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Recommended Reviews - River Café
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River Cafe is aptly named as you are right on the banks of Rio Cuale. Great atmosphere and cool setting with friendly service. The food is decent but not quite 5 star. The bread tasted like it was previously frozen. We ordered the artichoke ravioli which was decent and mahi mahi, wild mushroom soup which was very good with notes of Truffle, and the sampler appetizer which was guacamole, mini-bean tostadas, quesadilla triangles served with pico de gallo. Solid restaurant.
This is a beautiful restaurant on the little island in the river by zona romantica. It's a great setting and the service was exceptional. The food was fine but in comparison to the other meals we had in puerto Vallarta this was on the bottom of the list. Everything was prepared well but nothing overly flavorful. Just "safe". This is the perfect place to go if you want a really nice setting and great service but don't like spicy or overly flavorful food.
One of my favorite places to visit in Vallarta. Nestled on the banks of Rio Cuale, it is a perfect spot for breakfast or lunch. Service is the best in town. Watch for Iguanas in the trees, river Otters, and even try to find the fabled crocodiles . The food is so good that the expats and locals dine here. Just has a good vibe.
Beautiful restaurant on the island with stunning river view. We are from a cruise so just wanted a light lunch, so we had garlic shrimp entree and Margaritas (2 for 1 during lunch). The shrimp was delicious. The waiter said it included rice and vegetables, but it also came with complimentary bread, 3 kinds, they were amazing. Service was friendly and prompt. Restroom was clean.
So I haven't actually had a full meal here but I've been back both times I've been in Puerto Vallarta for the views and ambiance alone. After an afternoon of walking and shopping, nothing beats a cold drink and a tasty appetizer amongst the greenery and the water. I love the little rolled tacos and they're the perfect snack. Their margaritas are actually good (not too sweet and not too sour) and the poke is served up in an avocado and nothing that is served in an avocado is ever bad. But even with all of that, the best part about this spot is the service. The servers are so attentive and friendly. Do yourself a favor and check this spot out, even if it's just for a few drinks!
You have found it. I'll save food review till the end. Amazing, marvelous and fabulous in every way. Upscale & pricey sure, yet worth it. Last night we had a bargain dinner so tonight we splurge here. The decor is stunning think south Miami plus we had live retro jazz singer, hope you're as fortunate. Service top shelf. Started a calamari & shrimp. Entree included duck, best ever, steak, very nice as KC, don't skip desert ice cream fizz. We've been to PV every year since '14 not sure how we've miss this spot. We try to keep some regulars ( Pipis El Patron Ah Caramba, ) and try some new ones each year. It moves into our regular rotation from now on.
Food, service, ambiance, live music...check, check, check! The River Café is strategically located near the Cuale Flea Market, the Cuale River, and the ocean. After shopping at the Cuale Island Flea Market, we decided to meet here for lunch. Perfect timing, too, because from 12-6PM, they have a 2-for-1 margarita deal happening. And boy are those margaritas STRONG. That paired with their shrimp enchilada and salad (I think it was the first salad I'd actually seen in Puerto Vallarta that wasn't pureed into a salsa), the open air seating, and the live music (harpist and mariachi band) made for a memorable dine-in experience. If I'm ever back in Puerto Vallarta, I'd come back here in a heartbeat!
Beautiful atmosphere and it's definitely a must visit during your trip to PV. The margaritas were excellent and the staff was friendly and attentive. Watch out for their fajita veggies though as they are extremely oily. I ordered a vegan burrito and fajita vegetables were the only thing on the inside of the tortilla. It was inedible because there was an insane amount of oil. Our server was very nice to remove it from our bill.
Old world ambience in a restaurant that has been there for years and years. I went there for dinner and had a lovely experience in 1998 and again last night. The wait staff was completely attentive without being too attentive. It was a fairly quiet night in the restaurant, and we had a seat right along the empty river bed. I love the ambience of the restaurant in the beautiful oil paintings that have been there for years. The artist, no longer paints, so the paint is a become even more valuable. They are beautiful to behold! I am not a big bread, eater, or a normal basis, but a little hot rolls that they brought out with basil. Butter were amazing. We started dinner with a Caesar salad, which we split, and it was more than enough for each of us. It was done in the original way of Cesar, so it was really beautiful and tasty. I had octopus carpaccio as my main course, even though it was an appetizer, and my husband had salmon with vegetables. Both were perfectly prepared and played in in a very lovely manner. The pictures don't do them justice. We've not been eating dessert on this trip, but thought it might be fun to try one. Well, it was a good idea! the chocolate mousse was killer. Another lovely evening in Puerto Vallarta in a place that has been there for years and years! I think it was even better than I was when I was there 25 years ago. Add it to your list of places where you must have dinner in Puerto Vallarta.
Lovely atmosphere, incredible waiters, amazing food!!! We ate breakfast there twice on this trip and was there for drinks one evening (pina coladas are superb!) Must have the Pan Frances (French Toast)- it's spectacular!! Can't say enough about this wonderful restaurant located on the bank of the Rio Cuale in the heart of the city.
8 days ago
7 months ago
River Cafe is a cute little riverside restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. The views are beautiful and the food is delicious. The waitstaff are quick and friendly, offering up lots of suggestions. It's been a few years since I visited, but I look forward to going back! read more
River Cafe is aptly named as you are right on the banks of Rio Cuale. Great atmosphere and cool setting with friendly service. The food is decent but not quite 5 star. The bread tasted like it was previously frozen. We ordered the artichoke ravioli which was decent and mahi mahi, wild mushroom soup which was very good with notes of Truffle, and the sampler appetizer which was guacamole, mini-bean tostadas, quesadilla triangles served with pico de gallo. Solid restaurant. read more
8 months ago
This is a beautiful restaurant on the little island in the river by zona romantica. It's a great setting and the service was exceptional. The food was fine but in comparison to the other meals we had in puerto Vallarta this was on the bottom of the list. Everything was prepared well but nothing overly flavorful. Just "safe". This is the perfect place to go if you want a really nice setting and great service but don't like spicy or overly flavorful food. read more
5 months ago
One of my favorite places to visit in Vallarta. Nestled on the banks of Rio Cuale, it is a perfect spot for breakfast or lunch. Service is the best in town. Watch for Iguanas in the trees, river Otters, and even try to find the fabled crocodiles . The food is so good that the expats and locals dine here. Just has a good vibe. read more
Beautiful restaurant on the island with stunning river view. We are from a cruise so just wanted a light lunch, so we had garlic shrimp entree and Margaritas (2 for 1 during lunch). The shrimp was delicious. The waiter said it included rice and vegetables, but it also came with complimentary bread, 3 kinds, they were amazing. Service was friendly and prompt. Restroom was clean. read more
26 days ago
4 months ago
1 month ago
So I haven't actually had a full meal here but I've been back both times I've been in Puerto Vallarta for the views and ambiance alone. After an afternoon of walking and shopping, nothing beats a cold drink and a tasty appetizer amongst the greenery and the water. I love the little rolled tacos and they're the perfect snack. Their margaritas are actually good (not too sweet and not too sour) and the poke is served up in an avocado and nothing that is served in an avocado is ever bad. But even with all of that, the best part about this spot is the service. The servers are so attentive and friendly. Do yourself a favor and check this spot out, even if it's just for a few drinks! read more
3 years ago
The crab tacos were so yummy. Daniel our server was very nice and helpful. Really pretty place and was nice to be alongside the water/ river run off area. Peach Bellini was also very delicious read more
You have found it. I'll save food review till the end. Amazing, marvelous and fabulous in every way. Upscale & pricey sure, yet worth it. Last night we had a bargain dinner so tonight we splurge here. The decor is stunning think south Miami plus we had live retro jazz singer, hope you're as fortunate. Service top shelf. Started a calamari & shrimp. Entree included duck, best ever, steak, very nice as KC, don't skip desert ice cream fizz. We've been to PV every year since '14 not sure how we've miss this spot. We try to keep some regulars ( Pipis El Patron Ah Caramba, ) and try some new ones each year. It moves into our regular rotation from now on. read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Eva S.
Gracias!!!
Food, service, ambiance, live music...check, check, check! The River Café is strategically located near the Cuale Flea Market, the Cuale River, and the ocean. After shopping at the Cuale Island Flea Market, we decided to meet here for lunch. Perfect timing, too, because from 12-6PM, they have a 2-for-1 margarita deal happening. And boy are those margaritas STRONG. That paired with their shrimp enchilada and salad (I think it was the first salad I'd actually seen in Puerto Vallarta that wasn't pureed into a salsa), the open air seating, and the live music (harpist and mariachi band) made for a memorable dine-in experience. If I'm ever back in Puerto Vallarta, I'd come back here in a heartbeat! read more
Beautiful atmosphere and it's definitely a must visit during your trip to PV. The margaritas were excellent and the staff was friendly and attentive. Watch out for their fajita veggies though as they are extremely oily. I ordered a vegan burrito and fajita vegetables were the only thing on the inside of the tortilla. It was inedible because there was an insane amount of oil. Our server was very nice to remove it from our bill. read more
1 year ago
Old world ambience in a restaurant that has been there for years and years. I went there for dinner and had a lovely experience in 1998 and again last night. The wait staff was completely attentive without being too attentive. It was a fairly quiet night in the restaurant, and we had a seat right along the empty river bed. I love the ambience of the restaurant in the beautiful oil paintings that have been there for years. The artist, no longer paints, so the paint is a become even more valuable. They are beautiful to behold! I am not a big bread, eater, or a normal basis, but a little hot rolls that they brought out with basil. Butter were amazing. We started dinner with a Caesar salad, which we split, and it was more than enough for each of us. It was done in the original way of Cesar, so it was really beautiful and tasty. I had octopus carpaccio as my main course, even though it was an appetizer, and my husband had salmon with vegetables. Both were perfectly prepared and played in in a very lovely manner. The pictures don't do them justice. We've not been eating dessert on this trip, but thought it might be fun to try one. Well, it was a good idea! the chocolate mousse was killer. Another lovely evening in Puerto Vallarta in a place that has been there for years and years! I think it was even better than I was when I was there 25 years ago. Add it to your list of places where you must have dinner in Puerto Vallarta. read more
3 years ago
Lovely atmosphere, incredible waiters, amazing food!!! We ate breakfast there twice on this trip and was there for drinks one evening (pina coladas are superb!) Must have the Pan Frances (French Toast)- it's spectacular!! Can't say enough about this wonderful restaurant located on the bank of the Rio Cuale in the heart of the city. read more
1 year ago
Great food, wonderful service, beautiful setting *Dear Yelp, here are a few more sentences for the people who enjoy reading reviews rather than getting outside & experiencing what this world has to offer. Remember what life was like before yelp? We just went places 'cause they looked cool, tried restaurants 'cause they looked nice or someone recommended it... but now, most of us go on Yelp. Why? To read novel length reviews from wannabe journalists? Or are you like me: I just want to look at the menu before hand, check out the prices, & know if I'll get food poisoning or not. Either way, you read this long rant, thanks, I hope I made you laugh :) Oh and thanks Covid for making me lose my Elite status read more
1 year ago
I found River Cafe to be totally fine! Like...I kind of enjoyed my meal (chicken fajitas), the price was maybe a bit high for what it was, the service was nice, the ambiance was nice, nothing too special... The complimentary chips, served with pico de gallo, were very, very greasy so tried to avoid eating those. So, overall, I wouldn't put it at the top of your list if you're looking for awesome places to eat in PV, but I would definitely say it's....fine! read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
I don't know how this place is not packed 100% of the time. A true gem in Puerto Vallarta with delicious food and the BEST service. This restaurant is absolutely beautiful. If you are in Puerto Vallarta, I highly recommend River Café. read more
We had plans to eat here. The reviews promise a lot. We popped in for a drink during a very hot day, and while there sitting on the river on the little elevated Island terrace. While there we concluded that it is a great located venue but the atmosphere was not what we were after and we had found much quainter places in town so we changed our plans. The River Cafe might well be worth a visit, but I do not think I will ever make this a place that I will go out of my way to patronize. The rumor mill says many good things about the River Cafe, but I have found that the rumor mill in PV isn't all that reliable. read more
The food was worth a try. Chicken crepe is something I didn't expect but it was good. It was quiet for early morning breakfast and the seating and views are comfy. I gave 4 mainly cause the service, my bf ordered a veggie omelette with sausage but they got him a bacon omelette with no veggie. We pointed it out and they reacted fast and nice. Took the plate and utensils, served us a new veggie omelette with ham.. and forgot to bring us new utensils. We were in a hurry so we didn't want ask again anymore. Give 4 since they are responsive but not paying attention to details. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Business owner information
Eva S.
Hola Staffo thank You very much for your comment, we find really…
Pro's: Amazing setting, excellent service Con's: Well, could be some mosquitos in that rain forest but no big deal. Go back? You bet! After a morning of shopping Nueva Vallarta and the Malecon, it was time for lunch. We went in October so it was still nice and warm and humid, but not painfully so. We stopped in for lunch at River Cafe. How gorgeous! We ate a beutiful lunch of avocado stuffed with ahi and a grilled chicken salad. The grilled chicken salad is NOT what you would expect in the U.S. It was beautiful fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, plaintains and REAL strips of grilled chicken. Delicious and light for our continued shopping adventures. Interesting note: They have this cool separate dining area over the river that was being worked on on by a maintenance person. I watched him as he worked. He was meticulous with his painting work and how he kept the area clean as he worked. It was just cool to see this guy care so much about what he was doing. read more
4 years ago
Amazing ambiance with okay food. This is a great spot if you want to be in the shade with the calming sounds of the river. It is a good spot for watching birds and iguanas. read more
3 years ago
Business owner information
Eva S.
Thankyou for your comments
2 years ago
1 year ago
5 years ago
This is my fiancé favorite restaurant yet I was hesitant do to the location. It's directly on the river which on our day had very little movement and I have a huge problem with mosquitoes. IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM! IT WAS FANTASTIC. It's such a beautiful restaurant. Old charm, surrounded by trees and flowers and the ocean just across the street. The staff is excellent, they are gacious and kind. The floor manager came to our table to check on us (which we love). It's a perfect bunch location and would be excellent for a romantic dinner. This is a must do. It's one of Puerta Vallarta's finest. read more
The only bad thing I can think of is ... they ran out of CRAB taquitos! Otherwise this place was great! It set a great tone for my vacay in PV. The civeche, queso and guacamole were fresh and paired well with the fresh tortilla chips. The cripsy plantain chips were really good too. Although they ran out of crab they did make me pollo taquitos which were an excellent substitution. My husband enjoyed the fish tacos, crispy and fresh. The atmosphere of the restaurant was relaxed with an open seating concept. Beautiful authentic Mexican decor and its located right on the river in zona romantica! They have water misters which kept the restaurant cool. I would definitely recommend a stop here for lunch! Great service and the lemonade pitcher we purchased lasted us all weekend at our hotel! The lemonade was a mix between fresh squeezed lemonade and seltzer water. Almost tasted carbonated. read more
3 years ago
We celebrated our mother's 90th birthday at the River Café in Puerto Vallarta. The food and service were outstanding. It was a hot day but the fans and misters made the experience very comfortable. The margaritas did not disappoint. I highly recommend the ceviche and crab tacos. If you're looking for a special dining experience with a beautiful, tropical atmosphere the River Café is the place. We ended the meal with the waiters singing 'Happy Birthday' in Spanish to my mother. We will definitely be returning! read more
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More info about River Café
Isla Río Cuale 4
Col. Centro
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Mexico
Directions
322 223 0788
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Visit Website
http://www.rivercafe.com.mx
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5 reviews that are not currently recommended
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