Excellent food! Excellent service! My waiter, Mata was outstanding!!! The price was right for an extraordinary meal! A "chef's kiss" salute!

we were pleasantly surprised by the different menu and tasty treats. The art work displayed is very enjoyable in a beautiful setting. Service was very good. read more

I love this place, and have been coming here for more than 10 years, but our dinner on 4.21.23 was terrible. The calamari for $17 is about 1/2 to 1/3 the quantity that should be served. The brussel sprouts were okay, but the poblano pepper was not very good. I was on the verge of sending it back, but didn't think anything was wrong with it, just that I didn't like it at all if that makes sense. The service was terrible. We ordered a salad that didn't come until we were done eating. The waiter would check on other tables but not us for some reason. He should have told us that our salad was coming in 5 minutes or whatever, but never did. Our experience ranges from a 1-5 depending on what we order and who our waiter is. The live music was great, just one guy with a guitar, but other than that, we wasted $60 on a terrible dinner. read more

My MUST go to spot when I'm in town visiting my sister. The food is always fabulous AND Laurie especially made our experience tremendous read more

Rio Grill - American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-sea, California

After having wine and charcuterie for Elite Week at Mana + Pua on a Monday night, we walked around the shopping center and found this place. It had an interesting menu posted outside. We weren't sure it was open at first since there was no host, and it looked like the outdoor patio was closed. It was, after all, President's Day. Another group of customers came when a server finally came out and walked them to the outdoor patio. Oh, this restaurant is open! Our meal was surprisingly outstanding from the first course to the dessert course! We started with Candied Swine that reminded me of burnt ends- hooey! - Talk about sweet as pig candy!!! We enjoyed it, though, with no complaints whatsoever. We shared the Osso Bucco as our main dish, and it was really nice of them to divide it between two plates. Each half portion was big! The meat was so tender that I didn't even need a knife to cut it. The sauce sprinkled veggies on top, and the corn on the side added greatness to its taste. The Ice Cream Sandwich was a wonderful finale to our meal. It was delightful with vanilla ice cream in between two almond wafers and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Plus, they tossed in a few strawberry slices and topped it off with whipped cream. Yum! There was also mint on top, but it was added a nice touch to the presentation. I can't believe we almost turned away from this place cuz we thought it was close! Thank you to those other customers who showed us otherwise. The food here is delicious and would consider dining here again when I'm in the area. read more

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Amazing professional attentive service. Clean , not bright indoor setup; not a chain restaurant feel. TV's in bar area. Free parking in huge shopping center lot. Yummy delicious unique artisanal cocktails. 100% Delicious lentil soup, charred romaine salad w/ chicken breast, fried calamari, & steak. I don't remember the price but I would say average. Definitely recommend ! read more

Amazing service! I held my grandmothers funeral reception dinner here and it was wonderful. Very sad occasion but the restaurant made sure to take care of my family, for which I'm extremely grateful. Our two servers were awesome and so beyond sweet and patient! Will definitely recommend to anyone needing to host a private dinner/event. read more

We were on vacation and ate here twice because we liked it so much. The atmosphere, food, and location are excellent. Our server, Lori, made us feel like locals. We'll be back the next time we are in this area. read more

Had a wonderful Mothers Day Brunch today at Rio Grill. Food was great and service excellent

Better than ever! We are so glad that the Rio Grill is open for patio dining and we can feast at one of our favorite spots in the Carmel area. We chose to go for lunch, hoping it would be warmer than night time. Luckily the patio features one of the best COVID adaptations I have seen, and a gas heater right beside the table provided the necessary warmth for our meal. To get served on the patio, I went to the front door of the restaurant, and a very friendly hostess showed us to a nice table for two. The entire area is screened with hedges and big barrels that provide both space and privacy for diners. The patio wraps around the building, so there is ample space, and both large and small tables. Accessibilty is a concern for my 93-year-old mom, but there is handicapped parking right in front of the restaurant, a ramp, and the patio is nice and flat. Ensconced at our table, a super personable waiter brought out a paper menu for my mom, while I scanned the menu onto my phone. I had looked ahead, and was delighted to find the dinner menu entrees offered at lunch, so we each chose a dinner entree for our midday meal. I got my favorite Shrimp with pasta, and my Mom opted for the Venison Occo Bucco, even though she was advised that it was spicy! We got a side of truffle-butter biscuits to sop up the sauces, and I got a generous pour of Sauvignon Blanc. My lavish order of prawns arrived in ample time, along with my mom's artfully plated venison, which had a spicy surprise cob of elote Mexican street vendor-style corn standing up on the plate! The sauce on the shrimp pasta dish was as velvety as I remembered and the serving was very generous. Mom's venison was perfectly cooked and the bone provided a silky serving of marrow. The mashed potatoes on her plate were redolent of the not-too-spicy meat sauce. We took our time eating, savoring the flavors and enjoying the socially distanced company of other diners spaced six feet away! We even indulged in a deconstructed ice cream sandwich, since our favorite Covid acticity is eating It's It bars by the beach! It arrived piled high with goodness, Two flat waffle cones supporting a nice wallop of ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and strawberries. We dedeconstructed it in just a few minutes, reveling in the different taste bites we could assemble. We shall all return for more memorable meals in the future! read more

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What appeared to be a very casual restaurant ambiance turned out to be a very expensive lunch. But it's expected since this restaurant attracts a lot of tourist that come to Carmel. The food was mediocre at best, skirt steak was plain and very chewy. The pork chop was very dry and bland in the inside. The baby back ribs tastes like something u would get at Safeway. The service was good and attentive from workers that wasn't our server. read more

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Really enjoy our dinner the other night, I had the lamb shank and my wife had the roasted beet salad with butter nut squash with gnocchi. Also ordered a IPA beer from the tap. read more

Rio Grill - The food!!! - American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-sea, California

Let me start with best local place ever. Food is great. Sean the bartender knows what you want when you sit down as a local. I miss the summer music where it? As a local that doesn't want to go downtown with the tourists you live crossroads, and steakcraft closed night time and it's music night. Please rio bring it back. read more

An institution for decades. I lived in Monterey from 1985 to 1999. I ate here dozens of times. Always a reliable delicious meal was presented. After a long absence returned to again enjoy a delicious and creative meal. I told my lovely wife who has no Monterey bay experience that the Rio Grill is where locals eat. Leave all those places on Ocean ave in the village to the tourists. Besides there's always available parking at Rio Grill. Patio dining only November 2020. Only 10 tables available. Reservations mandatory. Friendly & efficient staff. read more

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The portions are huge, so come hungry! Cute outdoor seating areas with heaters at night. Staff wears masks. Our server was really nice. Can't remember her name, but she was really nice. Food and drinks were great. Hubby got the ribs and they were flavorful. My Chinese chicken salad was delicious! Super filling with plenty of chicken, noodles and greens/veggies. We got the quesadilla appetizers, not realizing how big the portions were. Really good tho. The blood orange margarita was smokey and refreshing. read more

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1-food wasn't the greatest nothing special 2-guacamole was not fresh 3- service was below average ( I didn't get a refill , I had to chase them for a fresh guacamole because it didn't look fresh 4- overall it tasted and felt like Denys but higher prices read more

Rio Grill - Quesadilla of the Day - American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-sea, California

Went to the Rio Grill many times- years ago with the family. Always enjoyed the atmosphere and food. Since I was in the area I thought I'd give it a try again I admit my sample size was small- just lunch for two. Nevertheless the food they turned out that day was pretty mediocre. Don't know who owns the operation today but they need to upgrade the kitchen skills. Nice friendly service at least read more

One person's opinion and an honest and hopefully objective review from a Carmel local: For decades, went to Rio Grill probably twice a month. It was THE place to go in Carmel. Then, a few years ago, it sold. We then went three or four times over a year period, and honestly the food was really not good at all. Same menu, but the food went from a 9 to maybe a 5. Onion rings grossly overcooked until burned. Caesar salad dressing , for me, terrible. The requested bacon in the stuffed potato skins, undercooked fat and gross. The broccolini in the brunch omelet, undercooked and tough. So, stayed away a year or more. And decided a few weeks ago to give it, literally, ONE LAST TRY. And it was really good! Back to what it once was. And have been back like 2 or 3 times since in the last few weeks. I never did post a negative review (I do not believe in hurting someone's business), but now felt it time to let people know, RIO GRILL IS BACK!. For years and years, Rio Grill was a jammed, a half hour wait on a weekend night. Now, it's not 'busy' yet, but is gaining ground. It deserves to be busy again. Great staff and really good food again. Yay! read more

We came here, party of 4, for son's birthday. The restaurant was very elegantly appointed with cloth linens on the tables. Our server and his assistant really made our dining experience a real pleasure. The food was excellently prepared and was a generous portion. I had the salmon entree which was buttery and was sitting on a creamy vinaigrette sauce. My husband had the hugh tender smoked pork chop sitting on a dark sauce that was very tasty. My son had the duck breast which he enjoyed and daughter in law had scallops on a bed of Al dente pasta. The stand out was their famous artichoke appetizer which did not disappoint. The evening ended with a candle on a dessert we ordered with well wishes from the server. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and will be back when we're in the area. Kudos to Rio Grill for such a special and fantastic evening. read more

Food is bad, service is horrific .... I miss those days old Rio Grill New owners ruined it read more

COVID-19 review Open for outdoor patio dining Service ok, a bit slow Menu variety is good, especially the dessert selection. 4 star for that. The inside is closed off, the path to the restroom is clearly marked and labeled. 4 star. Staff wear masks and gloves. The food look good in general with good portions . Some of the items are a bit spicy, the herb truffle bread is a bit spicy, the Mediterranean mussels is spicy of both the broth and the fries. The mussels' broth was too salty though. 3 star. read more

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Great wait staff. Looking at you, Linda! We had grilled artichoke. Delicious. A burger with the works and their salad of the day with grilled chicken and walnuts. The smokey grilled flavor of the meat was excellent. Off the beaten path, so mostly locals eat here. read more

Went to Rio for dinner a couple of nights ago. We were greeted warmly by the host and quickly sat. Albert was a wonderful server, attentive but not over bearing. We enjoyed a variety of appetizers, including the crab cake and artichoke which were delicious. I ordered a medium steak for my entree and it was cooked to absolute perfection. My party and I were all very full following dinner, but we shared some dessert, my favorite being the lemon bars. So yummy and just the right portion. read more

Stopped in after picking up some point shoes. Happy to see social distancing, hand sanitizer, lots of cleaning and friendly staff! Everything we had was delicious. The empanadas were amazing!!. The grilled prawns pasta was tasty and the Osso Bucco was really yummy with a delicious side of corn, with a tasty spice I couldn't quite figure out, and cream and cheese (?) on it. Reminded me of Mexican street corn. It went great with my meal. So excited we have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!! Wish we were hungry enough for dessert!! ... bread pudding is what I would have picked read more

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Have been to Rio Grill about 4 times. Each time our meals have been delicious. Servers are friendly and service is quick. The restaurant is very big and bright, with a cute rustic atmosphere. Rio is a bit of a hidden gem in Carmel as it's not off Ocean, but definitely worth a visit. read more

Wasn't as good as I remembered it from the old days. I requested a lemonade, love their handmade lemonade drinks. I asked the waiter if they are still as good as they used to be. He said, it's the Minute Maid from a dispenser. What? No thank you. Minute Made from the Rio Grill just sounds wrong. read more

We were regulars at Rio Grill, relocated for a year and now we're back and decided to try the restaurant again. We ordered a lot of appetizers and three entrées. My husband ordered the fillet and it was a bunch of beef pieces cooked together and it had a lot of gristle. Not the quality I'm used to as a regularly frequented restaurant. We asked for a little more bread and we were charged extra for it. I have never seen a fine restaurant do this. The carpaccio, crabcake, and artichoke are great. Our favorite was always the calamari, but it is about a fourth of what we used to get for an appetizer. The salmon was very good. The server was outstanding. We might give this place one more try but charging for bread? I'll have to think about this one. read more

Great restaurant in Carmel Crossroads. Favorite of the locals. We go whenever we visit Carmel. Friendly professional service. I had an albacore almost raw tuna special and it was melt in your mouth amazing. My wife had a steak cooked perfectly. Quiet early in the evening but it gets busier as the locals show up. It's been in the same place serving great food since 1984. We split a creme brûlée for dessert. Very creamy and refreshing. read more

Fabulous food every time. I am addicted to their onion rings. If nothing else, I would return just for the onion rings Cut nice and thin, and fried to perfection. They have an extensive menu of many items not seen elsewhere. I love the ice burg lettuce. Soo good. The crab cakes are out of this world. And the carpaccio is heavenly. The burgers are gourmet. You will truly love this place. read more

Very nice food - great service - nice wine list! Fun art throughout! Loves the celebrity and local caricatures on the walls in the bar. First, the wine list is stellar and we happened to stumble upon it on a Monday where all bottles were half off so we scored our Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast pinot for retail versus restaurant price (bonus!). Another bonus? Crayons and butcher paper to "draw on the table" - kids / teens were kept busy with art and hangman. We started with potato skins with different salsas because we had kids and it was the only thing we could all agree on. Great presentation and nice flavors. Kids all chose the risotto with ratatouille (hoping it would present like the traditional layered art and it didn't, so while there was the presentation let-down) - the flavors were nice and the pesto base was interesting and tasty (to us parents ;). The hubby got the deviled eggs and grilled Caesar, and I had the Chinese chicken salad, which were lovely. We recommend giving them a try! read more

Great menu selection & great atmosphere..AND all 6 of us were very very pleased with our menu choices. Service could have been better; we were only ones in the "back room" and we rarely saw our server, for drink refills, dessert, or "can I get you anything?" So that could be "on the waiter", not the restaurant read more

Been coming here for 30+ years. Today was a different experience. Arrived around 4:45, bar was empty. We sat near the fireplace ordered a glass of wine. Server never introduced herself. Ordered a wedge salad to split, it was half the size of what it used to be. Then ordered a burger which took forever to come out of the kitchen. Fries were Luke warm. Server never checked on how we enjoyed our meal but did after an extended amount of time ask if we wanted more wine. We declined paid our bill and left very disappointed. This bar used to be standing room only on a Sunday afternoon. Not the same Rio Grille anymore. read more

If you haven't been to Rio Grill, what are you waiting for!? 5 Stars across the board. Service was outstanding, food and drinks was amazing and The staff was always attentive and helpful. They always have great suggestions on drinks and food. The ambiance is perfect for a date night/family dinner night or even if you're looking for a drink and/or dessert after work. We will definitely be back. Thank Rio Grill. read more

Delightful evening at Rio Grill, enhanced by Thyme's excellent service. HB and I came on a Monday and were promptly greeted & seated. Ordered the Ahi Tuna Crispy Wonton Crisps. Ample tuna, crispy chips and fresh flavors. Split the Romaine Heart salad, which interestingly arrived with the appetizer. We asked Thyme to be sure not to rush out dinner, which he did, and the rest of the evening's pace was just right. HB loved the Lamb Osso Bucco special and I enjoyed the Paella, knowing that I'd be bringing some home. The bottle of L'Usine Sleepy Hollow that Thine recommended nicely complimented our dinners. Pinot Noir We couldn't resist having Ollalie Cobbler for dessert. Wonderful evening! Will return to try the Stuffed Poblano Pepper and the Mushroom Risotto. read more

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The pork chop is thick and the apple glaze is a nice touch. The crab salad was delicious. The crab was fresh & lots of it. We will be going back read more

Rio Grill is the second of the Coastal Roots Restaurant Group (Montrio Bistro was the first). My expectations were high based on my experience at Montrio and Rio Grill did not disappoint! We made a reservation since seating is limited to outside due to COVID restrictions. We arrived a bit early, but we were easily accommodated and sat at a lovely table out of the wind. We dined on a Thursday and I say that because I imagine they are quite busy over the weekend. I would highly recommend making a reservation if you plan on dining on the weekend or in the evening. We started with a glass of wine and an appetizer of empanadas. Four perfect little empanadas stuffed with smoked New York steak, jack and cheddar cheese and topped with avocado crema were served with a delicious smoked chile BBQ aioli. So much flavor in these little bites and the perfect small plate to share. For lunch my husband ordered the Almond Wood Smoked BBQ Pork Back Ribs (1/2 rack). These were served with fires and a horseradish - poppy seed slaw. The ribs were tender, but not fall of the bone. They still had a satisfying chew to them. If you don't want to get messy at lunch, do not order these. They were generously slathered with a delicious BBQ sauce. My husband's only criticism is there might have been a bit too much sauce. However, they were served with two warm damp cloths to clean up with. I ordered the Mediterranean Mussels. I was torn between those and the quesadilla of the day (smoked chicken), but I had not had mussels in quite a while and our server, Britney, commented that although she had not tried them, they smelled amazing. Decision made! The broth for these mussels was so flavorful - little chunks of Spanish Chorizo, Leeks, Shallots and IPA-Creole Butter. The mussels were tender, well cooked and served with a couple of slices of crusty bread and Chipotle-Lime Fries. The fries were delicious - I loved the tang and slight bit of heat. However, with that delicious broth I would have forgone the fries and enjoyed with just the bread to soak it all up. Truly some of the best mussels I have had. For desert, my husband and I shared the Mocha Flan - Chocolate Espresso Custard topped with a house made Caramel Sauce. It was the perfect sweet treat to end our meal. I am not lying when I say after the first bite, I wanted the entire thing to myself. The staff was exceedingly friendly and professional. Britney, our server, ensured we had everything we needed to enjoy our dining experience. Paco stopped by a few times to help bus the table and chat a bit. We met Spartacus (manager) on the way out. This was truly a five-star experience and I can't wait to go back!! read more

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We are staying @ the Carmel Mission INN which is great. We also walked across the street to the Rio Grill to grab some drinks and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip! Great service, fun environment. Wish they were open later. Thank you! read more

The Rio is a local favorite. I've dined here for 30 years and never disappointed. In the times before COVID-19 (remember?), their bar is lively and fun. There are caricatures of many locals painted on the walls...damn, I never made the cut which remains amusing and clever. New owners took over at the end of last year and, as far as I can tell, the quality and service remains. A delightful wine list and very reasonably priced. I am such a sucker for their Grilled Prawn wrap. Succulent shrimp wrapped in a green flour tortilla, Brie, and spinach served warm so that the flavors truly melt-in-your-mouth. I opt out of the green chiles. I can eat only one and always take the other home to enjoy all over again. My guest chose the pumpkin-seed salmon - perfectly cooked and served with a potato pancake and a lime vinaigrette. I have it with the local Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc. Once-in-awhile, we save room for their olallieberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream...it should be served with a 'could become addicting' warning. YUM. The Rio is one of three restaurants Coastal Roots owns and operates - the others are Tarpy's Roadhouse and Montrio (Montrio getting a makeover so closed for a few months). Each has their own menu. read more

We were searching for a good place to eat while exploring Point Lobos State Reserve. We stopped here for lunch on our way to the park. This place was amazing! Beautifully decorated, warm cozy fireplace, and fully stocked bar. The wait staff was super friendly and checked on us often. The food was delicious! The "Works" burger was one of the best I've had. It was juicy, flavorful, and filling. Perfect meal before a long day of hiking. Highly recommend!!! read more

Another fine restaurant in Carmel that we just love. The Double Thick Pork Chop, Mushroom Risotto and Baby Back Ribs are just three of the perfectly prepared entrées they offer. The adult beverages are perfectly crafted as well. The service always exceeds our speciations. Give this restaurant a try, you will not regret it. read more