Ok this place is a total dive. It was recommended to me by a local bartender who seems to know her stuff. I came here after a round of golf. Everyone loved my golf hat- "play bad fast". I looked at the outdoor bar but every single seat was taken. All the outdoor tables were booked. So I went inside and saw the inside bar was also full. A table for ten and a table for 6 had departed and needed to be bussed, but both were too much for just one person. So I checked in w the hostess and she asked - booth or table. I wanted table. I got a nice table by the river! Lovely views. Exactly what I wanted. Menus were dropped and soon, Sam was checking in on me. I was so hungry, I had looked at the menu and pics on my way there. I went for the crab cake appetizer and the Gold Wave cocktail. For my entree, I was torn between the Grouper Reuben and the Sea Dog (fried grouper on a long roll, topped with all sorts of goodness). Sam said grouper Reuben was his choice. He asked if I wanted grilled, blackened or fried. I told him to surprise me. For my side, I had the choice of (more) coleslaw (it has coleslaw instead of sauerkraut), fries, sweet potato fries, or a side house or Cesar salad for $4 more. I went w the house salad and their standard citrus vinaigrette. Salad and crab cake came out first. Salad was a huge portion- romaine (some pieces needed better washing), red onion galore, halved cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices. It was great, but needed croutons. The crab cake was the perfect size for one person. It had a whole grain mustard remoulade sauce. Yum! It had some filler but also had a lot of crab. I enjoyed it. The grouper Rueben came out hot!!!! Served with a side of coleslaw and a pickle. I added some needed salt. Boy that fish filet was huge. Sam had put it in grilled for me. Healthy. Nice. I ate half and then I was stuffed. I filled up on the salad and crabcake apparently. I enjoyed the views of boaters going by. It started to rain hard and the folks outside just stayed there. The overhang must've been protecting them well. My server, Sam, was around often to answer my questions. Apparently the grouper Reuben market price is only $21. And if you want redfish or mahi, the price is the same- $21! That's crazy. What a deal. The gold wave is made with Elijah Craig; Good ol Kentucky bourbon. And for dessert, they have cheesecake, peanut butter pie, mud pie, key lime pie, coconut sorbet and orange cake (which he says is a local favorite). I was too stuffed to buy but happy to hear the list. Overall I had a wonderful meal and service was really good. I would recommend adding croutons to the salad, and cleaning up the bathrooms regularly. This place ain't fancy. It's a dirt parking lot. The tables are naked. Folks come casual. However, the prices are great and the food does the talking. Come check them out. read more

See all

This is a popular local spot, and it was definitely busy when we visited. Our table was clean, but the floors were noticeably dirty. Every time our kids dropped their crayons, we jokingly told them, "You snooze, you lose," because we didn't want them picking anything up off the floor. Our waitress was very kind and patient, but we barely saw her throughout the meal. The service could definitely be more attentive. We also waited quite a while for our check, and by then our kids were getting pretty impatient. The kids' mac and cheese looked just like Kraft mac and cheese. The kids enjoyed it, but it's probably not something we'd order again since it's easy to make at home. The oysters were delicious, and I also really enjoyed the fried shrimp basket. I wasn't a fan of the radish sauce, but the coleslaw was excellent. My husband ordered the whole fried fish basket. Unfortunately, it was served without any utensils, so we had to wait until we could flag down another waitress to ask for some because we couldn't find our server. The fish also would have been easier to eat if it had been cut or partially filleted, as the crispy coating fell off the fish when trying to eat it, making it less appetizing. Overall, the food had some highlights, especially the oysters and fried shrimp, but cleaner floors and more attentive service would have made the experience much better. read more

Riviera Bar and Grill - Half a dozen oysters - Bars Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

This visit was two years since the last. We were seated right away and our drink order taken within minutes. We ordered an Arnold Palmer and a Ponce De Leon margarita, mozzarella sticks, shrimp basket, chicken fingers basket and (2) Florida orange cakes to go. Mozzarella sticks- average. Shrimp basket- good but tropical slaw was store bought with pineapple added. Chicken fingers- good not great, onion rings, good not great . Margarita- strong. Biggest problem- from 9-18 people just standing around talking, making staff walk around them. Other problems- some people just walk in past the front desk and just seat themselves ( the privileged). Total bill with tip $100 . Don't need to travel a half hour to just be ok. Won't be back. read more

See all

We really enjoyed our first time here. The ambiance is very nice with indoor and outdoor dining. The restaurant is along the water so enhances your experience. The wait staff was wonderful! They made you feel welcomed and were very attentive. We both ordered the grouper sandwich. One was grilled with sweet potato fries and the other was blackened with regular fries. They were both prepared perfectly and delicious! We also enjoyed both types of fries. The topper was we could keep our well behaved small dogs with us while we had our meal. They even brought a water dish for them. read more

See all

Awesome! We picked up our son from the airport & wound our way to this delightful bar/restaurant on the water. We waited about an hour on a Friday before spring break because we wanted a dockside seat! Worth it! 4 or 5 different brews on tap.. We sat outside & enjoyed the view--boats, gulls, & fish just steps away. We started with onion rings & fish dip. Both tasty. Hubby & son had the fried shrimp special with one side. Hubby loved his coleslaw (mayo based) & son's rice was a small portion. I had a grouper Rueben--delicious fish but not very ruebenish--no sauerkraut--coleslaw instead. Fries & pickle were crisp. You're supposed to toss your shrimp tails to the gulls! They catch them mid-air! All the staff was friendly & accommodating. A must stop spot! read more

See all

Great food and service. We love bringing our little boat there for dock and dine. The bands are always entertaining. A must go to experience...Lady Di Classy Crafts & Boutique of Punta Gorda read more

Back again to see the huge Snook dining amongst the diners and it was well worth the trip. We boated in and enjoyed a few drinks while waiting, though the wait to be seated was a little long simply due to how busy this place gets. There are two bars, one inside and one outside you can choose to sit, stand eat and drink at. I'd suggest getting there early if you want a chance at the outside bar to get a seat. Once we were seated, the food was great and full of flavor. The place was very busy, and the energy was fantastic. The outside bar had a great singer that was performing tropical songs that really added to the atmosphere. Definitely a must-stop spot by boat or vehicle. read more

See all

September 2025 First time and it was pretty great Food - Delicious, ordered the special (lunch) Turkey Rachel sandwich 100% goodness. Service - Our server was so warm & welcoming and took good care of us. Ambiance - We sat inside in front of a window with a nice view of. read more

Riviera Bar and Grill - Table with a view :) - Bars Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

See all

The journey to Punta Gordas oldest waterfront restaurant winds you through neighborhoods until you get to the dead end at the water's edge. Regulars pull up their boats to the small floating docks. Others arrive by car and parked in the unpaved lot or on the side of the dirt road. The thatched tiki added to the Old Florida charm. I bellied up to the bar outside. The weather was perfect for it. I started with a half dozen snots on a rock. Plump and slightly briny. A good choice. My single crab cake appetizer was too much cake and not enough crab. The remoulade sauce was unnecessary. I added another starter of their Captains Catch chowder. Had everything they promised but far too starchy.Service was quick from the two barkeeps. The highlight of this place is the journey and destination no matter how you get there. I imagine other items on the menu are deserving of accolades but what I tried just wasn't quite there. read more

See all

Excellent food, not over priced and the serving size is perfect. Nice view and it's a treat to feed the huge snook by the dock!

Great little place. Great view of waterway, was on a business trip I went to consecutive days. Blackened redfish made me come Back and bring two friend the next day. The blackened grouper did not disappoint read more

I had one of the best blacked grouper filets I have ever had at Riviera. We met several friends here and everyone had a great meal. The ambiance is perfect for a Florida restaurant, right on the water and a little out of the way so that you feel private and secluded. The service was fantastic even with a group of of us. This is absolutely a place to return many times. read more

Riviera Bar and Grill - Bars Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

What a great find! I stopped here for lunch while traveling home from St. Pete and wanted to try a new part of town. The restaurant is tucked back into the cutest little community--such a hidden gem. The staff was incredibly friendly, the beer was ice-cold, and they had an impressive selection of local breweries on draft. Let's not forget the great view of the water and loved that it's boat accessible. I was told the grouper was their specialty, so that's what I ordered, and it did not disappoint--cooked to perfection. The side salad with their homemade citrus dressing was absolutely to die for. I'll definitely be back for a leisurely day-trip lunch. 4.5 stars read more

See all

Such a great locals spot in Punta Gorda. Indoor and outdoor seating is offered with waterfront views along the canal way. Save your shrimp tails for the snook hovering at the dock. We had mostly a variety of salads today with various proteins except for the bowl of gumbo one of our party ordered. It was delicious. I know because I snuck a bite. The only negative one person in our party had was the the live music was too loud and they could not hear any normal conversation. It is a great place to visit especially with out of town guests. read more

Food and service was top tier. We had a table right on the dock, with with fish just begging to be fed! Definitely going back.

Great place for dinner and drinks on the water! Service is excellent as are the vibes

Food and services is outstanding, the staff is friendly and polite. A good time is usually had by all.

I really wanted to like this place because the service was excellent. Our server was friendly, attentive, and did everything right. Unfortunately, the food was a huge disappointment. I ordered the lobster, and it had absolutely no seasoning and wasn't cooked properly. My wife ordered the gumbo, and it was just as disappointing--bland, lacking flavor, and not what we expected at all. Great service can only make up for so much when the food misses the mark this badly. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

Super cute fun bar in Punta Gorda. Def local heavy and that's awesome! The bartenders were awesome very service oriented and on top of everything. Such a fun day out. Huge thanks to my in-laws for the treat. read more

Outstanding ! Service and quality foods! Love Riviera! Easy to find! Pleasant atmosphere . read more

See all

Another great experience on a Saturday at lunch time. The parking lot was packed though and they told me the wait at noon was going to be up to 30 min but it was a matter of about 3 min and they had a table for my friend and I. A pleasant surprise! My blackened grouper tacos were fantastic.- solid four stars. A perfect amount of seasonings, yummy slaw and sauce, and they even had corn tortillas as a GF option. I could have used more sauce, that's my only adjustment I'd make! Other than wanting a third taco! :) read more

Riviera Bar and Grill - Combo Dinner (shrimp and Mahi underneath) - Bars Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

See all

What could be better than great food, ambiance, and service? Mahi shrimp skewer and blackened grouper so enjoyable and orange dreamsicle cake-superb! read more

See all

Love their food, atmosphere and friendliness. Like being able to view the water, boats and fish

Great waterfront tiki bar with that olde FL vibe. We've been here many times and the music is good! The wait staff are very attentive. The shrimp and grouper are delicious and you even get to feed the snook, tarpon, or whatever fish are hanging out at the dock. They have inside facilities with the same great menu choices but who wants to miss the tiki experience? read more

This was a fun place to try. If you want that tiki bar experience - I would recommend sitting outside. We really liked our fish and our server was really nice. The sides were okay. I didn't try it but the fish dip looked good as it came out to another table. read more

Riviera Bar and Grill - Grouper catch of the day meal - Bars Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

See all

Went here right before Christmas with my In-laws who live in the area and have never been. We had a fantastic waitress, excellent food and being right on the water was so charming to see the boaters pass by, or pull in to eat. Highly recommend sitting near the big picture windows to watch the boats pass and the birds swoop into the water to fish. Three of us chose their special of the day which was a pulled pork sandwich and fries (my in-laws substituted the regular fries for sweet potato fries and were happy with their choices) and I substituted mine for their seasonal vegetables which were broccoli, carrots, bell peppers and green beans and what a fantastic choice!!! It all was delicious! My Husband had a cheeseburger and fries and was quite happy with it! We will for sure be back! read more

Excellent! The cold lobster roll was divine, and if it didn't have an entire lobster on it, it was darn close and the sweet potato fries were the best I've ever had! My husband had the blackened grouper Ruben that was INCREDIBLE! Try the orange cake, if you have the room, or get a piece to go. You won't be disappointed!! read more

Amazing food service and the fish were so cool! I had a shrimp basket with onion straws. I got to feed the shrimp tails and left over onion straws to the birds and fish. So fun!! Can't wait to come back to the Tiki Hut bar. read more

See all

I am from California, every year we go to Punta Gorda and this is the first restaurant I want to eat at! I crave their tacos all year around. Not only are their drinks and food amazing, but the atmosphere is so much fun and it seems like every time I go, there is live music! They have inside and outdoor seating, we always choose outside. Another plus is you can get there by boat! read more

Riviera Bar and Grill - Grouper tacos - Bars Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

See all

This is a hidden gem that the locals share with the occasional stranger such as myself. We had an awesome time. Brett was easy on the eyes. They had live entertainment. The fries and clams strips were delicious! It was hard to leave! A must try if you're in the area! read more

See all

Delicious. Love it! Great ambience! Totally recommend! Would go back there in a heartbeat!

Great lunch spot, service was little slow but smoked fish dip was great and so was the grilled grouper over salad. My friends had mahi fish tacos which were tasty. French onion soup was mediocre but the chowder was very good. read more

Riviera Bar and Grill - Bars Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

See all

Great place for a casual lunch or dinner. The absolute best fried shrimp I've had anywhere, it's hard to try anything else because it's a favorite. That being said, dining companions have raved about the lobster rolls and clam chowder, to name a few. Check the live music schedule to enjoy cocktails with entertainment in the tiki hut patio area. read more

We went today & it was great! We sat outside in the beautiful weather, enjoyed live music, great food, and wonderful service. Between the four of us we had peel and eat shrimp, fried shrimp basket, grouper Rueben, the strawberry chicken salad sandwich, fries, and yummy sweet potato fries with honey, yum! Everything was great! read more

Riviera Bar and Grill - Salmon Cesar salad - Bars Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

See all

Love the fact that this this place is off the beaten path of Punta Gorda. It sits right on the water and has a fun tiki bar area outside. Whether you choose to sit inside or outside you'll have a nice water view. The place is pretty low key and not fancy but the food is great and service is excellent! We had the hog wings which were phenomenal and different. Fish tacos were fresh and delicious and my husband's chicken sandwich was also good. Drinks are hit or miss - my drink was refreshing but barely had any alcohol; my husband's on the other hand was very good made with apple whisky. Service was exceptional for a casual spot! Everyone was extremely friendly and accommodating. The manager made his rounds going around the restaurant and checking in with all the tables if everyone was happy with the food etc...great customer service goes a long way! read more

See all

Great service from the staff. Nice open dining area with good hamburger, fish taco and calamari. Kids loved the fish outside near the docks. Will return to taste more of their menu. read more

New to the area & trying out the food scene and we discovered this place. The service was great (Rob was super awesome), nice view on the canal, drinks and food were phenomenal. Will Definitely be back! read more

Service was good we sat at the bar. I ordered the muscles and they were excellent. Then for entrees I had the grouper tacos and my wife had the shrimp skewers. My tacos were bland not horrible just would try something else if we went again. She liked her shrimp and I had one it was good. Overall it's kind of a dive bar feel and it's way deep back in a neighborhood so that was little odd. It was packed when we were there and people were coming up on the canal. read more

See all

We decided to try something new after an event at the Sunseeker Resort. So glad I searched on Yelp to find this hidden away gem. We loved this place. Great service and food with a casual, waterfront ambiance. Everything we ordered was great...hog wings to start, grouper bites basket and fresh scallops basket, special of the day, The drinks were really good, too (no pics)...strawberry margarita and a local ale. We will, for certain, be back! read more

Went to Riviera Bar and Grill off the recommendation of a friend. Went with a party of 5 women friends. The place was packed on a Thursday afternoon. They said it would be. 45 minute wait. But one of the hosts worked out a table for us right away. We had a cute, very sweet waitress, who had long braids. She was very welcoming. I ordered the Shrimp Basket with Onion Sticks. The Shrimp was the best I have ever had. Large, succulent and fried to perfection. I highly recommend Riviera. read more