Rio Grill

Name: Rio Grill
Address: 101 Crossroads Boulevard, Carmel, CA, United States, 93923
Telephone: (831) 625-5436
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

2335 Reviews

$30 and under

Californian

Top Tags:

Rio Grill, located in the Crossroads in Carmel, has been the place to meet friends, enjoy tasty, flavorful food and relax with a refreshing cocktail or glass of wine for over 38 Years.
Chef Luis Osorio creative American dishes are some of the most flavorful, colorful and vibrant on the Monterey Peninsula and celebrate flavor in every mouthwatering bite!
In addition to the main dining room, Rio Grill has a comfortable lounge and full bar serving refreshing libations including the restaurant’s famous "Rio Rita.” The bar is lined with colorful caricatures of local faces and celebrities. Rio Grill's award-winning wine list by Wine Director, Gabe de la Vega, features more than 250 labels featuring a ton of local wineries and an extensive selection available by the glass.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 26, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Californian, European
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(831) 625-5436
Website
http://www.riogrill.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Luis Osorio
Catering
Please contact: events@coastalrootshospitality.com
Private party facilities
At Rio Grill, we will provide a memorable experience and take care of all the details for your next event. From the rehearsal dinner, to the wedding reception, Rio Grill is Carmel’s best restaurant for a special occasion.
Private party contact
Banquet Coordinator: (855) 704-3623

Location
101 Crossroads Boulevard, Carmel, CA 93923
Neighborhood
Carmel
Cross street
Rio Road
Parking details
The Rio Grill offers plenty of convenient parking.
Public transit
Public Transit is just a few yards from the restaurant.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Smoked Tri-Tip Sweet Potato Hash$19.95
two poached eggs, quinoa, crispy swiss chard, chipotle crema
House Made Benedict$18.95
- Pork Belly$18.95
- Tequila Cured Salmon$21.95
- Smoked Turkey$20.95
Farmer's Market Scramble$20.95
3 Farm Fresh Eggs, Locally Sourced Market Vegetables (changes weekly), sliced Avocado, Jack-Cheddar Cheese, Cajun Country Potatoes
Cast Iron Frittata$18.95
Wild Foraged Mushrooms, Spinach, Double Cut Smoked Bacon, Jack-Cheddar Cheeses, White Truffle Oil, Cajun Country Potatoes
Rio Breakfast Sandwich$18.95
Brioche Grilled Cheese, Two Over Easy Eggs, Smoked Country Ham, Asiago Cheese, topped with Bechamel Sauce, served with Field Green Salad.
Griddled French Toast$14.95
Bruleed Bananas, Burnt Caramel, Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Fluffy Meyer Lemon-Mascarpone Pancake Stack$14.95
Maple Syrup, Honey-Chipotle Butter, topped with Mixed Berry Compote

Starters

Monterey Bay Calamari$16.95
orange-sesame dipping sauce
Fire-Roasted Castroville Artichoke$14.95
sun dried tomato aioli
Dungeness Crab Cake$24.95
Meyer Lemon Buerre Blanc, Onion Marmalade, Chive Oil
Wagyu Carpaccio$21.95
Chimichurri Aioli, Chives, Capers, Manchego Cheese, Baby Spinach, Toast Points
Ahi Tuna Crispy Wonton Chips$18.95
Sesame-Soy Aioli, Cilantro Leaves, Jalapeno Rings, Pickled Ginger, Avocado
Duck Confit Tamale$15.95
Roasted Three Peppers Orange Sauce, Cotija Cheese, Orange Candy
Ciabatta Bread$4.95
Palermo Ciabatta
Soup of the Day$7.95
Haystack Onion Rings$8.94
W/ Guajillo Ketchup
Local Butternut Squash Gnocchi$19.95
tossed in Sage Brown Butter, Candied Walnuts, Spinach, Diced Bacon, Manchego Cheese

Salads

Chinese Chicken Salad (Rio Classic)$19.95
field greens, soy noodles, curried carrots, candied almonds
Romaine$14.95
Roasted Poblano Caesar Dressing, Lime Pepitas, Sunflower seeds, shaved manchego, garlic ciabatta croutons, cilantro leaves.
Iceberg Wedge$14.95
Garlic Bread Crumbs, tomatoes, blue cheese dressing
Roasted Beet Salad$15.95
Red and Golden Beets, Mixed Greens, Raspberry Vinaigrette, Candied Walnuts, Point Reyes Blue Cheese
Dungeness Crab Salad$26.95
House Mixed Lettuce, Tomato, Hard Boiled Egg, Poached Asparagus & Louie Dressing

Sandwiches & More

Smoked Turkey Breast$19.95
Applewood smoked bacon, guacamole, tomato chutney
Salmon BLT$19.95
with sweet potato chips
"The Works" Burger$21.95
1/2 lb. Certified Angus Beef, Telera Roll, Cheese, Avocado, Bacon, Sauteed Mushrooms, Grilled Onions & Fries
Stuffed Poblano Pepper$22.95
Quinoa, Corn, Beets, Avocado, Cotija Cheese, Pea Shoots, Citrus Cream, Ancho Chili Broth

Entrees

Wild Mushroom Spinach Risotto$22.95
Romesco Sauce, Earthbound Farm Spinach, Manchego Cheese, Topped with a Truffle Oil Drizzle
Grilled Prawns (Rio Classic)$31.95
penne pasta, leek, pea & bacon creole cream
Diver Scallops$39.95
Pan Seared in Butter Lemon Pepper Fettuccini, Grilled Corn, Asparagus, Ancho Chili Cream Sauce
Atlantic Salmon$31.95
Pumpkin Seed Crust, Red Pepper Potato Cake, Green Beans, Chipotle-Lime Vinaigrette
Branzino Skin On$41.95
Bacon Cauliflower Rice, Broccolini, R.G. Puttanesca Sauce
House-Smoked Half Chicken (Rio Classic)$29.95
smoked chile butter, artichokes, potatoes
Almond Wood Smoked BBQ Pork Back Ribs$42.95
fries, coleslaw
Soy Marinated Skirt Steak$43.95
Rainbow Sweet Potato Gratin, Green Beans
Cioppino$40.95
Mixed Seafood, Dungeness Crab Meat, Prawns, Mussels, Clams, Rich Tomato Sauce, Herb Butter

Brunch Cocktails

Blood Orange Spritz$14.00
Moet Chandon Garden Spritz, Blood Orange Puree, Splash of OJ
Guava Bellini$13.00
House Sparkling Wine, Guava Puree, Fresh Strawberry
Spicy Maria$12.00
Serrano Infused Tequila, House Made Bloody Mary Mix. Served Up w/ a Tajin-Salt Rim.
Brunch Punch$15.00
Tito's Vodka, Malibu Coconut Rum, Orange, Pineapple, Cranberry
Mimosa Flight$22.00
4-Mini Mimosas: Orange, Pineapple, Cranberry, Hibiscus

Wines by the Glass

Prosecco, La Marca NV, Italy$10.00
Champagne, Moet & Chandon "Brut" NV, France$17.00
Sparkling, Schramsberg, "Brut Rose, North Coast$19.00
Rosé, "The Beach" by Whispering Angel$12.00
Sauvignon Blanc, 13 Celsius, New Zealand$13.00
Pinot Grigio, Tiamo, Veneto, Italy$13.00
Chardonnay, Bernardus, Monterey County$17.00
Chardonnay, Poppy, SLH$12.00
Chardonnay, Nickel & Nickel, Napa$25.00
Malbec, Felina, Argentina$15.00
Cabernet, Post & Beam, Napa$23.00
Pinot Noir, McIntyre, Santa Lucia Highlands$17.00
Pinot Noir, Joyce, Monterey County$13.00
Pinot Noir, Loring, Santa Rita Hills$15.00
Cabernet, Textbook, Napa$19.00
Red Blend, Rabble, Paso Robles$13.00
Zinfandel, Seghesio, Sonoma County$15.00

Beers & Cider

Lager, Alvarado Street Brewery "Monterey Beer"$7.00
Cider "Sincere" Dry Apple, Napa 16oz$12.00
Maibock, Rogue "Dead Guy Ale" Oregon$8.00
Hazy IPA, Device "Curious Haze" 16oz Sacramento$14.00
Blonde Ale, Other Brother, Seaside CA$10.00
Honey Wheat, Other Brother, "I Need Honey", Seaside CA$14.00
Hefeweizen, Widmer Brothers, Oregon$8.00
Radler, Stiegl "Grapefruit" Austria$10.00
N.A. Erdinger, Germany$8.00

Drafts

Pilsner, North Coast "Scrimshaw" CA$8.00
IPA, Alvarado Street Brewery "Mai Tai" CA$10.00
Rotating, Other Brother, Seaside CA$10.00
Amber Lager, East Brother, "Red Lager" Richmond, CA$10.00

No Booze for You

Thirsty Lizard
Grapefruit, ginger ale, lime
No-Jito
Cranberry, pineapple, mint, lemon, splash sprite & soda
Prickly Porcupine
Pineapple, serrano, peppercorn, lime zest, chipotle salt rim
Ginger Beer
Abita
Root Beer

Sides

Maple Chili Bacon$4.95
Smoked Country Ham$4.95
Cajun Country Potatoes$4.95
Mixed Seasonal Berries$5.95
Grilled Sourdough Toast$5.95
with Honey-Chipotle Butter

Cocktails

Lavender Lemon Drop$16.00
Vodka, Limoncello Liqueur, Lavender Simple Syrup, Lemon, Butterfly Pea Flower Infused Liquor, Sugar Rim
Grand Manhattan$15.00
"Nitro Charged" Woodinville Rye & Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Sweet Vermouth, Orange Bitters
Nolet's Haze$17.00
Nolet's Gin, St. Germian, Muddled Cucumber & Bail, Lime Juice, Agave
Strawberry Guava-Tini$16.00
Vodka, Guava Puree, House Made Strawberry Syrup, Triple Sec, Fresh Lemon
Ocean Strike MBFC$15.00
Tequila, Mezcal, Blue Curacao, Lime Juice, Butterfly Pea Flower Syrup, Egg Whites
Laguna Seca Sunset$15.00
George Dickel Rye, Organic Maple Syrup, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Mint
Rio Rita$13.00
Astral Blanco, Cointreau, Agave, Lemon, Orange, Lime
Venus Fly Trap$14.00
Serrano Infused Tequila, Hibiscus syrup, lime, tajin-salt rim
Watermelon Soaked$15.00
Volcan Tequila soaked with Fresh Watermelon, Cointreau, Agave, Fresh Lime, with Tajin-Salt Strip
'83 Caddy$16.00
Arette Reposado, Cointreau, Fresh Lime, Gran Marnier
Rio Rye
George Dickel Rye, Carpano Antica, St. Germain, Luxardo Cherry
Head in the Clouds$17.00
Zacapa No. 23, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Creme de Cacao, Cotton Candy Cloud

21 Seed Tequila Ranch Waters

Cucumber & Jalapeno$13.00
Cucumbers, Lemon, Edible flowers, soda
Hibiscus & Grapefruit$13.00
Dehydrated Grapefruit, Splash of Hibiscus, Edible Flowers, Soda
Blood Orange$13.00
Fresh Raspberries, Lime, Edible Flowers, Soda

What 2,335 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.6Service
4.4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

California Central Coast
Good for business meals
California Central Coast
Kid-friendly
California Central Coast
Healthy
Monterey / Carmel
Good for business meals
Monterey / Carmel
Kid-friendly
Monterey / Carmel
Healthy
Monterey / Carmel
Californian

2,335 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great brunch spot! Food and drinks were delish and service was awesome. Will def come back when in the area.
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L
Lawyerpoet
San Francisco
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall4food5service3ambience4
Food excellent as usual; BUT entrees were served well before appetizers were consumed. Wait staff seemed unconcerned about this.
Rio GrillResponded 2 days ago
Hello Lawyerpoet, thank you so much for taking the time to offer feedback. We are happy to hear you enjoyed the food, but we are disappointed the timing wasn't quite right. We will definitely talk to the staff and work on this moving forward. Thank you again for taking the time to let us know! We hope to see you again soon.
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CF
CandiceF
Las Vegas
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were a large party of 8 and had 4 more joined us at the last minute. They could not have been nicer. They accommodated the extra people and were so pleasant. We had two children with us and drinks were served in non spill cups and their food was brought out right away. Our food was delicious. Such a wonderful evening. Thank you Rio Grill!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great menu and great food. Service was excellent, and our guests really enjoyed the artwork. We’ll be back!
Rio GrillResponded on September 12, 2023
Hello there, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the food and service! We truly appreciate the 5-stars and we look forward to seeing you again soon
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ED
EDWARDL
Central Coast
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service and quality of food was excellent. Our reservation was honored on time without waiting for a table.
Rio GrillResponded on September 9, 2023
Hello Edward, Thank you for dinning with us and leaving a 5 star review. We're glad you enjoyed your food and service. Anytime you need a reservation, even last minute, don't hesitate on giving us a call. We hope to see you again soon. Have a nice day.
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NN
NancyN
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love everything about Rio Grill. The food is interesting, well prepared and served with great care. The staff are attentive to special requests and needs. The setting is also beautiful!
Rio GrillResponded on September 9, 2023
Hello Nancy, Thank you for the compliments. We're glad you see Rio Grill as special as we do. We take great care in making sure Rio Grill lives up to its expectations. We hope to see you again soon. Have a wonderful day.
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KE
KirstenE
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience3
Rio Grill has been a longtime staple for us… it was a favorite. Unfortunately it now lacks the ambiance and quality. It is become quite expensive and you are nickeled and dimed for dishes… example ; if you want avocado on your wedge salad it cost an extra $4!! I thought that was part of a wedge salad!
Rio GrillResponded on September 4, 2023
Hello KirstenE, we are so sorry to hear your experience did not meet your expectation. Unfortunately, as food costs have gone up, we have had to raise some of the prices. We do strive to keep it as affordable as possible for our guests. The wedge does not come with avocado, and as mentioned is an upcharge if wanted. We truly appreciate your feedback, and we will continue to work to ensure each guests experience is exemplary. We hope you have a wonderful day.
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RM
RobinM
Central Coast
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
Was disappointed when we ordered a salad to split as today's appetizers are so large. Order was accepted but when bill came, we were charged for 2 small salads at an increase in price of over $12. Small salads were not on the menu at all, this was a hidden charge that existed only on their computer. Manager did fix it and sort of apologized.
Rio GrillResponded on September 4, 2023
Hello RobinM, thank you for taking the time to leave us a review after your dining experience. We apologize again for the mix-up of wanting the one large salad split, rather than 2 small salads. As you mentioned, the small salads are not advertised, but we do have it as an option since we get many requests from guests wanting something smaller. We truly did not mean to upset you, there was just some confusion. The server knows to double check next time to ensure he understands exactly what is being asked for. Thank you for your patronage, and we hope you have a wonderful day.
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LD
LindaD
Central Coast
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Alexis greeted us with her usual professionalism and caring!!! She is definitely the face of the Rio Grill, having met her there over 30years ago. She is absolutely outstanding! And Elbert, our server, was also excellent.
Rio GrillResponded on August 31, 2023
Hello LindaD, thank you again for the very kind words about Alexis! We are so happy to hear you had great service from both Alexis and Elbert! We agree, they are fantastic! Thank you for taking the time to leave us 5-stars and share your great experience with our staff. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
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P
Pogoberg
Phoenix
92 reviews
vip
5.0
92 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our food was delicious and Chris was an amazing server! Rio Grill is our favorite restaurant in Carmel! But please bring back the mocha flan!
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t
trbennett99
Las Vegas
35 reviews
vip
4.0
35 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4
we had 5 people, 3 liked their dinner, 2 were non-plussed. Flavors were just lacking for the 2 who were not pleased. Appetizers were marginal (calamari and artichoke); both were overcooked. Service was wonderful as always, but the restaurant has no sound dampening - so it is very loud. With older guests, hearing is an issue.
Rio GrillResponded on August 25, 2023
Hello Trbennett99, we are disappointed to hear that the food was not satisfactory for everyone in the party. We will pass along the information to the kitchen and will absolutely work to make adjustments. We appreciate you taking the time to offer your feedback. We are glad, however, that the service was great. Thank you again, we hope you have a great day.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall2food2service2ambience2
Very loud and you really could not hear your table mates talk. Food was just mediocre but expensive. We had been there in a long time and the quality has gone down and the prices have gone up significantly. My wife ordered a salad with dressing on the side and of course it came with dressing which was drenched on the salad. I ordered the tuna and asked for more chips which never came. When I asked my waiter where were the chips he said the “Chef” said it would be $5 extra which is ridiculous when I hardly got any to begin with. Our waiter never came back to our table to even tell me this until I asked. We really liked going there in the past but never agin. It’s too bad because it use to be reasonable and high quality.
Rio GrillResponded on August 21, 2023
I am very disappointed to learn of your recent dining experience. My team and I strive to ensure that every guest experience is exemplarily and I sincerely regret your that we did not meet your needs. I would like to reach out to you privately to discuss in greater detail and ensure we improve our dining experience.
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JH
JimH
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great restaurant with a real local feel. I had pork chops and my wife had the braised lamb shank. Both were done to perfection
Rio GrillResponded on August 24, 2023
Hello JimH, we are pleased to hear you folks enjoyed the lamb shank and pork chop! Thank you so much for taking the time to offer some feedback and leave us 5-stars! We truly appreciate it. We hope you have a fantastic day and we can't wait to see you again soon!
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JC
JohnC
San Francisco
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on August 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great as always. Had the Soy strip steak, excellent.
Rio GrillResponded on August 20, 2023
Hello JohnC, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're glad we're able to consistently meet your expectations. The Soy Marinated Steak is one of my favorites.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 17, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
The Lamb Shank is awesome - definitely enough for two!!
Rio GrillResponded on August 24, 2023
Hello there, Thank you so much for the 5-stars! We are happy to hear you enjoyed the lamb shank! We hope you have a great day, and we hope to see you again soon.
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G
Greatfood
Exclusive
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good food along with good service and lots of fun cartoons to look at make it a great restaurant!
Rio GrillResponded on August 16, 2023
Thank you so kindly for leaving us such a wonderful review. We appreciate you taking the time as it means a lot to us. We hope that we get to serve you again soon!
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G
Garym
Phoenix
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Great location, parking and menu. Great selection of appetizers and meats.
Rio GrillResponded on August 16, 2023
Hello Garym, We greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave us a 5 star review. We run daily specials that truly are special and try to be a great location with a good variety for all. Thank you so much for letting us know how we are doing and we hope to see you again!!
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EW
EdieW
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
RIO GRILL IS CONSISTENTLY GOOD AND A RELIABLE FAVORITE!
Rio GrillResponded on August 16, 2023
Thank you EdieW, we appreciate you taking the time to leave us such a great review. We are striving to make sure that all our guests have a wonderful experience. Thank you again!
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c
carmelcountess
Central Coast
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This favorite spot for many years can’t be beaten in any category, in my opinion. What’s not to like? Creative menu, lovely art, stellar service……
Rio GrillResponded on August 15, 2023
Hello Carmelcountess, thank you so much for the 5-star review and the wonderful feedback. We are so happy to hear Rio Grill has been a favorite of yours for years! We look forward to your next visit and hope you have a great day!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Enjoyed 4 different appetizers, each one was excellent. Very pleasant service. Nice to see, the restaurant is still a winner under new ownership.
Rio GrillResponded on August 12, 2023
Hello there, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're glad you notice the effort our staff puts into making Rio Grill live up to its reputation. We hope to see you again soon. Have a wonderful day.
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D
Disappointed
San Francisco
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 3, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
We needed a light dinner after a day of travel. Rip Grill was pleasant. Great service. Excellent cocktails. Nice salad selection. Quiet booth available.
Rio GrillResponded on August 6, 2023
Hello Disappointed, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're glad we were able to provide you with a pleasant dinner after a long day of travel. We hope think of Rio Grill next time you're in the area. Have a wonderful day.
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CA
CAtoNYC
New York Area
45 reviews
vip
3.0
45 reviews
Dined on July 28, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience4
We are locals and love Rio Grill. We frequent the restaurant at least 10 times per year and have always rated it 5-stars. Our visit last night was disappointing on so many levels. (1) once seated the server was so slow getting to us that the hostess jumped in to take our drink order (thank you hostess), (2) once the server came to our table he was great, checked in regularly and brought us extra dressing as soon as it was requested, a positive rating for him, (3) I had the ahi tuna won ton appetizer and the chunks of tuna were small dices, I'm sure I've had this appetizer previously and the tuna was cut in larger slices, (4) my husband had the crab cake appetizer and he said it was great, a new addition to that appetizer was the caramelized onions on the top. Lastly, (5) I ordered the crab salad, it was fresh and the amount of crab was fine, but the dressing was nothing more than french dressing, which was way too sweet. All that said, we will continue to frequent Rio Grill. I just wanted to point out some opportunities for improvement, especially now that it is under fairly new management.
Rio GrillResponded on July 31, 2023
Hello, thank you for taking the time to offer feedback after your dining experience. We definitely appreciate it, as it helps us know which areas could use improvement. We are happy to hear you enjoyed the crab cake and we will pass along your other notes regarding the food to our head chef and kitchen management team. We do apologize that your server was slower to get to your table, but we are happy to hear you received good service!
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LN
LNW1
Tucson
100 reviews
vip
5.0
100 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our waiter was fabulous! Both my guest and I are gluten free and we enjoyed a delicious crab salad with gluten free bread!
Rio GrillResponded on July 23, 2023
Hello LNW1, Thank you for for joining us for lunch and leaving a 5 star review. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed our new Dungeness Crab salad as much as we do. We hope to see you again soon. Have a wonderful day.
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TA
TomA
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The smoked chicken and artichoke is always my go to.
Rio GrillResponded on July 18, 2023
Hello Tom, thank you so much for the 5-star review! We are happy to hear you enjoy the smoked chicken and artichoke! We hope you have a great day.
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P
sanjosePat
San Francisco
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place to stop for lunch on your way out to Carmel Valley!
Rio GrillResponded on July 18, 2023
Hello Pat, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We truly appreciate it! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New Orleans
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful spot from start to finish! Accommodating for kids and a service dog, excellent food, wine and service, great atmosphere! A can’t miss for us when we come in town annually from New Orleans!
Is this helpful?
SB
StephenB
San Francisco
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on July 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding service, ambience is great, food delicious.
Rio GrillResponded on July 10, 2023
Thank you StephenB, we are so grateful for such a wonderful review. We strive to do our best and are always happy when we are able to provide outstanding service and delicious food.
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B
Bjrobie
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Delicious food and attentive wait staff. Outstanding artichoke preparation. Can’t wait to go back.
Rio GrillResponded on July 10, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review. We love the artichoke and are so glad you do too!
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RF
RFoodie664
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 3, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
I’ve been to the Rio Grille 10 times over the years and it’s always very good. The risotto I ordered most recently was great. The scallops my wife ordered were excellent. We loved the artichoke drenched in olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette-altho it was super hot hard to eat - but the “choke” was a cool adventure. Service was good - but split among the server and two different runners. We prefer the server to be responsible for the entire dining experience.
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CC
ClaireC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was delicious and the service was excellent!
Rio GrillResponded on June 19, 2023
That is so wonderful to hear! Thank you for the kind words and the 5 star review!!
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CS
CharlesS
Orange County
16 reviews
3.0
16 reviews
Dined on June 14, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
Not as good as we had remembered… Food just OK.. requested no bacon on burger& came to table with 4 pieces of bacon on it.. it was specified on the ticket so apparently the kitchen did not pay attention. Cioppino was ok, but somewhat skimpy… says crab meat on menu, none in the dish..would think twice before going again
Rio GrillResponded on June 19, 2023
I am very disappointed to learn of your recent dining experience. My team and I strive to ensure that every guest experience is exemplarily and I sincerely regret your that we did not meet your goals. I would like to reach out to you privately to discuss in greater detail and ensure we improve our dining experience.
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v
vanessab
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
Our waiter was so friendly and helped elevate our dining experience. Was hard to decide what to order with so many good options to choose from.
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t
twinkle
San Francisco
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on June 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Very good menu. Food was well cooked with a good variety to meet different tastes.
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ME
MustEatOut
San Francisco
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 5, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
I miss the clams, mussels and shrimp appetizer! Why on earth did you take that off the menu? We did enjoy the fried onion rings instead, and would like to have had fresher crab meat on my salad, but understand that the season is pretty much over with for fresh crab. It would be my recommendation to keep the above appetizer and get rid of the fresh crab salad due to the fact that it really isn't "fresh"!
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KS
KSmith
San Francisco
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
it was overpriced. Service was okay...had to ask for water refill a couple of times.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
We were seated immediately and our server was most efficient & attentive. All the staff were delightful. The food was not stunning but it was very good and we all cleaned our plates. Our table was comfortable and the decor was interesting With unusual talking points. A little pricier than expected - steak was over $40 and mushroom risotto was just over $20. Drinks were very expensive so we passed on those. This was a special occasion and they definitely read my notes in the reservation so I really appreciated their attention to detail. It’s close to Carmel river beach and we loved the scented roses outside. My daughter is vegan and she couldn’t find a suitable option so they might want to consider adding some vegan dishes. I’ll definitely return:)
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L
Local
Central Coast
37 reviews
vip
4.0
37 reviews
Dined on June 2, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4
Good not great. Some items sensational. Some very poor. Service was great.
Rio GrillResponded on June 4, 2023
Hello Local, Thank you for leaving us a good review. We appreciate your feedback and strive to improve where we can. We hope to see you again. Have a wonderful day.
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C
Carly
Central Coast
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on May 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Another excellent dining experience. The wait staff attentive yet not disruptive. The food as always, delicious and fresh. First time trying the Dungeness Crab Salad. Fresh, light, yet satisfying as a lunch entree along with the mushroom soup. And of course what is a visit without the bread or their famous French fries? Ended the meal with the lemon tart cake. All around yum!!!
Rio GrillResponded on May 31, 2023
Thank you Carly!! It is so nice of you to take the time to leave us such a great review. The Dungeness Crab Salad is one of our newer additions and we are very excited about getting feedback. We appreciate you taking time out of your day and we hope to see you again real soon.
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MD
MeganD
San Diego
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service - great food - first time there - will be back soon!
Rio GrillResponded on May 27, 2023
Hello Megan! It was a pleasure to have you. We're glad we could show you a glimpse of what our regulars have come to expect from Rio Grill. We cant wait to see you again. Have wonderful day.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server Tim was incredible. He his timing, knowledge of the menu and mentions of what to do locally for visitors all was a nice touch. The food and presentation also heightened our experience. I had the skirt steak which was cooked perfect and my wife had the carpaccio. She devoured it. Everything was amazing thank you Rio Grill for making our special occasion perfect.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff temperature check required

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Rio Grill using the Order Online button. Rio Grill also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 625-5436.

Rio Grill is rated 4.6 stars by 2335 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 26, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

101 Crossroads Boulevard, Carmel, CA 93923

Additional information

Cross street
Rio Road
Neighborhood
Carmel
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Cuisines
Californian, European
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
The Rio Grill offers plenty of convenient parking.
Public transit
Public Transit is just a few yards from the restaurant.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Luis Osorio
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.riogrill.com/
Phone number
(831) 625-5436
Catering
Please contact: events@coastalrootshospitality.com
Private party facilities
At Rio Grill, we will provide a memorable experience and take care of all the details for your next event. From the rehearsal dinner, to the wedding reception, Rio Grill is Carmel’s best restaurant for a special occasion.
Private party contact
Banquet Coordinator: (855) 704-3623

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Rio Grill

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Arugula Salad

Monterey Bay Calamari

Soy-Marinated Skirt Steak

Main

Smoked Tri-Tip Sweet Potato Hash$19.95

House Made Benedict$18.95

Farmer's Market Scramble$20.95

Cast Iron Frittata$18.95

Rio Breakfast Sandwich$18.95

Griddled French Toast$14.95

Fluffy Meyer Lemon-Mascarpone Pancake Stack$14.95

Starters

Monterey Bay Calamari$16.95

Fire-Roasted Castroville Artichoke$14.95

Dungeness Crab Cake$24.95

Wagyu Carpaccio$21.95

Ahi Tuna Crispy Wonton Chips$18.95

Duck Confit Tamale$15.95

Ciabatta Bread$4.95

Soup of the Day$7.95

Haystack Onion Rings$8.94

Local Butternut Squash Gnocchi$19.95

Salads

Chinese Chicken Salad (Rio Classic)$19.95

Romaine$14.95

Iceberg Wedge$14.95

Roasted Beet Salad$15.95

Dungeness Crab Salad$26.95

Sandwiches & More

Smoked Turkey Breast$19.95

Salmon BLT$19.95

"The Works" Burger$21.95

Stuffed Poblano Pepper$22.95

Entrees

Wild Mushroom Spinach Risotto$22.95

Grilled Prawns (Rio Classic)$31.95

Diver Scallops$39.95

Atlantic Salmon$31.95

Branzino Skin On$41.95

House-Smoked Half Chicken (Rio Classic)$29.95

Almond Wood Smoked BBQ Pork Back Ribs$42.95

Soy Marinated Skirt Steak$43.95

Cioppino$40.95

Brunch Cocktails

Blood Orange Spritz$14.00

Guava Bellini$13.00

Spicy Maria$12.00

Brunch Punch$15.00

Mimosa Flight$22.00

Wines by the Glass

Prosecco, La Marca NV, Italy$10.00

Champagne, Moet & Chandon "Brut" NV, France$17.00

Sparkling, Schramsberg, "Brut Rose, North Coast$19.00

Rosé, "The Beach" by Whispering Angel$12.00

Sauvignon Blanc, 13 Celsius, New Zealand$13.00

Pinot Grigio, Tiamo, Veneto, Italy$13.00

Chardonnay, Bernardus, Monterey County$17.00

Chardonnay, Poppy, SLH$12.00

Chardonnay, Nickel & Nickel, Napa$25.00

Malbec, Felina, Argentina$15.00

Cabernet, Post & Beam, Napa$23.00

Pinot Noir, McIntyre, Santa Lucia Highlands$17.00

Pinot Noir, Joyce, Monterey County$13.00

Pinot Noir, Loring, Santa Rita Hills$15.00

Cabernet, Textbook, Napa$19.00

Red Blend, Rabble, Paso Robles$13.00

Zinfandel, Seghesio, Sonoma County$15.00

Beers & Cider

Lager, Alvarado Street Brewery "Monterey Beer"$7.00

Cider "Sincere" Dry Apple, Napa 16oz$12.00

Maibock, Rogue "Dead Guy Ale" Oregon$8.00

Hazy IPA, Device "Curious Haze" 16oz Sacramento$14.00

Blonde Ale, Other Brother, Seaside CA$10.00

Honey Wheat, Other Brother, "I Need Honey", Seaside CA$14.00