Food and service are good. Location is beautiful. Make a reservation even for lunch. Parking can be frustrating.

This is a perfectly pleasant and classy spot .... attended a professional event here and the cheese and vegetable spread and hot appetizers were all delicious and top quality! Staff service was very commendable as well! read more

Awesome restaurant! Shrimp avocado salad and lobster bisque were great appetizers. The shrimp risotto, lamb chops and pork tenderloin are delicious. As is the chocolate mousse, banana creme brûlée and the champagne. Atmosphere on the water is elegant and beautiful and the staff is top notch. read more

Rive Bistro - French Near Me - Westport, Connecticut

See all

Rive Bistro, a restaurant serving French fare with a multi-million dollar view opened recently along the banks of the Saugatuck River in Westport. As you approach the restaurant you are greeted by an awning-covered deck that seats 40-50 guests with full southern exposure to enjoy the view in the warmer months. The interior features a cozy, glass enclosed dining area with a 180-degree view of the river as well as a fireplace for a romantic evening when the weather turns cold. Chef / owner Eric Sierra brings years of experience to Rive Bistro and many will remember him when he [oversaw] the kitchen at Westport's Bistro des Amis before he relocated to Il Palio in Shelton. I recently attended a dinner at Rive Bistro where Chef Sierra's presented an array of flavors from every portion of the menu. The appetizers included several delicious choices. The "Mouse de Foie Gras" with brioche toast and fig marmalade was wonderful and included a few slices of a rich, smooth duck liver mousse that were perfectly complemented by the sweetness of marmalade. The "Charcuterie Board" included jambon, paté and saucisson, all of which were enjoyable, and our board also included duck rillettes, and Rive Bistros' was a moist and flavorful rendition. The chef's next dish was one of the best dishes of the evening, the "Lamb Meatballs" with caramelized Vidalia onions. The deep flavor of the lamb was elevated with a few Middle-Eastern spices and then perfectly complemented by the sweet and subtle onions. The appetizers also include a traditional preparation of "Escargot" with garlic butter and fresh herbs, a "White Bean Stew" with grilled shrimp and "Roasted Beets" with maché greens, goat cheese, and topped with walnut vinaigrette. The entrées include many choices, ranging from a tradition "Steak Frites" to a rustic "Seafood Parmentier" (a French seafood shepherd pie). My favorite was the "Steak Frites," a NY strip loin offered with either a herb garlic butter, a black pepper sauce or Roquefort sauce. The steak was prepared to rare / medium rare and sliced. The best of the three sauces was the Roquefort, the creaminess and richness of this sauce was a great complement to the steak. In addition, Rive Bistro also serves "Grilled Salmon" with sautéed kale, silky potato puree served with a yellow pepper dill sauce; the "Duck Confit" with fingerling potato, wild mushrooms and frisée; the "Seafood Parmentier" as well as a traditional "Moules Frites Provençale." The desserts were fantastic and my favorite was the Pain Perdu. The bread was moist and flavorful and then Chef Sierra added a perfect amount of sweetness and a nice textural difference with the walnut topping. This was served nestled in a delightful crème sauce. The Tarte Tartin was also fantastic. The apples were perfectly prepared and the caramel sauce was just sweet enough to complement the apples. The dish was accented with a delicious scoop of vanilla ice cream. The dessert menu also includes several Madeleines served with a delightful chocolate sauce. Rive Bistro has a wonderful view and many of the dishes were delicious. As the weather turns warmer, enjoy the incredible view of the Saugatuck River on the deck with a glass of wine, some charcuterie, a Steak Frites and Tarte Tartin...a great way to spend a beautiful evening. read more

See all

Just had lunch there for Father's Day. They were nice enough to accommodate our party of 4 without reservations. Unfortunately the food was tasteless. The best part out of our 4 meals was the fries! Almost French on the menu apart from the croque Monsieur. It is a shame because the setting is nice. read more

We celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday here with a group of 12 people (including a baby). For drinks, I had the mango margarita and I really liked it. It's definitely on the sweet side, but it didn't taste boozy. I'm not a fan of boozy drinks, but if you are then that's not the drink for you. We had the shrimp and avocado salad, pate, tuna tartare, crab cake, trout amandine, mussels, salmon, and several other entrees. All of the food was outstanding! The avocado in the shrimp and avocado salad was perfectly ripe and the dressing wasn't too acidic, while being tasty. The pate was very peppery and the texture was nice. The tuna tartare was fresh and also had some of that perfectly ripe avocado. The crab in the crab cake was fantastic. Curry remoulade isn't normally my cup of tea, but I liked it. The trout was well seared and delicate with perfectly cooked rice and veggies. My husband enjoyed his salmon and my dad enjoyed his mussels. The fries were extra crispy - perfection! Everything is pretty simple. Nothing had bold flavors, but the execution and the quality of the ingredients was top notch. They were able to serve our large table without any issues. No dishes were missed and everything came out in a timely manner. Although my husband said when he was there for a dinner in the past, service was incredibly slow. That wasn't the case this time. Nothing was spicy or too acidic, so my son really enjoyed his meal. At first glance it doesn't seem like a baby friendly place, but they have high chairs. I didn't see a kid's menu, but my son was happy trying most of the food we ordered (shrimp and avocado salad, crab cake, and trout). One con was that there were a lot of bones in my trout. My mother didn't have any in hers, but I was extra cautious in picking out the bones before feeding the trout to my son. The outdoor benches and chairs are really comfortable. The bench made it easier to sit and entertain a kid. However, it was a hot day and the two fans weren't doing much. Good thing we had our own little fan to keep my son cool. Overall, it was a fantastic meal and we will definitely return. read more

Superb dining experience in a cozy setting near the fireplace on a cold night. Highlight was the sea bass special, cooked to perfection with green beans and fingerling potatoes. Very nice wine selection, and great service. read more

We live nearby, and had been there before for dinner; food OK, location terrific. Today, we decided we wanted to stop for a drink by the water. Pulled into Rive Bistro about 5:00 PM. NOBODY on the patio, with literally about 15+ empty tables. We went into the restaurants (maybe 10 people inside). Asked if we could have a drink outside. The only response we got from 2 hostesses was "FULLY BOOKED". Seemed to be the only phrase they knew. We just wanted to have a drink, and maybe a small snack; be gone before the rush. The only response was FULLY BOOKED. read more

The salmon dish is my partners new favorite dish in all of Connecticut! We also tried the escargot, which he had never had, and it was great. The coconut drink I had was unique. Would say it's a bit more brunch/lunch oriented than dinner, which is great if that's what you're looking for. Glad we found this place. read more

Nice sitting outside with live music...good service...tasty tuna tartar...very good halibut special...will return

Parisian Left Bank Dining Here in Westport We had an absolutely delicious meal today at Rive BIstro in Westport, sitting outside on an immaculate patio, overlooking the reflections on the Saugatuck River. It could have been the River Seine. When we arrived, (in fact by paddleboard) the owner welcomed us with the most genuine warmth, twinkle and smile, delighted to find a table for us on the patio though it was a busy, essentially fully booked, Sunday brunch. I had chopped farro and kale that was light, perfectly prepared, and scrumptious, topped with a succulent broiled salmon. My daughter's Nicoise salad was perfect and the staff was both highly professional and personal. Prices were totally fair; the food was great; the atmosphere and location as lovely and fun as it gets. We will be back often. As my daughter said, "Dad, we had a fabulous Sunday brunch on the Left Bank, right here in Westport, CT!" read more

I am french and I have been there a few times. I like their traditional food and the nice view on the river.their charcuterie board was nice, just regretted that cheddar was on the board instead of some french cheese. I also had the cassoulet which was a generous portion, but was definitely missing the real cassoulet crust. But still very good For a french restaurant abroad read more

The food was absolutely fabulous. I took my boyfriend for his birthday for brunch, we split the romaine salad - OMGGGG incredible!!! He had the Eggs Bene which he said was fantastic, I had the omelette of the day, it was SO good! The service was a little bit slow and inattentive. We waited 10 minutes for a drink order and 15 minutes for our check. That's why I didn't leave 5 stars. I am in the business so I'm not typically judgmental but it wasn't very busy at all so I'm being honest about that part. We will be back next weekend for sure for the food and we will sit at the bar. read more

Great place with Great Outdoor Dining I had the Margarita Sandwich and my Friends had the Salmon Burger really good for Appetizers I had Bake Brie Crostini I highly Recommend It as well as Crab Meat Croquettes they have a great Dessert menu I was too full this time for It but maybe next time though If you like Margaritas try there Watermelon Margarita Drink overall would come back again Service was really good read more

Our company just hosted a private party in the upstairs room. What a great space. Private and tranquil with beautiful views. Most impressive was the food, it was delicious. From the booking of the party, working with Monica and having Francisco in charge of our event that evening was priceless. They both were professional and accommodating. Highly recommend this restaurant. It was such a pleasant experience we've booked a new event in 10 months and looking forward to it. read more

I attended an event Dec. 30th,2023. Atomosphere pleasant, appetizers appetizers good. I & a woman seated at my table ordered Gnocchi w/ mushrooms. We both found the dishes inedible as food was so salty. I explained this to the gray haired waitress who asked what did I want. As there were 3 choices, I asked for the chicken. The waitress said a flat out "no." So I asked for salmon & she said she would see but never returned. Right before they served the cake I saw the waitress & asked what happened to dinner. She said it was one plate per guest & they didn't make extra as they couldn't afford to waste food,besides chicken takes 30 minutes to cook. Then a 2nd worker approached & was insisted that they only serve 1st quality food & chef taste each dish before it is served. Said I should have ordered a salad. I explained I was not given an option. This woman stated they have never received complaints about the food. I responded that now she had received 2 complaints. This woman, who was previously working the drinks area ended by saying that the cake was going to be served. Bottom line 2 guests did not have dinner, issues were left unattended & disputed with guests, staff acted in a pretentious and condescending manner. To end this review we attempted to get a Coke or Pepsi and staff advised us that they had run out but they had Sprite. read more

Excellent French Bistro with a beautiful view of the Saugatuck River. Our Duck breast and Lamb chop were both cooked to perfection. I love Escargot and clam wine sauce for appetizer as well. The service was friendly. The manager, Daniel, was attentive, genuine and makes Rive Bistro a very pleasurable place to dine. Highly recommended! read more

Terrible hostess staff that doesn't know how to run table line up or welcome customers . They do not honor reservations, or stick to policy first come first serve for water side seating. She lied over and over & was incredibly rude. Serving Staff was not well trained on proper restaurant etiquette. Food was great but service was terrible. Would never return or recommend, customer service is not the priority read more

Oh this was a treat, and I had been looking forward to the trout almondine, which did not disappoint. Excellent French food but the real draw here is the setting. That beautiful Connecticut scenery is showcased well, the dining area is full of big picture windows looking out onto a river lined with trees, docks, and lovely houses. read more

Tatyana is on top of here game: attentive, personal and friendly. Daniel must be tired today. Saw him yawning and not engaged. I asked where my hamburger order was (35 minutes waiting). Response without checking, "it is coming" read more

I give this two stars only for the atmosphere; however, the food and service were very poor. I think in part, it was the servers fault. He stated the special was a seafood salad. It was a bed of greens with literally 3 shrimps and a couple pieces of salmon smothered in avocados. He never mentioned there was avocado which should be clearly stated as people have what is called a food latex allergy. That is where they're allergic to bananas and avocados. My mother happens to be allergic to avocado. She politely tried to pick it out but there was just so much there that it couldn't be done. Even still, it was not worth it. My sandwich came and the bread was so hard I chipped my tooth! At this point I just laugh at that but yeah, that happened. It quite lacking in taste and I was told that I would get a side salad that I chose in place French fries. I did not get a side salad. I literally got a pile of lettuce! There was nothing else to it except for the onions that I asked for. Had I not asked for onions, it literally would've been just lettuce. That's called garnish! So I paid $20 to chip my tooth and for some garnish, and my mother left hungry. Our server left and the one that took over was explained all this and he was very kind and removed my mother's salad. In the end we laugh at it but for sure, we will never go back there. read more

Very cute restaurant. They are right on the water so it's a great location. The staff were very polite and helpful and the food was excellent. Plenty of parking available and there are chairs and a dock right outside if you want to enjoy the weather while you wait for a table (or maybe sip a drink out there? Haven't tried that...yet). read more

We love this venue but the food has really gone down hill. Our omelet was so salty it was painful to eat. The menu has barely evolved and the chef just seems uninspired. They need to reinvent themselves or stay true to the French cuisine they are attempting to emulate. read more

One of my absolute favorite restaurants! I have been here many times and have never had a bad dish. Everything is delicious! Some of my favorites, escargot, Salmon Tartine, Crab Cake and Blood Orange Margarita's!! read more

Warning: Rive Bistro is NOT a seafood restaurant. It's a bistro on the bank of a river as the name suggests. Having said that, you will find fish and seafood on the menu, as well as standard bistro fare. Whatever restaurant used to operate here was so unremarkable that I've forgotten the name, but I do remember it was the kind of place where heavily made-up, bottled blonde females went to make out at the bar in hopes of eliciting male attention. (Note: since when did public mock-lesbian behavior become a heterosexual mating ritual?) Happily, Rive Bistro has completely shaken off the skanky patina of its predecessor. There is a warm, light-filled outdoor dining space, completely protected from the elements, offering generous views of the aforementioned "rive", as well as a darker, more bistro-like dining room and bar in the interior space. My date and I started with a Duck and Foie Gras sausage with Lentils. The sausage was velvety and rich and the lentils tender but not mushy. For entrees we ordered the Duck Confit (my date loves duck, and though these fowl are ubiquitous in local streams and ponds, they remain elusive on menus) and the Moules Frites. The mussel broth had a more traditional character than the same dish prepared at the Whelk down the road, but the execution was perfect right down to the last fry. The only disappointment was the Mousse au Chocolat, which we both found to be a bit too sweet and lacking in intense dark chocolate flavor. I would happily return to Rive Bistro. It is one of the more pleasant local surprises I've found lately, and is happily free (so far) of whiners, posers and dieters. read more

Pleasantly surprised! Cozy, romantic interior and serene patio right on the Saugatuck river. General consensus among the group was very good food but relatively pricey even for the Westport area. Good portion sizes for an upscale place. Expect all of the French staples with a little New American thrown in: escargot, moules frites, duck confit, tuna tartare, salmon with quinoa, trout almondine, and a wagyu burger, to give you an idea. The only thing I wasn't impressed by was the charcuterie cheese selection. A VERY pungent assortment! I definitely plan on going back for the mussels and the relaxing view. Great place to bring a date and also fit for groups. read more

We arrived very hungry, yesterday Sunday , May 24, 2020. The place just opened after the imposed Coronavirus restrictions. It is very clean, staff is friendly and prompt. The view , splendid on the banks of the river.We ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with French fries. My chicken was pink inside which is not recommended , never ! They took it away very quickly and I had to wait more for the food to get properly done. To my taste, the potatoes were too dry and too much soaked in oil and the combination with ham+grilled chicken, not happy. Aside from the quality of food everything was excellent. Other things on the menu could be excellent but I am not sure I want to try again. read more

I visited this recently-opened restaurant with a group of women for lunch. I must say that the food couldn't have been better; the service was beyond excellent and the river view couldn't have been beat. Ordinarily, I would give this gem a five-star rating. However, there was a big problem. They share the parking lot with a large office complex, limiting the number of spaces. i arrived in time to get a space and parked in front of one marked "Restaurant Patrons Only." As I left my car, a young man came over and demanded my keys. When I asked why, he said they have Valet Parking. I refused -- I don't want anyone driving my car but myself. It's a sports car with a special six-speed manual, which not everyone knows how to drive. After the wonderful lunch, I returned to my car, to find it blocked by another car. The valet said it was the owner's and he wanted it left there (apparently to punish me). It took about ten minutes before they could find someone who could move it. It wasn't the $1 tip that I was trying to avoid. As I said previously, I don't want anyone driving my car but me. So, in spite of a wonderful lunch with excellent service and ambiance, I doubt if I will be returning to Rive Bistro. read more

Ambience: Nice place to relax.The outdoor seating is nice and quiet Service: Staff was very helpful, friendly, and unobtrusive. The owner was very friendly as well. Food: The food was great: For appetizers we ordered the escargot plate and anchovies over flatbread. The main course - salmon and trout, both cooked perfectly. However, the dessert was underwhelming. It seemed like it was store bought. Conclusion: Good place to come get a drink by the water and relax after work. Second Visit? Maybe. read more

The setting is gorgeous... we sat outdoors overlooking the river on a warm late-summer night. The waitstaff is befuddling. One person came over and asked us if we wanted sparkling or plain water. We asked for sparkling. Then another person came over and we said the same - yes, we'd like the sparkling. Third person comes over, sees our glasses empty, and says "OK, you don't want water?" For a French Bistro, we also felt that the wine list and the menu were lacking many French options! We ordered a bottle of Rosé and were amused by the waitress' pronunciation of Saint Pierre Rosé... a French restaurant where none of the staff speaks French? The foie gras was very good, but was served with white toast that was uninspiring. I much preferred the crusty baguette that came in a basket. The steak frites was very good, the bleu cheese was creamy and delicious. We also enjoyed a daily special of salmon which was cooked perfectly. The waitress never checked back... we were lucky everything was cooked the way we liked it. The slow, confused service was the biggest drawback... the menu was limiting but what we had was good. I'd give it another try. read more

They are really trying at this new incarnation of the restaurant but they seem to have mixed messages about what they want and the food is not particularly inspired. We have been to this restaurant several times before it became Rive and came this time for brunch. The menu seemed to be changed only slightly, with just a couple "French" items added in. Nothing we had was bad but nothing was particularly imaginative either. My friend had the lobster sliders, for $18 and they didn't come with any garnish, fries or anything. The prices are not cheap and you are not getting something innovative for the price. Everything we has was decent but nothing that we couldn't get elsewhere for a decent brunch. I understand people want some traditional favorites but have at least a couple things which are novel or original. The fries used to have a combination of peppers, now they are simply unimaginative fries. The brunch needs work. They seem to be confused about their directions too. 2 different waiters would come up and ask for our drink orders, they kept confusing the cheese in the omelette. I will echo the sentiments here that the service needs some work. I understand too that this is a bistro and "French-ish" but, aside from like 2-3 things on the menu, you really can't call it French or hardly a bistro. There was Latin music playing in the background. Also the men's room was not in an appealing state. It should be their commitment to make sure that the restrooms are in decent shape during the Sunday brunch rush. read more

Started with a lovely glass of Sancerre with blue point oysters. I had the branzino as an entree and it was absolutely delicious. Came for lunch and sat outside on the water with a beautiful view. I brought my young son who ordered a cheese burger he liked (great french fries!) and he loved my fish. Their service was great and very friendly. Will definitely be back! read more

Rive Bistro - French Near Me - Westport, Connecticut

See all

Heads up!! This will become one of Westport's better spots. Interesting menus and wine list. Helpful waiters. Pleasant outside dining. read more

Rive Bistro - Enjoying retirement. - French Near Me - Westport, Connecticut

Wonderful lunch/dinner at a river side French restaurant! The staff didn't rush our meal and the service was fantastic. read more

Rive Bistro - Mousles with garlic butter and tomatoes!!! - French Near Me - Westport, Connecticut

Order a drink and watch the river on a sunny day, they won't rush you out. The Mini lobster rolls (sliders) comprise a regular full lobster anywhere else, but they give you a little salad too for the same price, so the value is actually better here. Plus you can't beat the waterfront atmosphere. Their lobster roll is not swimming in mayo so it is quite light and the taste of lobster comes through. Get the tarte tatin for dessert, it's apple pie a la mode without all the carbs. Grande Marnier creme brûlée wasn't too sweet and good. The sorbets a little too whipped but still taste good. read more

Rive Bistro - Mini Lobster Rolls and a Blood Orange Margarita, yum! Thanks to my family for the birthday brunch. - French Near Me - Westport, Connecticut

See all

Beautiful views, relaxed atmosphere... we come for the ambience and I feel that is what you are primarily paying for. However the somewhat French bistro fare is only average and the service is mediocre. I would only recommend this place if you're looking for a relaxing mid-week meal if you can arrive ahead of the rush. And try to ignore the locals at the bar who can get a little loud. read more

Go there for the view. Disappointed by the food, difficult to justify the price of the tuna tartare or the OK duck confit. We left with the feeling that we could do at least as well at home with the same ingredients straight from trader joe. The service is pretty fast, efficient but not overly friendly. read more

I think this place deserves way more than the 3 stars they've got. I was skeptical bc of the ratings, but ended up having a great meal! Went in on a date and started with the burrata and a side of sautéed kale. Both were very nice. I had the branzino entree which was the best entree meal I have had at a restaurant in a long time. So incredible, piled high with crispy skin fish. I could tell their chef was top notch. My date got the Trout Almondine which she enjoyed, though it didn't look quite as exciting as my branzino! She said that she loves trout Almondine and it's very rare to find these days. Tart Tatin for dessert was also wonderful. Service was tight, very attentive. read more

Delicious cooking! Very French and I know France! The ambiance is very nice and the staff super professional. Lovely setting and the fellow diners are lovely too. I can't wait to go back. read more

We have enjoyed brunch, lunch and holiday meals at Rive Bistro. The big news though is the 90th birthday party I hosted for my best friend. I cannot RAVE ENOUGH about Monika Cser, the Event Coordinator. She is incredible; extraordinarily accommodating and gracious. Monika is always available and so helpful in every way. AND she managed to give us a beautiful party for 35 people right at my budget. If you have an event you cannot go wrong with Monika at Rive Bistro. read more