great service , great food, great view! deserves much more than 4.3 stars. It can get busy but it's worth the wait.

Second trip to River Restaurant starts off on a bad note. We arrived at 10:35 a.m. and the inside dining room was only about half full with several empty tables, and the outdoor seating area, which we specifically requested, also had open tables. Still, we were told there would be a 15-20 minute wait. We waited about 35 minutes before seating. Make it make sense. That said, the restaurant sits right along the Black Warrior River, which offers a really pleasant view, especially from the patio. On a cool spring day like today, it's hard to beat outdoor seating here. Tuscaloosa is buzzing with football fans for the annual A-Day spring game, which adds to the energy around town. My better half ordered the shrimp and grits, and I went with the steak fajita bowl, minus the sunny-side-up egg. Even at my age, I can't do the runny yolk situation, I always ask for my eggs over hard. With that change, I'll say the fajita bowl jumped up to one of my top breakfast/brunch go-to dishes in town. Yes, I know it's technically brunch, but it was before 11 a.m., so I'm calling it breakfast. The shrimp and grits were solid, though the tails were still on the shrimp, which meant a bit of extra peeling at the table, my wife wasn't a fan of that part, but she still finished the dish and enjoyed it overall. Only minor gripe on the food side: ice seems to be a rare commodity here, I'd love a few more cubes in the water. But overall, the food was very good, the patio seating is absolutely the way to go, and the river view is fantastic. read more

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We dined at River early on a busy night. River is, not surprisingly, on the Black Warrior River in a shopping area with plenty of parking. Upon arrival, the exterior front door is made to look rustic. Entry is to a low light, smallish waiting room. Therein, all of the nice grilling and cooking smells dominate pleasantly. After identifying our party of four courteously to the host we then got two stupid questions from the host: "Would you like to sit outside", to which I stated a quick, "No, we do not" (as it was in the low 80's outside and we were dressed semi formally. And then, "Would you like to sit at a high top table?" (Essentially in the loudish bar area), to which I stated, "No, we'd like a proper booth". Also, of note, we made our online reservation weeks prior. The host then conferred with a female manager. We were shortly thereafter seated in a proper, comfortable booth. We were greeted by our Server (who had the same first name as an Alabama County which first letter is an "S". She was nice, pleasant and helpful until our beverage order only included one glass of wine and no additional alcohol. After that, she was slightly curt and not overly friendly or attentive. I ended up giving her a bigger tip than called for and larger than she deserved. We ordered the Charcuterie Board and also the Sausage Board as appetizers. They were both okay. The cheeses were flavorful but overall the portions a little stingy. The entrees were a mixed bag and, frankly and sadly, not great especially for the price. Two of us ordered the Fresh Fish (grouper) Special. The grouper was only pretty good though cooked appropriately, but too small of a portion. Of note, the root vegetables served with the fish were a mixture of undercooked and burnt in spots. And no, not grill marks, but burnt - cooked quite unevenly. My guess is that particular chef was inexperienced, careless and or overworked. Both of us who ordered the grouper later shared our experience and we were in agreement the entree was a disappointment. We both also noted the side of seafood risotto was glaringly and poorly prepared. The risotto was almost crunchy. The risotto had little flavor and most definitely no seafood or seafood flavor. We have both had risotto at several upscale restaurants and this risotto lands squarely at the bottom of risottos we've dined on at several upscale restaurants domestically, and in Europe. To be fair, the other person had dined at River previously and remarked the steak that prior time was very good. The other two in the party ordered the chicken (which was fine, hard to screw that up) and the salmon. The salmon diner indicated the salmon was overcooked and the accompanying root vegetables were also a mixture of undercooked and burnt. I'm not sure I'd return to River. It does have a beautiful view out back. The restroom was clean and stocked. The other staff, besides our server, seemed happy to be there. read more

I this is a hard one because I really really wanted to like this restaurant. I don't know why, I've never been to this restaurant. I've never been to Tuscaloosa, AL. But like I said, I really wanted to like it and I did. I walked in. It's a beautiful restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. You could see the river whether you're sitting outside or inside the restaurant. I decided to get my food to go so I ordered at the bar. The young lady you took my order was pleasant. It was genuine very nice, I wish I had gotten her name. I'm sorry I did because I would love to give her a shout out. I will say she had fantastic eyebrows and I told her that. :) !! OK, I digress. Every staff member that I encountered in the 20ish minutes that I was in there looked genuinely happy to be there and I felt it. I really like that and for me, that makes a difference. Now to the food. Let me say this first, I have no doubt that if I had not ordered my food to go and had been eating there in the restaurant, this would have been at least a four star review. My salmon was way overcooked and extremely charred and I know it would have been replaced with no issues or questions. I'm not going on speak on the salad.......... You know, add salt pepper it's fine all good. I hope I'm back in Tuscaloosa again soon because I WILL go back to River and I'll try to eat IN the restaurant :) but either way, largely because of the staff, I'll be back! read more

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Date night done right! Every dish is packed with flavor, cooked to perfection, and perfect dim and elegant ambiance. We adore the mussels appetizer and always have fantastic fish dishes every visit. A must-go for date night, a special occasion, or just a reason to dress up! read more

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Great meal! Exceptional service! Gorgeous interior, unique exterior, and a sweet ass patio overlooking the river. This place is great. We tried to make a reservation two nights before for brunch, and were notified there were none available. C has wanted to try this place for a while, so she was disappointed. It was UA move in weekend. We decided to go to the breakfast place, just down the way. I won't name them here but, the initials are Another Broken Egg. I jumped on the waitlist as we left and it was an hour wait they said. We pull up directly in front of River and C says "I am going to go in and see how long the wait is". She emerges and say "come on"! They had a table waiting on us. I am glad she checked, I am not a huge fan of ABE. Walked in, and what a beautiful place this is! No wait at all, which is WILD! This place is so much better than the other one. I am not sure why they would not have taken our reservation either. Strange. Server was witty and knowledgeable. He told stories and did a great job guiding us through the menu choices. He even offered advice on portion sizes and recommended accompaniments. Really good server! Short brown Curley hair guy, said he was not from T Town. My memory sucks. I hate idk his name. Everyone loved their food! I loved mine, I loved my wife's, I loved everyone's food!! Tehehe. Really good gravy and biscuits. Stand out, even! The texture and color of the biscuit was unique in my lowly, but well traveled, biscuit experience. Gravy was ham based I think, or really good sausage. It was delightful. I love gravy almost as much as I love fried chicken. The French Dip stood out to me though. It was my wife's dish. I was so glad she could not eat it all and I was able to partake in its badassness. It was so damn good! The au jus had onion slices in it and it gave it a tremendous pop of flavor when you dunked it in the oniony meaty goodness! The little pancake on a stick thing was a huge hit as well. Severely creative and loving the "limited availability" vibe. Kiddo loved her weird flatbread thing. Just look at it! I'm glad they know her... Her roommate had the biscuits and gravy plate, along with a giant pile of eggs. She ate it all, only weighs like 140 pounds max. I don't take a pic of her food. She's a newbie still! I will 100% be back for dinner and again for brunch. I can't wait to see what's up with dinner service. Love you River!!! '25 - 93/111 read more

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What a nice place. We tried coming here a few months ago, but it had closed by the time we arrived. We had reservations and were fortunate to be seated outside with a lovely view of the river. We had an amazing server who was very friendly and efficient. We had a very nice romantic dinner Highly recommend! I will be back. read more

River - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

After seeing the reviews and the previous food recommendations, I had to give the place a try. I'm so glad I did! Anthony was my waiter and I can't recommend him enough or thank him enough for his hospitality! The restaurant was warm and inviting with a relaxed ambiance. He provided a thorough explanation of the menu and recommendations! I went with the mussels, seared catfish, and oatmeal cookie. Everything was delicious and wonderful! The mussels were creamy, spicy, and flavorful! The catfish was cooked perfectly and the grits were just spot on. Oatmeal cookie was just creamy and the right amount of sweet! I certainly will be returning to this spot when visiting the area! Highly recommend! read more

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I first ate lunch here a few times and it was decent, but the dinner...the dinner is where River shines. I love that they champion local purveyors and the menu has rotating seasonal dishes. I've had bone marrow to oysters to boudin balls and beignets for mardi gras to pork skins and queso. The chef here really puts some flair on southern and local favorites. Some dishes lean on being heavily seasoned and sometimes can be a bit too salty for some palates, so just a heads up. Additionally, the service, although a bit slow in firing food, is superb! There is ample seating inside and outside where you can enjoy the Black warrior River as backdrop. You must try the catfish, which is comes on top of a layer of creamy grits and a layer of greens. The oysters were a little lackluster, but the lamb lollipops and the winter salad were the stars of the meal to me. read more

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River is a fine dining restaurant located on the Riverwalk in Tuscaloosa, AL. The interior is very intimate and the outdoor seating has views of the Black Warrior River. The service is excellent as well as the food. For drinks, I order the Gone to Florida. If you like sweet drinks I'd highly recommend it! For my entree I order the ribeye and it was PERFECT; nice, juicy, and grilled to perfection. The mashed potatoes and vegetables were good as well. This is my new favorite restaurant in Tuscaloosa. read more

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The atmosphere here is lively and sophisticated. Our server Anthony was so educated and helpful with the menu and made us feel so at home here! Our food was impeccable. We started with oysters. The mignonette was delicious and the oysters were fresh and tasty. Farm salad was enough for 3 or 4 people. The snapper entree's were amazing. Perfectly cooked and served witch delicious local vegetables! The seared tuna was an equally delicious. Wine & beer selection was good. Chocolate mousse dessert was really good as well. I highly recommend The River! We definitely want to return as the menu changes with seasons and locally sourced ingredients! read more

Nice atmosphere. Food wasn't too good. Wife had fresh market fish and I had Salmon. Her fish was over cooked mine was beyond that. Let me say the waitress was nice. She asked if medium fish was good with me. Yes that's great I said. Comes out almost crispy and dry. After waiting a long while I wasn't happy. So my wife loved her risotto with goat cheese and I ate my veggies. This plate is highly over priced and the food wasn't good. I'm a local but there are much better places to eat. read more

The view is great. Food and service not so much. We ordered four flatbreads and all were burnt. Two burnt to the extent that they were inedible. For the price I would have expected more. The charcuterie board was good. Good place for drinks and enjoying the view. read more

River has been bookmarked for quite some time and I finally made a reservation for a mother-daughter outing. I really wanted to go to enjoy the outside but we went on a day where the weather was very rainy. No problem, the inside was still nice to enjoy a few laughs with my mom. Our server informed us of the specials and took our drink orders. Mom ordered the Shrimp & Grits that she raved about days later. She kept saying it was flavorful and filling. I tried the Alabama Catfish, fried over grits and collards. Hmm, an interesting combination but not bad and tasty the next day for leftovers. On the list to return when no rain is in the forecast. read more

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Great food and atmosphere. Good drinks too. I got the fried catfish and it was great.

Wow, just wow. We came in for drinks and dessert before cooking at home but stayed for four courses. The new autumn menu came out that night and we had such a treat trying all the new items. Lamb chops were on special and they were amazing. The duck was melt in your mouth amazing. They got it together for the fall and I am so happy. The food is amazing and I'm making everyone come. read more

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I enjoyed a beautiful dining experience at River. It was a lovely evening to sit outdoors and take in the natural surroundings. Zach, my server, took great care of me! My dishes were all delicious. I ordered fried okra spears, a summer salad with peaches, and mussels in the most delectable cream sauce I ever tasted. River did not disappoint. I will be back soon! read more

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Twas on an eve when the stars did twinkle with mirth that I, with a stomach's rumblings and a poet's heart, didst grace the threshold of River. The name itself doth whisper of flowing bounty and nature's embrace, a siren's call to epicurean adventure. First, I didst encounter the sausage board, a parliament of porkly players! Conecuh, a fiery rogue, didst tango on the tongue; alligator, a gentle bard, sang of comfort; and Monroe, a wise elder, shared smoky tales. With lovely garnish, sharp mustards, and pickled gems, 'twas a feast fit for a king's jester. Then, upon the stage strode the New York strip, a noble cut of beef, cooked to perfection. Each bite, a sonnet of succulence, did melt upon the palate, a testament to the chef's skilled hand. 'Twas an appetizer to make the gods themselves envious. To conclude this grand performance, I summoned the "Gone to Florida" cocktail, a potion of tropical delight. With each sip, I was transported to sun-kissed shores, where citrus fruits dance and palm trees sway. 'Twas a fitting farewell, a sweet epilogue to a savory saga. In truth, The River is a realm where culinary dreams take flight. From the humble sausage to the regal steak and the whimsical cocktail, each dish is a verse in a gastronomic poem. The service, swift and courteous, doth play its part with grace, ensuring that every guest feels as a monarch in their own right. Bret, I doth believe to be thy name, was a much experienced and handy zealot. Verily, The River is a treasure to be savored, a place to which I shall eagerly return, to revel in its delights once more. Also, bring back the grit tots thanks read more

This was simply put the BEST restaurant experience I have EVER had! Even when we first walked in, just amazing genuine customer service. Once our party was sat it was only up from there. Not only were the drinks literally amazing the food was to die for. Literally everything we ordered from appetizers to entrees was so fresh so flavorful and hot! Our waiter Joseph was the absolute best and in addition to him, interactions from other staff were amazing as well . If you are thinking about it please just go here and you will not regret your time and experience. Cannot wait to go back here read more

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Great location on the river. Setting outside while waiting for table. Inside and out aide patio seating. Bar busy but small. Clean contemporary decor and ambiance. Enjoyed food except for salad with cold shredded pork. Ive enjoyed many salsas with cold protein but this had disgusting texture and no greet complement of tastes. Fried okra were whole and good. read more

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A cute little restaurant along the river I. Tuscaloosa. The Service, food & ambience was all wonderful!!!! I highly recommend this place!!!

We have been twice. Food was great both times! Service was good too! Did not have to wait long at all. We will definitely go back during the summer to eat on the patio! read more

Fantastic food and service. Wish I would have eaten here sooner, since we definitely will be coming back again in the near future. read more

River - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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I ordered the cowboy ribeye, and it was one of the best steaks I have had. The marbling on the meat made it extra juicy and flavorful. The house-made steak sauce added a nice tangy touch. The portion size was huge and very filling. read more

River - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

My partner and I came here for a little birthday dinner on a Friday night. Parking was easy and we were seated promptly. I high recommend their online reservation service! The atmosphere of the place is great for date night. Low lighting, nice background music, and the tables are spaced far enough apart that you don't feel like you're intruding on another party. My only complaints about this place would be the menu diversity. The appetizers had little variation in choices; it was basically either a meat plate or flatbread, and both seemed too heavy for a pre-meal option. The rest of the menu was fine but still seemed bottlenecked in choices, as there was no option it seemed to change up the sides. I get that it's part of the fine dining experience, but it made it harder for my picky partner to decide on a meal. I personally got the seasonal fish, which was wonderful. The risotto it came with was drier than I expected, and I wasn't too fond of the vegetables it came with, but the sauce helped with all of those things. My partner enjoyed his steak but also found the vegetables to be lacking. I would come back here, but more so for drinks and appetizers rather than a fine meal. read more

River - Seasonal fish - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Delicious food and great service in a picturesque restaurant. The ambience was amazing.

Anthony was warm, attentive, and made several spot-on food suggestions that truly elevated our experience. One standout recommendation: the mussels. I'm still thinking about them! They were perfectly cooked, but what really stole the show was the sauce--rich, flavorful, and absolutely to die for. I would come back for that dish alone. We can't wait to return! read more

Peaceful, beautiful place with excellent dining menu and bar menu. The outside seating is cool and right weather you can walk the Riverwalk.

I had their wagyu steak, and it was an unforgettable experience. The meat was so tender and flavorful, with a buttery texture that's unlike anything else. The roasted garlic mashed potatoes were the perfect side. read more

River - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Best. Best. Best. Clean good staff . Great ambiance good drinks great views . Freaking fantastic food read more

Those who know me know that a medium ribeye is my favorite steak. Well they got it right. Perfectly cooked, vegetables are farm to table, fresh and delicious. Our waiter was on top of his game and took excellent care of us. It was a long day and we had margaritas on the rocks...a refreshing decision. It was raining when I visited but you can't help but notice the gorgeous view of the river it was absolutely stunning. Next time I am in Tuscaloosa this will be one of my stops. read more

River - Medium Ribeye Steak with butter! - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Awesome place for an awards banquet. Great food and service with a beautiful view of the water.

Great experience for dinner! We tried some new things and enjoyed it ALL. I loved the summer flatbread! The red snapper special was also great. I enjoyed my french 75 mocktail. Although the booths for 2 are very tight, still good ambiance. Our server was top tier, she had amazing service, I remeber she had curly hair but great dinner for our night. read more

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This is the best restaurant in Tuscaloosa. The upscale casual atmosphere is warm and inviting with views of the river from the dining room and deck. The service is top notch with each server truly understanding the menu and helping guide you to a selection from the local farm to table menu. The menu is creative and the chef and kitchen always do a wonderful job. We always try to dine here when visiting Tuscaloosa. read more

Another fantastic experience dining here. I made reservations to celebrate a birthday and was pleased when we were seated they had added an extra touch and printed a happy birthday sign for the table. I have been here and used their catered holiday meals many times over the years and the service is always fantastic. They currently have tile fish on the menu and wow it was one of the best pieces of fish I have ever had. read more

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River Restaurant is one of my favorite spots in Tuscaloosa. The bar is absolutely amazing. However, the food is pretty bland and has no seasoning. This was my first time coming for brunch, and the food was really bland, but the drinks and everything else were great. The bartender was amazing and made sure that we were happy. The customer service was phenomenal, but the food just did not hit the spot due to the lack of flavor! read more

River - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

River is hands down the best place to eat in Tuscaloosa. Great food, exceptional service, and lovely ambiance. After moving out of town, this place is the one restaurant I travel back to Tuscaloosa to enjoy. read more

Everything was SO good! The service, food, ambiance was amazing. We went on a Tuesday evening and had to wait about 30 minutes, popular place but rightfully so! Try the Bunrt Ends appetizer, they are to die for!! read more

River - Redfish - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Food: Stuffed mushrooms; very good; exceeded expectations House salad; okay; below expectations Charcuterie board: okay; below expectations Ribeye: fail; felt ripped off Higher-end restaurant with nice decor. The bar area seating is very loud. Mushrooms were the high point of dinner. The collard green leaves that are stuffed in the mushrooms were very unique and very good. A good balance of cheese and greens stuffed in mushrooms. House salad: I overlooked the cost, but you could tell they were trying on the salad, made with high-quality ingredients. But the ranch dressing was flavorless. And the sizeable authentic bacon pieces didn't provide much flavor/salt. I would have loved to have a little pepper on my salad, but there are no salt and pepper shakers on the table or offered. Charcuterie board: Three kinds of cheese and three types of meat. I should have asked if we could switch out some of the meat for additional cheeses. The cheeses offered were very similar: a mild blue cheese with two other mild slices of cheese. For the price, I probably expected more varieties of chees. Maybe a little honey, fruit... Ribeye: I was hesitant to order it initially; the menu offered no description of steak. I assume for $65; I was going to get a big thick cast iron seared Cowboy ribeye. I got something on the size and thickness of a typical chain steakhouse ribeye. The cowboy ribeye from Longhorn is so much better than the steak at less the. half the cost. The steak was medium, not medium rare. Of course it's hard to get the temperature right on thin steaks. The flavor was fine; it was good I just felt completely ripped off. read more

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I was happened to be in the area, I found this place on yelp, and it looked like a nice place and great selection of food, it is located on the river and very pretty scenery and probably the nicest restaurant in Alabama. But when I looked at the menu, most of the food I saw on Yelp wasn't even there.... Shrimp&grits seemed like the best choice so I ordered it, but what I got is very different from what I expected or the description on the menu. It was basically few small shrimp and grits with some kind of sauce... The photos on yelp was very deceiving and I was very disappointed... But hey what do you expect from Alabama right?... read more

River - Martini yum - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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