Rio Grill

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Rio Grill
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Rio Grill

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Address:
101 Crossroads Boulevard
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923

Neighborhood:
Carmel

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
Californian

Price: $30 and under

More Details ›

Rio Grill Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.riogrill.com
Email: chris@riogrill.com
Phone: (831) 625-5436
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:30am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:00pm; Brunch: Sunday: 11:30am - 3:30pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Californian, Southwest
Executive Chef: Cy Yontz
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Fireplace, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Private Party Facilities: Rio Grill is the perfect venue for private parties, business meetings, rehearsal dinners and special events. Whether you’re planning a small, intimate gathering or a grand fête, we take care of all the details – phenomenal food, a convenient location, and the best service on the Peninsula. Rio Grill’s brand new Santa Fe Room has a gorgeous barn wood ceiling, private bar, colorful artwork and extensive A/V capabilities. With comfortable seating for 55 and room for up to 75 for a cocktail reception, the Santa Fe Room is the perfect choice for a holiday lunch or dinner party. Chef Cy Yontz has created all-new menus that can be combined with creative cocktails and hand-selected wine pairings for an event to be remembered. When you book a holiday party by October 15 for a Sunday through Thursday, we’ll serve your party complimentary chef’s choice appetizers. Call Heather Rammel, our Banquet coordinator at (831) 625-5437 for help in planning and to book your party.
Private Party Contact: Tara Mele (831) 625-5437

Getting there

Cross Street: Rio Road
Public Transit: Public Transit is just a few yards from the restaurant.
Parking: Private Lot
Parking Details: The Rio Grill offers plenty of convenient parking.

A word from Rio Grill

Rio Grill blends the freshest local ingredients with Southwestern flavors to take California cuisine to a whole new level. Rio Grill’s décor reflects its Southwestern heritage, with white-washed stucco arches, brightly painted ceramics and hearty cacti. The renowned bar and lounge is where… Southwestern aesthetic meets California eclectic, adorned with caricatures of local and famous personalities and cartoon characters.

A Carmel institution for nearly 26 years, this high-energy restaurant is a great place to meet friends, enjoy a meal with family, sample from an award-winning wine list and be pampered by only the best service.

Rio Grill is the place to go on the Central Coast.Continued

Rio Grill

4.3

111 $30 and under restaurant

Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerKid Friendly
Diners' Choice WinnerMonterey / Carmel

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

130 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

130 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(57)
neighborhood gem(53)
good for groups(47)

notable wine list(46)
special occasion(46)
vibrant bar scene(35)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (130)

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Seemed a tad understaffed

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/13/2012

2004

Dined on 04/13/2012

2004

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Seemed a tad understaffed for the demand. Had to wait 30 minutes after reservation time to be seated & took forever to order dinner which then took quite a while to arrive. An enjoyable evening because we weren't in a particular hurry, but was definitely slow."

Dined on 04/13/2012

2004

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, kid-friendly, notable wine list

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

We love Rio Grill and never

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/08/2012

2009

Dined on 04/08/2012

2009

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We love Rio Grill and never had a bad meal until Easter Brunch. The eggs for the eggs benedict special were hard boiled instead of poached and the "chili" hollandaise sauce was bland which is unusual for Rio which has tasty food. The salmon sweet potato hash was cooked well and something different, but was also bland. The hash browns and empanadas were very good. The next time we go we will stick to the regular menu items. And we will go back!"

Dined on 04/08/2012

2009

Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Great place Food below average.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/08/2012

2008

Dined on 04/08/2012

2008

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Great place Food below average. I have eaten there many times in the past. It was good. this time it was poor.
Brunch was the pits"

Dined on 04/08/2012

2008

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Still fabulous after 30 years!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2012

2012

Dined on 04/07/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"I have been going to the Rio Grill for 30 years now and one of their signatures dishes: Half Roasted Chicken with artichokes and red potatoes was just a fabulous as the first time I tasted it. The service has always been impeccable, never have to look for a waiter but they don't bug you either. The food, ambience, wine list and service is fabulous!"

Dined on 04/07/2012

2012

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

We had two meals there. Dinner

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2012

2008

Dined on 04/07/2012

2008

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"We had two meals there. Dinner and Brunch. The dinner was adequate the Brunch was pittiful"

Dined on 04/07/2012

2008

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The crispy Pork Shank was

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/01/2012

2009

Dined on 04/01/2012

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The crispy Pork Shank was excellent!"

Dined on 04/01/2012

2009

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Can't say enough good things

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/05/2012

2003

Dined on 04/05/2012

2003

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Can't say enough good things about Rio Grill. We drove 100 miles just to eat here!"

Dined on 04/05/2012

2003

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Pros & Cons

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2012

2010

Dined on 03/30/2012

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Pros 1. Empanadas 2. Short Ribs 3. Sea Bass 4. Split Pea Soup 5. Cheesecake

Cons 1. Pineapple upside down cake"

Dined on 03/30/2012

2010

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

We always enjoy going to the

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/25/2012

2010

Dined on 02/25/2012

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"We always enjoy going to the Rio Grill. The food is always top notch but I really love is seeing the locals that you know go there often. It is wonderful to see a restaurant that goes to extra lengths to make repeat visits so special. They also run specials so you are assured there is something new to try. My son is 11 and he has the best time when he goes with us. It is well rounded place with great food that appeals to those of us that love to try complex fresh flavors."

Dined on 02/25/2012

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

It's still one of our favorite

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/26/2012

2009

Dined on 03/26/2012

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"It's still one of our favorite restaurants in Carmel, has been for years."

Dined on 03/26/2012

2009

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot

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Rio Grill Reviews

Second Class Southwest Substance and Style
Saturday, July 21, 2012 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM›
Learn with Chef Cy to plan and create the food, choose the refreshments and throw the perfect Summertime Party, all while enjoying a four course lunch. Includes Tax and Tip. Each class is $65. Reservations are required. Space for each class is limited. Offer valid July 21, 2012
Rio Grill Announces Sunday Brunch Menu
Sunday 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM›
The new Sunday brunch menu pays homage to the restaurant’s Southwestern Roots and provides a tantalizing take on Sunday Brunch favorites. Excludes Tax and Tip. Brunch items ranch from $11.00 to $19.95. Offer valid May 6, 2012 - August 5, 2012
Happy Hour at Rio Grill!
Tuesday-Wednesday 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM›
The $5.00 per item menu includes Tito’s Vodka Your Way, Tito’s Punch, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Quesadilla, Tiny Tacos and Truffle Scent Asiago Fries. Excludes Tax and Tip. Happy Hour Monday thru Friday 4pm to 6:30 pm and Sunday 4 pm to close. Offer valid May 22, 2012 - August 22, 2012

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