We bought out the restaurant for my Son's Rehearsal Dinner last weekend. I cannot say enough about the staff here! Victor, our coordinator, is second to none!! I met with him a couple of times but he remembered every little detail the second meeting without notes or anything! The staff was equally as amazing! They catered to us like we were family! And the food... absolutely top notch! Fresh, perfectly cooked and promptly served. Thank you, Chef Josh, for curating a special menu for us. The appetizers were so yummy as well! Tuna tartare... chefs kiss! I would highly recommend this restaurant for any of your needs or just a night out. Victor, you are a gem! read more

The food was very good, and I'm sure the staff is very kind, but unfortunately my experience wasn't great. The sign on the door said, "Proper attire required." I'm 17 years old, and I assumed that simply meant you needed to be appropriately covered. My boyfriend and I were seated without any issue, so I didn't realize our clothing would be a problem. Looking back, I would have much preferred to have been told at the door if we didn't meet the dress code rather than being seated. Throughout our meal, we felt judged by both the staff and some of the people around us. It made for a very uncomfortable experience, and we left feeling like we weren't treated the same as other guests. I completely respect that restaurants have dress codes, but I wish it had been communicated more clearly and handled before we were seated. read more

Date Night!! It was my turn to pick! The food was amazing, with top-notch meat quality, and the vibe was quiet money(lol)! I loved it!! 10/10 Our server was very attentive. read more

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What a great little place in Memphis. The ambiance and decor is comfortable and chic. Service was fabulous and food was very good. I had the salad with big juicy pan fried shrimp. The 5/5 was because the bar and selection of bourbon was amazing. They had some top shelf bourbon including a selection of Pappy's!!! If you are in the area and want good food and drinks - check this place out. read more

River Oaks Restaurant - New American Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

River Oaks is classy restaurant with quality food. I tried their "jumbo" crab cakes and pan seared halibut. Surprised that the two crab cakes were not larger than two meatball and is a bit misleading to call them "jumbo" as how they are served in other parts of the US. The pan seared halibut is a well balanced entree with a high quality piece of fish, perfectly cooked green beans and homemade fried potatoes. I love that both appetizer and entrees are well balanced with protein and greens and vegetables. read more

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Sat at the bar. Quality food, friendly staff, and reasonable pricing. Will definitely be back.

The food and service were terrible. I am so disappointed. The food and service have always been so good. I couldn't eat my food. Manager hid and wouldn't come talk to us. read more

I'd call this a true fine dining experience. It can be a special occasion or a quest to have delicious food prepared by amazing chefs. The moment you step inside, you're welcomed by an atmosphere of sophistication and elegance. You can tell the chefs here are well-trained and take pride in their craft. One of the chefs, and this is the really neat part, painted a massive, breathtaking fish painting that's a centerpiece in the restaurant. It's like having dinner surrounded by art. I mustn't forget to mention the salmon. It's so succulent and perfectly prepared that you'll swear it's the best you've ever had. And for those who are health-conscious or just looking for a unique twist, the cauliflower rice is an absolute dream. It's a testament to how this place blends classic elegance with contemporary tastes. So, there you have it, River Oaks Restaurant - a fine dining establishment that's like a time machine back to the refined dining experiences of yesteryears. They've got a mix of the old-school charm and modern culinary delights that'll leave you with a truly memorable dining memory. Bon appétit! read more

River Oaks Restaurant - Caramelized Salmon with Cauliflower Risotto. Sooooo good! - New American Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

The food was very good, my entire family enjoyed their meal, and the waitress that our table was very nice (he deserves a promotion immediately his name is) (Ahmad) he was very attentive and literally the best waitress I ever had, my experience was the best here 10/10 read more

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My wife and I celebrated last night where she enjoyed a chicken dish with beet salad. I had what I consider the best tuna I've ever eaten and it was perfectly prepared. Warm chocolate dessert was awesome. Photographs are attached for your review. Pleasant atmosphere where the service was great. This restaurant is easy to pass by and I don't recall any advertising. I assure you we will return. Though pricey, this was a wonderful meal. Thanks, River Oaks! read more

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bad food and service. 15 minutes to get served water after you sat down. food tastes old

Chef Jose is a genius. This restaurant is absolutely stellar. We were lucky enough to dine in the private room. The set up was welcoming and cozy. Our server was charming. The food was incredible. Truly. And the presentation was gorgeous. The salmon appetizer, jumbo lump crab cakes, scallops, the duck, the filet, the apple purse for dessert. I can't say enough. We had one vegetarian in our group, and she was well catered to by our server. We were a lively group of 12. We ordered different wines for each course, and our eyes popped out of our heads at each pairing. This was my first trip to Memphis. Shall we return, we shall seek out Chef Jose! read more

River Oaks Restaurant - A thirsty crew! - New American Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

My take away impression is Meh. The food is really hit and miss. The tuna tartare was beautifully presented (as are all the dishes) but completely void of flavor. We also had baked Brie, short ribs, and tuna nicoise, key lime pie for dessert. The only thing we ate that night that was anything approaching outstanding was the rustic cranberry & pistachio bread served with the baked Brie. Everything else was just standard fare, not a place I'd go to again to drop $200. read more

River Oaks Restaurant - Baked Brie with that amazing rustic bread - New American Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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The food was amazing and the service was unmatched! I love the lighting in the restaurant and the upscale decor. I had the scallops with pasta and it was one of the best dishes I've eaten in a long time. I would definitely recommend and will go back. read more

Would rate 0 if possible based on service & lack thereof. I spent a week traveling in Memphis for work and had a semi free day on a Friday. In the midst of an errand filled morning I thought to begin planning my lunch around 10:30 considering most establishments open at 11. Good restaurants answer their phones whenever any staff are present and even better ones provide quality service whether business hours are present or not, yet BAD restaurants give customers and potential customers the exact attitude they allow & facilitate in house no matter the hour or occasion. Having never visited River Oaks but often passing and seeing it come up on Yelp I thought to call and inquire about their burger as I'm always on a quest to find the perfect one to suit sporadic cravings. Upon calling at 10:30a a woman answered the phone and I asked if they serve a burger, what is the price and what is it made of. She hastily said "We don't open til 11" to which I replied "I'm aware yet I'm trying to decide where to eat for lunch". She again repeated "We don't open til 11, YOU CAN CALL BACK AT 11", with a harshly disrespectful tone. She stated that her name was Melanie and I thanked her for helping me decide where NOT to EVER eat at. What a disgrace to humanity! Subsequently I called The Butcher Shop in Cordova moments later and was met with EXCELLENT phone service and an even greater experience once arriving. Their burger & service was impeccable. So glad I went there! read more

River Oaks Restaurant - Proof of call - New American Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Sad to write this review, but I cannot support a business in which the "head chef" Ivan refers to customers as "you people." Unacceptable. The atmosphere is inviting. The menu is interesting. The execution was terribly flawed. And blaming the customer for politely reporting issues ranging from a flat soda (which was never replaced), to an incorrect cut of meat and a forgotten side dish is never appropriate. My father-in-law, an Associate Dean and longstanding fixture in Memphis at the University of Tennessee, has never been treated so poorly. I was embarrassed to hear him called "you people" and when I demanded that he explain what he means by that, Chef Ivan doubled down calling us rude rather than apologizing. My father-in-law gave the waitress his card and asked for the owner to follow up, which no one did. Really unforgivable. We paid in full for an evening made worse by racist remarks. And zero accountability. Think twice about patronizing this place, which is not properly managed anymore. read more

Always a treat! I have eaten so many of the menu items, but my favorite has to be the Halibut. Yummy

Went here for lunch today with a friend. Haven't been to Memphis and at least 15 years. This restaurant was a find. We had tortilla soup and a petite salad for lunch and both were outstanding. The salad had a lovely dressing and not overdressed. The soup of the day was tortilla with chips and avocado inside... Talk about yummy oh my goodness. Service was wonderful I didn't get the young girls name but remembered I was here when she said yes ma'am. Loved it I would recommend this to anybody read more

First time visiting for lunch it was very good the Chef's TV dinner changes daily and the fish is fresh and was brought in today. Excellent! read more

River Oaks Restaurant - TV dinner - New American Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Food was out of this world with a unique take on presentation. Whipped Ricotta is some of best in the city. Service was great and ambiance is pretty solid! read more

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Went with a group, 5 total in the party and we were seated at the large round table in the middle of the room, which was great, except when the group of 10-12 college age girls came in (they were seated in the alcove at the really big table). The girls were having fun, but did get a little loud. It was difficult to hear our own conversations. The food as usual was exceptional. The service was very good. Just a great go-to restaurant. read more

Excellent food! We had a fantastic lunch. The crab cakes were perfectly done. Best crab cake I ever tasted. The chicken dish was amazing. The greens with the chicken were super fresh and delish. The lemon caper sauce with it was light, citrusy and balanced. Highly recommend this restaurant. The tuna salad was so pretty I didn't want to disturb it but drove in and loved it! read more

River Oaks Restaurant - Seared Tuna Salad. Beautiful and delicious! - New American Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

In town visiting from Las Vegas and found this little gem even though the Yelp reviews may have deterred me from enjoying an amazing lunch. It was a fabulous day to sit outside and enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon. We ordered some wine and one diner opted for a Belvedere martini (after a stressful morning !!) Our server was knowledgeable on the menu and the specials. Our group ordered a hot pastrami sandwich, breaded chicken breast (Organic Lemon Chicken Paillard) on a bed of mixed greens, a BLT sandwich and a chefs TV dinner (todays special included red snapper, Mac and cheese, salad and a pear Creme brûlée.) What a wonderful presentation!!! All the selections were incredible, one better than the other. Chef Jose came out to greet our table which added a flair of personality and charm. Highly recommend this restaurant. We will definitely return to experience the dinner menu. read more

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Always outstanding and highly recommend! Call for reservations because they're always busy. The tuna tartare, watermelon salad are standouts! Their salmon is delicious but you can't go wrong with their burger and fries, I think it's one of the best in the city! It's big so it can easily be shared. read more

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Excellent food and service for our party of eight. Probably the best business or date place in Memphis!

It's not the most creative menu, but it has fairly diverse options that are consistently delicious. Consistency is not a trait I ever would have valued before moving to Memphis, but now, it's what makes this one of my favorite restaurants. I know that each time I come here that I'll be able to order a fresh, flavorful dish with the chef paying attention to little details. The ambiance is great and I love the outdoor area, which can be hard to find. I honestly haven't had anything I wouldn't recommend! read more

Unfortunately, this beautiful neighborhood restaurant which was my parents' favorite, has been ruined by racist Chef Ivan. He got aggressive at the end of our meal at 9pm on Wednesday night when my Egyptian father calmly reported to the waitress that he was disappointed in his meal and asked to speak with the manager. Our waitress disappeared and another waitress came with a dessert menu and offered a complimentary dessert. My father declined because he didn't want anything but to report the issues in the hope that they can improve. So, he asked again to see the manager. Chef Ivan came out and was very aggressive in arguing about the issues with his meal, which took over an hour to arrive. My father explained that his soda was flat and a replacement never came and his side of tomatoes never arrived. The short ribs were a boneless chunk of tough meat that could not be cut without a steak knife. He explained that when he reminded the waitress to replace his flat soda, she said they would have to refill the carbonation cartridge the next day. Chef Ivan insisted that the meat was indeed short ribs (my father has ordered that dish there many times before and knows it was not), the soda was not flat and then he called us YOU PEOPLE twice. When my wife asked what he means by that, he said RUDE. Braden, the manager, promised to talk to the owner about the chef's behavior. She brought us the bill and we paid in full. My father gave his business card to follow up and has not heard anything from the owner Jose Gutierrez two days later. Blaming the customer because the restaurant cannot keep up with the "chaotic" pace of business is bad enough, but referring to customers as "you people" is racist and unacceptable. We will not be back. read more

Excellent food, Excellent Service and great atmosphere! Easy parking, knowable staff.

Before I write this review, I'd like to thank the establishment and staff for such an easy reservation process. Also a special thank you to my waitress, Ashley. She handled the entire table with such grace and charisma. This was everyone's first time dining with River Oaks. It was a great choice given the location and menu items, there was something for everyone (I had a vegetarian guest). Prices were very standard for a more fine dining experience. Also, thank you to the bartender, the drinks were great. The food was hot and fresh. Great portions. I honestly have nothing bad to say. I really enjoyed myself. I'm glad I had a great time especially since it was my birthday! read more

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Great food and attentive staff! My favorite date night spot! The food is creative and delicious.

The food, portions, service and ambiance were excellent. Was there for lunch and ate so much I didn't need dinner.

We were staying close by and this place was within walking distance from our hotel. It was very nice looking inside and although it was short staffed, they were very attentive. We each had the tomato soup with grilled cheese and the petit salad which was very good. The only thing was a lot of both the staff and people eating there seemed to be coughing a lot so we pretty much ate quickly and left. read more

Expect to find a very sophisticated restaurant & bar with dishes made by a master chef (M.C. José Gutierrez) . I am not sure how many master chefs Memphis has, but you'll definitely find at one at River Oaks. There were some pretty trendy dishes on the menu, but at my time of visit, I ordered a simple organic lemon, chicken paillard. It was really delightful, light but filling, and very flavorful. I ate every bite. Shamelessly. I can't wait to come here again and try their other dishes, although I think the menu is seasonal. The bar, although small, is posh. While I'm not a fan of the parking (appears to be shared by Sheraton hotel & the restaurant) & driving here can be a little tricky, I think the menu and ambiance is well worth your time & money. Call ahead for reservations. **Its good to know, the restaurant is situated below an incline and can literally turn into a "river" if you're caught in a heavy rainstorm. Thankfully, drinks are served strong & will help you weather out any crazy Memphis weather. read more

I popped in for a late lunch with my husband and I ordered the salmon BLT and when I tell you it was good, it was good. No complaints. Food and service was excellent. Will be going back. read more

River Oaks Restaurant - Salmon BLT with Pomme Frites - New American Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Great food, great service and dependable. Chef is always surprising us with new specials that are delicious and creative. Excellent bar as well and great atmosphere! read more

It was fantastic time and every dishes were amazing！！！ I love tomatoes gazpacho！ fantastic！ read more

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Don't waste your time or your money. My husband and I went on a Saturday night and the service was atrocious and the food was mediocre. Cornbread madeleines were the best thing we had. Agnolotti appetizer was ok. Goat cheese salad was bland and oily. They brought our appetizer and salad at the same time (???) After our appetizer/salad course was cleared, it took just shy of 40 mins to get our entrees. When we asked our server (at 25 mins in for the Great Entree Wait of 2021) if there was a problem with our entrees she said "I don't know, I don't run the food." Ooooook. I'd think, as our server, you'd care, but maybe not. We literally had to flag the woman down for this snark. No apology. No, "can I bring you something while you wait?" etc. When our entrees finally arrived, the expo who did run our food auctioned it off like it was Chili's. "WHO HAS THE LAMB CHOPS???" Ma'am. Are you serious? Read the seat numbers on the ticket. Our water glasses were filled 2x in the two hours we were there and we had to ask for it each time. If you drink water with your meal, probably best to BYO. This is not fine dining. Let me say it again for the people in the back. THIS IS NOT FINE DINING. For $150++, do yourself a favor and go to ANY of the following, which have far better food and far superior service: any Andrew Michael restaurant (Gray Canary and Bishop are our faves), Erling Jensen, Restaurant Iris, Felicia Suzanne's, Ecco, Acre, etc. We skipped dessert. Why throw good money after bad? read more

Sam was our server and he was phenomenal! He was a gentleman and had the best recommendations on what to eat.

Great spot in a somewhat hidden location. It's an upsacle menu with a "down to earth" staff". I'm a frequent visitor to Memphis and love this spot. Great vibe and food. read more

It was our anniversary and we have been trying to go to River Oaks for dinner for a while so we decided to give it a try. We wanted to love it but it was just ok. Service was adequate but nothing amazing for this price point. Food was the big disappointment! My husband loves the burger says it's one of the best in the city. My halibut was dried out, salty and the overall dish was barley eatable. I have never had such bad fish in my entire life if it was overly complex and made a beautiful fish taste horrible. read more