The River Bar is a great place to grab a meal weather your just passing by or are looking for a great dining experience. Fast and friendly service and great drinks and beer selection. We stopped by for a quick snack of oysters and clams and a beer. We were very happy with our selections and choices available. When the weather is good they have an amazing outside patios section right by the river. We had a very enjoyable experience and will be back to try more! read more

River Bar - Oysters and clams - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

The River Bar in Westerly is the kind of place that instantly wins you over--equal parts stylish, welcoming, and delicious, with a happy hour that feels like a local secret you can't help but share. From the moment you walk in, the vibe hits just right. Warm lighting, a modern coastal feel, and a staff that treats you like a regular even on your first visit. It's the perfect after‑work escape or pre‑dinner stop, and the energy stays upbeat without ever feeling rushed. The happy hour menu is where River Bar really flexes. Thoughtful, well‑priced, and packed with flavor, it's clear they take just as much pride in these offerings as the main menu. The small plates come out fast, beautifully presented, and consistently delicious--exactly what you want when you're settling in with a drink and good company. Everything feels elevated but still approachable, the kind of food that makes you say "let's order one more" even when you know you're full. The drink specials are equally impressive. Creative cocktails, balanced pours, and bartenders who know how to craft something refreshing without overcomplicating it. Whether you're in the mood for something bright and citrusy or a smooth spirit‑forward sipper, they've got you covered. And of course--Nanas deserts.....If you know, you know. It's the kind of standout that becomes part of the ritual, the thing you tell friends they have to try when you bring them for the first time. Between the quality of the food, the unbeatable happy hour value, and the polished yet relaxed atmosphere, The River Bar has firmly earned its place as one of Westerly's best. A flawless five stars and an easy recommendation for anyone who loves great drinks, great bites, and a place that gets the details right. Cheers read more

The food here is amazing. We sat at the bar the bartender was friendly, accommodating, and my espresso martini was delicious. But the star was definitely the lobster roll. I have never had a lobster roll so good not just your basic.. this lobster roll had misu brown butter melted into it, caramelized, lemon, mayo, Krispy, shallots, and herbs. It was amazing the macaroni salad that came with. It could've been a little colder, but it was still very good and we also ordered hot honey butter with cornbread, which was out of this world. read more

River Bar - Lobster roll ingredients - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

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I was hoping it was going to be great. Food was good but nothing amazing. I had fish burrito tasty but too much rice filler.Companions both had stuffed haddock and said it was good. Beautiful decor and outside seating was great. Slow service and made us wait when we got there so the staff could catch up. Won't be rushing back. Maybe it was just bad timing on our part in between brunch and lunch. read more

Amazing atmosphere, service & food. The patio was reserved so we ended up sitting in "The Green Room". Each space inside was as beautiful as the exterior. See photo of the bill for prices of everything including an additional NA Beer & Call Margarita read more

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We've had numerous birthday dinners, New Year's Eve dinners, post ice-skating dinners, after school dance dinners, over the years and the oysters and kids fish and chips never miss. I enjoy the Friday night steak or seafood specials too, and their mocktails are elite as well. read more

Very creative rotating cocktail menu, delicious fresh oysters, quick service, friendly staff, good vibe and outdoor seating on the river is a great vibe. Watch the sunset with your dinner/ drinks. You can't go wrong on the food menu, everything is incredible. read more

my family and I went to River Bar last night expecting a good dining experience but we left extremely disappointed. from the initial reservation -they said only 4:30 available which was earlier than we wanted but we took it only to observe that there were many empty tables during the 2 hours we were there. Don't expect good portion sizes e.g. $6 for corn bread we intended to be a shared appetizer but was really only enough for 2 servings. They did not have 3 of the menu items we ordered (no Gansett beer, no stuffies, no sourdough bread). The grass fed burger was tough with the texture of shredded paper...I realize grass fed beef is lean but the chef should compensate for the dryness with some added moisture or something "creative" and flavorful (tip to chef..you can google ways to add moisture) the french fries were limp and cold (come on, you guys can't master fries?) The clam chowder was an embarrasment to all Rhodys (and did I mention no stuffies and no Gansett in RI?) Overall, we were not at all pleased, even the coffee was terrible! It was so bad that we decided to skip dessert for fear that too would prove a disappointment. I did not make a fuss at the time because i was treating our guests and i did not want them to feel uncomfortable (they already had to endure the poor quality) However, I feel compelled to WARN others that this is NOT the dining experience you expect or deserve. afterword: my wife asked me to mention that the oysters should be presented at the table in a deeper dish because the ice dripped all over our table and she had to mop it up with napkins,,,not good for people with shell fish allergies! Also, our table and the door handle when we left were slimy and sticky! We headed straight out to grab hand sanitizer in the car! read more

There's a bar side and dining room side to the restaurant. We sat on the bar side. It was cozy with a blue booth against one wall. We had 2 margaritas: mango and bergamot. Both delicious. Bergamot was DANGEROUSLY easy to drink. I could drink it all day at a beach or poolside $10 margaritas on Mondays. Appetizer: chicken tostadas. Omg. Never have I ever had better chicken tostadas. The chicken was nicely seasoned and everything just went together so well. 10/10! Entrees: He had the spicy chicken sandwich. At about $17, this was one of the cheapest entrees you could get. Very tasty. Wonderful crunch on the chicken. 8/10. Smash burger deluxe...I will fight you for it. The only downfall of this mouth watering big boy was how messy it is to eat. SUCH a tasty double patty burger. I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it! As for service, our waitress was polite and didn't come over too often but was always around when needed. No complaints. This took us over an hr to get to, so we certainly won't be frequenting River Bar, but we will absolutely be looking for special occasions to make our way over. It was a rainy Monday evening, so it wasn't very busy. I'd imagine you'd need reservations under better weather conditions. read more

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So happy to be invited as a Yelp plus one. Loved the atmosphere here really pretty and great views of the river. The chicken tostadas were crisp and tangy. The lobster lettuce wraps had very little lobster on them kind of disappointing but they were good. The scallops were super fresh, well seasoned, clean (no gut or sand) and really tender. The beets were cooked perfectly. The highlight of the meal was the sweet potato curry meal. That curry sauce was superb!!! Sooo good! The sourdough bread was addictive-crunchy but not too much so. Get the garlic butter-yummy! The old fashioned cocktail was good. It was strongly orange flavored which was an interesting presentation. I enjoyed it. The not an expresso martini nondairy expresso martini was phenomenal!! I love expresso martinis and haven't had one for years (lactose intolerant) so happy to have had this decadent and delish dessert. Looking forward to returning here with hubby for a date night. read more

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River Bar is an amazing spot to enjoy a wonderful dinner or snack. The inside is clean with a modern 'Japandi' aesthetic. They also have an insane outdoor patio on the river where you can just enjoy the wonder seaside weather of Westerly. Service is always fantastic here, attentive and accurate. They have a great rawbar with fresh fish and shellfish options. Their appetizers and dinner options are amazing as well! The calamari is always fresh fried with a cornmeal batter that brings it a step above other places. The fresh baked breads compliment amazing dishes like the Hangar Steak or a warm lobster roll. Would recommend! read more

Signature cocktails small bite and a great happy hour. One of favs. The atmosphere is open and inviting as well.

We, party of 5 were very excited to visit River Bar. Service was extremely slow. Beverages were good, however after a very long wait, the 3rd beer selection was available. Apps were good. Once the food arrived, we were disappointed. Fried chix sandwiches (2) were rubbery, cheese not melted, & greasy. Stuffed haddock was just warm. Pasta dish was good, fish taco was bland read more

Not gonna lie it was pricey, however, the service was excellent and the food was fabulous! It is a much larger venue than it looks from the outside! We were a group of 10 and had a room to ourselves. The servers were quick and present without hovering. I had the halibut and it was very tasty. I also tried the apple daiquiri. It was really good. Very strong flavors that scream Fall in New England. read more

River Bar - Apple Daiquiri - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

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I took a friend it was an amazing food experience. We as always get a little carried a way and order food for like 30, exaggeration . I got the cosmo and my friend got the old fashioned. Cosmo was light and refreshing, old fashioned lived up to its name aka strong. The tostadas were amazing flavorful and I could have eaten a dozen. Lobster lettuce wrap very tasty. Nana sourdough plate amazing bread and spread. Fried Calamari good but too many tentacle pieces for my taste. Sweet potato parang curry my friend ordered amazing sauce. Baked stonington scallops with winter vegetables. Scallops fresh and cooked to protection. Winter vegs It was beets and potatoes ok but not my favorite. The service was top notch and the view was fantastic can't wait to see it in summer. It was a great food adventure and will be back to try the other options on the menu. read more

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Beautiful location and ample free parking. Food and service was amazing. I recently visited for a RICSNA and they made us feel very welcome. It's a beautiful space with very attentive, friendly staff. I opted for the baked scallops and local vegetables and they did not disappoint. The menu is small but has a good selection of options for any diet (vegan, vegetarian). I'm not sure how good they are with allergies as I do not have any. read more

Lovely evening - our meals were delicious & service was great. Our dessert was a little pie - just like Nana's!

Two consecutive nights at this new place but seasoned owners from Nana's both in Mystic and Westerly where I am a big fan. See those reviews. Here it's a more formalized restaurant setting in a very cool venue right on the river with full view to the small bridge between Connecticut and Rhode Island. Inside very modern, upscale casual - I'd call it refined casual with a great full bar with windows on the river. But the food, service and overall experience is tops. Modern fare, locally sourced prepared and presented in a cool and vibrant way. Simple things - but excellent. Fresh fried calamari (not from a commercial frozen sack), fish and chips, hangar steak, burgers and more. Like at their other places a dedication to honest, good and healthy eating while being hip and cool. Had the hangar steak today - one of the best I've had even in NYC. And the special river martini - made with kelp, gin and vodka was outstanding. Excellent young and professional, friendly staff too. Nice small but very good wine list and craft beers. Highly recommended. read more

River Bar - Vodka, infused gin, vermouth and kelp. Kinky and excellent. - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

Food was alright but the service left a bad taste in our mouths. Our server was friendly but completely absentminded. First, she chatted with the bartender while my cocktail sat between them at the bar. Second, she forgot to put in our roasted oyster appetizer until I asked where they were. They didn't arrive until we were completely done with our entrees. She didn't take them off the bill which I could not believe! (spoiler alert, they were not worth the wait. Didn't taste any old bay). Third, she forgot to give our credit card back to us. The atmosphere of this place is amazing though so I'll give them that. We wouldn't return because of the service though. read more

River Bar - Scallops - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

they open at noon, we went at 1;30 well...hard to park...i was party of 3, behind us party of 4, behind them people walking in.....well, well, well....have never been before, i am local and recommended to go,never been so lets try Was told 30 minute wait but 40 for outside. OK can sit for while at bar for drink. River is not "fantastic" it is a river, just small river going by....walking in was a dark bar with 2 people sitting there, so I dont know what view we would of had, told that bar was closed, why? on summer saturday afternoon? so why wait? said forget it and people behind left with us and people walking in also left, As leaving the woman at bar said "its not thier fault" She was rude, what does that mean? people asked if we were local people and said YES go to Windjammer with good menu and drinks, bar and live music, ocean view, nice! They did! We did!, HaHa we met and enjoyed what we expected! Want to know who was sitting at bar with excuses? Hostess said well we are small and I guess that means friends and family....I can tell you I watched at least $1000 walk out in 15 minutes....who knows after that? All up to you,,,,Will not try again read more

The food was fantastic. Calamari, corn appetizer (forgot the name), oysters and the haddock entree were all excellent. Lovely vibe as well, though I did find the dining room to be cold/overly air conditioned. If you are cold sensitive, I would suggest brining layers. Overall a great experience and I will definitely be back! read more

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We went to lunch Sunday afternoon and decided to stop at River bar instead of Nana's who owns them. Big mistake. The check off some of the deposits first: Service: excellent Ambience:exceptional - lovely outdoor seating. Even had some amusement watching some magnet fishing along the river. Presentation: excellent So what's wrong you ask? The food just was off a bit my partner who had scallop salad said that the dish didn't sing, even though the scallops were prepared perfectly. I had their chicken, vegetable rice, soup, and their cornbread with honey butter, and I'm usually a big eater, but I didn't want to finish the soup. It just was lacking something. Cornbread was delicious. read more

This spot has been wildly trashed over the years - mainly on "service." After reading a recent lofty review, we made the 1-hour drive a few days before XMAS. First it is huge, large parking lot (almost full upon our 6 PM arrival!), and it was packed soon after we arrived. Contrary to other reviewers, we found the service friendly and top notch. Menu is LARGE. We had cocktails - all swell and one priced at $10(!!) - followed by their "low country sampler" - a dozen oysters (3 each of 4 different locales), saltines(!),and 3 sauces. Excellent and a bargain at $30. The half dozen "roasted oysters" were not winners and a bit overpriced ($17) compared to the above. Slightly warmed oysters did not work. Entrees were hangar steak w. frites, baked Stonington scallops, and burger deluxe (huge). All were winners. Throw in a glass or two of wine and a generous holiday tip and damages were $270. A winner but not likely on our regular list as a 2-hour commute is a killer. read more

Food is Fantastic. Mushroom Marsala, Mac & Cheese and Lobster Lettuce Wraps all amazing . Cornbread was best I've had in a long time. Service was great. Very attentive and good recommendations. River view is great read more

So close to 5 stars! We stopped in for dinner last Saturday night and decided to sit in the bar area. Although it was crowded - service was terrific. Shout out to Zach for delicious and generous sized drinks and attentive service without hovering. So far - 5 stars. I was excited to see RI Clam Chowder on the menu so I ordered that to start. Delicious - however it was a bit light on the clams. The seasoned saltines in place of the usual Oyster Crackers was unexpected perfection! It was a toss up between the Exotic Mushroom Poke Bowl and the Miso Oven Baked Cod. I asked Zach which was his favorite and he broke the tie by suggesting the Cod. He was right and it was an excellent choice. The cod was done perfectly, the portion was just right. My only suggestion would be to consider just a bit more sauce. There was just enough to make you want more of that taste but not quite enough to make it a noteworthy part of the dish. But then again - I like my sauces. So the light clams and light sauce is what brought this "down" to a high 4. We didn't have room for desert but judging by the sweets I've had at Nana's - I wish I had. All in all - a great dining and culinary experience. I will definitely go back - and I highly recommend everyone to try this fun and vibrant addition to downtown! read more

If you know the OG food scene in Mystic you know of two partners who started it all....James and Dan. River bar is the latest example of James and team doing their thing. All I would ask is James bring us more and more of his food flare and style. A fabulous setting and impeccable food and service. Thank you. -Upton read more

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Stumbled on this place after arriving to our Airbnb in Westerly after a long drive. What a gem. Sat outside by the river so nice! The miso haddock was absolutely delicious I highly recommend it. read more

River Bar - Miso oven baked haddock - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

Excellent location, excellent staff, excellent food. We were a party of six and everybody had a great meal. If you like oysters, this is the place to go. read more

River Bar - One of the dinning rooms, this on has a great view of the river. - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

This place is very beautiful there is a really pretty outside patio with a bunch of lights and an outside bar they do close it more in the offseason on the weekdays. The steak frites were absolutely delicious. The fish was so good it had to had been caught that day. The cocktail was small but it was strong and it tasted so good! The french fries were salty and crispy and absolutely delicious. There's a doc outside that's a very wobbly but really beautiful for pictures at night. The restrooms have two stalls. The waitress was very nice and friendly. The restaurant has only been open 3 months but the food is really good and very fresh. She said that they like to be organic and fresh. I noticed that the blooming onion was very light it did not have a lot of oil like most moving onions I've had. I had a slight kick to it and I want to eat like 20 of them! I will definitely be back! read more

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I got the fish and chips from here. The ambiance was urban and cozy, right by the river. The bar area looked inviting. The portion size was generous, and the fish was cooked to perfection with just the right amount of crispiness on the batter. Overall, it was a good experience. read more

First, I was drawn to the River Bar for its menu that looked like it would appeal to everyone in our party of 4, some of whom lean vegan. Well, I have to say that the menu didn't disappoint any of us! For instance, my shiitake mushroom poke bowl was VERY flavorful and satisfying. A slab of freshly baked corn bread and honey butter was enough for each of us to enjoy. The service was on point and cheerful. The atmosphere very pleasant. We will be back for sure. read more

Idyllic scenery inside and out! I love sitting out on the patio in the summertime, but feel equally cozy indoors during the New England winters. The hangar steak is a personal favorite, and the cocktails are DIVINE. Get anything with watermelon in the summer! My only critique is that service can at times be a bit slow, but not terrible by any means. read more

River Bar - Patio - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

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Everything from start to finish was wonderful! River Bar has been on my list to check out for a while (we live a little far away sadly), and we finally got to come this past Friday night! First off, as you walk in the bar area is super vibey with a view of the river and plenty of space to pull up a chair and have a drink. We sat in the dining area, which was also beautiful. Our waitress was attentive and helpful with figuring out what to order (so many good options!!) We landed on the oyster sampler to start. Super fresh. And the cocktail sauce and mignonette were to die for. We then had the Marsala and a smash burger for our mains. The Marsala had the most beautiful pasta and sauce. The burger was cooked perfectly with a great spicy sauce. The macaroni salad paired with the burger was also delicious. read more

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We had a great meal and service, sitting at the bar recently. If you didn't know, this is a new restaurant by the owners of Nana's Westerly and Mystic. These chefs and staff know how to put together an excellent meal. The new restaurant is in a cool building right on/over the Pawcatuck River, that was previously several other restaurants. We started with some drinks - a draft beer from Fox Farm Brewery for me, and my wife had a perfectly made mezcal margarita. I had baked scallops, which were excellent. She had a sweet potato red curry which was also great. We shared a green goddess Caesar salad, very good too. Service was on point and very amiable. Everything was totally in line with our expectations from our numerous experiences at Nana's. We now have another place to enjoy on a regular basis! read more

River Bar - Drinks at the bar - Bars Near Me - Westerly, Rhode Island

In my opinion, this is the best restaurant around. Mushroom Marsala is out of this world. The service is always fantastic and they are just the nicest people. I'm excited for the nicer weather to come so we can sit on the deck read more

The place looked interesting on yelp, so we decided to have early dinner. I had fish (haddock) and chips, which came with a magnificent homemade remoulade. My wife had a fried fish burrito and it was great too. We don't find haddock down south too often, and these people did a great job with it for us! read more

Very quaint restaurant, loved the exposed beams and wood stove. The service was great and the food was delicious read more

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I'd been wanting to go here for a while, their social media presence is great and enticing. Knowing they are associated with Nana's, I had high expectations. The restaurant is gorgeous and much bigger than I anticipated. However the ambiance is a little confusing. It's much more casual than they market it, with your water being served in plastic red pizza-joint cups rather than glasses and paper napkins instead of linens. The food is just -- mediocre. Menu has excellent offerings with flavor pairings that seem elevated in theory, but they really tend to miss in terms of execution. Fish on the tuna tostadas was room temperature, and not freshly pink/red. Calamari is tender, but swimming in oil. Fish & chips are good, but don't stand out. The best thing we ate was the Calabrian Chili Caesar. This place has so much potential to elevate these dishes beyond mediocrity and I really hope they do. We will return, but likely just for a drink at the outside bar before hopping over to High Hope or Nana's for a meal. read more

Best brunch I've ever had. Got the eggs Benedict and the crispy chicken brunch sandwich. Amazing. Great ambiance too. Can't wait to go back. Service was top notch. read more

Stumbled here on what happened to be opening night. Located at the former Bridge Restaurant - this new restaurant is bound to become a local favorite and tourist destination. Fresh, local ingredients blended into epic meals. We tried the Deluxe Burger which is made with Chianina beef - it was cooked perfectly and so flavorful. I've never had this type of beef before and it did not disappoint. Also on the menu is a burger made with J.W. Beef which is a local staple for quality grass fed beef products. While I don't eat seafood myself, I saw so many other tables enjoying the fresh oysters and some ordered a second round! I can't wait to come back and sit on the deck which is over the adjacent river. 10/10 recommend and I'll be back soon! read more

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