Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Rustic River Restaurant

    3.5 (84 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Rustic River Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    RUSTIC RIVER RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    More like Rustic River Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - Rustic River Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Witches brew
    Tami C.

    We had a fun trip and good time at the restaurant. Casey was our bartender and server. The food was good the atmosphere was great. We watched the Vols win and got to talk to some regulars. Everyone was super friendly. Check out my fall fun drink

    Views
    Kim J.

    Amazing food and views of the river! Long wait for a party of 6 but we enjoyed it. Service was good and food amazing

    Our view
    Janet G.

    We drove from Bean Station to the restaurant- about 38 miles. It was well worth the drive. The restaurant is located way down a road that eventually turned to gravel and the restaurant is at the end. It's a great looking building located right on the river. We chose to sit outside. The server, Megan, was quick to come to our table and had a great personality. We asked her how they made their pea salad and she told us they make it with peas, Mayo, bacon and onions. (I make mine like potato salad). She brought us both a sample and it was very good, but decided to try other sides. My husband and I decided to split the Lemon Pepper Chicken. We chose green beans and creamed corn as our sides and she said the mashed potatoes were homemade so we added that too. The food came out quickly and also had 2 hush puppies on the plate. Everything was delicious and hot. The chicken was just slightly dry- not too bad though. The sides were great. The mashed potatoes were awesome and tasted like they were made with sour cream, which I don't normally like, but I did enjoy these. Our friends ordered the Lemon Pepper chicken and the Mushroom Swiss Double Burger. They said theirs were delicious too. (I didn't get pics of theirs) The atmosphere was fantastic and sitting along the river was beautiful with the huge river birch trees beside the restaurant. It was a little drive for us but we definitely plan to go back! One note- the unsweetened tea was not very good. It had a strange taste but the water tasted fine.

    Robert G.

    My first visit here and I will start off saying that this is worth the stop. My wife and I stopped here after tubing the Powell River. My first impression was not good. There is a prominent sign when you walk in stating, "Go to the hostess stand to be seated Please!" which we did. There was a weight person at the hostess stand putting in information into the POS. She was there for a couple of minutes and never acknowledged us being there (there was no one else waiting to be seated and the restaurant was not busy at all) and when she was finished, she walked off. We waited a few minutes and, with no one around to seat us, I tracked the same person down in the outside area and asked her if we could seat ourself in the outside area. She said OK then proceeded to tell me (with a bit of an attitude) that normally customers have to wait to be seated by staff. Ironic... Anyway, it is a clean place with a nice menu selection and fair prices. There is a large bar and a smaller one and inside and outside seating. The outside area has a great vantage overlooking the Powell River. The tables throughout the restaurant are large and have cool whiskey barrel bases. The restaurant is nicely decorated and open. Miranda was our server and she did a great job. Our food was good and served hot and Miranda checked on us from time to time. Upon returning home, I spoke with various friends about this restaurant and they all said the same thing, 'great food and service'. So I'll give Shelly Belles On The River a solid 4 stars and go back and try the ribs that I hear good things about and see how it goes.

    sad cheese burger with hint of tomato

    See all

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brenda A.
    25
    233
    58

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    I love this place! Great food, wonderful place...and just out of the way enough to give it a peaceful atmosphere. You will love it too!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tami C.
    251
    40
    14

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of W O.
    69
    86
    16

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim J.
    227
    72
    254

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Salmon was very good. Hush puppies were on point. The beautiful river below up was amazing. Such a nice rustic little place.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    This place never disappoints. We always have a great time there. Food and service were excellent as always.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Food was good but we had 18 and dishes were not hot. Service was great. Love the atmosphere.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Sharon F.
    48
    18
    15

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    It's pretty good. The servers are all really friendly. It's a down home place. I love the steak salad, shrimp and fries

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Food service and ambiance are great here. Name was changed to Rustic River Restaurant

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L S.
    0
    1334
    3662

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim S.
    137
    86
    42

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lara L.
    110
    49
    5

    3 years ago

    Great, hidden away spot near Cumberland gap! The food was very tasty, and the place is rustic, and Quaint sitting directly on the river!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    The service is awful and the food sucks I would not recommend going here.And it's also over priced

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Rustic River Restaurant

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

    Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

    3.1
    (44 reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$

    Well ... that was a TOTAL SURPRISE!!!…read more SHOCKINGLY GOOD with a SUPERB EXPERIENCE!! We make this annual stop because it's the only breakfast location that is open as we start our drive back to New Jersey but always it's been ugh Cracker Barrel knowing we wouldn't be very happy. But this year was different... walked in and the warm classic store delivered that "back home" we've been here before feeling. The hostess led our group to a round table surrounded by old photos and antiques on the wall. The menu offered an array of choices and our group made a diverse selection of breakfast items Coffee delivered promptly... Carolyn was a great waitress! And, then for the surprise... THE FOOD was actually delicious and more than plentiful. I heard the comment from across the table "this is real French Toast!" And, he was smiling over his breakfast. The classic Cracker Barrel breakfast another member chose had "so much food" and when asked how his breakfast was he nodded affirmatively. My blueberry pancakes were such perfect griddle cakes with crisp edges might be amongst the very best pancakes ever. The sausage was flavorful and just right. One of the group asked for fruit and we were all jealous because it was picture perfect fresh sweet fruit! The only complaint ... where was the peg game?? But we were busy enjoying breakfast to really notice. Debbie, the cashier, just made us feel happy as we headed back to continue our 10 hour drive. I will be less critical the next time Cracker Barrel comes up in conversation... this was a near perfect breakfast.

    Another great Mimosa Brunch with the girls in Middlesboro location! Thanks to Jasmine B for such…read moregreat service! See ya next time.

    Photos
    Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
    Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
    Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

    See all

    Shades Cafe & Steak House

    Shades Cafe & Steak House

    4.5
    (140 reviews)
    6.4 mi
    $$

    First time couple weeks ago…read more Stopped after golf with 2 friends on a Saturday about 5 pm. Busy with 45 min wait but were told we could wait in the separate bar with first come basis seating. That's what we did and got seated and drinks ordered and dinner menus promptly, Bar /wait staff was very good for a busy time. Live music and crowd in the bar in a living room type atmosphere too loud for an intimate dinner more a sing along fun time place, separate from the main more quiet dining area. Got fried mushrooms appetizer and filet mignon as entree. The filet was high quality very tender perfectly prepared and had a wood grilled flavor. Also got a fresh garden salad and giant baked potato ...excellent well worth the $48 price. Others had a huge burger and cheese steak with fries. Both also very good. Too stuffed for desert but it looked yummy. Was impressed with bar drinks, beer and wine selections. Best steak I've had in this area from Lexington Ky to Knoxville TN. On par with nineteen 19 in Cumberland gap as nicest restaurant in the local area. I'll be back.

    Was in town for the weekend and stopped in to eat on Saturday night…read more The manager Steve Ausmus greeted us as we are former 'Pinevillians' who were now visiting. Very nice guy, and his staff follows his lead. Waitresses were sweet as the pecan pie and the food was great. Love that Middlesboro has this kind of place. 5-stars!

    Photos
    Shades Cafe & Steak House
    Salmon and fries.  Cosmo was gross.
    Salmon and fries. Cosmo was gross.
    Shades Cafe & Steak House

    See all

    Hardee's

    Hardee's

    3.0
    (11 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $

    Good restaurant!! Very good American fast food! Very good…read moreice tea, I actually like their MONSTER BURGER AND THEIR HOME CUT FRIES

    I never leave bad reviews or complain, I'm pretty understanding of mistakes but this Hardee's…read moredeserves this reviews. I order my food, a dbl Frisco extra tomato no bacon, two super star burgers on frisco bread and extra onion. When the food comes out the window "thank you have a blessed day" window closes before I even pull the bag into the van. I look in it, one burger, the frisco. So I wait, the woman opens the window, I tell her I'm missing the two super stars. She tells me she put them in the bag. I show her the small bag with the Frisco. She chooses the window, comes back a minute later has me pull up. 13 minutes later she comes out with a bag, one hamburger in it. I catch her before she goes back inside, tell her I'm still missing one super star. She says she put it in the bag, I show her, she goes inside, comes out holding the burger hands it to me. I check the burger. It's not what I ordered, it's something with one piece of meat and lettuce and drenched in mayo. I have to leave, turn around, come back, go inside. I show my receipt and tell the manager I'm missing my super star. "So what do you want, a new burger?" "Yes ma'am, I want what i ordered." She yells into the back to make my burger, walks out from behind the counter and goes to the bathroom. I did not see her again the 7 minutes I waited on my burger. Finally having my food, I leave. Drive 25 minutes home. We open our food. The frisco bread was not grilled, it was soft and soggy and ghost white. The frisco burger had bacon after we requested none, and nothing else on it. One super star was right, except for the unbridled bread, the second one just had lettuce and cheese. This is the worst experience I have ever had at any restaurant. They don't even deserve one star. ​

    Photos
    Hardee's
    Hardee's
    Hardee's

    See all

    Rustic River Restaurant - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...