Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant
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BIG SUR RIVER INN AND RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE
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This restaurant was hyped up too much due to it being near the water. You do have an option of taking food togo in a picnic basket to the water and eating there, but we did dine in. We were a group of 12 and service was pretty good. Got the chicken sandwich chicken sandwich which was meh 5/10, and the sandwich was cold when it came out. Also got fajitas which were ok. I was gonna give up on desserts but someone in our group recommended it so we ordered some (glad I did because they were so good). Got the chocolate mousse cake, creme brûlée and apple pie which were all really good!! The dessert made up for all the food.
We had a good experience. All the food was tasty. The place was packed, but the service was very good. I don't fully understand the bad reviews. Overall, this is a clear winner for me. We had tried one of the other restaurants in this small town, and I was not impressed. This place is worth your stop if you're only gonna stop in one place. And the little chairs out in the River our next level.
This is a busy, but cool spot to visit as you are passing through big sur. You can also lodge there, but only stopped for a few hours. They have a couple places to eat, although they have very long waits, so plan accordingly. The river is beautiful, calm and a nice place to sit and relax. Pro tip: bring your own chairs, a towel, and sturdy water shoes, as the river area is rocky. There's limited parking.
Although the food may not be the best in the Bay, the River Inn deserves a 4 star for its location and vibe. Such a fun ambiance and stop if you do it right! We ordered takeout from the river inn restaurant- a burger and a chicken sandwich, and took it to the river in the back to eat in their set up Adirondack chairs. I'm telling you, if you want to enjoy a sliver of beautiful Big Sur or break up the drive for the kiddos, try this out. We all left full and happy. Such a lovely little shallow river in the back. Safe, beautiful, I wish more restaurants along a river had this idea!
Rate: 3.5/5 When in Big Sur, this is definitely a cool place to check out--grab a bite to eat, chill and relax at the river, and to just explore and enjoy the natural scenery. The outdoor relaxing natural river scenery is what makes this place enjoyable, the food on the other hand was underwhelming and pricey. If I had to choose, the calamari was the highlight--nice light coating, not oily, and the squid was fried/cooked perfectly. Harris Ranch Black Angus Beef Burger - for $24 it was a pricey burger and wasn't juicy/lacked flavor. The sweet potato fries were an afterthought and some pieces were overdone and lacked crisp. Service was welcoming and attentive which was great. As a whole, I'd come here again to enjoy the river vibes, but will probably skip out on the restaurant and instead grab something at the general store to chill at one of the river chairs.
Amazing views and great service, but the food was a bit of a mixed bag.This place is beautiful! I highly recommend sitting outside so you can enjoy the fantastic view of the river. Even though the restaurant was crowded, the service was still great and the staff handled the rush well.The food itself was just okay. We ordered the lentil soup, tuna salad, a cheeseburger, and the tri-tip sandwich. The lentil soup was way too watery and arrived boiling hot. The poke tuna salad was unfortunately quite dry, and while the bread on the tri-tip sandwich was good, the meat was also dry. On the bright side, the cinnamon bun was absolutely delicious, and the drinks were excellent!It is definitely on the pricier side, but you are largely paying for the premium location and the gorgeous river view. If I return, I would definitely order the drinks again and try some different food options on the menu.
We visited Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant around 3PM on a Sunday, so the lunch rush had died down. We were seated right away on the patio, which had a nice ambiance and plenty of space for our large party. For drinks, I ordered an Arnold Palmer, which was expectedly tasty and refreshing. For food, I shared the Crispy Brussel Sprouts with my friend and got the Beet Salad for myself. Both were solid! I liked the texture of the Brussel Sprouts and the huge dollop of goat cheese on my salad. My friends enjoyed their food as well, including the Tri Tip Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, BBQ Pork Ribs, and Crab Cakes. Service was lukewarm but quick and seamless!
Took a drive to Big Sur on a sunny Saturday and ended up here. The place was packed. Since we wanted a patio table, there was a wait. We were told 15-20 min but it ended up being around 45 min. We were given a buzzer and strolled around to the river which had chairs in it and was bustling. There is also picnic benches around and a park area where ppl had food in to-go containers The bbq place was closed though We got a drink at the bar- espresso martini- it wasn't creamy but was still good considering we were in the middle of nowhere. Once we got our table, we got some appetizers. The Brussels sprouts were so good with the bacon bits and the balsamic topped with Parmesan They ran out of buffalo sauce for the wings so we got chicken wings with bbq sauce- they were good and came with some carrots on the side Also got the onion rings which were soooo crispy and very satisfying to eat
Cool spot right off Hwy 1 and nestled along the river. The breakfast menu is pretty limited but the country gravy in the biscuits and gravy was some of the best I have ever had. Service is okay and prices still reflect the location. Overall still worthy of a visit if your hungry.
Big Sur River Inn is a very happening spot. We stumbled in after a beautiful morning hike on Memorial Day weekend and were surprised to be seated so promptly. They can accommodate A LOT of people. While we ordered from the main menu, I did notice an outdoor area where you could order BBQ. Our table was seated directly under a redwood tree and the trunk was literally a part of our table. I loved that. We shared a salad and ribs as we didn't want to eat a complete meal and both were satisfying. A gentlemen played live music in front of the river and it was all just so sweet and relaxing. For me, this place is more about the experience. I'd give the food and mocktails a solid 3-stars.
Stopped here for food over a busy holiday weekend (Presidents Day and Valentines). The place was packed and the line was out the door but moved quick and we were seated within 20 minutes. The staff were nice, but unfortunately this is all the good I have to say. The food here was incredibly overpriced and bland/dry/tasteless. When you consider the price tag (over $25 for most things, and over $50 for a steak), you'd expect decent quality but unfortunately that was not our experience. $9 to add chicken to the pasta and the chicken was so dry that not even the pasta sauce could cover that up. Speaking of the sauce, it was very creamy but lacked any kind of distinguishing flavor. The steak appeared to have a nice char, but it was tasteless as if it was unseasoned or did not have any semblance of marbling in the cut. If I'm paying over $50 for a steak, I'd love to be able to have at least a few bites without needing to use A1 sauce. The only saving grace was the calamari, which was decent I suppose and came with two different dipping sauces. We got seated outside but unfortunately our spot was a bit soggy/damp and we were not in reach of any space heaters. It was nice that they had live music playing though. Would not come back.
Beautiful restaurant located right outside the Big Sur River. We ordered Avocado Toast, Omelet and Latte. Everything tasted good. Both the male and female restrooms had changing table for the baby. Kudos for that.
Absolutely beautiful restaurant, maybe one of the nicest I've ever been to right next to the creek. Service was great, our waiter has been there for years and says he loves his job and I believed him! Food was delicious and big portions!! Will definitely comeback back
Big Sur River Inn is a lovely spot right along the river that invites you to turn lunch into a long afternoon lounging on the river. Beautiful scenery , must sit outside and enjoy the views, we sat on the little deck facing the grassy area and loved it. Grassy area was perfect for our after lunch frisbee session!! I had the crab cake sandwich and my wife got a burger, we really enjoyed both. Service was good, manager was very friendly!! We were on a long 10 day camp trip from San Rafael- Santa Barbra so stopping in for lunch was a lovely treat and we will definitely stop in next time we are in the area. We didn't do it but loved seeing folks sitting in the river in the adirondack chairs , doesn't get much more relaxing than enjoying your favorite beverage while you lounge with your feet dangling in the Big Sur river!! read more
2 months ago
3 star only for location. Food was sub par at best. Ordered the ribs off the waitresses recommendation, bbq sauce tasted like a poor attempt to make their own from ketchup. Ordered a kids chicken strip, asked for a bun so she could make it a sandwich. Bun was $4.00 and came with a wilted piece of lettuce I was shocked was even put on a plate. Also ordered a milkshake. Warning-not made from ice cream but from a powder. My daughter said it was warm so I tried it and it tasted like a glass of whipped cream, not a shake. Location on the river is awesome. read more
This restaurant was hyped up too much due to it being near the water. You do have an option of taking food togo in a picnic basket to the water and eating there, but we did dine in. We were a group of 12 and service was pretty good. Got the chicken sandwich chicken sandwich which was meh 5/10, and the sandwich was cold when it came out. Also got fajitas which were ok. I was gonna give up on desserts but someone in our group recommended it so we ordered some (glad I did because they were so good). Got the chocolate mousse cake, creme brûlée and apple pie which were all really good!! The dessert made up for all the food. read more
We had a good experience. All the food was tasty. The place was packed, but the service was very good. I don't fully understand the bad reviews. Overall, this is a clear winner for me. We had tried one of the other restaurants in this small town, and I was not impressed. This place is worth your stop if you're only gonna stop in one place. And the little chairs out in the River our next level. read more
This is a busy, but cool spot to visit as you are passing through big sur. You can also lodge there, but only stopped for a few hours. They have a couple places to eat, although they have very long waits, so plan accordingly. The river is beautiful, calm and a nice place to sit and relax. Pro tip: bring your own chairs, a towel, and sturdy water shoes, as the river area is rocky. There's limited parking. read more
Although the food may not be the best in the Bay, the River Inn deserves a 4 star for its location and vibe. Such a fun ambiance and stop if you do it right! We ordered takeout from the river inn restaurant- a burger and a chicken sandwich, and took it to the river in the back to eat in their set up Adirondack chairs. I'm telling you, if you want to enjoy a sliver of beautiful Big Sur or break up the drive for the kiddos, try this out. We all left full and happy. Such a lovely little shallow river in the back. Safe, beautiful, I wish more restaurants along a river had this idea! read more
4 months ago
Rate: 3.5/5 When in Big Sur, this is definitely a cool place to check out--grab a bite to eat, chill and relax at the river, and to just explore and enjoy the natural scenery. The outdoor relaxing natural river scenery is what makes this place enjoyable, the food on the other hand was underwhelming and pricey. If I had to choose, the calamari was the highlight--nice light coating, not oily, and the squid was fried/cooked perfectly. Harris Ranch Black Angus Beef Burger - for $24 it was a pricey burger and wasn't juicy/lacked flavor. The sweet potato fries were an afterthought and some pieces were overdone and lacked crisp. Service was welcoming and attentive which was great. As a whole, I'd come here again to enjoy the river vibes, but will probably skip out on the restaurant and instead grab something at the general store to chill at one of the river chairs. read more
Amazing views and great service, but the food was a bit of a mixed bag.This place is beautiful! I highly recommend sitting outside so you can enjoy the fantastic view of the river. Even though the restaurant was crowded, the service was still great and the staff handled the rush well.The food itself was just okay. We ordered the lentil soup, tuna salad, a cheeseburger, and the tri-tip sandwich. The lentil soup was way too watery and arrived boiling hot. The poke tuna salad was unfortunately quite dry, and while the bread on the tri-tip sandwich was good, the meat was also dry. On the bright side, the cinnamon bun was absolutely delicious, and the drinks were excellent!It is definitely on the pricier side, but you are largely paying for the premium location and the gorgeous river view. If I return, I would definitely order the drinks again and try some different food options on the menu. read more
We visited Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant around 3PM on a Sunday, so the lunch rush had died down. We were seated right away on the patio, which had a nice ambiance and plenty of space for our large party. For drinks, I ordered an Arnold Palmer, which was expectedly tasty and refreshing. For food, I shared the Crispy Brussel Sprouts with my friend and got the Beet Salad for myself. Both were solid! I liked the texture of the Brussel Sprouts and the huge dollop of goat cheese on my salad. My friends enjoyed their food as well, including the Tri Tip Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, BBQ Pork Ribs, and Crab Cakes. Service was lukewarm but quick and seamless! read more
Took a drive to Big Sur on a sunny Saturday and ended up here. The place was packed. Since we wanted a patio table, there was a wait. We were told 15-20 min but it ended up being around 45 min. We were given a buzzer and strolled around to the river which had chairs in it and was bustling. There is also picnic benches around and a park area where ppl had food in to-go containers The bbq place was closed though We got a drink at the bar- espresso martini- it wasn't creamy but was still good considering we were in the middle of nowhere. Once we got our table, we got some appetizers. The Brussels sprouts were so good with the bacon bits and the balsamic topped with Parmesan They ran out of buffalo sauce for the wings so we got chicken wings with bbq sauce- they were good and came with some carrots on the side Also got the onion rings which were soooo crispy and very satisfying to eat read more
4 months ago
Cool spot right off Hwy 1 and nestled along the river. The breakfast menu is pretty limited but the country gravy in the biscuits and gravy was some of the best I have ever had. Service is okay and prices still reflect the location. Overall still worthy of a visit if your hungry. read more
Big Sur River Inn is a very happening spot. We stumbled in after a beautiful morning hike on Memorial Day weekend and were surprised to be seated so promptly. They can accommodate A LOT of people. While we ordered from the main menu, I did notice an outdoor area where you could order BBQ. Our table was seated directly under a redwood tree and the trunk was literally a part of our table. I loved that. We shared a salad and ribs as we didn't want to eat a complete meal and both were satisfying. A gentlemen played live music in front of the river and it was all just so sweet and relaxing. For me, this place is more about the experience. I'd give the food and mocktails a solid 3-stars. read more
7 months ago
Stopped here for food over a busy holiday weekend (Presidents Day and Valentines). The place was packed and the line was out the door but moved quick and we were seated within 20 minutes. The staff were nice, but unfortunately this is all the good I have to say. The food here was incredibly overpriced and bland/dry/tasteless. When you consider the price tag (over $25 for most things, and over $50 for a steak), you'd expect decent quality but unfortunately that was not our experience. $9 to add chicken to the pasta and the chicken was so dry that not even the pasta sauce could cover that up. Speaking of the sauce, it was very creamy but lacked any kind of distinguishing flavor. The steak appeared to have a nice char, but it was tasteless as if it was unseasoned or did not have any semblance of marbling in the cut. If I'm paying over $50 for a steak, I'd love to be able to have at least a few bites without needing to use A1 sauce. The only saving grace was the calamari, which was decent I suppose and came with two different dipping sauces. We got seated outside but unfortunately our spot was a bit soggy/damp and we were not in reach of any space heaters. It was nice that they had live music playing though. Would not come back. read more
9 months ago
Beautiful restaurant located right outside the Big Sur River. We ordered Avocado Toast, Omelet and Latte. Everything tasted good. Both the male and female restrooms had changing table for the baby. Kudos for that. read more
Absolutely beautiful restaurant, maybe one of the nicest I've ever been to right next to the creek. Service was great, our waiter has been there for years and says he loves his job and I believed him! Food was delicious and big portions!! Will definitely comeback back read more
2 months ago
Unfortunately, our dining experience was quite disappointing. There was no cell service, so we weren't able to look up reviews before dining here. Had we been able to, we probably would have made a different choice. The ribs were not cooked well and seemed undercooked. Honestly, Costco ribs taste better. The pasta was completely bland and tasteless--it really needed salt. My kid refused to eat another bite. The ribeye steaks were okay, but the onion rings were disappointing. They seemed to be double-fried, making them very hard to chew. While classic BLT and crab cake were okay, but the piña colada was by far the worst drink we have ever tasted. It was so unpleasant that we couldn't even describe how bad it was. We were so disappointed with our meal that we didn't even bother taking pictures of the food left on the table. Outside back-patio was packed but inside restaurant was empty. We ate inside since there's no wait-time. We later found out about two different menus. Overall, for a meal costing over $300 for our party, we expected much better quality/flavor. Unfortunately, the food did not come close to meeting those expectations. read more
11 months ago
We had a great dinner here! Beautiful setting, clean and comfortable. Our server was great! The prices are a bit much, but otherwise the quality and portions were solid. My partner got the burger and he said it tasted good with a nice char. I got the steak. It was perfectly cooked and flavorful. The negative reviews almost scared us away. I'm glad we gave them a try, would go back anytime! read more
1 year ago
I stopped in for a late lunch. I was sat right away outside with a great view of the river. They have their outdoor area dialed in. This is a place I've driven by several times and very glad. I finally stopped in. The person who waited on me was very helpful. I ordered the California Chicken sandwich with mixed greens side salad with Asian Vinaigrette dressing. Also a side of coleslaw. I enjoyed an Almanac IPA. I'm looking forward to bringing my wife back next time we're in the area. It was a great change of pace. Beware of the aggressive Blue Jays. They'll come in and swipe stuff right off your plate if you're not careful. But they look so good doing it you might let them. read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
Wow, what a find. I drove up here from Ventura just to get away and drive a little. I figured this would be an acceptable place to eat and sleep. It was a lot more. The inn itself is fine, nothing special but not bad. In-room coffee, decent bed and shower. The door needs a new lock, etc. Right on the highway so very convenient. Plus they've placed a dozen or so Adirondack chairs in the river behind the hotel so you can sit and dangle your feet while soaking up the surroundings. Bliss! But the restaurant was a shocker. Got the rack of ribs with slaw for dinner and man was it good. Sure it's expensive but hey it's Big Sur and what restaurant isn't expensive these days? Tangy sauce and really good homemade slaw. Succulent pork and plenty of it. Such a big meal I couldn't even finish it all. Excellent. Plus what great ambience, eating on the patio overlooking the beautiful river. With that experience under my belt I had to try breakfast the next morning. Had the Huevos Rancheros and once again, really good. Great spice on the eggs and lots of cheese, with tortillas on the side. Didn't need lunch on the drive down. Highly recommend this little jewel if you're in the area and hungry. read more
I booked two nights at the Big Sur River Inn, I had looked at everything close in the Big Sur area. Upside, it was very reasonably priced, they had free WiFi and TV. There is Gas station, a general store, and a decent restaurant across the road. Down side, it's right on the highway and there is a general store, a gas station, and a busy restaurant across the road. Victoria was working the front desk and she had us logged in, logged on, and pointed in the right direction, across the road. There is no free breakfast, the restaurant across the road opens at 8 and thats as early as I'll be up. The room was just that a room, nice, clean and we felt safe. The bed was very soft at first sit...I was quite pleased with the "overall" good feeling we had staying here. The bathroom was looking very nice, new fixtures, a no tub shower that was big enough with elbow room. We got settled and just sat on the bench glider out on the front porch, whew. We relaxed, we watched the traffic, got cold and inside we went. There is a small brew coffee maker, good enough to get me goin', bottled water for sale, and local TV available. There ya go, we're just sleeping here. The unresort stuff...the trails, the ocean, and the nature we are here for is right outside. Enjoy read more
10 months ago
7 months ago
Good setting and drinks, but the food quality and service recovery didn't match the location. Came for the ambiance and riverfront setting, which really is the highlight. The outdoor space is beautiful and the drinks were solid. Unfortunately the food and service didn't live up to it. The kids' chicken tenders from what the waitress told us are pre-cooked from a vender and reheated there, and one had a large soft fat/protein pocket inside that completely turned my daughter off from eating it. The fries were undercooked, we waited a while to be greeted, and nearby tables had heaters turned on while ours was never offered. When we sent the meal back, the adjustment to the bill was minimal (about $1-$2 for the 2 tenders that each were half eaten ), which felt like poor service recovery. To be fair, the issue with the chicken was more about quality and texture than food safety, which is why I'm not posting the photo. Iit's not about trying to gross people out, just about the overall experience not matching the setting. Great place to sit by the river for a drink, but we'd skip the food next time. read more
17 days ago
4 months ago
20 days ago
It was full of people and dogs. Loved chilling near the river. The ambience was 10/10. I ordered Ghiradelli's Hot Cocoa, Portobella Mushroom Sandwich (with onion rings), and Daily Soup. My favorite was definitely the soup, it was rich in flavor. Hot Cocoa was really good, but not the best I've had. The sandwich was okay-ish, wouldn't recommend. read more
4 months ago
River Inn Restaurant offers a beautiful Big Sur dining experience with a warm ambience that perfectly complements the natural surroundings. The setting alone makes it worth visiting if you're in the area. The food was enjoyable overall, and the portions are very generous -- definitely ideal for sharing. The dessert stood out as thoughtfully crafted and delicious. However, some of the main dishes could benefit from more careful attention during cooking to really match the quality expected from such a lovely location. The coffee also arrived little cold, which was a letdown. One positive note was seeing James, the manager, making rounds and checking in with guests. That kind of presence is appreciated and reflects care for the dining experience. I had requested seating with a better view, and accommodating requests like that when possible would go a long way toward creating an even stronger guest impression. Unfortunately, the service felt inconsistent. Our server appeared distracted and not especially attentive, which affected the overall experience. This restaurant has great potential because the atmosphere is wonderful and the foundation is there. With more attentive service and finer attention to food preparation, it could truly stand out as a must-visit Big Sur dining destination. read more
The restaurant is simple and cute. Loved it. The river is in the back where you can put your feet in and sit in the river. In order to sit and eat in the river you must order at the bar and they will place everything in Togo containers. We had the tri tip sandwich and burger. Both were good. Bloody Mary was delish read more
2 months ago
Food was delicious, service was excellent, very cute restaurant with a fireplace inside, and an amazing view. read more
3 months ago
2 months ago
3 months ago
11 months ago
My car broke down on my way to staying here, and the staff were so amazing and helpful! They even let me check in early and use their events office to look up a tow truck and car repair shop. Everyone I interacted with was so kind, and the environment was so relaxing. Will definitely be staying again! read more
2 years ago
Food: good, but should have ordered something else. The sandwich needed more flavor. Service: good! Ambiance: beautiful ! read more
3 months ago
Needed lunch in Big Sur and didn't have any phone service to look up places. Found this little spot on the way out. This restaurant had tons of Christmas decoration and we decided to sat next to the fire place instead of the window. Service was very good and attentive. These are the items we got. Tri Tip - It was a sandwich and we had it with fries. It's good, the tri tip was meaty and it's solid. Nothing crazy but not bad! (4/5) Pasta Castroville - A solid pasta and we had it with grilled chicken. I thought it was good but my wife thought it lacked flavor so she added salt and pepper. Decent! (4/5) Overall I thought the food was good if anything a bit on the bland side. I would say everything was plated well and the food looked better than it actually tasted. I liked that this place was super festive and cozy. It's worth checking out just for the vibes alone. Food is pricey so don't be surprised if you spend $40 per person for mediocre/defent food. I believe we spent $68 before tip for two dishes. read more
Amazing experience and highly recommend this spot to stop for lunch if you are in the area and want to have amazing food in such a beautiful location. This place lets you sit on a chair with your feet in the river and enjoy lunch and beverages while your kids wade in the water close by. We ordered our lunch and it was delivered to us by the river in a cute little metal picnic basket carrier! Family friendly scenic, and such a relaxing atmosphere. read more
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More info about Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant
46840 California 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
Directions
(831) 667-2700
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http://www.bigsurriverinn.com
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Ask the Community - Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant
Do you need reservations?
I went in February, slow season. No one was there. Not sure what it's like now.
Do the rooms have coffee makers and do you need to bring your own coffee to brew?
There was a coffeemaker in the room, and I believe some coffee but maybe only one packet. I would recommend bringing your own if you can.
Is the outdoor eating area pet friendly?
Absolutely but the pet has to be on a leash
Can we make reservations to eat down by the river?
No need to make reservations and I don't think they take reservations for down by the river. It's 1st come. People are always coming and going so everyone can enjoy the chairs in the river.
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