffed with crab, delicious.. this time it came just a overcooked fillet on top of some disgusting vegetables that I put aside and obviously didn't eat. My son-in-law's steak was raw, and we had to send it back, and his drink was too much watered down. My daughter's red snapper was overcooked. My 9 yo grandson's filet mignon came too pink definitely not medium well. Our waitress forgot to bring the spoons for our side dishes, and we've been waiting for a while. Unfortunately this whole experience was very not what we usually get at this restaurant. One of the managers, Ryan, came to our table to apologize and to offer free desserts. But obviously it wouldn't compensate for the whole Christmas dinner experience that we expected but have not received at this time. read more

Ray's On the River - Entrance area, my Grandson, and I waiting to be seated - Seafood Near Me - Sandy Springs, Georgia

Just left this place--if you can even call it a restaurant--and let me tell you, it was a total catastrophe. I've been to the best restaurants, I know the best chefs, and this was a low-rated disaster from start to finish. The Food: A Total Disaster First of all, the Grouper. It was overcooked. Tough! Like a shoe! You couldn't eat it if you tried. And the Brussels sprouts? They didn't just cook them, they burned them. They were black, charred, very bitter. A complete kitchen failure. They charge you these massive, "luxury" prices--the highest prices I've ever seen--for food that belongs in the trash. It's a total rip-off! The "View" and the Service They promised me a "spectacular view." Instead, what do I see? Construction. Cranes, dirt, ugly orange cones everywhere. It was a mess! You're looking at a construction site while eating burnt vegetables. Very un-classy. The Service: Just average. Very "middle-of-the-road." No energy, no speed. They didn't even know who they were serving! The Prices: They're skyrocketing! It's food inflation like you wouldn't believe. You need a small loan just to order an appetizer. The Atmosphere: Noisy, dusty, and very, very sad. The Final Verdict This place is failing. It's a disaster zone with a menu. They're taking people's money and giving them burnt sprouts and a view of a bulldozer. We need to do much better than this, believe me. "Overpriced, overcooked, and a view of a construction site. A total embarrassment! Don't go!" read more

Everything was good. The restaurant was beautiful with an amazing view of the river. The inside was very cute. The staff was all super sweet. All of the food was amazing. Being from Florida we are super picky at our seafood but everything was fresh and amazing quality. Everything was seasoned perfectly, the steak was cooked amazing. The calamari had peppers and shrimp in it which was a nice surprise. The lobster Mac and cheese also had a great amount of lobster in it and in large pieces as well. I would definitely recommend if you are in the area . read more

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Great place, it is quiet, there was a wedding outside and even with that it was quiet. Food is amazing, ribeyes so good, wagyu has a good price and moscatel is great. Pink sangria is awesome too. Service is amazing. read more

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This was by far the best meal I've had in Atlanta in my 2 years here. I wish I took photos of the food. The old fashion was delicious. We started off with the calamari and shrimp, which was so good. We had the crab cakes, (blackened) halibut w/ scallops added, the Delmonico steak, whipped potatoes, and corn crème brûlée Everything was amazing and Bethany, our server gave us great suggestions and definitely enhanced our dining experience. She is such a great server! From the valet, to the food expeditor, to the managers and/or GM stopping by to ensure we were enjoying our experience, I appreciate the attention to detail, your professionalism, and warmth. I cannot wait to return! read more

Great restaurant Will come back weekly Loved it both for lunch and dinner Love the river view read more

From the valet who were pleasant and well mannered to the ambiance which was beautiful as we requested to sit with a view of the water. The drinks were not watered down and the food was spectacular. Our waiter was polite and funny which is always welcomed and the manager or hostess walked around constantly stopping at tables and engaging in conversation. 5 star read more

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