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    Riva Fish House

    3.6 (1.6k reviews)
    ModerateSeafood
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Riva Fish House Photos

    Business Info

    RIVA FISH HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Riva Fish House

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    Fish and chips
    Nicola G.

    The restaurant views alone were worth it alone. Nice food, the fish and chips were no way like the British kind and the fish is breaded not fried. Service was slow but would still recommend

    Steven K.

    After returning from a trip from the East Coast, I thought I would compare crabcakes. I have to say the East Coast won, and it was not even close. Not that their crabcakes are bad, but they simply did not stack up. I did order the New England clam chowder in a bread bowl and that was very tasty. The staff was very friendly, which made the experience that much better call for a reservation so you can eat overlooking the ocean, which is a nice touch the restaurant offers for ambiance.

    Khai T.

    We came on last Sunday and here's our experience: - We had to wait about 20 minutes to get a table for 4 ppl, it's understandable bc we came at their busy hour. - Ambience: clean and there were some tables right next to the window with a view of the sea. - Service: hostess was friendly and welcoming. Our servers were efficient and nice too. One downside was we had to wait a while for our food. - Food: 1. Chicken tender and chips: for my sister. These ones were not good, chicken was dry and tasteless. Not recommended! 1/5 2. Fried rice: nice, flavorful with a lot of meat. 4/5 3. Curry rice with tofu: nothing special, a little bit bland for us. 2/5 4. Crab sandwich: yummy, had real crab and the sauce was amazing. Highly recommended! 4/5 5. Fried Calamari: fresh, and was served quickly. 4/5 Overall, this place was not impressed me by its food but its beautiful view. A good place for dating or hangout with friends!

    Cup of clam chowder
    Shelly S.

    Had to have our fave after a long day of volleyball in San Jose. Started with a Hazy IPA for my son and a brown ale for me. Both tasted great as usual! We ordered the calamari with fries and the crab melt with cheddar and fries. We each added a cup of clam chowder as well. Highly recommend everything that we ordered tonight. Since there was a 30 min wait to be seated we decided to sit at the bar. Service was ok. Still able to see the water from our seats so it was almost like we were seated next to the window. We will be back

    My view
    Chloe M.

    Was walking down the pier and employees were handing out clam chowder samples. It was absolutely delicious so we had to go in and order some clam chowder and we also ended up ordering fish and chips as well as oysters. The fish and chips were okay and the oysters had little hard white chunks. I believe they were shucked incorrectly but it's not the end of the world. Our waitress was very nice and we were served pretty quickly. The restaurant was very busy and the portion sizes are amazing.

    Tacos
    Alan J.

    Surprisingly enough, this place wasn't very crowded.When we came in. It had a lot of people.And a good vibe with a lot of happy conversation going around. The service is pleasant and on point. The food is also very good.Yes that's probably the important part. Deficiency chips, we got were crispy, tasty and not fishy tasting at all. Tacos had great flavoring and came with a chipotle sauce that was amazing. It's a good thing I liked it because it spilled all over the tacos.By the time I got to the table, l o l. Very nice spot we'll come back again.

    The Plate
    BD G.

    Last Sunday! My Lady and I dropped in to Riva for a meal, having had good food in the past. Well we took a tall bar table avoiding a wait. The view was great! And we started out feeling good. Next we had a op to order as the waitress showed up! Ordered a Virgin Special Drink and a "Call" Gin and Tonic. Both delightful! Thanks Bar! Next ordered a Calamari App that was crunchy from the Beer Batter, and aside from quality sauces, the tender calamari was a delight. That gave us confidence to order the Crab Cioppino, and the kitchen is confident! They had some sweet peppers and a chili bite along with all that excellent Seafood and Crab. As a professional in service it was a handicapped process, all the peeps were nice just not trained to know how to keep their hands full going one way or the other. But! After a while one savvy person came along and removed the long-awaited dirty plates. I felt the manager could if possessed have shown the shining example. That may one day be in the process. Thanks Riva!

    Riva bloody mary & margarita
    Paulina D.

    Great view. Great service. Nice menu options. Full bar. Got a half dozen oysters, fresh and with a tasty mignonette. Steamed mussels were great, broth was simple. Server brought bread with salted whipped butter, yum. Crab sando with fries was delish. Happy hour for drinks 3-6pm.

    Bar area
    Anna O.

    Stopped by to grab a few cold drinks while enjoying the beautiful weather. There was no wait time for us since we just walked straight to the bar. Great selections of drinks and was one of the only places with different types of beer on tap on the wharf. The beers were nice and cold. Highly recommend it.

    Calamari
    Rebecca H.

    Calamari was decent, I prefer more of crunch however was more softer . The clam chowder was bland and lacked flavor however the bread was soft and good. The fish and chips were good. The view was nice and overlooked the water. The service was fast and our waitress was very friendly and helpful

    The view out the window of Riva's.
    Susan R.

    Riva Fish House on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is the restaurant that locals have voted the best Seafood Restaurant and their Clam Chowder as the Best in Santa Cruz County for many years. I went there with a friend in late December, 2025 and I ordered their Chioppino, a side salad, and a glass of Bargetto Pinot Grigio. They ordered a clam dish and an Amber Santa Cruz Ale. The food was delicious, our server Lindsey easily anticipated our needs and was very thoughtful. The two hostesses, Marley and Maddie made sure to give us a table by their wall of windows, which had shades, so a great view of the ocean without the sun in our eyes. The bar had a "Cheers" good vibe to it. The staff and customers shared a camaraderie that I can appreciate having worked as a server years ago. We thoroughly enjoyed our cuisine experience at Riva's and hope that you get a chance to enjoy a wonderful culinary adventure there, too. Please tell hostess Marley, that I sent you! -Susan in Santa Cruz

    chris m.

    The location is excellent- Waterfront dining, view of Santa Cruz beach. The food is great. Oysters are small but still good. Love the clam chowder-a must order. Service was great. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great seafood experience by the water.

    Louie salad with shrimp
    Maria G.

    We came here for around 12 for lunch on a Wednesday in the summer. The restaurant was mostly full but we got seated right away. Nice views from most of the tables. We ordered the clam chowder, Louie salad with bay shrimp, and fish tacos plate with Mahi mahi. Good portion sizes. The salad was a good basic Louie salad. The fish tacos were tasty, especially with sauce it came with. Now the clam chowder was like a scavenger hunt. My husband and I shared a cup and would jokingly ask if either of us got any clams. The few pieces we found were very chewy. Plus it was too peppery. So the chowder was a disappointment. Overall, besides the chowder, everything else was good.

    Fried zucchini, super good!!!

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    9 days ago

    Food and service was excellent. No complaints. would highly recommend if you are in Santa Cruz area

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    Riva Fish House Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Riva Fish House

    Do they accept orders for takeout?

    Yes ... and they provide condiments etc

    Do you have a handicapped restroom?

    Yes, the bathrooms have grab bars installed, but there is a 3-inch step to get to the bathrooms.

    Are they open for in door dining?

    Yes! With some tables removed to maintain distance

    Do they have fresh whole crab everyday?

    No they don't.

    View All 5 Questions

    Hook & Line

    Hook & Line

    4.2
    (122 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Perfect night out!…read more Seated right away at the bar on a friday night and enjoyed the mussels and fries (in the most decadent coconut lemongrass broth that blew my mind), the cesar (good!), and the tinned fish plate (tuna belly, to die for, sooo buttery and rich). The staff was nice and service was prtty quick. We also got martinis which were pretty good, but one of the weaker elements of an overall fantastic meal. So excited to come back next time I have somethign to celebrate :)

    This place is...fine. For the price, the service and seafood portions felt quite lacking. When we…read morearrived we waited awhile until hostess came to ask if we had a reservation. Informed her no and asked the wait time. She said it would be around 15-20 minutes and then walked away without taking our name, so we just stood there awkwardly until she came back about 5 minutes and said a table was ready. The entire conversation with her had the attitude that we were an inconvenience. The time it took for us to have a waitress finally take our order and get our food was longer than expected for how busy the restaurant was. We got the bread, risotto with the added salmon (which the size for the price was a joke, smaller than a deck of cards) and another seafood dish. The bread was $8 for literally 2 slices of a sourdough loaf with no refills. The risotto was lovely, but all the work on the plates presentation cannot be enjoyed by the extremely dim lighting (easily an issue for those with any dark vision issues). The seafood dish was okay, but the seafood to butter beans ratio felt unfair for the price. During our time, we randomly had a new server who was originally bussing other tables(without any info and we couldn't see our original server just working on silverware prep). Overall, the price and attitude this place gives its customers is lacking. Rather pay over $100 at a place where I'm not being treated like il doing them a service with eating there. There are better places in town for the price. If you want to try it out, recommend going for the happy hour to not make as big of a dent if you're underwhelmed in the end.

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    The most delicious ice cream ever maybe olive oil?
    The most delicious ice cream ever maybe olive oil?
    Yummy cocktail!

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    Yummy cocktail!
    The Water Street Grill

    The Water Street Grill

    4.1
    (838 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Super kind folks in a really sweet spot. Old house, converted to restaurant. Something like 14…read moreyears old and they do a great job. Good advice from staff. They know the menu and will check sourcing/ingredients upon request. Didn't have any clam chowder (sad face emoji), but the arugula salad was fantastic. The fish N chips were very good. Fish was clearly fresh and clean. Mac N cheese was quite enjoyable.

    My family had dinner here for the 1st time. not only was our food really good but the staff was…read moreextremely nice, attentive & accommodating. We came from San Francisco & spent the day at the boardwalk. It was dinner time & we didn't know where to eat & majority of places closed at 9pm. However, based off good reviews we found this place nearby. We weren't sure if they would allow us to dine in since we arrived pretty late around 8:40pm. Luckily, the waitresses didn't hesitate to seat our party of 6. (3 hungry kids & 3 adults) We ordered the: -Garlic New York Steak- medium rare & it was so good. Cooked perfectly & topped with roasted garlic. Mixed in the garlic herb butter with the mashed potatoes. It was delish! - Mac & cheese: we ordered a large & it was really yummy & enough for all of us to share. - Tiramisu: I was excited to order this and it did not disappoint. I'm always on the hunt for a good piece of tiramisu, as it's hard to find especially infused with rum. Not only was the flavor & texture perfect, it was paired with whip cream sprinkled with cocoa powder & strawberries. Such a tasty combination. Also, I'd like to give a special shout out to our waitress & chef for being so accommodating to us. They stayed open way after closing time & didnt rush us. For one of our entrees, as we cut the steak, we accidentally dropped 1/2 of it. Since it was our fault we weren't going to ask for another steak. However, when our waitress found out, she asked the chef to make another one. Surprisingly, they were very generous to give us an entire new plate. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and will be sure to dine here again during our next visits!

    Photos
    Pretty restaurant
    Pretty restaurant
    New York Steak and Shrimp
    New York Steak and Shrimp
    Skirt Steak Dinner

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    Skirt Steak Dinner
    Bedda Mia

    Bedda Mia

    4.3
    (164 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    A Culinary Gem: Simply Authentic ​If you are looking for a…read moredining experience that feels like a warm embrace from an Italian grandmother, this charming spot is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you walk through the door, the intimate atmosphere sets the stage for a meal that is clearly crafted with love and tradition. ​The commitment to quality here is unmistakable. Because everything is cooked from scratch, the flavors have a vibrancy that you simply won't find in larger, commercial establishments. ​You can taste the freshness of the ingredients in every sauce and handmade pasta. The seasonings are spot-on--bold enough to be memorable, yet refined enough to let the natural ingredients shine. The food is simply ah-mazing! ​What truly elevates this restaurant is the attentive and friendly service. The staff treats every guest with a level of care that makes you feel like a regular on your very first visit. If you are craving authentic Italian, look no further. This isn't just a meal; it's a reminder of why we fall in love with great food in the first place. Highly recommended!

    Our best kept secret. Such an underrated gem that I feel no one knows about! The calamari is always…read morea hit. My two favorite dishes are the spaghetti alla carbonara and carbonara lasagna! Their portions are easily shareable between 2. Both times I've been here, the restaurant has been empty! Service is great. I love grabbing a seat on the patio and enjoying the lovely Santa Cruz air.

    Photos
    Small size order of Spaghetti and meatball
    Small size order of Spaghetti and meatball
    Pastry section
    Pastry section
    Bedda Mia

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    Pete's Capitola

    Pete's Capitola

    4.4
    (96 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    Service A+! Larry was attentive and warm…read more I had the branzino which was grilled perfectly! Accompanied by the best grits and veggies. A++! My husband had the pasta and clams and raved about the sauce!

    Pete's is in Capitola Village and can be easy to miss because it's right at the curve of Esplanade,…read moreand you need to look up and step up into the entrance. (I have, no joke, walked by it dozens of times without realizing it!) I found it from seeing it on a list of restaurant participants for Burger Week. Overall, I give Pete's 3.5 stars, and here's why... **Ambiance: 5 stars** With the bright and tastefully-decorated dining room along with the multiple windows overlooking the spectacular beach, you really can't beat this ambiance! Pete's has the fine-dining vibe that's perfect for that first date, anniversary or other special dining occasion when you want some quiet and mood lighting. **Service: 4 stars** We were seated right away, even without reservations. It was a Sunday, and there was no wait or crowd. Service was quick and friendly. Mid-dinner, a server broke some glassware right behind my seat and needed us to move so they could sweep under our table and feet. They ended up moving us to a better table (next to the window) instead of having us stand there to watch them sweep. Accidents happen, and I felt they handled that well. **Food: 3 stars** Every item we ordered was delicious and fresh, and all arrived quickly. However, the menu was fairly compact, and the amount of food is even more compact. I was excited Pete's had lobster rolls (one of my all-time favorite food items EVER; $28) on their menu, so I didn't hesitate to order that along with a lychee martini. My partner ordered the bolognese ($30) and an old fashioned. We ordered the polenta as an appetizer. All of it was tasty, but oh-so-small. The cheddar polenta was like a taste test size (maybe 4 TBs), and the lobster roll was the smallest I had ever seen in my life. I didn't want to be rude, but I wanted to laugh when it arrived at our table! The lobster roll was smaller than my hand. It looked like circus food with all super tiny sizes. **Price/Value: 2 stars** You don't come to Pete's for the value because the portions are.... micro. TIP: If you have a big appetite or skipped a meal that day, I suggest going elsewhere or be ready to turn over a paycheck because you'll need to order a lot to fill up. It is worth it, however, if you fancy a light-filled room with views of the sparkling ocean and sounds of the waves crashing on the golden sands of Capitola!

    Photos
    The main dining room is full of light and doors and windows to the beach and ocean
    The main dining room is full of light and doors and windows to the beach and ocean
    Tiramisu
    Tiramisu
    Nice view!

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    Nice view!
    Scrumptious Fish and Chips Food Trailer

    Scrumptious Fish and Chips Food Trailer

    4.3
    (211 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    We go to Humble Sea pretty often and this truck is there every weekend. I've had their loaded vegan…read moreguac chips, but hadn't tried the fish and chips yet. Had it on Saturday after a hike and wish I'd tried it sooner! Carpo's makes my favorite fish and chips in the area, and Scrumptious is a close second. They use a unique batter, and the fish inside is moist and delicious. I usually pass on fries (chips), but these were amazing. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The curry ketchup is so good, too. The line to order moves quickly and we didn't wait very long for our food - great service at the Humble Sea location. There's plenty of seating in the beer garden, though it can get a bit crowded in the afternoons.

    I was really looking forward to my favorite cod fish & chips on the British food truck. I went to…read more'scrumptious fish & Chips' in Scotts Valley last night & I've wanted it for weeks. I was never so disappointed, sold out cod & only had rock fish, was flavorless next to the cod, also tried a new Item fried shrimp, it was not a regular size shrimp, it was not fried where it was crispy, & the batter was too soft. Also there were 5 smaller shrimp with most of it batter on it & it was on a skewer stick which it never indicated on the kiosk we ordered from. They said they ran out of the cod yesterday or also today. I thought that was odd. British fish $ chips are part of what makes it taste so good. When I asked if they would have cod in the future & he said maybe, hope to have it again. I told him the was not a good thing to do, replacing the fish with rock fish. Also was only 2 bottles of malt vinegar so I could not take to my bench for couple mins and then bring back cause the food truck was too far from all the benches.Even fries were blah & too soft & looked like oil needed to be changed cause it made the fries kinda brown. I threw those out after a few z. No ketchup but when I asked about ketchup he gave me a small paper cup about inch & half or so with ketchup. Why didn't they post a sign saying u had to ask for the ketchup. The cooler where u now get your drink u ordered were in cans right n ice cooler on ground. Hard to get to wedged between kiosjk & truck on ground & your vending over to get the can & way too close to people at the ordering kiosk. I wanted a business card but It too was right in front of kiosk & could not get to. she walked over on other window side & reached & plucked a business card out for me. Things were just not filling well for access. I never thought I'd say this about this truck truck cause I always praised it cause it was the best. I will never again order the fish & chips without it being cod,, also if I see others with kinda brownish fried I won't get that either. I think the boss British guy & owner? Needs to be cooking in that truck. I was told his boss liked cooking so he was not there today. We were so disappointed in the fish quality of just rock cod, & I told the guy your going to loss a lot if customers. Sorry for being a Debbie downer tonight but too many things were cumbersome & most importantly the disappointment of not having cod fish. My wife said we just spent 50 bucks & we could have eaten at home, One more time I'll go & if they don't have the fish I will not be returning. It's a shame cause it's been rated as best fish & chips & if they continue not having cosmo I fear they won't last

    Photos
    Check online for schedule, this week as at Humble Brewery
    Check online for schedule, this week as at Humble Brewery
    Crispy, thick batter + soft, flaky cod
    Crispy, thick batter + soft, flaky cod
    Vinegar and salt, right next to the pickup counter, you can bring bring to your table

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    Vinegar and salt, right next to the pickup counter, you can bring bring to your table

    Riva Fish House - seafood - Updated July 2026

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