Kinda wanted to give it 2 stars but I figured I'd give it the benefit of the doubt since it is relatively new still. Great location. Cool atmosphere for the outdoor seating/waiting area. Inside is nice too if not a bit loud and tight on space. Food: Just not that great. Had one of the flatbreads as an appetizer. It was barely warm, and tasted/looked like it had been sitting out for an hour. Which is weird because you can see the man baking them fresh as you walk in the restaurant. For the entrees, I tried the fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and ratatouille. The fried chicken was good. Nice and crispy with good flavor. The black eyed peas were a little strange with it but good dish overall. The ratatouille was not good. Tasted like they literally jut opened up some cans of tomatoes and dumped them in a bowl and heated it up. No flavor or freshness. The shrimp and grits similarly lacked flavor. Service: Again not great. Walked in the restaurant and was asked if we had a reservation. My mom tried explaining to the lady that she googled them but couldn't find a phone number listed anywhere to call, and the lady (who looked like some sort of manager) just cut her off saying "We are on yelp" then turned around. Like... ok. The two waitresses we had while we were ordering drinks outside were great. No complaints there. Our waitress after we were sat down was a different story. She was nice, but just seemed to not really known what she was doing. Told us they were out of the burger 5 minutes after 2 od us had ordered it. Also told us that the shrimp and grits didn't have any pork (it definitely does). My mom didn't complain about it and just shoved it aside, and when we were paying politely told the waitress "btw, not a big deal but just thought I'd let you know that it does have pork," to which the waitress replied "oh ok". Uhhh.. what? Not that we wanted a free meal or something but the least she could have said was sorry. Just strange. Again, honestly probably a 2 star experience but I want this place to succeed so I'm giving the benefit of the doubt. read more

Can't wait to visit this place! Tuscaloosa is so in need of a new riverfront dining experience that offers great food.

I had the fried oysters as an appetizer and the flank steak over sweet potato fries as an entree! The combination of flavors was DELICIOUS! I never finish my sweet potato fries... I finished the entire plate it was great read more

River - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Excellent food, friendly service, and relaxing environment! I had the Shrimp & grits (highly recommend!) and my husband had the BBQ/brisket flatbread pizza. The only thing we would not recommend here is the okra appetizer. It was far too plain and ordinary for such a gourmet restaurant. read more

Great restaurant. Food & service top quality. River view is an added attraction. You will not be disappointed!! read more

We'll thought out dishes. Really spectacular food and service to match. Highly recommend

service was amazing and food was to die for. if i had the money i would eat here every meal for the rest of my life

We had dinner and brunch there this weekend. No line for brunch like most of the other places in town and we had a flight to catch, so we went back. Dinner was good but the menu is limited and I agree with other reviews that the portions could be larger for the cost. Also we had a reservation for 6 people at 8pm and they were out of two or three things on their already limited menu. The food was good but not anything I would run back for on our next visit. I think appetizers and drinks on the patio might be a option. We were quickly seated for Sunday Brunch but again the menu is limited and was more lunch than brunch. The most popular breakfast place in town is next door so you'd think they'd fill up on overflow if they had more brunch type dishes. Food was not bad-Beignets were the highlight. They will prepare eggs on their basic breakfast other ways than scrambled but you have to ask. read more

Love this location. Went with family here and everyone loved it! Food and drinks were both good! Overpriced though.

Excellent restaurant with wonderful food. Prepare yourself for a wait though. (Even with reservations). Also, the food is delicious, but takes a LONG time to make it to the table. We've had brunch here twice and will be back again when in T-town read more

River - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Great atmosphere, solid service and carefully prepared food. Short but creative menu with a more than adequate wine list. Salad was fresh with a nice variety of greens but there was too much dressing. Would suggest getting the dressing on the side. Two of us got redfish. I requested that mine be blackened which gave it a nice bite but I cannot say it was in any way spicy. read more

We started with the Gouda grit tots. They were delish. Really big portion. We order the hanger steak and the ribeye. Both were very good. The vegetables under the ribeye have a different flavor. Overall good experience. read more

One of our favorites when we come to Tuscaloosa! Service and menu are excellent...atmosphere away from campus is great when you don't want that environment. read more

Very good food and service in a scenic location. Sit outside if possible. Superb place.

I was so looking forward to this evening and then it was a big disappointment. Spent the whole time wondering where our server was, took forever to take our order. I will say once we ordered, the food came out fast but other people had to deliver it to us, not our server. The food was ok. It was not anything great. When I am in T-Town again it's definitely not someplace I have to go back to! Kind of disappointed . read more

Our meal was wonderful. We ordered the chicken and the shoulder cut steak, both amazing. When we were first seated we had to wait over 10 mins to have someone come take our drink order. It really was a horrible way to start our dinner. Then the waitress told us it was due to her having to help another couple move out of the rain, they were sitting outside. We get that and can respect that but why wouldn't someone else step up and help her out? Another thing I would like to see change is that they do not allow you to change sides, not even for an additional fee. I have diverticulosis and cannot eat salad yet when I asked to swap out sides no accommodations were even offered I was just told no. read more

Perfect lunchtime spot when we needed to duck off campus for a business meeting. The food was great, our server was there whenever we needed anything, and the view was fantastic. I hope I can get back to try different items from the menu when I can relax and enjoy it even more. read more

Excellent service, food, atmosphere. The shrimp & grits were absolutely phenomenal. I'd come back in a heartbeat. Patio dining on the river is perfect. read more

River - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

First, the atmosphere is great! The food and service was disappointing. I made reservations for my son's birthday and was surprised to be seated at a tall bar table instead of a regular table. We started with the shrimp dip. The dip was amazing but the crackers tasted like cardboard. The server brought us some different chips which were better but just ok. My son's filet was undercooked, so we had to send it back. We then had to send my ribeye back because it was cold. When they returned with both, my ribeye was just lukewarm. My son said the filet was good, and the brussel sprouts were delicious. My ribeye was good, and the spinach spoon bread was yummy. The service was indifferent and slow at times. Our server was also the bartender, so we were not a primary focus. We had other servers who stopped by and seemed more attentive and personable. I'm disappointed my son's birthday dinner was below expectations. I really liked the atmosphere and hope it was an off night. read more

If you want to spend $130 on an $80 meal this is your place. Disappointing and $$ is inaccurate. Beautiful location. Service was cheerful. read more

Definitely a popular joint because of its panoramic location. The food, however, could be fairly better especially on the choices when it comes to the vegetarian menu. Otherwise great ambiance, and satisfactory service. read more

Service was great. Our server Ryan C was very knowledgeable of the entire menu! To top it all off the food was perfect and the drinks from the bar were good as well. Definitely will return read more

River - Flat iron steak and chicken dishes - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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High prices, small portions, poor service. Enough said So, after I went to Whataburger and got something decent to eat for $5. read more

First, the food was simply outstanding! I had the Grilled Flat Iron, and my wife had the Crispy Southern Chicken. Two Five-Star meals in their own right! I've been eating steak for over 15 years of my life, and that was hands-down, the best steak I have ever had!!! The appetizer (Brisket Taquitos) was delicious, and perfectly-portioned. The complimentary house-made potato chips were the a great starter to our meal. Dessert (Strawberry Shortcake Biscuit) was heavenly! The service was impeccable. Brandon, our server, was warm, welcoming and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. One of the best servers we've ever had! The ambience is perfect. Subdued, warm lighting bathes the rich woodgrain in a relaxing glow. The restaurant sits on the banks of the Black Warrior River, so you know the view is great! Our first experience at River was amazing, and we WILL be coming back!! read more

This is a great restaurant and has moved up significantly on my list of Tuscaloosa restaurants. While the space is small it is still comfortable for an intimate dinner for two or a casual dining experience for 4-6. It's a great idea to make a reservation so you don't have to wait for a table. The deviled eggs and baked oysters are awesome and I highly recommend those for appetizers. The house red wine is fairly good as well. My group dined on the catfish, fried chicken, burger, and redfish and they were all delicious. The only thing that would be better would be larger portions, especially the catfish entree. read more

Had brunch here. Husband's burger was delicious. The river breakfast was ok. The service was very good. If you can get outside seating take it. The view is wonderful. read more

Wonderful food! Wonderful staff! WONDERFUL ambiance and view of the Black Warrior River!!! Great music by RickyBobby

Enjoyed the atmosphere! Food was good but a little bland for the choice I made which was pan seared catfish.

It was very good, a bit pricey. Service was great, very clean, good environment, we have wood fired oysters for a appetizer, I had a ribeye and Shirley had salmon. It was great overall, really a 4.5. read more

LOUD inside. If that is an issue for you, skip this place unless you can get seated outside. Food I ordered was delicious: seared catfish over bed of cheese grits and collard greens. Waitress seemed to think that we visited the restaurant for conversation with HER. She loudly and repeatedly interrupted obvious conversation (two people talking with heads close together due to the extreme noise in the room) just to ask, "are we doing good here?" She talked too much about the food, her favorites, opinions, etc. We don't know her and did not go there to see her. Ugh. read more

In town for A Day, I got this recommendation from an Alabama Freshman. She chose well. We had dinner on the patio. The inside is very cool too. Sarah was our server. She was there when we needed her. She knew the menu and the wine list too! She told me I could eat their Chicken-fried chicken prepared gluten-free. It was delicious. The Crab pimento dip on homemade potato chips was also a winner. Wood-fired oysters (kind of Rockefeller) also tasty. Oh yeah, deviled eggs!!! No negatives for this place. We made reservations for 6:15 on the Friday before A Day. Excellent timing as we could pick where we wanted to sit. We had conversation without yelling. That's important for old people like me with poor hearing read more

Every time I have come here the service has not been good. Staff is not very friendly. Came in for brunch and had to wait a little to be seated (which was totally fine). When we finally got seated we were put by the kitchen. It then took almost 15 mins for someone to come get our drink order. Food came out timely once it was ordered but it took awhile to get the check. Server was not very friendly either. I have high hopes each time I come here, but sadly have been disappointed. read more

Each and every time we dine at RIVER we have a delightful evening. We have now tried every item on the menu, and although we have our favorites, flat iron steak or catfish, I'd have to say ever dish is wonderful. You can not go wrong dining at RIVER! I love the atmosphere and the courteous wait and bar staff. read more

Very good food, excellent service, definitely should have $$$ instead of $$, but worth it. Dinner was delivered without delay despite being extremely busy. Visit this place if in Tuscaloosa. read more

The best brunch, and some of the best food in general, that I've ever had. Server was fantastic and very diligent. If you ever are in Tuscaloosa or near by it's a must visit!!!! read more

River - Shrimp & grits - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

River is probably my favorite restaurant in Tuscaloosa. The menu is creative, the food and service is excellent,and the portions are a great size for a "nicer" restaurant. We have been a handful of times since they opened over the summer, and really enjoy their patio area. Having moved to Tuscaloosa from a larger city- I have been very impressed with the caliber of local restaurants, and River does not disappiont Our favorite thing(s) on the menu is the Grilled Flat Iron Steak (I seriously crave this!), the Crispy Chicken, and their burger is better than Five or Avenue Pub in my opinion. Also make sure you save room for their peanut butter pie! read more

The scenery can not be beat. They have a menu of surprising and delicious combinations but their most impressive items come from the wood grill. Their oysters, flatbread, and other appetizers will never disappoint. Servers are perfectly in tune with most tables but give each diner room to enjoy their meal. Their drinks are also wonderful. Why only 4 stars? It is very expensive. It's worth it once or twice a year but the portions are fairly small. I suppose they are regular-sized portions for fancy restaurants but I hate to leave an establishment of that caliber... hungry. The food, surrounding scenery, and wait staff are all impressive, however. You should taste everything from their wood oven! read more

Dirty silverware and drink glasses-- GET REAL you're in the business to DELIGHT! Could NOT handle the crowd that night-- told me our table was reassured had to sadly had to chase the matrede down an hour later....... a drink should have been COMPLIMENTARY! fried chicken was good-- good comfort food. read more

This was a top shelf dinner experience in Tuscaloosa. Good views, great service and exceptional food. Connor was amazing, and the staff assisted one another in key times so dirty dishes aren't left on your table too long. I've only witnessed this in 2 restaurants. We started with the fried green tomatoes, I had the grilled flat iron med rare, and my wife had the crispy chicken. I will be back. read more

River - Grilled flat iron Crispy chicken - Southern Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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Thoroughly enjoyed the fried catfish! Great service, presentation and atmosphere. Hosts and servers are super attentive to your needs and they don't disappear for long periods of time like most places. read more