Mother's Day brunch very disappointing. Kept running out of food. Many trays empty. Variety very limited. Service was excellent. read more

Four high school friends, 50+ years later, enjoyed the best meal outside on the patio, served so beautifully by Veronica. Everything was top-notch but honestly, Veronica just made our dinner so very special. She loves her job, and the beautiful Inn, and her enthusiasm is so refreshing, and contagious. Plus-the food and drinks are fabulous! We will be back! read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

See all

Mission Inn Restaurant's only claim to fame is being apart of the Historic Mission Inn. The service is terrible. The food is subpar. Considering the aforementioned food and service, patrons can decide if the ambiance is worth the price. So to start off with the positive, the Mission Inn Restaurant is breathtakingly beautiful. With Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival architectural styles, diners can bask in the beauty of the ornate, romantic, and elegance of an era we don't see often anymore. The dining room has vaulted ceilings, intricate decor, and a subtle glimpse of the outdoors. The Spanish patio is where one should dine should the weather accommodate though. With a beautiful fountain, colorful tiles, traditional mission bells, elegant archways, twinkling lights, and fresh flora, the ambiance is fit enough for an engagement. In a nutshell - this restaurant is beautiful. But like your beautiful friend with an ugly personality, the Mission Inn Restaurant has its shortcomings. The service is terrible. We came here to celebrate my friend's birthday. We were a party of 15 adults, 1 child. For gatherings of over 15, you are considered a large party, and therefore you follow a set menu. You'd assume this would make life easier for the restaurant and servers considering you are now limited to a very tiny menu. In fact, you only have 2 desserts and 5 entrees to choose from, and you don't even get a choice in appetizer because it's already chosen. Yet despite this presumed ease, the server Vanessa had so much trouble getting everyone's orders and getting them out on time. By the time half the group was done with their entrees, two guests were still waiting on their entrees. We had to remind the server at least 3 times the guests were still missing their entrees. And even with the reminders, she was confusing the orders. Furthermore, 5 cakes were missing by the time dessert rolled out. We had brought our own cake to celebrate the birthday girl, and with the cake there were utensils, knife, and plates. The waitress didn't bring out any of the utensils, knife, plates that were right in the bag. Efficiency and proper management is obviously lacking at this restaurant. The most annoying part of it all was the fact that they could not get the checks figured out. First off I was told by reservations that we could do unlimited split checks. This information was incorrect as the restaurant hostess Taylor said only 3 checks. That's fine. But so to again ease the job of the waitress, we told her to split the checks by the table; there were 3 tables each with 5 adults. So it should be easy right? No, she could not figure out how to do the checks and was haphazardly adding drinks to random checks. After my table's check was done appropriately, I signed it off for $428 only for her to randomly run my card for $445. Her excuse was that another table had gotten angry with the drinks she tacked on them that they didn't order, so she decided to put it on our tab. Honestly she made no sense. We had to have her credit all the money and redo the checks. I'm not sure why it was such a difficult thing to do. Getting the orders on a limited set menu, having them out on time for a planned birthday celebration reserved one month in advance, and splitting the checks by the 3 tables that were there doesn't seem like rocket science. The hostess Taylor did not have a good attitude, and it really was not Vanessa's day. Finally the food was just okay. For what ended up being $85/person (minus drinks), I had calamari and spinach artichoke dip on ciabatta croutons, a shrimp salad, and chocolate cake. The calamari was pretty good for what it was. The spinach artichoke dip was also a unique take on the classic, and I enjoyed the ciabatta it was served with. The shrimp salad was okay. There were only 4 pieces of shrimp. The chocolate cake was shockingly dry for an establishment like this. While the ambiance was gorgeous, I'm not sure if the food and service was worth $85/person. I hear the Mission Inn will be transferring ownership soon. Hopefully they revamp everything, including the restaurant, where only the timeless decor is still in style. read more

See all

The Mission Inn Restaurant Is Wasting A Valuable Opportunity. A four-star setting deserves better than a cafeteria menu. My sisters and I had lunch at the Mission Inn restaurant last week. I had already browsed the menu beforehand, and nothing on it suggested we were dining somewhere remarkable. That's a warning sign I should have taken more seriously. I ordered the French dip and sweet potato fries. What arrived tasted like something assembled with the kind of institutional efficiency you find in a hospital cafeteria, not a landmark destination. The food was not bad in the way that offends you; it was bad in the way that confuses you. You keep looking around to make sure you're actually inside the building you think you're inside. Here is what I want management to actually hear: the staff were fine. They were present, professional, and doing their jobs. This is not about them. This is about whoever is responsible for the menu, and whoever signed off on the idea that sweet potato fries should be plated with ketchup. Ketchup. Even Denny's has moved past that. A chipotle aioli costs twelve cents more and communicates that someone in the kitchen cares. A small dish of something intentional says: we thought about you before you sat down. The Mission Inn is a National Historic Landmark. Teddy Roosevelt slept there. It has a courtyard that makes people stop mid-sentence to look at it. And then they sit down to a French dip that could have come from a stadium concession stand. That gap is not a small problem. It is a brand problem. It tells every guest who walks through the door that the building is serious, but the restaurant is an afterthought. When your setting is that extraordinary, the food does not need to be transcendent; it needs to be *considered*. It needs to suggest that someone with taste made a decision. Right now, it suggests that no one did. The Mission Inn deserves a restaurant that meets it at its own level. So does everyone who makes the drive out there expecting the full experience. What would it cost to hire one menu consultant for a single afternoon? read more

This was such a lovey experience! Booked this a while ago for Valentine's Day dinner. I had no idea that the whole hotel would be decorated for the occasion. Red roses everywhere, lights and hearts...it was so romantic. As expected, the restaurant was pretty packed. We only had to wait an extra 10-15 minutes or so to sit outside, which was worth the wait. They had plenty of heaters even on a chilly evening. Service was okay, especially considering how busy it was for Valentine's Day. It definitely could have been better, but I was pleasantly surprised! My cocktail was yummy and the food was delicious and HOT as well. I'd love to come back on a regular evening and dine again. Overall worth the time for the experience. The Mission Inn really is stunning. read more

See all

I had a wonderful experience at the Mission Inn Restaurant. If you are looking for a spot that feels like a quick escape to Europe without leaving the Inland Empire, this is it. The ambiance is easily the highlight-it's incredibly romantic, especially if you can snag a table on the outdoor patio. Between the Spanish-style architecture, the lush greenery, and the historic charm of the hotel, it's the perfect backdrop for a date or a special celebration. Despite how busy it was, I was pleasantly surprised by the fast service. Our server was attentive and kept everything moving smoothly without making us feel rushed. It's rare to find a place this grand that also manages to be so efficient. read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Barramundi - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

See all

Veronica made our experience tonight. She was attentive, quick, and always one step ahead. Great menu recommendations and everything came out smoothly. Friendly, professional, and easy to talk to. If you come here, ask for Veronica. read more

See all

OMG! Maria is the most amazing server! Melanie and I visited Mission Inn for our 39th wedding anniversary and were so blessed by Maria! She is kind, professional, attentive, and just so sweet! The food was amazing! You need to come to Mission Inn for your next celebration, or just for an unforgettable experience on a random Thursday. Maybe Melanie and I will see you there! Cheers! read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

We went during dinner time on a weekend (I made a reservation). Loved the ambiance, it's super pretty inside and staff was nice. However, it is pricy and the food was okay when compared to the price. I was celebrating my mom for Mother's Day, and she ordered the filet mignon. She liked the meat, but she wished there was asparagus or green beans as the side instead of zucchini because it watered down the meal. I ordered the half chicken and it was a bit salty, and I also wished the sides were different. I think I would come back if celebrating a special occasion but order something different. Appetizers were good though! read more

See all

Can't beat the ambience of the courtyard patio. Excellent service and food. Delicious cocktails.

I'm writing my experience for the presidential bar. Our waiter was Donovan.. the place was pretty busy, but he made time to be personable and get to know us. I enjoy their holiday drinks. They used to have more before Covid but you know things happen. The place is decorated very nice for the holidays. You gotta check out the Christmas tree and take some pictures before you leave. read more

See all

I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll start by stating that we arrived for our reservation early, and we were seated immediately. Our server was Veronica and she was FABULOUS! She was very attentive, friendly, and if she wasn't working i would have had her seat amd join us. We were celebrating 2 birthdays. Our food was served in wonderful intervals. The good was FANTASTIC! Thanks to the amazing chefs. Dessert was so delicious! Everything about our experience was TOP NOTCH! After dinner we enjoyed the ambiance of this amazing Inn. Will definitely return. Thank you Mission Inn for a birthday experience not to be forgotten anytime soon. read more

See all

I would not return here with a larger party. We came here to celebrate our marriage after our civil ceremony at a local church with a party of 18. Our reservation was at 5:30 PM, and we did not receive all three courses until around 8:00 PM. After dinner, we then had to wait even longer just to receive the check, which I ultimately had to walk over to the hostess stand to request myself. I also want to note that I called multiple times prior to our reservation to confirm details, and at no point was it mentioned that there would be a limited menu or that we would not be allowed to order from the standard menu. The limited menu was $85 per person and included an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Additionally, dessert being included was never communicated to me, even though I specifically called ahead to ask whether I could bring a cake. As a result, we ended up with 18 plated desserts plus an entire wedding cake on the table, which was unfortunately a complete waste. Our main grievance was simply how excessively long dinner service took. This was not a busy weekend evening -- it was a random Wednesday, and the restaurant did not appear busy. There is no reason our dinner should have lasted nearly three hours. We had plans scheduled after dinner, but those plans were completely derailed due to the extremely long wait times throughout the meal. Overall, this was disappointing, especially considering we chose this restaurant to celebrate such a special occasion. read more

Sit outside in the patio, the view of the the hotel is amazing. Friendly service, and very mindful of our table. The food was brought out in a timely manner, I had a steak dinner that was cooked perfectly. We will return in the future! read more

I had a lovely experience exploring this beautiful hotel, so we decided to have lunch here. The hostess was very friendly and seated us right away. I would have preferred dining outside in their gorgeous patio, but on our visit the weather was gloomy, hot and it rained. Hopefully next time! For food, we started with fried calamari. It was perfectly fried and not chewy. I also enjoyed the dipping sauce. They also serve fresh hot rolls with butter. My favorite part of any restaurant is the bread. The rolls here were delicious. For mains, we ordered salad because it was a hot day and we wanted something light. I ordered the chicken Caesar salad and it was good. I'm glad they put the dressing on the side, so I could control how much I wanted. The lettuce was crisp and the chicken flavorful. My son had the shrimp Caesar with shrimp. He also enjoyed his salad. The Cobb Salad was ordered by my cousin and looked amazing upon presentation. She also approved of it. Overall, we had a lovely time dining at the Mission Inn Restaurant. I look forward to coming back hopefully for dinn read more

See all

Outdoor ambiance was the highlight of the experience. Unfortunately, everything else fell short. Ordered a steak medium and it came out overcooked. When I brought it up, the waitress returned with a photo of the steak under different lighting to show it was "pink," which felt dismissive. They did offer to remake it, but only after pushing back, and I didn't want to wait any longer. The steak itself was bland and tasted like a previously frozen cut that had been thawed and cooked. The menu listed USDA but didn't specify the grade (Select, Choice, or Prime). Based on quality and taste, the cost was definitely not worth the price. Great atmosphere, but the food and service don't match the cost. Wouldn't return for dinner, maybe just brunch. read more

Coming to the Mission Inn in Downtown Riverside during Christmas is hands down the best time to visit. The entire property is beautifully decorated with lights everywhere, making it a great experience for families, friends, or a special night out. It truly feels magical during the holidays. We came for a girls' dinner at one of the Mission Inn restaurants, and it's important to note that this time of year is very busy, so reservations are a must. One perk of making a dining reservation is that it gives you access to enter and explore the Mission Inn itself. Inside, everything is decorated elegantly and festively, and there are several bars throughout the property where you can grab a drink while waiting for your table. We had dinner on the outdoor patio, but unfortunately, it had rained recently, so plastic canopies were set up to protect from the weather. While understandable, they blocked the full experience of the otherwise beautiful patio setup. That was a bit disappointing, but still manageable... The restaurant itself is nice and very historic. The food was okay.. nothing amazing and definitely on the expensive side for what it is, but we expected that since you're really paying for the overall experience and atmosphere. The drinks were good, though on the sweeter side. What truly stood out was the staff: they were awesome, friendly, attentive, and on top of everything; which really elevated the experience... We chose to go during the week to avoid the all-you-can-eat buffet brunch or dinner that's offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I highly recommend doing some research beforehand so you know exactly what experience you want... Overall, the Mission Inn is a staple of the Inland Empire, especially during Christmas... If you've never been, it's absolutely worth checking out at least once, ideally during the holiday season. read more

See all

We stopped in for lunch at the Mission Inn, and from the moment we walked through the doors, we were struck by the beauty of the historic hotel. With its grand Spanish revival architecture, lush courtyards, and intricate details at every turn, the setting alone made the meal feel special. THE FOOD. - Crispy Calamari. Lightly fried to a delicate crisp, the calamari was tender and flavorful. It's served with marinara & aioli dipping sauces for the indecisive who enjoy jumping back and forth between the two (me). - Riverside Reuben Sandwich. Generously stacked with corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and thousand island, all tucked into toasted marbled rye. A satisfying classic done with care. Highly recommend. - Spring Caprese Burger. A juicy patty topped with fresh mozzarella slices, spinach/basil, and ripe tomato. Each bite was hearty and refreshing. THE DRINK. - Strawberry Fields. Refreshing and lightly sweet, this cocktail highlighted strawberry and citrus flavors with a subtle herbal note -- a perfect complement to the garden-like patio setting. THE VIBE. Historic elegance with California charm. Dining in the Spanish-style courtyard, we sat surrounded by greenery and the hotel's tall walls where arched openings framed the space and balconies from guest rooms overlooked the scene. Bright red umbrellas kept us shaded from the sun. At the center, the rhythmic sounds of water trickled from a fountain and echoed throughout the courtyard. The space felt intimate and serene. THE PARKING. Parking can be a bit tricky given the Mission Inn's popularity, but nearby structures and valet service make it manageable. THE VERDICT. A hidden gem that blends history, atmosphere, and flavor. I'd love to come back and try other menu items as well as book an overnight stay. read more

See all

Such a beautiful, well kept preserved historical hotel/ church. Loved the vibe. The staff super friendly welcoming. Definitely going back again for dinner. read more

See all

It pains me to post this review but as a loyal Yelper, I feel the need to be transparent. Our small family of 3 splurged to enjoy the Sunday buffet at the Mission Inn right after Christmas. We have been to the Christmas buffets in past years and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Unfortunately, this year, it was only disappointing. Visually, the buffet was only average in appeal. The selection of items was fine, but serving platters were not marked. Hence, everyone needed to lift lids to check out the food. Needless to say, this practice is unnecessarily unhygienic and caused the food to be cold. The serving spoons were also caked with food and unappetizing. Once sat down, we immediately agreed our food was not even warm, not tasty and poorly prepared. What a huge disappointment. Of course, it's the Mission Inn at Christmas so the environment was beautiful. Staff were friendly and worked incredibly hard. For $103 per person (they add in taxes and 20% gratuity for a buffet?? ) the experience was definitely not worth the trip. Hope the Mission Inn gets their act together. No reason for such poor planning and execution. read more

caesar salad nothing special your average caesar salad but sub par espresso matrini they make a great espresso martini gimlet super palatable steak (medium rare) cooked a little subpar but edible chocolate cake i personally loved everything about this cake i just wished there was a little more fruit maybe some fruit on the top and maybe more chocolate drizzle or more of the bottle chocolate flavor cheesecake honestly this was pretty good on its own service amazing sweetest server and the other servers who helped our party were very tentative and helpful ambiance amazing loved the outdoor vibes of this place the lights in the Christmas time are amazing read more

See all

Came here mainly for the atmosphere, which is honestly the highlight. The architecture is beautiful, and during the holidays the decorations and light show are impressive. Unfortunately, everything else fell short. The food was very disappointing. First the lunch menu is super limited. The bread was rock hard, the calamari tasted like it came from a frozen bag, and the chips with the burger felt store-bought. Nothing felt freshly made and was suprisingly spicy. On top of that, the food took over an hour to come out after we were seated. Service was polite but extremely slow. We waited about 25 minutes before even seeing our serve, and it was only after we flagged down a bus staff. Considering how difficult it is to get a reservation (you really need to book about a week ahead), the overall experience wasn't worth it. Great place to walk around and look at, but I wouldn't come back for a meal. read more

Came here for a birthday dinner, the ribeye and drinks were fantastic. They also brought me out a little birthday cupcake read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

See all

We have a birthday brunch reservation on 12/21 with over $1,000 already deposited (reservation process was a breeze), fingers crossed the experience lives up to the hype. Will send an updated review! Despite a recent wave of 1-2 star reviews over the past few days, we're still giving this spot and management a shot. read more

While staying at the Mission Inn, we had breakfast here. It was a cool morning but we saw the heaters outside on the patio and opted for eating on the lovely patio. You may also eat inside the restaurant. Our breakfast was pretty good. I enjoyed the juevos rancheros and my husband had the breakfast burrito. They were both pretty good, but took a longer than usual amount of time to arrive. Our heater didn't work and our server tried to change it out, but that one didn't work either. He said he would have to get more propane - but never did. He was busy - but it seems like the restaurant would be more prepared for the morning service. read more

See all

Our First visit and stay at the Mission. We made reservations at the Inn Restaurant for our first night, based on the instagram photos. Christmas Decorations just added to the atmosphere- so pretty! We sat next to the center fountain. Staff was wonderfully dressed with a red bow tie- attention to detail on how they looked. The man who served us water and bread should slow down. We understand they are busy but tossing the bread bowl on the table as he walks by and then filling the water glass in hurry splashed water all over. We were seated for 10 mins with no sign of our waitress. However, another young waitress, who noticed no one has come by, was kind enough to take our order. Which was a great show of teamwork!! Come to find out our waitress was busy with a table of at least eight ladies who already had a few drinks in them. She finally came by. I ordered the penne with veggies- taste was good but some pasta was not cooked...it missed the water. He had a filet mignon which was very good- he ate it all! The rating was based on a few misses as first impressions are ever lasting. read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - The fountain - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

See all

Johannes! Such a great waiter! Our service was amazing. We were celebrating my friend's birthday at the hotel and came in for breakfast the next morning on a Sunday. Not too crowded because it was still a bit early, so that was nice. We sat outside on the patio and it's just as lovely as it is at nighttime. Plenty of variety on the menu and the prices are fair for it being the hotel restaurant. The portions were good too. We all enjoyed our food and coffee. Two of us ordered the fried egg sandwich and enjoyed it. The sauce is a bit spicy, beware! read more

See all

Thank you Kiasha D for making this experience possible and so exciting. Can't wait too see the atmosphere and soak in the experience. Food looked amazing! Thank you for your kindness on behalf of me and my wife read more

I brought my wife here for Mother's Day brunch (5/10/2025).The brunch turned out to be just average affair as far as the food goes with a couple of highlights of rack of lamb and their prime rib. As far as the rest of the food goes I can get the same thing at my local buffet on the weekend, every weekend. The biggest disappointment was the high price for what you were getting and the mandatory tip, 20%. We had to flag down our server just to get our drinks refilled due to low ratio of servers to tables. We'll be going else where next Mother's Day. read more

One of my favorite afternoon tea experiences in Southern California set in the most gorgeous floral-decked courtyard, with wonderful service and delicious bites. The sweets were not too sweet and contrasted between decadent and lightly sweet/tart bites for a good balance. The savory bites were good but the bread was stale, so had to take away a star for the dry, stale bread. The scone was perfect but sadly they only give you one whereas most places give you at least two. Love that there were iced tea options on a hot day! The shaded courtyard is perfect on a sunny day. read more

See all

Get it together mission inn, your restroom stalls are built for a 3ft person, get a phone table in the restroom stalls for our phones. The food sucks don't waste your money. Service is great though and the place is beautiful. read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

Very relaxing, delicious and a variety of foods to choose. And the price, not much more than one would pay for a sit down anywhere else. So elegant!!! Why not your meal at special location!!! The ambiance and history cannot be beat! read more

We tried it for in room breakfast just today, ordered the breakfast burrito which was HUGE! Comes with sides of salsa, sour cream and pico de gallo. It was delicious and very filling. The other order was omelette with bacon and cheese, which was also tasty , it came with roasted potatoes and toast which was good. They serve butter and jam on the side as well. Service was great, didn't take long too. Downstairs the restaurant itself has great European vibes, it's just so beautiful! Ohhh and the orange juice is fresh! read more

See all

Would definitely eat here again. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was so delightful. read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Very delicious. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

See all

hate to say it but they place mediocre asf. nice ambiance obviously but those prices goddam. i'm sure they have top tier chefs but the pasta i had didn't taste anything magical. also the complimentary bread they served tasted like rolls you buy from costco. won't be back anytime soon. read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

I'm sticking to my previous review of the Christmas Day Buffet we experienced at the Mission Inn, but I do want to acknowledge that the management of the restaurant acknowledged our complaint and rectified the experience to our satisfaction. Sometimes we are guilty of documenting complaints, but not-so-good about stating the positive. In our case I was pleasantly surprised at the prompt reply from management, their acknowledgement and apology, and their willingness to rectify our experience. For that, they deserve 5 stars! read more

What a refreshing experience after a terrible dining experience at Duane's. The Mission In restaurant has an extensive menu and great variety of cocktails- not to mention an absolute breathtaking view from the patio during the Festival of Lights. The whole patio is beautifully lit and the ambiance is wonderful. Jacob gave us the very best service and did not skip a beat when we needed anything and accommodated our added guests for dinner. Five star service all around! We will definitely be skipping Duane's from now on and head straight for the Mission Inn restaurant for our next stay at this beautiful hotel. Thanks again Jacob! read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

Veronica was our waitress and was truly so so so hospitable, funny, and accommodating. Will be coming back just for her. And, as always, the bread pudding was a show stopper. read more

This review is for the afternoon tea. We had reservations for tea in the courtyard, which was beautiful. However, we were not greeted for at-least 15 minutes after we were seated (another party of two left during this time after they were also not greeted) This was not an option for us as the afternoon tea had to be prepaid. I have been to many afternoon teas and I have never had to prepare my own tea, which we had to do here. We also did not have food plates, teaspoons, or tongs for the sugar. All the serving ware was chipped. We asked the server for plates and she forgot to bring them. After waiting for a while, the server finally came back and asked if we needed anything. We then reminded her about the plates again (and she brought them a few minutes later.) The ladies seated at the table next to us also did not have plates but they told us they were too hungry to wait for plates. So service here absolutely needs improvement. We were only offered hot water once. The server disappeared for the rest of the time. The auto gratuity seems to be the issue as there is no incentive for them to provide decent service. As to the food, everything was okay. Nothing to write home about. However, the lemon curd is outstanding. Best thing we ate. The tea sandwiches are very small, and the cupcake was dry. So I do not recommend this place unless you're buying lemon curd to go. read more

Mission Inn Restaurant - Afternoon tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Riverside, California

The food was delicious. Good variety with excellent service. We went for brunch. My only beef was the Prime Rib was rare. No med, med well or well. I settled for lamb. read more