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Name: The River Seafood & Oyster Bar
Address: 650 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL, 33130
Telephone: (305) 530-1915
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.07

The River Seafood & Oyster Bar

650 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL, 33130

(305) 530-1915
Store is closed

The River Seafood & Oyster Bar Menu

Appetizers

Gazpacho

Fish Soup

Conch Chowder

Fried Oysters

Thai Barbequed Ribs

"kalbi" Marinated Cobia Collar

Scallop Risotto

Fire Roasted Oysters

Crab Cakes

Mussels

Crispy Calamari

Shitake Mushroom Flatbread

Boquerones Flatbread

Pork Belly Flatbread

Grilled Octopus

Kale Salad

The River Chopped

Grilled Shrimp Salad
Raw Marinated Cured

Tuna Tartare

Conch Salad

Scallop Tiradito

Snapper Tartare

Salmon Sashimi “rolled”

Classic Peruvian Ceviche

Cobia Sashimi
Fresh From The Sea

Linguini & Clams

Gnocchi & Blue Crab

Maine Lobster Pot Pie

Whole Yellowtail Snapper

Wild Columbia River Salmon

Wild Chinook Salmon

Snapper Filet

Whole Salt Baked Branzino

Blackened Tuna Sashimi

Black Grouper

Cobia
Simply Prepared Fish

Black Grouper

Wild Chinook Salmon

Snapper Filet

Whole Yellowtail Snapper

Tuna

Maine Lobster

Cobia

Swordfish
Fields & Farms

Skirt Steak

Cheese & Swiss Chard Ravioli

Roasted Chicken
Side Dishes

Brussels Sprouts

House Fries

Roasted Shiitakes

Sauteed Kale & Swiss Chard

Blue Crab Fried Brown Rice

Asparagus

Healthy Meal suggestions for The River Seafood & Oyster Bar

Appetizers

Gazpacho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Conch Chowder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Barbequed Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

"kalbi" Marinated Cobia Collar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallop Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fire Roasted Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shitake Mushroom Flatbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Boquerones Flatbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Belly Flatbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Octopus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kale Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The River Chopped [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Shrimp Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Raw Marinated Cured

Tuna Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Conch Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallop Tiradito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snapper Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Sashimi “rolled” [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Peruvian Ceviche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobia Sashimi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fresh From The Sea

Linguini & Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi & Blue Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maine Lobster Pot Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Yellowtail Snapper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Columbia River Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Chinook Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snapper Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Salt Baked Branzino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blackened Tuna Sashimi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Grouper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Simply Prepared Fish

Black Grouper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Chinook Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snapper Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Yellowtail Snapper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maine Lobster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fields & Farms

Skirt Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese & Swiss Chard Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Dishes

Brussels Sprouts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Shiitakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Kale & Swiss Chard [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blue Crab Fried Brown Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Dustin N.

=04/06/14 Brunch review= It was my first time at the restaurant, my girl wanted to try the brunch. Im not an early bird but she loves to eat. The restaurant was pretty empty with a few tables being filled. The brunch was alright and service was good. We g
(3)
Blanca B.

I went here for my boyfriend's birthday dinner. Their food is amazing. The wait was a bit long even though we had reservations, but the food and the service was amazing! It definitely made up for the wait. My boyfriend and I had steak, fish, and bacon wrapped shrimp! The shrimp were exquisite!
(4)
Adam W.

As a rule, I will always advocate going to a seafood restaurant whenever I get the opportunity, to which I am usually disappointed for some reason or another (usually that I can make it better myself). Never, have I been so impressed from start to finish such a restaurant. Their ....salad was large, splittable, and delicious. I got the grilled salmon with a mango salsa which was absolutely fantastic. The fish was fresh, lightly seasoned and came out cooked perfectly. For something so simple, they do it so well, and much better than I can do myself. For sides, we got brussel sprouts and asparagus which were both simply perfect. I can't wait to return here again soon!
(5)
Scott B.

found a seat at the bar. The bar eats are superb. Had the tacos, meatballs and the fish soup off of the regular menu. great wine list. the place was packed. the team worked great together and smoothly. Of note, to all of you concerned about mixed drinks: this is the first bar that I have ever been to that uses fever tree beverages for their mixers (sugar, not corn syrup)(the bottles of mixers are more expensive but make a difference for those who understand. the gentlemen sitting next to me had some desserts that were excellent (nosey). This place was a great find
(5)
Alcione G.

Great service, great food. The current construction going on outside of the restaurant is annoying but once that's wrapped up the venue will shine. Have the snapper fillet! It's delicious!
(4)
Elektra A.

Ate here with my father and stepmother on a Friday evening. First off, definitely have a reservation, at least on the weekend, because there is limited space and it seems very popular. If you are driving, leave extra time for traffic and parking (the parking is a mess) - we were lucky that we somehow got a spot in front. Food/Drinks: - F'n Lemonade - my step mom LOVED her drink. She described it as "excellent." And I agree, the mixture of sweet lemonade with the mint made it very refreshing. - '11 GRUNER VELTLINER - I had this with my meal. Very refreshing and crisp. A good compliment. - '11 ROSE - my dad had this and was very satisfied. We began with a selection of oysters, which were very good. Server was knowledgeable and helpful in our selection. Followed with the octopus appetizer (3.5/5). The cannellinni bean salad was delicious but the octopus cold have used a char. My father and I both enjoyed a grilled preparation of fish. I had the yellowfin tuna and my father had the grouper. We both had it with the scotch bonnet salsa, which was refreshing, and I would have enjoyed it with a bit more of a kick! My step mother had the steak with the grilled vegetables and chimchurri. It was very good - the vegetables were well done. We also ordered 2 sides: the mixed greens (5/5) and the oven roasted shitake mushrooms (5/5). Simply prepared but full of great flavor. Highly recommend. Service: The service was attentive. Our only note was that when we first arrived at the restaurant, my step mother went to the woman's bathroom and discovered that the toilet was not working, when she used the men's it was dirty. However, she did let the front desk know and when I went later on in the evening it was very clean and taken care of. GREAT service. This was a phenomenal meal.
(4)
Vero R.

Best place for Fish in Miami. My favorite date spot or after work hangout. This is a gem, so glad their new location won't be too far when the time comes. Bar staff is great! Treat yourself to the Coconut Cake.
(5)
Angela A.

I went to The River Oyster Bar for Brunch and I would definitely go back, but maybe for only what I liked. About 50% of what was served was amazing. I had the Fish and Grits and it was a mouthwatering dish that I could eat over and over again. The Oysters I had were from the west coat with a creamy and buttery taste. Just how I like them. I also tried the Fire Roasted Oysters which were good, but not a wowing experience. Their Crab Benedict was lacking in flavor. The poached egg was over done and didn't have the runny yolk I love so much. The cocktails, Aperol Spreetz and Lolita, were given a good three shakes by the bartender and did not impress. I've had better similar combinations. Our server was attentive, but their was a trainee who did not look like a proper representation of the sophisticated ambiance. Nice enough, but I like a total package. This was my first time at The River Oyster Bar. I would go back again especially because they have a great happy hour for this oyster lover.
(3)
Claudio C.

What a Brickell gem. So sad that this place will be closing due to all the construction. Must go before its to late and order the truffle Blue grab gnocchi and the Fire roasted oysters with manchego and chorizo.
(5)
Luis C.

The best the best the best. Great food. Great value for the quality and deliciousness. Best martinis in town. Oh ... And the oysters... Sticky toffee dessert is Sick!!
(5)
Cindy T.

Ordered the oysters, it was fresh n tasty! I really liked the pasta with clams. I like that the clams are fresh and not from the can. Overall a good place to eat oysters and pasta!
(4)
Ricardo B.

Great service and delicious food! The cobia wrapped in bacon was outstanding, as was the blue crab fried rice, the yellow tail and the rosemary fries Out server was very knowledgable and friendly. We were celebrating a birthday so they brought their excellent chocolate mouse cake (which has Oreo cookies). If I had to take point off for something is that they forgot about the rest of us for dessert (no worries, the food and service more than made up for that oversight)
(4)
Yisi L.

I stopped by on a Friday afternoon and it was packed. Yep happy hour... Miami truly is a great place for people-watching. Had some conversation and it was fun. I wanted something light so my waiter recommended blackened tuna sashimi and it was awesome.
(4)
Rory C.

I love this place for their happy hour. The atmosphere is great, the bartenders are always very friendly, especially my girlfriend and I favorite bartender, Sean. The oysters are fantastic (we love the blue point oysters) and I must say, even the bar snack menu is great. My girlfriend and I love going here on Saturday and Sunday evenings just to eat & drink at the bar.. This place has become our Sunday spot.
(4)
Marb U.

Fresh seafood, Great drinks and friendly atmosphere - All ingredients for a great review :). Been here 3 times and I have enjoyed every visit. I have always had different meals and everything is very, very, very delicious! They also have a good wine list. The bartenders have always been friendly and helpful. Come with time b/c this place is always packed. Especially during happy hour...
(5)
Kevin C.

The food is delicious and fresh, and I would easily give it 5 stars. The price is not so agreeable. I came here with my parents and after looking at the prices I sure was glad that they were the ones picking up the check. There was a selection of raw oysters for $3 each, not too bad. My father got a crab claw for...$23. That is ridiculous! Evidently it was pretty good, but still :/ For the main course I got the Cobia in a bacon/cream corn sauce, which was incredibly delicious. If you've ever had Chilean Sea bass, either at Italian or Chinese restaurants, it tasted just like that. The server was knowledgable and the layout is very nice inside. I would definitely come here again...on my parent's dime :)
(4)
Jorge L.

This places deserves the five stars on service alone. Our waiter, (wish I could remember his name) was awesome. I cane here with 3 other friends for a dinner to catch up since 1 lives out of the country. We ordered a ouster sampler for each of us and they organized them the same way and brought a list of the oysters so we could compare and know which were our favorites. They were all good but we ended up ordered another dozen hama hama oysters. The wine list is varied and pack a good punch for value. We ended up drinking 2 bottles of Txakoli from Spain and a bottle of AlbariÃ±o also from Spain for $40 per bottle. I ordered the crab and truffle gnocchi which were by far the beat dish of the night. The other 3 guys order the special of the night which was a perfectly cooked halibut with a parsnip puree, it was very good but they all said they wished they would have ordered the same dish I did. We ended the night with a chocolate mousse and it hit the spot perfectly. Would definitely come back for more and their Happy Hour sounds amazing!
(5)
Miriana M.

Living a few steps from The River, I had been wanting to go check it out for a long time. I liked the restaurant itself, especially the side of the bar with the high tables .. giving it a more casual, fun vibe. Grabbed a couple of beers for happy hour on the weekend which was good on our pockets. For food we ordered the Fish Soup first which was delicious! Surprisingly, my favorite dish out of the stuff we ordered. Go for it if you're into spicy food like I am! We also had the Fire Roasted Oysters with chorizo which I enjoyed, but the bf didn't. We then tried the Shitake Flatbread and the Lobster Roll .. please do yourself a favor and skip both. We actually had to reach for the salt shaker for these two- GASP! One star goes for the ambience which I liked, another for the soup, and the third one for happy hour!
(3)
Allen F.

(In the style of Gilligan's Isle) Just sit right back and hear a tale, a tale worthy of Yelp review That started as a spontaneous Happy Hour with me and my work crew. We braved all the City Center noise with its madness, commotion and dust and walked through the doors of the restaurant to satiate our thirst & Oyster lust. To our surprise the place was so jam packed, the tiny bar engulfed with suits. With chatter and money flying everywhere between dudettes and dudes. We finally Squeezed tight in a corner by the glass with the CEO The Admin too The salesman and his mistress, The pale IT guy The lawyer and Marketing gal Here on River Oyster Bar. So we sat and waited for a staff our order to take back hoping for oysters while we waited for the drinks that we all lacked. We chatted, laughed and joked around we were there for a long long time, we tried to make the best of things without Coronas and lime. No waiter, no drinks, not a single glance No one there seemed to even care Walking up to the bar was a risky move that not a single of us dared. So after a while we all had the same thought we got into action mode... and all got up and left the bar and went to "Tobacco Road!" ::: This experience aside, the best oysters in Miami.
(4)
Gwendolyn P.

I was pleasantly surprised by the delightful brunch that I had at the River Oyster House. I was craving crab and they had an amazing crab cake benedict. It was one of the best things I have tasted! My friend had eggs and bacon with toast. Her food looked delicious as well and was a very ample portion for a small price tag of $10. the service was great and there was a good crowd of people there. The reason I did not give it five stars is that the ambiance is slightly lacking. It is across from one of the largest construction sites in Miami and while we were eating we witnessed two homeless people get into a fight from the window! :)
(4)
Rachael H.

Came here for their daily happy hour (from 4:30-7) on Saturday. We walked in & noticed an empty restaurant with employees setting up. I was already thinking that we were going to leave with a not so good, but I was wrong. Our waitress was really attentive. They have $3 beers and some house wine for the happy hour, but we came for the half priced oysters. Our waitress gave us a variety of west coast and east coast oysters including some beaver tail, which I have now discovered is my favorite kind of oyster, but blue point as well. A dozen oysters ran us $19, which as far as I know...is a good deal. I had a gander at some of the regular menu items and blue crab fried rice seemed interesting. Will definitely be returning for happy hour & to try the other menu items.
(4)
Julio G.

I went there for a meeting, and was put in the back room. 1. When I discretely asked the waiter why the room smelled like a bathroom, he stated that he could not smell it. Why not just admit it, "yeah it smells like a-- in here." 2. The place overall seems to not be sanitary. 3. I had at least 3.5 star appetizers. Tuna tartar, calamari, ribs, and scallop. All very good. 4. I had the cioppino. 5. Diarrhea all the next day!
(1)
Alexander A.

First of all let me say that this is one of our go to places in Miami. Are usually go the four of us I wife and I and the two kids age 5 and three. We start out by ordering two dozen oysters in which my wife and I are lucky if we can eat a total of six. The waitstaff is extremely attentive and very friendly. They have tasty cocktails and the menu has enough options even if you're not a seafood lover you can still enjoy pasta or salad or chicken or beef. The whole fish insult crossed is one of our family favorites. Also all the appetizers are tasty.
(4)
Alfonso L.

Where do I start? Every dish that I have ordered in this place is exquisite. I am not easy to please when it comes to dining but they have hit the nail on the head every-time. This is one of the best happy hours in Miami but make sure you book in advance! They are always full and the crowd is always great. I would recommend this place to anyone! Even my girlfriend that doesn't eat seafood is in love with this restaurant and their non seafood menu. Come and you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Cindy T.

I was here back in November. We ordered soup, flatbreads, ceviche -- all were just okay. But the dozen oysters we ordered were impeccable!
(3)
Andy D.

My cry baby battle with River Oyster ended yesterday, after I was having a horrific day, and I needed a friend. I needed to get consoled, I needed a bar where everybody new my name! New River is my Cheer's, but there better! The parking God's smiled on me, and the Hostess Goddess smiled on me to, as I didn't see my silly "No Reservations" Bow Tie friend as the host. Just the kinder gentler sexier version of him. Yes, the very same the original hostess with the mostess. She really is such a vetted professional, she got me a stool for the bar, and even a sampler Ceviche plate. Why couldn't she have been my third grade teacher, I would have been a better student! Now for Amanda and Sean. I love, love, love Amanda and Sean the bartenders, and Sean not in a gay way (not that there is anything wrong with that) but in a if he ever needs a favor way! Both are vetted professionals, they have fun behind the bar, and there interactive and animated with the customers. When you meet them you'll want to tip well! The River Oyster has a foodies menu, whilst I was sitting at the bar, I had the luck to sit down next to Whisk employee's, so it was foodie time. they got there special stuff and I hit all the specials of the day, The Razor clam's as Sean said "There Killer" they were killer, the Oyster Bloody Mary was also killer. Frankly the food is amazing, the Staff (except Mr. Bow tie, who is now trying to remember where did I see him before look) is extra special, you cannot go wrong. There menu changes often and the specials, well there the freshest things there!
(5)
Natalie I.

This is my fiances favorite restaurant in Miami and he is an impossible critic. This is a seafood place I do not eat seafood but they do offer a limited menus that is non seafood and the items are so delicious i always leave satisfied. It is one of my favorite places as well. 1st the food, now if you like Oysters these are top notch and well priced. you can get them fried, baked, or raw and variety. They also have fresh fish prepared anyway you want. Steak and chicken dishes. The chicken is so savory. so juicy that i crave it. I have no idea how they get it that way, I wish I could recreate it. They have clever and tasty appetizers that please your pallet. This place has high level food, and decent portions the price is equal to the quality. The chief really understand flavors and the food is full of flavor; succulent, savory, flavors. 2 service. The service has always been excellent dinning takes on average 1.5-2 hours, it is quicker at the bar. They have a huge bar. You have to get a reservation. Call, open table doesn't do this place justice. The have valet parking in the back of the building, its a few dollar extremely worth it. FYI The area is under construction sometime the roads are re routed. Google it first or call the restaurant they will give you great directions. 3 ambiance. The ambiance is great! it is full new England charm and very trendy. Everyone we have taken here has loved it. Oh it must be noted that they have an excellent happy hour. If you can make it to the happy hour GO its a blast.
(5)
connie c.

I had a great meal at this restaurant. I was Very impressed with the food. If I am ever in the area again, I would definitely come back. The prices are fair, and the portions are generous. Execution was right on! My friend and I both tried the prix fixe menu as part of Miami spice. For apps - we both had grilled oyster (2 per order). Oysters were grilled with cheese and spices, a slice of crispy sausage atop the oyster. This was the best dish hands down and makes me want to come back For entree: I had the Cobia (like salmon and butterfish combined, it was prepared with BBQ sauce, quite unique, it was not bad, but not something I would order again. I had their bread pudding for dessert, it has super strong alcohol taste. So fast forward one month, I am in town again and drove 1.5 hour in traffic so I can eat at this restaurant again! I was so dumb and didn't take toll road thinking my rental didn't have toll pass, but I found out later that it did! Alas, I have digressed! So for this meal I ordered mussels cooked in garlic, coconut milk and white wine, grilled oyster again, and pork belly flatbread. All items were wonderful. But what was really good was my coworker's blue crab gnocchi, I don't usually like gnocchi, but theirs is out of this world good, they give you so much blue crab and the flavor was divine!!! Too bad I only had a bite from my coworker's (I didn't want to steal too much of her food :D). I would fly back just to order their blue crab gnocchi!!!!!
(5)
Kevin T.

I was in town for work and decided to hit up this place for dinner. I sat at the bar, ordered gezpacho as an app from the regular menu and fish and chips from the "bar snack" menu. The bread was very good, as was the soup. There was Dogfish on tap for $6. The fish and chips were upscale fried and greasy and the portion was just right. If I had to do it over I would have stopped at the soup because that was plenty. No TV at the bar if that's what you're looking for as a lone traveller, but the clientele was nice and it was a good value if you eat bar snacks. The regular menu is a tad pricey. The location is a constuction zone right now but Tobacco Road is next door so it has that going for it. I'd probably go back to check out happy hour.
(4)
Lisa M J.

So, this is one of those places you go to because of all the "great" Yelp reviews and because it also provides the opportunity to satisfy the oyster-demanding monster that lives within. For us, it was a huge let down. I had tried to move our reservation through the open table app and could not push it back 15-30 minutes, yet there were many empty tables in our section during our meal. We were in an out in under 1 hour despite ordering oysters and attempting to follow them with multiple courses to share. Oyster arrived promptly and were quite poorly shucked. Variety of oysters was decent, but "average" compared to other oyster houses. Remainder of our food essentially arrived after the oysters were cleared without any consideration that we had asked to course it out as the kitchen preferred. We even had to put our bread and some items on the adjacent (Empty) table because there was no space on our own for everything that showed up at once. Also annoying, back-waiter kept attempting to bus table prematurely and remove items that still had food remaining. I don't mind spending some $$$ on food, but expect my meal to last more than 52 minutes. This was the antithesis of a relaxing dinner night and the food not memorable enough to make up for the other annoyances. Maybe it is good for happy hour or brunch, but for dinner I would avoid!
(2)
Melanie A.

No no and more no. Came here with a girlfriend and had a 3 course pre-fix 3 meal for lunch. My friend ordered a cocktail and it was NOT tasty. Do they try the drinks after the make them? They definitely should start. The service was horrible (expected in Miami). Our server must have taken a nap in the back or something because after 10 minutes we didn't see her for the entire meal. We had to ask someone else to speed up our order as the first course took forever. I had a soup to start and shrimp for my second course. The shrimp was so over cooked that I honestly could not even cut it in half. It was not edible. My friend was like "oh it can't be that bad" mmmmhmm then she attempted to cut it as well. Didn't happen. Sigh...on to dessert. The only decent part of the meal was dessert but it was not good enough to make up for the rest of the meal. Definitely won't be back anytime soon.
(1)
Barbara R.

Of all the restaurants we've tried, the River remains our favorite. It is a great place for a celebration, but also for a drink and a few oysters. We went there last night and sat at the bar. We had a dozen of the divine Kumamotos, cod fish croquettes and whole snapper Asian style, which is a culinary masterpiece in its simplicity. It is a small place and gets crowded every night. Elegant and understated offers great food, friendly service and unparalleled atmosphere.
(5)
Cristin R.

Strike 2, David Bracha...Chef, this is the second time I am unpleasantly surprised, after highly recommending your restaurant. I have always been a huge fan of River Oyster Bar- naming it one of the most underrated restaurants in Miami.. I even believed ROB was better than the chef's newer restaurant, Oak Tavern in the design district. Thus, I recommended this restaurant for my friend's BIRTHDAY yesterday. In the past, my biggest issue with this restaurant has been that when you order the whole fish, the wait staff plainly refuses to de-bone the fish for you. I thought it was unacceptable even in my early foodie days... That being said, I chose not to order the whole fish, and ordered the following... Ceviche, Burrata, Pork Belly Flatbread, and one stone crab claw (not even select size costing 23$). Now, before we get to the rest of it, let me fill you in. Last week I dined at Joe's Stone Crab, where I ordered an entire pound (5 select claws) for 58 bucks. You don't have to be an accountant to know I was being slammed with a 23$ single claw that didn't even come to the table cracked. I sent back the claw because I struggled at the table for 15 minutes, only to find that nothing was coming out. The waitress argued with me before taking the claw back to be cracked, and then proceeded to bring it back, uncracked!! Yes, I still paid for the full amount of the claw, and yes the meat remained in the UNCRACKED claw. MOREOVER.... I wasn't able to finish the ceviche or the Burrata.. why? you may ask? Oh because our plates were removed from the table without even asking, and the half eaten burrata was cleared from the table without my asking, even though I had specifically asked that the burrata accompany the flatbread as my main dish. I guess my issue is not so much with the actual kitchen as it is with the service. Of course, we gave 20% tip, but diners, be advised. You don't get the 3 or even 4 star dining experience, overall. What you get is good food and that's it, unfortunately.
(2)
Marqus R.

The River Oyster Bar is one of my favorite hangs elegantly serving some of the best Oysters to be found in Miami as well as serving them in wonderfully varied ways of preparation. The fact that River Oyster has over 140 Yelps but stands with a strong four star rating serves as a testament to its quality. Indeed, besides the oysters, their other dishes such as scallops, tea sauced grouper and others have also always proved to be delicious. Of the less than 3 star ratings I note a good number of them seem to have something to do with seating or that the place gets crowded. That it does but does so very early but for good reason, being the food, generous drinks and service it offers. Though somewhat pricey, I haven't found it to be unreasonably so for what I've gotten and considering the fact that it is located in Miami. If it were located in Apalachicola, I might have a different take on it, but such is not the case. Another plus about River Oyster for me is that I can soar with the high flying eagles of the well-heeled Miami social and culinary networks yet easily revert to my more natural low by going practically next door to swill with my fellow swine at Tobacco Road.
(4)
Nelson A.

I don't write many reviews but this I must write. In a few words the Oysters were Great and if you come for Happy Hour they are only $1.50 each. The Fish was excellent and the service was Good. I doubt you will be disappointed a true Miami Treasure!
(5)
Alessandra S.

This is the best quality dining experience. From the food to the service this place has it covered. Will definitely be back and bring everyone I know to experience the "wow factor" this place gives.
(5)
Gisselle D.

bluecrab & truffle gnochhi & the bread pudding dessert. You will thank me. trust me.
(5)
Roberto B.

Well you gotta be a fan of seafood and shellfish first and foremost so if quake at the thought of eating vaginal shaped crustaceans I don't think the oyster bar is for you. If, however, you love to slurp the briny goodness of slimy li'l chunks of previously living mollusks from their little comfortable homes and swishing them about in your mouth with tangy tabasco and lemon juice - pull up a chair! The other caveat is seafood, and shellfish in general - can bust a boy's budget so you have to take it slow and steady; you want a bang for your buck but you don't want low budget seafood that will send you to toilet on your knees. The River Oyster Bar is chic...tony...usually crowded with the well heeled set slurping martinis and aforementioned food; can I afford it? UH YEAH YOU CAN because they have a great happy hour EVERY WEEKDAY from 4 to 7 where the briny little bastards are half off; umami oysters at $2.75 each are now under $1.40...a dozen kumamotas (so darn big and yummy yum yum in the tummy tum) at $3.00 are no longer $36.00 but now $18.00 - in Kabbalah the #18 stands for "Chai" - Life - now that's living it up!!!
(5)
judy b.

Perfect oysters. Great happy hour! Impeccable service And really friendly. My cioppino was outstanding. Sauce was just spicy enough. Loaded with seafood and fish with two nice slices of Garlic bread. It was my birthday and I was treated like a princess!!!! The ambience is perfectly New York. I highly recommend this place for happy hour or any meal. I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Juan S.

3.5 stars. First time here. I live about a block away from this place and have never been here before...I think it was the Oyster (which I'm not a fan of) in the restaurant's name that scared me away. Anyway, a friend suggested we go so I thought I'd give it a try. I almost got scared away by the first impression of this place...a terrible sewer smell as you walk in the front door!! I don't know if this is due to the construction next door or the actual Miami River about a block away, but definitely NOT a good impression. The smell subsided as I was seated and I actually enjoyed a pretty good lunch. They have a price fix menu that is reasonable in addition to their regular lunch menu which is fairly priced as well. The food was actually very good. Tasty, well-seasoned, like the bread at the table. Portion sizes were decent. Their fish (Mahi and Salmon were great) Service was actually very good. Sincere and friendly. Probably my favorite part was the crowd. A nice mix of professionals which is so sorely lacking in Miami. I'd love to come here for a happy hour and then perhaps dinner.....but only if they could address that smell...
(3)
Naomi W.

Matt is the best bartender ever. He makes the best martinis. Matt the martini king!! The food is pretty good too
(5)
Jenna K.

The River seafood & oyster Bar was the best Seafood I ever had . We had th most wonderful blond waitress. (Jaime) she was very polite and professional. We idnt know what wine to order so she gave us a full selection to choose from. We had an excellent petite surah. My wife and I loved the oysters and the sauce was guiness. We also had the fried oysters as well that was amazing. We then had scallops for dinner that was cooked perfect. This place in excellen in service, food, decor, and to social at the bar. Couldn't ask for a better restrauant. 5 stars to the waitress, cook, staff, and bartenders!!!'
(5)
Jamie F.

This is what every neighborhood bar/restaurant should strive to be. One of my favorite hangout spots it is also one of the few places you can count on for good service and great food no matter what you order! One of the best Happy Hours in the city it includes half off oysters plus bar bites and beer and wine specials. Friday nights are crazy though - between Tobacco Road's live music and HH & The River's scene, parking can be hard to find. The wine & beer selection is always thoughtful and fun, Mike makes sure of that. Owned by Chef David Bracha the food is fresh and good. Wahoo escabeche, ceviche, tuna tartare, and of course oysters - the raw bar is great. Other favorite apps include the octopus (best in Miami) and flatbreads. For dinner, fish is the specialty and always fresh. Pretty much everything is a sure bet. My only complaint: please put the octopus salad 'la original' back on the menu!
(5)
AshleyMarie O.

YUMMM the name says it all! This is DEF. a great place to go for oysters!! If you go for happy hour the bar is SUPER packed with business professionals so it would be a good place to network/pick someone up (haha). If you want to get drunk and rowdy move on (they've made me & my group move on before...). Although Tobacco road is right next door so its the perfect location to continue your drinking. I haven't had a main entree here but the appetizers are delicious, maybe a bit pricey but still delicious! They have a few tables outside but there is no view so... well atleast you get to be outside I suppose?
(4)
William Y.

I never had a bad meal at this place. It was on the pricey side when including starters and wine, but the quality of the food was outstanding. The cioppino and gazpacho was fantastic. I recommend reservations (via OpenTable) due to the number of tables.
(5)
Mike M.

So while on business in Miami, a place that I definitely don't end up in often enough, I decided to try some local seafood and get a taste of the town. I read some reviews for seafood places (using Yelp of course) and decided that this had to be the place since I had a serious craving for oysters and 'oysters' was embedded right in the restaurant's name. I was greated by a friendly bartender and parked myself on the first stool in sight. The bar was fairly sized and they also have a dining room as well, but I generally opt for the bar in restaurants for the super quick service. And more importantly, the alcohol service was super quick with fresh beer on tap. Per the previous Yelpers reviews, I tried the Fire Roasted Oysters. Wow, they were absolutely amazing. They were prepared so well and each oyster was oozing with flavor. I wish they gave more (there were only 3) since they were so delicious. Next, I decided to go for a half dozen raw oysters since raw is my preferred preparation of oysters. Once again, absolutely mouth watering. They were so fresh and tasty, and were large enough to be the "Kings of the Ocean" oysters. Overall, the experience was great. My bartender / waiter was super friendly and accomodating, and everything came out very quickly. The place was pretty busy as well, which made the speed even more impressive. I only gave it 4 stars though because although it was delicious, it was just a bit pricey for what I got. I ended up with 6 raw oysters, 2 draft beers, and 3 fire roasted oysters, and the bill was just shy of $60. I felt like I could have gotten a little more for my buck, but I certainly don't regret visiting this place. I recommend trying this place at least once in your lifetime.
(4)
Cristy M.

Three Strikes you're in!! Third time at the River Oyster bar and third time I'm extremely satisfied!! We started off with a glass of wine and a beer, accompanied by Mussels as an appetizers. The mussel sauce is amazing. My boyfriend who didn't like mussels before always wants to come back to the oyster bar for the mussels (Mainly due to the sauce). I had the snapper fillet and it was delish, came fried with tomato and avocado salad topped with plantain chips. The bread wasn't that great that's one thing I'd like them to improve on. There's Happy hour 4-7 pm.
(4)
James L.

This is my favorite seafood place in Miami. The service is efficient and personable, and I've never had a bad meal.
(4)
Emily K.

If you love oysters this is the place! They have the best selection of oysters! Plus, they have the half off oyster happy hour. We love their food!
(5)
Dan R.

Happy hour is top notch. I usually bring friends to sit the bar and split oysters or their gourmet bar snacks (all phenomenal) - usually tab is $50 for myself and a date for several drinks and 3 bar plates. Or you can upscale it and grab a regular table for some amazing seafood (and serious coin) - I only ate at a table once, however. Shawn and Natalia might just be the nicest bartenders in Miami.
(5)
Denise J.

The reviews listed here do not compute! This place is fine if you are not a foodie. It is hip, clever, buzzing, and decent. The write ups on this site are not accurate to our experience. A small place, the decor is urban and chic. The eclectic artwork is amusing, and somewhat laughable. It sports nice lighting, a curvaceous bar, and a few different sitting areas, including cozy spots and high tops. There is a glass view into the kitchen. Here are only a few details to note: They were out of a few wines by the glass. The top item was fire roasted chorizo topped oysters were succulent, and adored by all. My special crostini of beets sadly, had burnt toast holding up the tiny red morsels of joy. The Alaskan Halibut was $24 and tasteless, lacking any sort of sauce, as it cried for attention. It was served with an odd pickled vegetables that were way too hot for my spice craving tongue. There was no thought as to the connection of these items. The mac n'cheese was nothing to write about. Sure you can have a good time, the service is friendly, the oyster selection is impressive, but do not expect much else from the cooking. The menu listed on their web site is not up to date. For as many years as this Oyster shanty has been buzzed about, I expected more.
(3)
Justin F.

Staff - AWESOME ! Drinks - PERFECT ! The Oysters ( not sure which of the 15 types you will try ) are all GREAT !
(4)
Mike K.

So many great things to say about R.O.B.! We ate there at the end of February during a business trip, stopped in to make a reservation before drinks at Tobacco Road. The place was packed and only getting busier, but Gwen (an incredible hostess) suggested we come back in 30 minutes or so and she'd try to fit us in. We ended up with a great table and an incredible meal (so good we came back two nights later). The service there was super-attentive, and there's a great vibe in the room -- bustling but not so loud that you can't have a conversation. Night #1 we started with deep fried oysters (very light and tender) had seafood specials, night #2 I had the whole yellowtail snapper. The food there has terrific flavor (especially if you enjoy Cuban influence). They also have a nice selection of wines by the glass, and dessert was top notch, too. Overall, we just felt very much at home, and were so well taken care of. Can't compare it to too many restaurants in the area (though we did enjoy Brickell), but if we're fortunate to return to Miami, we'll be going back.
(4)
A. H.

Excellent / fresh fish. Good food. Moderately expensive but worth it. I can't speak to the happy hour crowd. There were quite a few people at the bar and they seemed happy. My advice to TROB is focus on good food and I will be back. Yeah I know the money comes from booze but seriously ... do you hope to compete with area bars ... keep up the excellent work.
(5)
Kristen D.

The River Oyster Bar was such a great surprise! I have lived in Brickell for the past two winters, and hadn't tried it. We walked in at just the right moment to grab the last two bar seats. The food was awesome. While we waited for our seafood platter (raw oysters, clams and shrimp cocktail), the bartender brought over some "oyster po boy sliders." They were amazing! Dinner was seafood pasta, which was so fresh and full of lobster, shrimp and scallops. The sauce was spicy with a nice taste of mint. Different from the normal italian pasta dishes you find. The seared scalloos with cauliflower puree were also really fresh and flavorful. Dessert was an incredibly moist coconut cake. The atmosphere was nice, very hip - New Yorkey. The only downfall was the really annoying man sitting next to me who had obviously never learned his manners. He kept yelling "hey lady" to the bartender, and snapping his fingers. Then when his second order of steamed clams came and he announced that it had one less clam than the previous order... that was enough to ruin the night. However, the bartender got her point across and made a few of us laugh, when she brought over a single lonely clam on a plate to make up with him. All in all, a wonderful restaurant.
(4)
Lina W.

Love it! If you like oysters this is the place to satisfy your cravings. They have a great Happy Hour everyday until 7PM where they sell oysters for half price. I like sitting at the bar better cause it's more fun, but try to get there earlier for that cause the bar gets crowded during HH!
(5)
Stacy S.

I debated whether or not to give this place five stars, but I will stick with four. River Oyster Bar is a wonderful restaurant with a bar, in the Brickell area. It's right next to Tobacco Road, if that gives you a better idea. The decor is warm and modern. They also have a private room in the back for parties. For lunch today, I had the price fixed, three course menu. My starter was warm flat bread with mushrooms, cheese, and a splash of truffle oil. Doesn't everything taste better with truffle oil?! For my main course, I had the whole wheat pasta with shrimp, corn, and bacon-hold the bacon. It sounded really odd to me. Corn, shrimp and bacon, so I opted for the quasi-kosher dish. The pasta was al dente, which is the proper way to serve it. Usually I dislike whole wheat pasta, but this was good. I ordered the peach and blueberry cobbler for dessert. It was delicious, with luscious chunks of peaches and fresh blueberries. A dollop of fresh cream was on top. I am glad I only had a few bites. I have to maintain my girlish figure. ;-) Definitely stop by this place when in the Brickell area. You will really enjoy the food as well as the decor.
(4)
Nina M.

First off, I don't like oysters-so take this review with a grain of salt. I went for lunch: -reasonably priced (I think, though someone else paid) -I had the burger which was pretty good, came with chips I could have done without -had a Cosmo-was wayy strong so I asked for more cranberry -parking was alright considering it was cheaper than most places in the area -ambiance was nice -waitstaff was attentive -overall i have no reason to not go back--other than the fact that I don't like oysters. Give it a try.
(3)
Jay F.

This place is nice. Go here if you want to feel good about yourself. Small enough that a guest will feel like a local but upscale enough that you'll feel special just sitting at the bar. Aside from a great selection of fresh oysters from different regions of the US, a harder look at the beer menu will reveal a couple selections of imported Belgian beers.
(4)
Beini X.

I have to say they do have the best Oyster in Miami. (do not try happy hour half price Oyster, they are really really "half" price ;p ) Not that big but it is a quiet and cute place. if you are crave fresh Oyster with a good drink but do not want to go to the keys, then The River Oyster Bar is a great choice
(4)
Heriberto C.

Ambiance was great, lots of energy and enthusiasm. Our server was knowledgeable but the service was slow. The oysters were very fresh but the entree, while tasty. was a bit overcooked.
(4)
Jeff F.

I came in here last Saturday with a buddy for dinner. We posted up at the bar and ran through the menu: - Tuna Tartar - very good. Put it on the short list - Stone Crab - ok - Blue Crab & Gnocchi - interesting, but not worth ordering - Corvina Ceviche - pass on this - Meatball Sliders - Really good Ultimately, River Oyster has an unpretentious atmosphere, creative food & perfect cocktails (one of the best martinis I've had in a while). I'd come back here for Apps & Drinks - unsure about dinner. Quick note - the service was great! Chris was an exceptional bartender.
(3)
Jan P.

This wasn't the best meal I've had. In fact I'm not sure they served the snapper I ordered. In retrospect, i think it was a good grouper. LOL, being from Ohio, we don't have either one, so I'm not that familiar with either. But I saw the snapper at another table, unmistakably crispy and whole. It didn't occur to me till later that maybe my fish was a mistake. My daughter's pasta lacked flavor and the dessert flan seemed to be from the previous day. My waiter was very nice. The cocktail could have been much better because it was bitter as if the lemon had been squeezed much too much.
(2)
Peg B.

Mussels are phenomenal and spicy good. Kale and chard salad good. Friend had skirt steak which is lovely warm and tender. Ask for Nickolas as your waiter. Wonderful server at your table just at the right time . Crab fried rice is interesting too!
(5)
Sean D.

Great oyster happy hour but disappointing entrees. I really wanted to like this place but based on my first experience i'm giving this place 2 star. The oysters are top notch and fantastic value with wine during happy hour. The entrees however were disappointing. We made our selection based on our waiters recommendation (and most popular dishes). My wonderful piece if fish was destroyed by being glazed in bbq sauce (the kind found on ribs!) and wrapped in bacon, then surrounded by a sweet creamy sauce. My wife had fish which was also covered in sauce and truffle oil. It was all too much, too sweet and too many flavours. The delicate taste of the fish was lost :( When it comes to fish less is more! Our server was knowledgable but very short in his responses and abrupt. He seemed like he didn't enjoy his job. We will go back for the oysters and maybe give the entrees a second shot.
(2)
Jorge M.

First time here. They do happy hour everyday! We had 18 oysters at half price found west coast penn cove to be our favorite. Had the cioppino and the blue crap fried rice. Both were excellent.
(5)
Ms. C.

No matter when I go or how much time passes in between visits, one thing is for certain, The River Oyster Bar will always deliver the best consistency in food and in service. I love the no frills atmosphere, wine selection and menu. I am always happy to dine there and always end up eating way toooo much! They also have a private room in the back for events. Overall great food, great service, tried and true.
(5)
Carol K.

What I expected was a casual seafood place. What I got was a cool, contemporary restaurant with great food and terrific service! I walked in on a Friday night and the place was hopping! There was a seat at the bar and I instantly grabbed it. Sean, bartender extraordinaire, was there in a flash taking my martini order and sharing the menu with me. I love the way the martinis are poured with a little in the glass and a "dividend" kept cold in a mini carafe on ice. Perfection in a glass! They had about 6 different kinds of oysters on the menu but were already sold out of three of them . . .but my favorite kumomotos were still available so I ordered some of those to start. I also had the heirloom tomato and goat cheese salad to start (absolutely delicious!) and the cobia as my entree. Never heard of cobia? Well neither had I. I was going to order my favorite Grouper and Sean basically talked me out of it. And am I glad he did! The cobia was delicately wrapped in bacon and had a light BBQ sauce on it. And it was served on a bed of creamed corn! Surely one of the best fish dishes I have had in awhile. And you must save room for dessert. The coconut cake is an absolute must. And it comes with this amazing sauce that made me want to lick the plate. The atmosphere is upscale with the bar in the center and tables on the sides. There is a chalkboard over the bar that lists the beers, wines and appetizers. Also know that they have happy hours daily where drinks and oysters are half price and they do it on the weekends as well! Service was friendly, personable and spot on. Sean, and the other bartenders, work as a team so someone may bring you your drink and another person your food but they work together seamlessly. I also loved that they took the time to talk to me and make sure that I felt like I was a "regular" even though it was my first time in the place. There is valet parking out front for $10 by some of the friendliest valets around. What I thought was going to be just a dinner out, was turned around by The River who made it a night to remember. You can bet I'll be back and let my Miami friends know just how terrific this place is!
(5)
Alexander R.

I can't stop coming to this place. Every time someone comes to visit downtown I take them here and they're thanking me for weeks. Favorites so far: swordfish and bread pudding dessert!
(5)
Reeve F.

Great place for oysters! Good atmosphere, and service. Recommend the blue point shooters...awesome.
(5)
Mark F.

This place was nice when I went... Not epic, just plain ole average... Good servers
(4)
Juliana G.

My hubby and I headed to The River Oyster Bar to satisfy our craving for oysters. Wow! This place did that and much more. We had an amazing dinner. We had reservations but we showed up early because we were really hungry (what else is new?). We sat at the bar and our server/bartender, Sean, was so nice that we decided to stay there. They offer a regular menu and the daily specials, which includes oysters. That is what we wanted, so we ordered the Seafood Platter. It was awesome! In fact, it was really two platters, the first one were oysters with bacon. They were delicious! The second platter had shrimp and four different types of raw oysters. Yummm...I would love to have more some righ now. That platter is enough for two normal people, but we are not normal people, so we went ahead and ordered the Grand Seafood Platter, which is a two story tower with all sort of seafood including clams, a whole lobster, ceviche, shrimp, and of course, raw oysters. Everything was just so fresh that you could still taste the sea. Amazing! Sean, our fantastic bartender, sold us on an off-the-menu bottle of champagne that was to die for. However, we were so busy chowing down our food that we forgot to write down the name for future occasions. Our meal did not end there. We also ordered the house fries which were nice and crispy, as well as the brussels sprouts. I know that it seems like a momentary lapse in judgement, but they were so good they might have converted me into a brussels sprouts' enthusiast. I am still scratching my head because they were not even fried or with bacon or both. While my hubby unbuttoned his pants (he's a rookie!) I focused my attention into choosing dessert :) Sean recommended the coconut cake, so I ordered that. Three minutes later I had a gigantic piece of fluffy and moist cake drizzled with caramel. Mmmm...six minutes later it was gone! This was truly a fantastic meal and we cannot wait to go back there soon. In fact, we are considering going back now for more :)
(4)
Sheena S.

Had an enjoyable time here in River Oyster Bar. The food here were all delicious and great that I can't get enough of it. The oysters they serve here was so good that the flavor somehow sticks to my mouth. Ahh the feeling is something I could still remember till now. As for the service, its good as it gets. Lobster and crab dish that I first seen here were yummy as well. Truly a nice place for having a fine seafood treat!
(4)
cesa ulises r.

i just moved from little habana to venetian island and planning on going to the river oyster bar very soon... my friends tell me the food is 1st class......will find out soon..........ulises venetian island
(5)
Damien B.

Amazing food, go for happy hour ! Very fresh Oysters from all over the US. You don't feel like in Miami.
(4)
Elizabeth W.

The food is amazing in every way possible. The only problem is that the portions are smaller than you might expect. I guess that's not completely terrible considering it allows you to try more plates, but then again all the plates accumulate and the price takes you by surprise. I will definitely be returning to this delicious place, though. I highly recommend the Blue Crab Gnocci and the crab cakes.
(4)
Laina G.

Great oysters (we tried fried, roasted, and raw). Awesome happy hour. Amazing entrees. Delicious dessert. Great service.
(4)
Misty M.

Happy hour daily till 7, definitely the way to start things. Ordered a shrimp cocktail, 3 shrimp for $12 was pricey. Asked waiter for recommendations....loved my colbe fish. My boyfriend ordered the snapper with avocado and tomatoes, he loved it. His mother got the chicken, she is a way to picky eater and did not enjoy it....granted not much that she does enjoy. Desserts looked delish, but I was honestly too full to attempt. Overall fantastic dinner!
(4)
John C.

I went to The River Seafood and Oyster Bar alone and quickly made my way in through the crowd of people outside. Looked around for a second or two and saw an opening at the bar which I took. I did not receive a welcome from anyone when entering. Service: The service was exceptional. I had the pleasure of having Matt as my bartender and he did an excellent job of communicating and personalizing my experience. By this I mean he shook my hand and introduced himself when I arrived and informed me he would be right with me. Service was friendly, warm, and timely. I have been there before when the service was a little "sub-standard" but Matt made this time stand out. Food: I was not sure what route I was going to take when I got there (Miami Spice, Bar Menu, etc.), but ended up going for the Miami Spice. I decided to go with the plates that initially stuck out for me on that night (my tastes and cravings can differ day by day) which was the Kale Salad (deeeeeelicious), Snapper (beautiful "Miami" ingrdients and flavors), and the Bread Pudding (Bourbon creme anglaise!). Everytime I have been here I can say that I leave satisfied with the taste, quality, and value of their food. As other reviewers have noted, they have an excellent Happy Hour and this is a local favorite. I definitely recommend to others, as I surely will be returning in the near future.
(4)
Jake N.

Oysters at happy hour, fresh and an awesome price! The seacows are sweet and delicious! Nailed it with the cocktails too. I judge a place on balance in a cocktail, and the river thyme hit it perfectly. savory, boozy, good zing of acid form the lemon infused vodka. every dish we ordered was thought out well, as they all tasted better amalgamated then eaten component by component. great vibe to the place too with a cozy interior and friendly service. tip: make reservations. we came down before the eagles concert early around 5:30 and by 6:15 this place was jammed! Last note: it's pricey, but guess what, so is quality!
(5)
Jessica C.

Absolutely amazing. I cannot recommend this place enough. We have very high standards and came here per recommendation of the mandarin. We were served by India and she was amazing. Extremely attentive honest and fantastic suggestions. Well priced and beyond a delicious meal. Her suggestions were great and the food was beyond great. We had oysters, ceviche, tar tar and the most well plated fish entree I've ever seen. Well done river bar -and btw India is an absolute gem -don't let her swim away. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening India and River Bar. Well done.
(5)
Trevor D.

I have been in limbo like Leo Dicaprio on how I would rate this restaurant. On my first visit I was Incepted and was quick to anoint it the best restaurant in the Brickell area. But with each visit the totem is slowly stopping and I have come to realize that I have over hyped this restaurants to my friends. If the portions were bigger you could make a case but based on the serving sizes it should be called The Puddle Oyster Bar. The bread basket of white, raisin, and cornbread are all very good. Since the portions of the meals are so small be prepared to break bread like a Christian because you will need to to get full. If they run out of corn to make the cornbread like they did on my last visit your S.O.L. I cannot understand how there's a Publix one block away but the restaurant cant go buy corn from there instead of waiting around for Sysco. The M.O. of this restaurant is that they have there sauce game perfected. Every dish I will mention below stands out because of the sauce it is made in. I ordered the calamari on consecutive visits. The first time it was served as described on the menu with the vinaigrette and spicy aoli sauces mixed into the salad. I'm not big into salad but it was as good as it gets. The next time the calamari was served the traditional way with the calamari separated and the sauces in small dipping bowl. Having it served this way exposed the blandness of the smallamari's. The mussels in the coconut sauce was delicious but the mussels were so minuscule that it made me think that I basically ordered this appetizer to dip the bread in like I was at the Olive Garden. The black grouper in the scotch bonnet sauce is worth an order, matter of fact you cant go wrong with any of the fish in this sauce. The gnocchi and blue crab should be renamed to "blue crab and maybe some gnocchi" because you will be lucky to get more than 4 pieces of gnocchi. For $28 dollars you should get more than 10 bites in order to finish off this dish. I don't mind paying a steep price for a meal but the least the restaurant could do is fill you up. The portions are so small that you have to keep ordering more dishes to be full and at the end of the night you will look at the bill and say I paid that much for this meal. Its a bigger robbery than having the city pay for the Marlins stadium.
(3)
Eric L.

I stopped by The River last Friday for their famous happy hour of $3.00 worldy oysters (Bluepoints, Wood's Hole, Kumamoto etc.), $12.00 shrimp cocktail with three exotic sauces (chili verde, see pic for others), and the tough-to-find Stella Artois on draft for $3.00 to meet some friends. The service was on-point, Paul (?) was very professional and attentive, without being overbearing--a true sign of a top-notch establishment. The Bluepoint oysters stood out to me as extremely fresh, large, delicious and not too "fishy" as is characteristic of lesser oysters. Yum! Homemade cocktail sauce also stood out with a distinct smokiness and great, spicy bite. I plan to return to this Brickell staple next week to try their seafood entrees and I hope to bump this spot to a five star rating!
(4)
Qinhua Y.

The lobster grilled with lemon butter is awesome! Waiters are so nice to help for everything. I love the environment too, the bar is in the middle, but dinning on the sides doesn't feel noisy at all. I would recommend crab cakes too. A coconut sorbet will be perfect to fresh your mouth after seafood dinner. Oysters can be mixed in a half dozen serve. There's one from WA that is really large and delicious.
(5)
Parita K.

This restaurant is a Brickell gem - and this coming from a vegetarian! The food is incredibly fresh and delicious. The kale salad is a must try (even kale haters will love it!). The swiss chard ravioli is pretty decent. Personally, I found the sauce to be a little too sweet. My husband loved his bacon wrapped cobia, and we both enjoyed the mushroom flatbread. The drinks are also great here - highly recommend the blueberry smash. And the ultimate surprise (at least for me) were the mouth watering desserts. The sticky toffee pudding is a must try!
(4)
A P.

A favorite! Scallop appetizer is a must! Perfect blend of lemon, sweetness and hot pepper. Risotto also excellent! Whole hog fish special was very tasty. Good wine list, but their white wines are kept at same temp as reds and need extra chilling.
(4)
Terry M.

Meh. Went for the enthusiastic reviews but the poor service, slow kitchen (!!), mediocre food and disproportionately high prices made this a not-again experience.
(3)
Bobby Z.

Had a 7:30 reservation. Ashley the hostess went to seat us at a table that was in the corner and not set. We asked to be seated at any one of 6 empty tables. She told us that they were reserved. We reiterated that we had a reservation, but she said that they were all specifically requested. ?????????? We ate at the bar. She went to seat a party at one of the tables that we asked for and they wanted a different table. When we questioned her she said she had to switch tables. Lame excuse. Shitty attitude. Great bartender and good food but why have this obnoxious, incompetent at the door.
(2)
Jen H.

Yum!! Delicious!!! If you don't want to venture out to South Beach, Brickell is the spot to be at night!! I feel more safe in this area than South Beach. The service and food here were great! I would come back if I have a chance! Ordered: 1) BLACK GROUPER--YUM!!! 4/5 2) CRAB CAKES-Decent, pretty crabby, but not worth $20. 3/5 We had a party of 8 and they were very accommodating :)
(4)
Troy C.

Favorite spot for happy hour
(5)
Jennifer C.

This review is based on solely on their happy hour: Every day, 7 days a week 4:30-7:00pm is happy hour at river. Beer is $3, wine is $5, and wells are $5; oysters are half price. I am not an oyster person and they are spectacularly delicious. Bar staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Parking in the lot can be ridiculously expensive (sometimes $10-20/flat rate). If you are willing to walk a couple of blocks you can pay a meter and walk it. This is one of the best, high end happy hours and a great bargain (especially for Brickell).
(5)
A A.

I have been a big fan of River and brought clients here multiple times. My experience last night will make me think twice. I can accept an uneven night food-wise but cannot accept the feeling of being pushed through my meal because the waiter or the manager wants to turn the table. When you are paying $30+ for a piece of fish you don't expect the waiter to slide the entree on the corner of the table while you are still on your appetizer!! In addition you do not expect to order wine and that it come 15 minutes later in the middle of your meal. The food was up to par but the service ruined the whole night. I did not complain because I was entertaining clients but my guests were from out of the country and I guarantee you they noticed.
(2)
Lisa E.

The menu has an incredible selection of delicious seafood. Everything we ordered was super fresh and delicious. The service was also great. The server was very helpful and gave excellent recommendations. This has become one of my favorite restaurants in Brickell. They also have a great drink menu and make an excellent dirty martini.
(5)
Steve S.

Fan-fucking-tastic. Everything about this place was amazing, from the drinks to the oysters. One of my absolute favorite restaurants in Miami.
(5)
Zarina R.

2/3/12 -- Came here for dinner on a Friday night around 9 pm. I definitely recommend making a reservations for dinner, as every seat in the house was full including the bar area. Its always a good sign to see a full restaurant. I was excited to have dinner at the ROB finally, as I had heard a lot of great things from other friends. They we all true!! Appetizers: 1) Fire Roasted Oysters - sofrito butter, ancho cream, queso manchego, chorizo (wow what can I say this dish was amazing and the chorizo added a unique contrast to the oysters) 2) Mussels - cooked in coconut milk, lemongrass, chilies, lime, basil ( to die for -- absolute perfection and the remaining liquid was great to sob up with the bread.) 3) Pork Belly Flat Bread - romesco, grilled leeks, quail eggs (tasty, the pork belly was cooked to perfection -- it was crunchy not mushy) -- A Must Try Dish 4) Grilled Octopus -- cannellini bean - radish salad (this item had to be returned as the octopus tasted very fishy) (I was disappointed) Dinner: 1) Cobia -- bacon wrapped & barbecued, creamed corn, and crispy leeks ( Once my friend got his main course, I don't think he spoke for the rest of dinner -- he was too busy enjoying every morsel.) -- A MUST ORDER 2) Herb Crusted Golden Tile Fish - with farro verde risotto, asparagus, beurre blanc. My fish was absolutely bland. There was nothing wrong with the fish itself, it was cooked fine and did not taste fishy, however, this had to be one of the most unmemorable dishes I have ever had. It tasted like nothing. Thank god our Server Jeff took back the plate and took the meal off our check. The service was great and the drinks were unique, as well. I would definitely go back to this restaurant.
(4)
Carlos J.

Bar bites were great.
(4)
neesha d.

My absolute favorite place in Miami!! If you're an oyster lover you must come here for happy hour and sit at the bar. Shawn is the best server always pleasant no matter how many questions you ask. The oysters are fresh and DELICIOUS! The mignonette sauce is wonderful and they make their own cocktail sauce in house- really nice and smoky and I ate some even though not a cocktail sauce fan. One of our first stops every visit to Miami! Can't wait to come back
(5)
Karen K.

Very cute restaurant but I don't think I'll be coming back. I came here yesterday for happy hour and had two of each type of oyster. I got really sick and kept having to run to the bathroom all night because it wasn't fresh.
(1)
Yuliana D.

Oysters were great. Tried few other appetizers: all of them were really yummy especially for the price (ranging from $5 to 15) Happy hour price for wine and oysters is amazing - that is for sure . Service was friendly and good. It was packed and social. Really great place for after work!:-) Dress code: much more casual than zuma for example. But pleasant people, just a more casual.
(5)
Sharon T.

Went here on a Friday night with a reservation. We were seated right away which and it was a bit packed! The crab cakes and oysters are fantastic! The shrimp cocktail is great as well! Can't wait to go again
(5)
Karen G.

We came here for dinner. It was packed. I didn't expect it to be this busy on Wed night. After dining here, however, I now understand why it was so busy. The service was great and the food was amazing. This is now my new favourite seafood place in Miami. First of all, I loved the bread basket filled with warm bread and corn bread, butter and black olive tapenade. We asked for refills three times! We ordered the mussels and the calamari. Both were outstanding but the mussels, in coconut milk with lemongrass, chili, basil and lime was my favourite. It the perfect combination of flavours and we used our bread to sop up the broth. We eventually had to stop so as to leave room for the entrees. We ordered the lobster pot pie, the snapper fillet and the gnocchi with blue crab. Although impressive in presentation, the lobster pot pie was good but not great. The snapper fillet was my second favourite. Cooked perfectly with balanced flavours, it was an impressive dish. The portion size was on the larger side, the presentation was very nice and the fish was very moist. I would order this again. The standout, however, was the gnocchi with blue crab. There was an enormous amount of crab in this dish and it was very rich and decadent. Definitely good for sharing since it is so rich. I can't stop thinking it. I will be back.
(5)
Read F.

Great food. Great time. Love this place. Bartender is amazing. Only reason I didn't give five stars is because it's pricey. Wish I could make it to happy hour but I work too late.
(4)
Shan W.

So you see all the 4 and 5 stars from other yelpers - all deserved. This review is mainly for me. I definitely plan on going back for happy hour ($1.40 per oyster!!) so these are my notes to remind myself about what stuff I liked and didn't like. Ginger Punch - non alcoholic. Very tart but very good. A lot of ginger taste which made it very refreshing. Jalapeno corn bread - So great! Soft and moist with the kick of jalapeno Now the Oysters... Big rocks - Very good. What an oyster should taste like. Get again Umami - It tasted like a sushi place... but it was an oyster. Kind of odd. Pass Fanny Bay - You know when you are swimming in a lake and get an accidental gulp of the water? Yeah.. that but colder, cause it was on ice. Pass. Sebastian Salts - more salty than normal. Good flavor. Get again. Blue Point - Obviously I love oysters and this was a monster of one. You'd think I'd love it even more. Nah. It was actually too big that eating it took away the flavor for me. Oysters in my mind should be small and delicate. Not massive where you're wondering if you can fit the thing in your mouth. Pass Peters Point - What an oyster should taste like. Get again. Chatham - another good one cause I don't remember *not* liking it. Get again. Fish Ceviche - Peru has ruined me. Nothing tastes like peruvian ceviches for me anymore. This was okay, but the red onions on top were not soft like Peru's. It's a good starter ceviche for someone who hasn't ever had it. For me though, pass. Crispy Calamari - very good! Calamari was breaded nicely - not a thick layer. It was over some type of lettuce (forget the name) with a mayo/spicy sauce. Get again. Snapper with mango chutney - husband got it and he liked it. Good flavor. Good to try but not good enough to get again. Chocolate Mouse cake - GET THIS AGAIN! Softest, richest most amazing chocolate ever! Cookie layer crust with whip cream on the top. I don't remember a chocolate mouse that was this good... Kevin, our waiter, was good. Attentive but not annoying. Bill was $82 so this was our planned special night cause of some extra cash. I do want to go back for Happy Hour and forego the entrees and such. Maybe a drink, oysters and the chocolate mouse. Now that sounds great to me! :)
(5)
Seth S.

One of my very favorite spots in Miami, The River Oyster Bar is an upscale but understated gem of a local restaurant serving very high quality seafood and shellfish in an urbane, refined setting. Prices are reasonable given the very high quality here, and the place has an urban, sophisticated feel to it. (The ambience sits somewhere between that of a Manhattan bistro and Venice Beach's Abbot Kinney area.) Particularly on weekends, the bar can get quite crowded (with both drinkers and barside diners), and the tables fill up quickly, so a reservation is essential. Standouts for me typically include Northwest oysters, perhaps the best bucatini with lobster fra diavolo in town, and consistently excellent fish dishes. Very conveniently located in Brickell, too. One of Miami's very best, in my view.
(5)
Rodrigo P.

Amazing food! The bar snack are great too and they have a few good beers on tap. Loved it! Wished the happy hour ended at 8 so I could come for a while after work
(5)
Michelle W.

Was in town for a work event, and a coworker was lucky enough to have a cousin who was local, and took him to The River Oyster Bar for dinner. The next day he raved about his dinner, and I was determined to make my way there before we left town. Another coworker made a reservation for 8 of us to dine at 8:30, and I was ready for some really good seafood, as I had been dining on burgers and sandwiches the whole week. We got there at 8:15 and the place was PACKED. Great sign. Grabbed a glass of wine from the bar, and waited on the table to be ready. Once sat (promptly at 8:30), our waiter took our drink orders (great selection of wine, beer, and specialty cocktails), and another waiter dropped off some yummy bread. The menu has AN AMAZING selection of seafood entrees, all of which came with delicious sounding sauces and sides, all cooked with an interesting flare. The monkfish stood out to me the most because of the way it came prepared "wrapped in a serrano pepper and served with a side of octopus stew and swiss chard". I have never had monkfish, so I had to ask the waiter what it was like. His words "it is has the same texture, and similar taste to lobster". Um, yes please!!! I am allergic to shellfish (tear), but I love lobster, so anything I can eat that taste like it but won't kill me, I am in. We got mussels and calamari for the table, and even though I can't eat the mussels, I had to try the broth because it smelled so good. I took a huge hunk of bread, soaked it in the sauce, and chowed down. This broth soaked piece of bread was by far the best thing I ate in a long time. The mussels were Thai steamed (lemongrass, lime, chiles, coconut milk), and that broth was heaven. I could have chugged it. My meal was also incredible, and the monkfish did not disappoint. All 8 members of my party were completely thrilled with their meals, and everyone cleared their plates. We ordered some desserts to split, and I was lucky enough to order the million layer coconut cake. I am not a huge dessert person, but I could eat this cake everyday. It may have been the best piece of cake I have ever eaten. Amazing food, great atmosphere, and great service. Any time I am in Miami, I will be sure to go back to try more of their seafood creations.
(5)
Kailey M.

My boyfriend and I came here for a late valentine's day dinner. The place was a very intimate. We had the ceviche for appetizer, it was ok. It has hominy in in, which I thought was a little out of place, but what do I know about ceviche. I had the salmon as an entree, it was amazing! The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the crab fried rice was perfect! I want to make the crab fried rice at home sometimes. Overall, a good place for date night.
(4)
Keith O.

Superb! Great oysters, ceviche, etc. And loved some sort of Peruvian hot sauce they offered. Can't wait to go back and try something else!
(4)
Wesley W.

Bbq cobia. One of the best seafood dishes I've ever had, cobia is the New mahi, waiters are great happy hour is crast good, and it's all the same company as tobacco road who knew?
(4)
Maria O.

Wow,wow,wow! We went for my boyfriends 21st and had an amazing time. Our waitress was extremely attentive and very friendly. Everything from our drinks to our food came very promptly and was absolutely delicious. We started off with a nice white wine and a seafood platter. The fish was so noticeably fresh that we had to ask about it and the waitress informed us that it arrived earlier that day. My boyfriend had the snapper and I had the clams with linguini. The presentation was gorgeous and the taste was even better. We finished off our evening with a nice expresso and big smiles on our faces. Highly recommend it!
(4)
Jane S.

Dinner was terrific. Service was excellent, and the oysters were great. We ordered appetizers and entrees---to much food, but the atmosphere was fun.
(4)
Tami Y.

I found the River Oyster Bar on Yelp! The reviews are great, and that's because the place deserves it. The waitstaff was friendly and polite, the room is attractive and comfortable, and the food was really, really good. I had the gnocchi with blue crab after a first course of oysters, then the coconut cake. Everything was amazing.
(4)
Andi V.

Good food? Great food! Good service? The bartender is amazing! Worth the price? Yes Will we go back? Yes! What can I say, we sat at the bar and ordered dinner and drinks, and the service was incredible. He was giving suggestions, and definitely steered us in the right direction, not just what was most expensive. Everything tasted wonderful and was very quick. The only reason I am not giving a 5 star rating is that the greeters would not sit us at a table because we did not have reservations, but there were 4 tables that were completely empty the whole hour and half we were there. It might be a restaurant policy, but it was just a little annoying.
(4)
Shaun S.

Nice place. I went there while I was in Miami for the night. The crab cakes were good, a little small but all crab. I got the seafood platter and I think it was a good bang for the buck. The shrimp were big and the raw clams and oyster were good.
(4)
Stefanie S.

This is my favorite restaurant in Miami. Half of oysters during happy hour makes it a winner as is, but the whole menu is amaze and the staff is great.
(5)
Emily H.

THE best little bar in Brickell. Sean and Natalia are incredible bartenders and make you feel like family! Bar snacks are always delicious and portioned just right. Can't help to become a regular here :) I'm not an oyster person but all friends I take here absolutely love them. You'll have dreams about the meatball sliders once you try them!
(5)
Michelle M.

Came here on Easter Sunday around 7 pm with a party of 4, wasn't too busy, the hostess seated us at a high top right by the waiters service station. When I asked if we could have a normal table, she said every single table had a reservation and we could either sit here or wait to see if anyone would cancel. So I asked her again if she could check and she immediately sat us at a much better table on the other side of the restaurant. She was extremely unpleasant, and none of the "reservations" ever showed up. They were out of the blue point oysters so we tried 1 of each of the available oysters from the menu, our favorite being the ones that started with a K, can't remember the exact name. The east coast ones were a bit more ocean tasting and bland. We also had the oyster shooters which were okay. For entrees I had the clams and linguine, again just okay, nothing out of this world. My parents shared the grouper with mashed potatoes which had zero flavor with a slight taste of cleaning product. The best part of the meal was the chocolate mousse with Oreo, delicious! Service was good. Unfortunately will probably not be back for the mediocre food and rude hostess who thinks she works at south beach :(
(2)
Billy V.

We all have a place that we go to often. A local bar, coffee place or restaurant. The River is my place. This is a gem of a restaurant. Food OUTSTANDING. Service DOUBLE OUTSTANDING. I usually would go on my days off for Happy Hour or meet my wife after work. The beer selection on tap is small, but very good. The bar area is very comfortable and conducive to conversation or meeting people. They would always have these chips on the bar that are just awesome. Just can't stop eating them. They were fresh and with the right amount of seasoning. I have had to many meals here to describe. They are all good to excellent. Their fish is always fresh and prepared to perfection. I can not remember ever being disappointed. The River is so good that this is the place I take my in laws to. The River is just down the street from my winter home, so it is perfect place to enjoy many beverages. There are many places to go in this area, but the other main reason I come here is service. It is always at a top level of service. I hired one guy from here in the restaurant that I ran as a server because he was excellent., friendly and knowledgeable. He was not your typical Miami server. Sorry I am from NYC and service is important to me. Another server was studying to be a Sommelier. WOW. He also was very friendly and knowledgeable. I give Ownership 5 stars for their time and effort in training all their staffs to know their menu, execute fantastic dishes and provide outstanding service. Thank you The River for fun times.........
(5)
Jordan N.

River Oyster Bar! I know this place has competition with Oceanaire - but this place has its own charm. Maybe part of the reason is that it's a local Miami institution as well. Their fire roasted chorizo oysters were greasy but good. They have other oysters to choose from and they look delectable. Their paella was tasty, and the ribs were good. Service was top-notch, and the Brickell crowd here is friendly. Even a woman sitting next to me at the bar offered to share her appetizer! It's a reliable place, with reliable food - some may not amaze you but you're bound to leave with a good experience.
(4)
Ralph M.

Charming place, with some great oysters. I was having a good time at the bar, but things went a little south once I got a table. Started with the fire roasted oysters. What a waste of perfectly good oysters! I might have well have been eating pizza bagel bites. My black grouper entree was quite a bit better, thankfully. But the rest of my dining experience was dragged down by the aloof and not quite capable waiter. I brought my drink from the bar, which apparently led the waiter to conclude he never had to serve me at all. I finally flagged him down and ordered a beer. Then I did so again ten minutes later because he never brought it. Meanwhile, someone else at my table had to send back a cocktail (poorly made), and the next, different cocktail came not prepared according to his directions. The first problem was likely the bartender's fault, the second was surely the waiter's. We gave up trying to solve the problem. To sum, the food largely did not disappoint. The service certainly did. At these prices, that is not acceptable, even if it is typical for Miami.
(3)
Anthony S.

Small but relatively urban atmosphere and great seafood. The ceviche is great and they make decent drinks to. Can't go wrong here!
(4)
Nick A.

If feeling vulnerable, victimized, hungry, and broke get you off, step into the Oyster Bar because that's the combo you'll be feeling after you give up your first born for a mediocre miniature portioned "meal". My friend should have a lead roll in Glengarry GlenRoss 2 the way he sold us on this place for 2 weeks straight, but by the end of the meal words didn't even need to be spoken about how we just passed up countless better options for this birdfeed bar. As Jason G pointed out, the Blue Crab Gnocchi was $28 for literally 5 pieces of itty bitty baby sized pasta and some crab mixed in here and there, and it was saturated in oil, foriegn dependency could be solved by tapping into this dish. The waiter amazingly held a straight face as he dropped this at the table. Hard to not cringe when thinking we couldv'e went down the street to Il Gabbiano which has the best gnocchi on Earth for a little cheaper. The mussels, undectectable to the naked eye, were covered in a really good coconut milk sauce, your best chance of getting full is to bring your own rice and pour this sauce on it. The calamari was as forgettable as they come, average at best, an expensive seafood place needs to put a little more effort. Supposedly they were out of the free cornbread they offer for 2 hours, but they still gave us a bread basket that was pretty good, and my friend went great depression style and downed 2 loaves just to try and get full. Overall the bar is cool, nothing ground breaking, and I understand seafood is expensive, but at least most places give you a respectable portion, here you'll be leaving famished and broke, not a winning combo. Stick to oysters.
(2)
Jason G.

I must be out of my f'ing mind because I'm aware of all these great reviews for River Oyster Bar and I still don't get it. Maybe we shouldn't have gone here right after the Yelp Elite party at Capital Grille, but I know what I like and I didn't like this one bit. Originally were were planning on going to Blue Collar but we heard they were closed, so it came down to Michael's Genuine or this. We choose this because it was just a few blocks away from us. Our friend and fellow Yelper Trev D sold us real hard on this place. He swore it was a 4.5 star experience. Big mistake! I'm actually contemplating ex-communicating as I type this review up. The restaurant has a modern appeal to it. It's hip, even charming in fact. I can see why people come here for a drink or even or some appetizers. But that's it. We started with the calamari and mussels as appetizers. The calamari was puny, tasteless and meatless. Any restaurant that prides itself on its seafood needs to have good calamari. I'm convinced it was previously frozen Mrs. Paul's. One strike. The next up were the mussels and it was tasty; however the mussels were also minuscule. It took at least 3 of them to equal one. The coconut milk they were served in happened to be real good though. Still, if I want milk I'll order it with cookies. This was another unimpressive dish. Strike two. I ordered the gnocchi and blue crab after being told it was phenomenal and right up there with Ill Gabby's gnocchi. For $28 is better be orgasmic. It wasn't. In fact, the only thing blue about last nights dinner are my balls today. They have the audacity to call this a meal. Kate Moss would laugh at this dish. I've had tapas plates that could have served an entire army compared to this dish. It wasn't a meal, it was more like a few scoops put on a plate. I'm not exaggerating there was a total of 5 gnocchi's on the plate. It was not only infuriating but mind boggling too. I'm reasonable when it comes to Miami dining. I'm well traveled and have an expensive palate and wouldn't hesitate dropping good money a meal. This was just criminal. My friend realized he made a critical mistake and his 4.5 rating quickly dropped to 3 (and that's generous) by the time we left. He is a local and has to show his face, where as I can be completely honest with my experience . Overall, it was just bland food with bad portions and inflated prices. With the overwhelming amount of great restaurants in Miami, life is too short to waste it on a meal at River Oyster Bar.
(2)
Ashley S.

Delicious! I love the new brunch, the mimosas/bloody Mary's are bottomless and crab cake Benedict was so good. The happy hour is a can't beat deal. Very fresh oysters and seafood and a very knowledgable staff. Service is always good.
(4)
Chris R.

This place shows up on every list for best oysters in Miami. So we went. And ate. And rate. We only went for the smoking happy hour deal on oysters. Five dozen oysters later we left happy and sated. There were about eight varieties that evening, we tried five. They were all great, but best of all, they averaged about $1.25 to $1.50 per shuck, which by any standard is a really good deal. Oh, and those happy hour pours (Bombay gin for bar gin) for $5.00 are pretty darn stout. Can't comment on anything but the oysters and the gin, but if you like either, happy hour at the River is the place to be. And if you get there early enough, you can get a great seat at the bar, fast friendly service and some great oysters!
(5)
Stephanie G.

Being a Brickell native, I have to say I've often been embarrassed by the fact that I don't frequent the River Oyster Bar more often. All the time I hear people say that they think it's the best restaurant in town, and I live about a block away from it so I really should go more often, but my last visit didn't leave me with the best of impressions. I visited the River Oyster Bar for dinner on a Friday about two months ago. We had an 8 PM reservation and upon walking in I was taken aback by how busy it was. There wasn't an empty table in site and no room at the bar. Once we got to our table and began perusing the menu, the waiter came over and suggested the salmon special which he claimed was the last of the wild-caught salmon of the season. He talked up the salmon so much that ordered it without hesitation. When it came, it was dry and overcooked. I ate it anyway because I didn't want to seem like a high-maintenance princess, but I wasn't impressed. Besides, they're called the River Oyster Bar, shouldn't they know how to cook a piece of fish? Luckily, I'd ordered the asparagus on the side which was amazing, so it made up for the less-than-perfect salon (almost). My dinner companion wasn't taken aback by the meal either. Overall, I have to say that the service at the River Oyster Bar is exceptional, and I would go back. But, next time I might be a little more skeptical about ordering the special...
(3)
Paige H.

This hidden gem is in a slightly slow/shady part of town, but that doesn't mean that people haven't found it. We had a late dinner (9pm) and the place was packed- but the service was quick and the food was DELICIOUS. Prices are reasonable for an upscale Miami dinner - I'd definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Mendy C.

They serve the Best oysters in Miami area!!
(5)
Tomas R.

Any oyster shucked fresh just tastes better, and the River Oyster Bar does not disappoint. This restaurant hits on all marks great ambiance, service, food and drink. We also had blackened tuna and grilled octopus both excellent. Hope to be back soon.
(5)
Karl Y.

I came here expecting great things since it was on eater 38 Miami. Unfortunately the meal fell far short of my expectations. The oysters were good, I'll give them that. The snapper tartar was good as well, however the pork belly flatbread, which I was so looking forward to eating, came out burnt and flavorless. The skirt steak, which came highly recommended, was accompanied with a side of soggy fries and the most ridiculously hot peppers that I have seen come with a dish. The other entrÃ©e we got, the gnocchi with crab came in a cream sauce which totally obscured the flavor of the crab as well as the truffles which I must say is a pretty hard thing to do. Adding insult to injury was the fact that the Priorat was flat and clearly had been opened on another night. I will not be coming back here again.
(2)
Earlane S.

Great food, excellent srevice. My friends were not impressed by the mojitos but the other cocktails were fine. Must go back.
(4)
Damian D.

Consistently great, The River never disappoints especially for apps and the raw stuff. Sure it can be a bit pricey, but the truism is that you gotta pay to play. This trip, cobia sashimi with avocado and lava salt, kumamoto oysters, fried oysters, the black grouper filet with sides of their fabulous sauces (lemon butter, salsa verde, and scotch bonnet vinaigrette. And of course, the one dish we always go back for: fire roasted oysters. A MUST TRY. Meaty, cheesy, briny deliciousness. Throw in skilled bar staff, unique drink options, an extensive but not ridiculous wine list, and attentive service. What else can you ask for? Oh yeah, an intimate and cool space. Don't get the portion size comments from other reviewers because portions are as generous as any other top chef-driven restaurant in Miami or any big city.
(5)
Ashley M.

Crab gnocchi was amazing!! Our party tried several dishes but the crab gnocchi was the favorite. I'm coming back next time I'm in Miami
(5)
Catherine C.

I'm so addicted to this place. Happy hour is always very crowed. Half price oysters with oyster menu changed everyday. I always spoil myself with a dozen. They have lobster pie in the winter which I heard is a must have. I love their flatbreads and kale salad.
(5)
Jennifer F.

The fish is amazing. I had the mahi mahi lunch special the other day with quinoa and it was fresh and light and delicious. Chef knows this stuff and he knows how to pair foods to make the most succulent meals. The managers and bartenders are nice and professional.. You cannot go wrong here at all!
(5)
Mark H.

Been here a few times now. Great service, great food! The oysters here are delicious! My favorite is their gnocci w/ blue crab. til next time!
(5)
Kate T.

Happy hour at the River Oyster Bar is the best. I'm from New England and to call me an oyster snob wouldn't come close to how picky I am (Probably because I worked in an oyster bar once in NH). I want my oysters fresh, clean, shucked well (let's keep the pieces of shell to a minimum please). River Oyster House does it great! I love Oysters from the Northeast and they always have them. Happy hour, 1/2 price oysters and drink specials is just unbelievable. I never thought I would find a good oyster bar (serving oysters from the northeast) in Miami.... This place rooooocks!
(5)
Stephanie E.

This is my favorite spot on Brickell for dinner and late night snacks! It's also a great place to go for a drink and catch up with friends at their bar. Their bar snacks are very well priced and are good portions...plus the food is very flavorful. I've had most of their bar snacks currently being offered and can say they didn't disappoint...actually they surprise me over and over everytime. Just to give you an overview of some of the items I can remember having, here you go: Bar Snacks: Steamed Pork Buns Meatball Sliders Appetizer: Scallop Tiradito - It's tart with a kick of heat. This is probably the only dish that had the table torn. I loved it though... Small Plates: Thai-Steamed Mussels - Best mussels in Miami. The broth tastes of curry and coconut and is quite spicy. Fire-Roasted Oysters Pork Flatbread OH and if you like spicy drinks...try the Lolita. Killer! I've tried some of their other cocktails and have really liked them. Again, their cocktails have the right balance of flavor. River Oyster is overall a great place for food & drinks...or maybe just drinks, if you'd prefer. Take a date, take your parents or go with coworkers... It's a Miami staple and I just hope it stays open for as long as I'm alive!
(5)
Tony A.

I think River Oyster bar is on a short list of my favored restaurants in the city. First of all, River gets default points because it's one of the few places where you can find good cold water oysters from from the Pacific Northwest and the upper Atlantic. I am not a fan generally of our fat, bland, Florida oysters. In addition to oysters River usually has very good seafood specials and the menu is solid. It would be worth coming here even without the oysters, but don't get me wrong, the oysters are why I come. I think an underrated part of River's menu is their bar snack menu. One can usually get really good vittles for cheap (like their croquettes or even more substantial fare). Their happy hour is great as oysters are 1/2 off and the drinks are cheap to boot.
(4)
Brett H.

I went here awhile back for a going away party and it was great. We got a nice room in the back so we wouldn't be disturbed and it seemed like everyone had a great time. The fish was amazing. I went with the Salmon in the Lemon Butter sauce. Everything we order was delicious and I have to give it to this place for it. Here's my issue: For the price we paid, the portions were really small. I know what people may say about how places like this are not buffets but it was to the point where I was still hungry afterwards. I just wish I could've gotten a larger entree for the price. This would be the only reason why I wouldn't return but otherwise its great food.
(3)
J M.

The BBQ cobia wrapped in bacon is delicious... The blue crab rice is just as good ... Oh and don't forgot the fire roasted oysters hmmmmm
(4)
Megan G.

My favorite spot for Happy Hour in Brickell and DWTN, hands down. Half price oysters, $4 house wines, drink specials and discounted bar snacks. Great martinis also but be sure to ask which ones are included in their happy hour or you may be unpleasantly surprised. It extends to weekends, which seem to be the best bet as they get VERY busy on weekdays and Friday especially. Get here early if you expect a seat at the bar (unfortunately HH is at bar only). They have several kinds of oysters to choose from at any given moment so if you "know" your stuff you'll definitly appreciate it. I on the other hand, know nothing about oysters except that they are delicious, and usually get a mix. If you're coming for dinner, plan on making a reservation or at the least, calling ahead. They tend to book up solid for the entire night and I have been disappointed more than once. Finally learned my lesson and dined here with another couple last weekend. We each had a different fish dish ---scallops, grouper, snapper and the blue crab gnocchi --- and they were all outstanding, but definitly a bit pricey. Wish I could afford to come here on a more regular basis. If there are no parking spots right out front, park in Tobacco Road's lot (behind) and show them your receipt on your way out for a discount.
(4)
Martin O.

If you really enjoy sampling Oysters from different parts of the United States, then The River Oyster Oyster Bar on the Brickell side of Downtown Miami. After a weekend afternoon Miami Heat game, the W and I dropped in for Dinner. I started with a couple of Oysters - Kumamotos from Humbolt County in California and Peter's Point from Cape Cod. The Kumamotos were about twice the size of the Peter's Point. I washed both down with a cold bottle of Stella. The W had a Chopped Salad that went well with the warm French and Raisin Bread. I had the Lobster Pot Pie (big pieces of Lobster, many vegetables inside) and we also tried the Fried Crab & Brown Rice (a small portion) and an order of Fries (Rosemary and Parmesan - delicious). The waitress was very nice and helpful and recommending different Oysters. When I asked her to point out which Oyster was from the West Coast/East Coast, she said they were served West to East like on a map of the U.S. There was free parking in the back in the Tobacco Road lot on this Sunday evening. Happy Hour ends at 7pm so if you can get there before then, there is is a significant savings for Oysters and draft beer. Overall, a very nice dinning experience.
(3)
George M.

Nice little place but all places are that way when surrounded by good people tough for me the shell out to much money on oysters when I had so many for so little during a vacation in PR The BBQ bacon shrimp tasted good but at $3 a crustacean ... I don't know about that ... heck, you put a good bbq sauce and some bacon on a turd and it might taste pretty good too My first time here and I really did get to eat much but nothing told me that I missing much Be on the lookout for the room behind the bar through the mirror - best spot in the house
(2)
Helen K.

Location: Corner of a downtown street Parking: Paid parking or Valet Food: Seafood Service: Lacking This was our first stop in Miami and to our disappointment, it did not set a good first impression of Miami and the people there. We first walked in and the hostess asked " how can I help you?" instead of the usual, "how many in your party?" It didn't really sit in well and seemed like we were unwelcome. After we were seated, our server was very inattentive. We first asked him to give us recommendation of oysters and he just brushed it off saying that he would place some for us instead of really explaining the difference or asking for our preference. He had put in 3 different types of oysters for both of us and we ended up only liking one. I recommend that you study up on oysters before you go in or otherwise you would be disappointed. Then to our entrees. Needless to say, we did not see our server until then. It took quite a long time and we were starving so we devoured it. The truth is, however, it was very salty. Not to the degree that you're grabbing for the water every second but if we were to describe the food in one word, we would say "salty." Finally, after our meal, our server comes back and he just "throws" the check to our table. To end it all off, when he retrieved the check at the end of the night, he walks off then with a delay of 5 seconds, mumbles "thank you." With this experience, we were very hesitant about Miami. We felt very out of place and unwelcome and wasn't looking forward to the next 2 days if this was the service and vibe that we would be getting. Luckily, everywhere else was very friendly and this place was the only place that gave us a snobbish vibe. It may be a hip place for the locals or whatnot but I would not recommend it for your first stop in Miami. It would start off your trip on a bad foot. Oh on the side-note, I forgot to mention, there was this table right next to us with these two women. The blonde woman, probably in her late 30s or early 40s, would not stop staring at us. Don't know if she had staring problems or she just hasn't seen any asians in her whole lifetime, which is not likely since I've overheard she's from NY, but she was the rudest person that I've ever met. She just kept staring at us the whole time, as she was waiting for her measly shrimp salad that took longer to come out than our whole meal. We should have said something but we ended up enduring it. But next time if we are ever in that situation, we would definitely confront people like that. The vibe of this restaurant, overall "expensive, salty food in a rude, snobby atmosphere," and I would not ever go back.
(2)
MICHELLE C.

Again, why have I never come here. So very glad we did last night. We had a taste for some oyster's, and this was the place to come to. When we arrived, every seat was taken at the bar. We were bummed because we just wanted some beer and oyster's. The very lovely hostess grabbed two stools and made room for us at the corner of the bar. Plenty room, we were very thankful she was so accommodating. The bartender's are all on the ball here, fast, friendly, great service! We ordered some beer and oyster's. Then I looked over the dinner menu, wow can not wait to come back for a dinner. Some impressive dishes that I saw coming out of the kitchen. Our first batch of oyster's came out. Heavenly, oh so good, nice size, but when the bartender put the plate down it seemed all the very large one's were on my side, so ha ha hubby got ripped off. As we sat there the bartender kept checking on us and we realized we knew her from a previous restaurant. It was so great seeing her again, she is awesome! Then she told us she is moving back up North. So sad because she is a great bartender. The oyster's were so good we order another dozen and we had to try the "Fire Roasted Oyster's" with Chorizo and manchego, you get three. They were different and good but I have to say I always prefer raw. This will be my new place for oyster's, they were excellent! And they are half price during Happy Hour. Great service, good food, looking so forward for a great dinner here. The wine list looked very nice with a great selection. Service was stellar by the hostess and both bartender's that took care of us. Awesomeness!
(4)
Mary C.

Lobster Pot Pie was made to order & stuffed to the brim with lobster! Table next to us has the Chinese fish...an entire cooked fish. Beautiful presentation of both...service attentive. Also noteworthy- HH daily 430-7pm. This place is worth a visit!
(4)
Ashley C.

The oysters here are as good as it gets! We sampled 8 different oysters from around the world and they were all delicious and fresh. Make sure you come early or make reservations, this place gets pretty busy
(4)
Maite H.

Everything tastes great..the portions aren't huge..and the prices aren't small. To get bang for your buck you can go during happy hour and sit by the bar enjoy Boddington beers for $3 and dozen oysters for $17. Happy hour does start at 4:30 and does include Saturday and Sunday however the kitchen does not open till 5:30 therefore you will not be able to order from the menu till then. I enjoyed my gnocchi with blue crab meet and was surprised at how bold the flavor was. We tried the mussels, octopus, and fire roasted oysters and thought everything was flavorful! The appetizers for the most part are for single portion and not so much for sharing.
(4)
M Z.

Probably the most attentive service in the close to one year we've been in Miami Beach. This is a place where they've made themselves very knowledgeable about their menu and are excited to have you choose to eat there. The ribs were fantastic as well as both the Salmon and the Cobia Sashimi. I was really hoping to try some of their homemade ginger punches but alas there was Chimay. We'll absolutely be going back to try more of their entrÃ©es and sample the infamous happy hour(s).
(4)
Gregory N.

Celebrating a double whammy of my wife's dad's birthday as well as my two sons coming home from college, we hit up this place after my wife searched for a seafood restaurant. Her hunch was right on track as we all enjoyed the experience. The bad, and there's not much bad about the place, are hereby itemized below: *Convenient parking doesn't exist. You got to go down to the Tobacco Road valet parking lot. **No place to wait. We came earlier than our appointed reservation time, seven of us with two elderly folks, and there is no place to wait, let alone sit down. ***Minor complaint, it takes awhile to get served. It took 20 minutes for our dessert to arrive. The good, and there's alot of good about this place, which you should remember when deciding if you're gonna go and eat here: *The food is really good. No one complained one bit about anything that was put before us to eat. Not only that, the food was delicious, had well proportioned servings, was artfully presented, and creatively conceived. **The interior design is smart, but not pretentious. It's the kind of place that you might imagine would exist in Manhattan, San Francisco or Chicago. But here it is, right here in the Brickell neighborhood. ***The service was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive, bright and cheerful, even though she was very busy. Give this place a try as it is officially recommended!
(4)
Betty L.

This place is great - from the fresh and delicious food to the decor. I would definitely go back here if I were to visit Miami again. I would fly back for the coconut cake alone Mushroom flatbread - you have to try this! There are a ton of mushrooms on it and the flavor is amazing. Raw oysters - very fresh Salmon sashimi rolled in asparagas - very tasty but small pieces for the price Raw clams - not a big fan of the taste Cocktail shrimp - a bit on the rubbery side, wouldn't order it again Fish soup - very good, tons of fish so if you like fish I would recommend it Black grouper with parsnips and truffle infused tea sauce - very light and flakey, black skin part was tasty, sauce was delicious but could go without the mashed parsnips Whole Yellowtail Snapper - good but not as light as the grouper Coconut Cake - AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS Service - knew the menu very well and gave very good recommendations, quick and attentive except a bit slow on bringing drinks which is nothing to complain about it in my book
(5)
Joe O.

Always quality and deliciousness. Everything they serve is great. Parking in the tobacco road lot for $5-10 depending on the day is always available, other than that, there is no parking. It may looked packed but you'll always find a spot here, I've never waited more than 20 minutes for a table. Highly recommended especially in the Brickell area where really good food isn't as easy to find as other areas.
(5)
Anthony G.

I love the food here. The oysters are very good, and thanks to this place I now actually know which ones are my favorite. The dishes are creative, yet earthy enough. The portions also while not huge, are big enough (assuming you also have oysters or another appetizer). The prices also while not cheap, are not excessive given the quality of food and the creativeness of the dish. Reservations are essential as the place gets very busy even during the week. And the place is LOUD. Nonetheless, the quality of food far outweighs the loudness issue. The parking lot charges $10 on weekends and $3 during the week. I highly recommend!
(5)
Prina B.

River Oyster Bar is my favorite restaurant in the Miami area, and it sure doesn't hurt that I live a 5 minute walk away. :) I have been to this restaurant for happy hour and dinner many times and it has never disappointed. The food is consistently great. The oyster happy hour is a must with 1/2 off all oysters. My favorite dishes from the dinner menu (other than the oysters, of course) are the shrimp cocktail, fire roasted oysters, kale salad, yellow snapper "chinese style", black grouper, and the cobia. The chocolate mousse cake and the coconut cake are amazing desserts! I also love the atmosphere; it is unpretentious and has a neighborhood feel. I wish there were more restaurants like this in Brickell.
(5)
Kristin R.

BEST PLACE FOR OYSTERS IN MIAMI HANDS DOWN! they carry 10-15 different varieties at any given time. Ask for a sample platter if you what to try a few different ones. If it is your first time, do yourself a favor and sit at the bar. The bartenders are very knowlegeable about the oysters, the wait staff was clueless and slow unfortunately. Also dont go here for pasta or steak...its an oyster bar for a reason.
(4)
Whitney K.

Eating at the River's raw bar is like being on a date with a mermaid, and their fierce daily selections of seafood would make a fisherman blush. The River serves up every dish you could hope to find at a sea-side city like Miami. Whole roasted hog-fish, chilled periwinkles, and the requisite rum-infused dark and stormy will make you feel like you missed your calling on the open ocean, while the River's sleek ambiance and posh professional crowd will remind you why you stayed on the mainland.
(5)
Connie F.

The kumamoto oysters are melt in your mouth delicious!!
(5)
Brittany R.

Start off with a tasting of the oysters. We got 2 of each, so we could taste them all. They were all great. For our entrees we got the tuna and the halibut. We really enjoyed everything. I think this place is great for seafood but you should expect a hefty bill. All the oysters do add up. The service was good despite the crowd that loomed around the bar. This is a pretty popular after work place.
(4)
hannah a.

February 2012 Late afternoon lunch, the bar was fairly packed but the rest of the restaurant was empty. We should have had attentive service, but we didn't: Took an hour to get food and water. We complained, and then all the food (starters, mains) came out at once: had it been sitting under a heat lamp for 40 minutes? probably. Wait staff are scattered, manager is uninterested and distracted. The oyster selection is diverse, but not prepared especially well: gritty. uninspired dipping sauces. 15.00 per martini. advertised as grey goose, tasted like absolute. this is a hip place for people who are more interested in pop atmosphere over food quality and service.
(2)
Shelly Ann C.

I'm not sure if they went under new management but this fabulous place sure has crashe...., tonight at least. First we were told there was a 2 hour wait but then a couple that comes in 40 minutes after we did without reservations get seated -like WTF! This place is a disaster in the service dept tonight! My French martini for the 1st time gets no garnish.... are they trying to lose business? I'm guessing yes Ok so it got a little better, we were seated and our waitress was very pleasant. Food as usual really good, but still bits of hiccups with service. We'll give them another go as long ad they stop allowing men with sweaters tied around their neck to drink
(2)
Savion S.

This was my first time at this restaurant and it was definitely a 5 star experience! The food/ drinks were excellent and I had Nick as our wonderful server! Thank you so much for the great service. When I come back in town, I will be sure to hit this spot up again. PS: Order the Bacon wrapped and BBQ Cobia. Delicious and full of flavor.
(5)
Sela F.

Excellent dinner. My friend had the swordfish and it was beautifully done!
(5)
Britt S.

Great spot! Excellent wine list, excellent service, and the food is pretty good as well! I haven't heard anything about their happy hour, but I'm hoping they have a good one since it's so close by :)
(4)
Thomas P.

Awesome. Like 12 different varieties of super fresh oysters. Good fish also. Very expensive. But amazing food.
(5)
Jonny E.

I lived by this place for over 3 years and never went...boy did i miss out! They have delicious seafood, great service, nice ambiance, and the prices are right!
(4)
Lynn C.

Beware - the ambience says classy, intimate and it is!!! Half of the restaurant is white table cloth style and the other side is the bar. I did not feel like I was dressed properly and got a little bit of a snub from the hostess! Other than that, this place was amazing! They have a good selection for their raw bar (we tried two different types of oysters) and good appetizers. We tried the fire roasted oysters (but there are only 3 in an order!) For dinner I had the Butter Poached Blue Crab with Gnocchi which was soooo good with every bite. They do not skimp on the blue crab- I got a bite of crab with every bite of gnocchi! Hubs got the Snapper Filet - good portion that was perfectly cooked. There were so many options to chose from for dessert, but we decided on the five layer coconut cake. Very rich and moist. Drinks were good too- I tried the River Thyme - very refreshing - and Hubs had the Dark & Stormy. Great meal and a perfect place for a date!! I think the menu changes quite a bit so will definitely be back!
(5)
Jessica M.

GREAT FOOD. Great Service. My husband and I have been living in the area for a while and had yet to try the River Oyster Bar. We walked in on a Friday, and although the wait was long, the food was completely worth it! We had the sicilian meatball sliders for appetizers, delicious! Main Courses: Snapper - Beautifully cooked, with avocado and a delicious balsamic sauce (PS had this with the fries, which were AMAZING) My husband ordered the blue crab Gnocci, which was equally as delicious. Although we had no room for desert, the wine was reasonably priced and also very good. The service was amazing. We will definitely be returning many more times to the River Oyster! Def. a Must in the brick ell downtown area.
(4)
jen r.

i finally made it to the river oyster bar. i had tried a couple times in the past but it was always packed on friday nights. so this time an early weeknight before a show at the arsht center was perfect. we were seated immediately and our waiter was almost overly nice. he was eager to serve, answer questions, and make himself visible and available. we started w a crab squash blossom. which was just ok and only 1 piece (instead of 2 like he had described) the river chopped salad was great and a really big serving, perfect to share as an appetizer. the crab gnocchi was absolutely delicious. and the whole yellowtail snapper prepared asian style was also very good, the sauteed vegetables were awesome! we didn't take advantage of the happy hour specials, $5 wine and half off oysters, but next time we will definitely check that out! tip - they offer restaurant.com certificates for $25, and you can get that for as little as $2 with promo codes. totally worth it, basically one entree is free.
(4)
Ethan Y.

While I would give this place a 3.5 star normally, the price is more than the taste deserves and the manager's attitude was just inconsiderate. O well, I think there are so many restaurants just like the River Oyster Bar in Miami that it's not somewhere you must go.
(2)
Anna C.

If you are looking for fresh seafood, and fun interesting appetizers this is the place to be. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in the area, I was on vacation and we stayed at the Viceroy and this restaurant is very close --walking distance from the hotel. We sat at the bar and had a great dinner -all of the following was delicious RAW OYSTERS THAI BARBEQUED RIBS / cucumber salad STEAMED PORK BUNS / kimchee cucumbers GRILLED OCTOPUS / gigandes bean-radish salad 5 Layer Coconut Cake---******to die for ********AMAZING *******If you like desert like I do---do not pass on this, its a big piece of moist deliciousness, not too sweet, it reminded me of tres leche only coconut yummyness.... I really could go on and on about this cake....but im gonna stop- Ladies with high heels on ****beware ** The floor has some slippery spots Soooooo .....I was walking to the bathroom and..... well guess what?? yup thats right ......... I busted my ass!!!, OMG i was sooooo embarrassed, think I might even be scarred for life... lmao -----walk with caution ladies ;)
(4)
Alain M.

Great oysters love the selection service is amazing
(5)
Aaron H.

This review is based only on customer service because we never got a place to sit and actually eat their food or have a drink. We showed up for Happy Hour and after seeing no room at the bar to sit, we looked around to see what we should do since this was our first time there. The hostess and bartender both made eye contact with our group but looked back down and said nothing. A server walked by without asking us if we needed anything. Since there were no seats at the bar, we took a seat at a table. We talked to the hostess (who was really rude for some reason) and said we couldn't sit there. She took out a piece of paper with "Reserved" on it and put it on the table. We stood around for another minute or two and realized that no one in the restaurant would be helping us. Mind you we were the only people standing in the bar area and the restaurant as a whole isn't that big. Two of the people in our group work in the restaurant industry and this was the pits for customer service. It's a shame because good customer service isn't really that hard: be nice and get the customer what they want so they can have a great experience. We all were really excited to come here based off of other Yelp reviews but we won't be back...
(1)
Maria F.

Enjoyed appetizers and drinks last Saturday night, with reservations! We were fortunate that we were accommodated considering we were late! Oysters are the freshest around and the oysters shooters will send you to heaven and back! Should have stayed for dinner.
(5)
Yamie E.

OYSTER HEAVEN.... there 5pm Happy Hour is the key. Great food, great quality and really hip little place to hang out at. Don't forget to order a martini when you come. They are simply the best.
(5)
V. H.

I've come here several times over the years and have had consistently good food and service. Popped in for lunch the other day and had oysters (they have a great selection, hence the name) along with the snapper fillet. It was all cooked to perfection and was tasty as well as healthy. Since I was patting myself on the back for my healthy lunch, I decided I needed dessert as well. yum! Side note, their happy hour drink prices are fair and they serve you delicious homemade potato chips topped with blue cheese. That alone should be the reason to check this place out.
(4)
Miles V.

Their happy hour cant be beat. 2 for 1 drafts and a fresh raw oyster bar from all over the USA. Service is awesome as well, as for my bartender Shawn and tell him Miles sent you via yelp.
(5)
Jay S.

My favorite restaurant in Miami, as an oyster fiend its great to have a place so close to home that stocks different varieties that you can compare against one another (West Coast/East Coast). My favorites are the Blue Points from LI Sound, I have had them in many places in the North East and have never had them as fresh and clean tasting In addition the staff is extremely knowledgeable about the menu and oysters in particular. As an added bonus the oysters are half off during happy hour and they also have drink specials.
(5)
Carolyn S.

All I can say is that we are here just about every other night. Food is exceptional, always exceptional. From the sauces to the salads, entrees to desserts, it's always spot on. The oysters are always fresh and when they have the Beach points in there is nothing better. Half price during happy hour and you just can't beat it. Favorites are the skirt steak, River chopped salad, mushroom encrusted grouper, brussel sprouts, flatbreads, octopus and The staff, from servers & host to bartenders to managers make the night wonderful. And you just can't beat the bartenders. Natalia, Sean, Sarah and Matt know how to make one hell of a cocktail and the meaning of fantastic service. One of my favorite places.
(5)
Greg T.

Had dinner with a business partner there on 7/15/15 and ate at the bar. The service and food were phenomenal. From the selection of oysters to the "devils on horseback" (dates filled with goat cheese wrapped in bacon) to the linguini & clams and the fried whole Key West Snapper. Simply a great experience and excellent service and recommendations provided by Shawn. So much of a good experience I had to grab lunch there on Friday (7/17) before hitting the airport for the flight home. Food and service were fantastic...thanks to John and Shawn for the great bar service and thoughtful recommendations. Oh..if you like something spicy....try the Scotch Bonnet vinaigrette to accompany your food...or use it as a dipping sauce for your bread. It's darn good. My 2 Cents. Greg T.
(5)
Diner M.

Amazing food. My husband, who does not like fish, ordered the snapper with crispy skin, and was almost licking the plate. I had the wild salmon and it was perfectly prepared. We shared a most decadent desert- the chocolate mousse cake. Exceptional food and excellent service. I gave it 4 stars because of the noise. It was so very loud my we could not have a conversation. I enjoy conversation with dinner and that Just wasn't possible. Also the parking behind the restaurant is $10. Just letting you know. If you want amazingly terrific food in a loud loud environment this so the place for you. I'm going to try it for lunch cause there were other tastes on the menu I want to sample
(4)
Danielle A.

Perfect for Happy Hour, Groups, Couples, Drinks (ask for Mark) food and ::drum roll:: DESSERT! I never turn down an invite to visit. Great place and amazing ambiance!
(5)
Tyler L.

Swung through on my own during a quick one-night business trip. It is kind of hard to find in the middle of a construction zone, but I am happy I did. There is ample bar space if you are on your lonesome and the people were chatty so I didn't feel like too big a loser. I went sort of light and had duck tacos, croquettes, and the snapper tartar. I would absolutely recommend the tacos and tartar, but would probably try something other than the croquettes. The inside is lively but not loud...just a solid restaurant with a good mix of locals and out-of-towners. If I am back in Miami, I will definitely head back over to the River.
(4)
Stephanie B.

I had a great experience at the river oyster bar. I know it was great because I'm really peculiar about oysters (they're usually not my thing in general) but my boyfriend really wanted to try this place out, so we did. Awesome decision! We ordered the barbecue shrimp, fried oysters, and both had grilled grouper as our entree. For sides we ordered the crab brown fried rice (you must order this!!!!) and and mixed greens that were basically sautÃ©ed green beans and mushrooms. Everything was fresh and perfect and I loved the laid back and nice atmosphere. We were seated promptly and the service was great as well. Our waiter was so attentive. I would come back for dinner but I'd love to come back for happy hour!
(5)
Sara N.

Meh Food was three and a half stars. The mussels were gritty but the broth tasted nice. Many oysters had a fishy taste- not a fresh one. Fish had bones and we had no warning. Octopus was grilled nicely. Service was one star at most. From the lady in the front with dirty blonde shorter hair, to what I'm assuming was the manager (gentleman in lighter dress clothes with dark hair), to our waitress, the whole experience with them ruined the entire meal. The food runner / buss boy was the only one working. We had to ask other people for another drink, questions about the menu, flag others down when we waited 15 minutes to pay for our meal. Thanks but no thanks. Won't be back.
(2)
Linda L.

Went on a weekend and the place was placed. Lined up outside and waiting over 45 minutes to get a table. The restaurant is small and a bit cramped. Our server took a bit to get to us but was informative with the specials of the night. Our table ordered the Mushroom risotto, pork belly flatbread, east and west coast oysters including blue point, nasketucket, hama hama, kumamoto. The risotto was a bit on the salty side but if you like food more flavourful, it's still good. The pork belly flatbread was gluttonous but so delicious. It was the perfect unison of buttery soft and crispy. The oysters were fresh, sweet and briny all together. The onion vinegarette it came with complimented the oysters very well. I almost chipped my tooth a few times from loose pieces of shell though. The server never came back to check on us and took forever to get us the bill. This place was ended up being an expensive but not all that worth it experience for me. Wouldn't drive an hour and wait an hour for it again.
(3)
Wendy L.

The options at this place is extensive so there's bound to be something for everyone in your party. It's a semi-dressy place, great for happy hour or if you want to take someone out on a nice date. I give this place 5 stars for ambience and 3 stars for food. My favorite was the thai bbq ribs, but be warned that it does contain burned bits if that's not your thing. The grilled shiitake mushroom flatbread was good but pretty standard in comparison to other flatbreads. I also tried the bacon wrapped bbq shrimp, which was ok- the bacon was rather soft and only added saltiness to the dish, rather than the crunchy texture I was anticipating. Parts of the shrimp were burnt.
(4)
Sarah M.

A+ Really well done in both customer service and food. These are hands down the freshest oysters I've ever had (and I've tragically gotten food poisoning from oysters, so now I'm extremely picky!!!). The happy hour special they have going on (half off a selection of oysters everyday from 4:30-7) is a definite win. During my visit, this selection included the standard and delicious Blue Points, and also Virginia and Nautilus oysters. I'm no oyster pro, so it's nice to expand my oyster horizon without expanding my wallet. :P If you don't mind putting in the work for your food, I HIGHLY recommend the blue crab, cooked and served whole in butter, garlic and herbs. Like I said, it's served whole and you have to do all the cracking and digging yourself. You will get butter all over your hands and look a little crazy, but I would do it 10 times over. Again, SO FRESH and absolutely delicious. OBSESSED WITH THIS OPTION! If you love crab, try this! I also had the lobster roll with fries. The lobster roll can either be served warm with butter or cold in a mayo based sauce. I chose the hot option. Warning: tons of butter in this number, but it was delicious and they do no slack on the amount of lobster in the roll. It had nice chunks of lobster meat. The fries were fantastic and comes with a home made ketchup and cole slaw. They also offer regular ketchup if you want that. I took probably 15 minutes to pick out what I wanted to eat because everything on the menu looked good. Luckily, out waiter was helpful in narrowing down some options and had a lot of patience, allowing me to take my time. Much appreciated! Great experience. Great variety of food. Will be back for sure!
(5)
Syrel R.

If you're looking for exceptional service, amazing seafood (prepared perfectly) & great cocktails... then this is the spot for you! I had thee ceviche "mixto" - lobster, shrimp & grouper. The flavor was out of control and the portion was perfect for an appetizer. The mussels were cooked in the most perfect broth that was great with the mussels or on its own with a piece of bread. As an entree I had the gnocchi & blue crab. Perfect portion and the gnocchi & blue crab along with the sauce it was covered with were absolute perfection. For desert we had the chocolate mouse cake and OMG, there are no words for how amazing that was. The crust was prep Oreo cookie and the cake was topped with a white cream and sprinkled with Oreo cookies. Perfection! Cocktails were also awesome. I had the Bramble & we ordered 2 bottles of the prosecco. If you're looking for great seafood and don't want to drive a billion miles away, this is your spot. Also if you're looking for exceptional service ask for Jeff or India. They took care of us and I couldn't have ask for a better pair of servers!
(5)
Zubin A.

I went there for drinks and small plates after work and I was thoroughly impressed. I wasn't expecting much given the small size of the restaurant, but the food was tasty and the drinks were outstanding. The cocktails were balanced, innovative drinks that were deserving of their price tag. They do have a happy hour from 4-7 every day with 1/2 off oysters. The service at the bar was pretty good as well.
(4)
Jeanette H.

3.5 stars. I love their happy hour specials. Food overall is consistent and yummy. Their cornbread is bit rich but very tasty. Certain (cooked) seafood dishes are great. Mushroom flatbread was good and so were the meatballs. But I can't attest to their oysters -- haven't tried and don't think I will. I've had some of the best oysters in New England/ Cape Cod -- so don't want to get disappointed anywhere else really. On several occasions I smelled bit of an odor (especially right upon entry) -- perhaps something moldy-- but @my last visit I didn't smell that unpleasant odor. It's also kind of dark (giving off that grungy feel). But the food is consistently good and staff are very friendly. It draws repeat diners and is one of the locals' favorites.
(3)
Marie K.

Went here for my 4 year anniversary and wow delicious! The food and service were super!
(5)
Diamond Z.

Great Happy hour if you love oysters! :-)
(4)
Lila d.

We eat here almost every week! We love it that it's consistently great food, the staff is warm, and it has a regular clientele. Our go-to's: clams casino, fish tacos, salmon, chopped salad. They make sure to slice raw jalapeÃ±os/habaneros/serranos for us when we sit down. Wes is a star among many great barmen there!
(5)
Jerry C.

Food was regular, service was slow. They were short on staff in the kitchen. When the check comes they put in the tips 20% for all of us. Honestly they don't deserve the 20% tips. I would have give them 15% for doing that but i am on vacation i didn't want to argue. Also i got few bug bites in while sitting in there.
(2)
Kyle O.

One of my favorite seafood places in Brickell. Walking distance from the riverfront community. The Oysters are amazing, along with the crispy red snapper and blue crab Gnocchi. Staff is educated with gluten free options.
(4)
Janet R.

Positive: Yesterday was my 1st time eating at this restaurant, and my overall is experience was good. The food was delicious and the server was really attentive. Negative: The place is small and gets too crowded, and their decoration needs updating. It's quite pricey, but it's worth it when it comes to their food. More than likely, I will return. :)
(4)
Patty K.

My favorite restaurant in Miami. And that's saying a lot. Food is consistently excellent. Servers are true pros. It's all about the ideal ingredients of a high-end neighborhood dinner here. After over a decade and probably thirty meals I've never been less than exuberant afterwards.
(5)
DEBBIE C.

Dear the River Seafood and Oyster bar... You have ruined my culinary life...I won't ever be able to eat anywhere else without comparing them to you. From the moment you walk in you are kindly greeted by the hostess. This place never seems to be empty so always make a reservation, unless you are okay with waiting for 45 minutes (I would wait an hour for a table if I had to). Anyway, while you wait I would highly recommend sipping a cocktail at the bar. Besides having "orgasmic" food their drinks are out of this world. My boyfriend loves the midtown cocktail, which is basically their version of a manhattan but has candied bacon on the side. I always enjoy having an old fashioned, and let me tell you guys, the bartenders here take pride in making your cocktails just right. Now for the food...we have been here for happy hour, which is every day from 4pm until 7pm, and it includes half off oysters! Regardless of their happy hour the food here has never been dissapointing. My boyfriend and I are big seafood lovers and this place is our favorite restaurant in Miami. He loves the Chinese style whole snapper dish. It is really just out of this world. It's big, but trust me you won't be able to stop until you have eaten the whole thing. I really enjoy their linguini and clam pasta. It has pieces of "melt in your mouth pork belly" and smoked chiles. My boyfriend and I are obsessed with brussels sprouts and they shred and sautÃ©e theirs. Absolutely delicious! We have never been able to make it to dessert but I'm confident that they are just as good as everything else. So if you're in the mood for fresh seafood and an amazing culinary experience I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Priscilla R.

Wow! I went here with 2 girlfriends and the food did not disappoint. Despite the fact it took me an extra 30 min to find a way to this place due to the current construction in Brickell and all streets being shut down, the food was well worth it. I have NEVER had snapper that tasted so fresh in my whole life. The ceviche app was to die for and the blue crab gnocchi was delicioso!!!!! Blown away!
(5)
Elizabeth P.

I am a Fan of this restaurant. Anything and everything is wonderful at this restaurant. It's great for people that like happy Hour or a romantic dinner.. I wouldn't take a child to this restaurant it's kind of small. Unless you go after happy hour. They have been planning on moving, but they are still at 650 s Miami Ave, Miami. I was a little sad because the Chef, is starting to change the menu. I hope he doesn't. They don't need to change anything except to find a bigger place. If they need help with this My Team can help them.
(4)
Archana B.

Best. Chopped. Salad. EVER!! I know you may think salad is overrated... You have to try the chopped salad here ... The French feta is amazing in this salad!! Best. Salad. Hands down!
(5)
Sarah A.

The linguini & clam sauce was delicious. Reasonable prices, great quality and good portions!! Perfect small and intimate setting for a date night or happy hour at the bar with friends.
(5)
Grecia P.

I have been hearing good things about the Oyster House for quite a long time. I had the opportunity to go there for lunch, but although the food I tried was good, I think I need to go back during Brunch or dinner to get a full feel for the place, food and staff. The restaurant was pretty empty for lunch on a Thursday in Brickell. I tried the bacon wrapped shrimp and they were delicious, but at $3 a piece I think it was a bit over-priced. The Fire Roasted Oysters were great (the chorizo is a great touch), but again, I only got 3 small ones- left me wanting more... Last, I had the Steamed Mussels, which yes, I admit were Fantastic!! Broth was amazing; I love coconut milk, and generally all Asian flavors. I highly recommend you try it if you like mussels. The experience and food were good, just not enough of it (the food). Maybe the portions change during dinner? I will have to give it another try.
(3)
Meredith B.

After reading the other reviews, I was actually concerned I visited a different restaurant. I've been in Miami for 8 years and have always wanted to try this place and now that I have I will never return. Let me start by saying I love oysters. East Coast, west coast, briny or sweet--doesn't matter to me, I love many different varieties. I also have the pleasure of traveling a lot and have been all over the U.S., tasting delicious oysters everywhere (my favorite being the jolly oyster in CA). Anyways, my friend was in town, who also loves oysters, so we decided to give this place a try for happy hour. Huge disappointment! First, let's start with the drink order. Server came over and I ordered a glass of wine. My friend agreed she'd have the Same. The server came with only one glass of wine--apparently she didn't hear my friend order?? Finally get our 2nd glass of wine and now it's been about 15 minutes since we sat down. We ordered some oysters and sipped on our wine, only to find out there was a fruit fly in mine. Okay, understandable mistake and it could have flown in while at the table. I explained this to the server and she seemed annoyed that she had to deal with it. After about 10 minutes, I finally get a "new" glass of wine only to see its my same glass (lipstick marks and all) with the bug still floating and more wine poured into the glass. Seriously?!? Now for the oysters...we got 3 different varieties and find one particular variety (lucky limes) looked pretty gross. We decided to try anyways and it was fully rotten. I'll spare you the metaphoric details of what it tasted and smelled like but it took everything I had not to spit it out. We told the server about it and she took those away and brought us new ones of the same variety. No apologies or asking if we wanted new ones. The ones she brought us did not smell rotten but at that point, I had no interest in eating any more oysters. To top it all off, the bill came and she didn't even bother to take anything off it. What a waste. I am not a picky eater and rarely write negative reviews and actually hate it when people complain about an experience but this was so bad, I needed to share and caution people considering this place.
(1)
Tina V.

=04/06/14 Brunch review= The restaurant was pretty empty with a few tables being filled. The brunch was pretty good and our server Jose was wonderful and very courteous. However, I do have some gripes about the brunch. Also there were some misleading info
(3)
Jeff J.

Dinner for 1. - Ambiance (5/5) Very lively, upscale bar vibe. I got a nice corner to sit in. - Service (5/5) Catherine was top notch. Very friendly, quick, and made some nice suggestions. - Bread (4/5) The spicy cornbread was awesome. The other selection, not so much. If I were them, I'd stick just to the spicy cornbread. - Conch Salad, $12 (5/5) A bit of a misnomer really. It should have just been conch ceviche, as it tastes like a classic ceviche. That being said, it was really, really good, and the conch tasted great. - Grilled Cobia w/ Mango Chutney, $28 (4/5) The cobia was a bit smaller than I expected but grilled to perfection. Because of all the spice early on in the meal, I found the mango chutney to be cool and refreshing. A very suitable complement to the cobia. Wish we had cobia out west! - Rosemary Fries, $5 (4/5) Very good, definitely hand cut fries. I did think the chef was a little overgenerous on the salt. But, the rosemary added a really great flavor. - Guava Cheesecake, $8 (4/5) Cheesecake was a bit more dense that I normally like my cheesecake, but the guava was super delicate-- just enough to taste but not cloyingly sweet. I also appreciated the fact that the whipped cream was freshly whipped. - Value (3/5) The conch salad had plenty of conch, but the cobia was pretty small considering the price, and the lack of value is even more noticeable when you consider the $28 cobia doesn't come with a side. - Final Word A delicious meal overall... I didn't really have anything to nitpick. Was it amazing? I wouldn't go quite so far, but everything was executed nicely. If they had included some sides with the fish and made the portion slightly bigger, perhaps my overall rating would bump up another star.
(4)
Patricia V.

Amazing oysters!! The Bacon BBQ shrimp is a must alongside with a Riesling !! Superb!!
(5)
Carlos R.

This was mu first time visiting an oyster bar so I did not what to expect. For that reason it is kinda hard to rate. That being said I have start by saying the service is superb and the happy hour is on point. Half off drinks and half off in selected oysters. The only drawback was they did not offer grilled oysters and it turns out that oyster bars are just not my thing. However, I would totally recommend this restaurant to friends and family
(4)
Kim O.

Love this place! They have an incredible happy hour for oysters. They have about 6 different varieties and they were all very fresh and delicious. We did a mix of all 6 in our dozen and were impressed by all of them. The raspberry points were the best though! It's kind of divey but also kind of fancy inside. All the bartenders knew their stuff and were really friendly. Lots of beers on tap with a few IPAs to choose from. This is my go to for oysters from now on.
(5)
Eddie M.

1st time customer visiting from New Jersey. Things did not start well when I called for a reservation. I was mislead by the person on the phone telling me that the earliest reservation for 2 was at 10pm. I by passed her crappy piece of information and still went even though she said walk ins weren't welcomed. When I pulled up, the doors are very deceiving and hard to find entrance. I walked in with my girlfriend on a hot summer day and I was wearing a tank top (shocker) with shorts and my girlfriend was wearing one too. Immediately greeted by the bratty hostess wearing a black and white dress, glasses and black hair; She rudely focused on my attire and proceeded to tell me that she could not sit me with my sleeveless shirt. Needless to say, there are several men and women sitting at the bar with the same type of attire as mine. Ready to walk out, the bratty hostess did not even offer to allow me to sit by the bar. The place was F-en EMPTY and since I am an oyster lover, I was ready to spend lots of money here. I'm a small business owner in the service industry; This little b-eotch would never last a day in my facility nevertheless ever be hired. Please fire her and get someone who is passionate about helping and servicing others!!!. Since my gf and I were both very hungry, I bit my tongue and we sat by the bar (my gf sat and I stood up next to her). We Did not get acknowledged by anyone about 14 mins in and the best part about the oyster bar is that they ran out of the main oysters that I was dying I have. No blue point, no soft-shell crabs and no bread. I'm also a fan of draft beer. The dog fish head tasted like the lines haven't been cleaned in months, flat and not cold enough. Should be about 34 degrees and it clearly wasn't. The only reason I stayed was because we took an uber there and we did not want to waste that. Otherwise, I would have walked right out and saved my hard earned money. If you guys are ever in NJ come to my gym and I will teach you how to service clients and keep them coming back. The only person that knows how to service people the tall bartender. He was excellent. Thank god for him otherwise your bar would go to hell. Give him a raise!
(1)
Jarred H.

Great oysters, duck tacos, those date/bacon/cheese things, and outstanding service. Sean was one of the best bartenders/servers I've had. Great experience start to finish. I hope to be back.
(5)
Samantha T.

Such a classic spot in Miami. Great sea food, amazing service and the best bartender Mattew. Love the fish soup paired with a glass of brut Lansen.
(5)
Kim T.

Love everything about this place. The oysters, dirty martini's and the ambiance!
(5)
Beth H.

Great on the food, service and ambience, less than great on the location. We arrived with 15 minutes left in happy hour and our waiter got in 2 drink orders, and was sure to get our 1/2 off oysters order in in time. I ordered the blue crab gnocci which was phenomenal. I was worried it would be swimming in a heavy cream sauce but it was not. Just coated in the sauce which was so good, and more crab than gnocci. Went home stuffed. The only problem was all the construction around the restaurant was off-putting, but when we walked in all of that was forgotten with the warm cozy wood paneling, and group of people comfortably gathered around the bar.
(5)
Aimee F.

We had dinner here on July 25th, there was 4 of us. Only issue was the road closures this weekend, it was next to impossible to get to the parking lot! We started with 3 dozen oysters( blue point, raspberry point, and black bear), they were wonderful. Very fresh and I really enjoyed having them with the champagne vinaigrette. We also had the Thai barbecued ribs which were excellent. For entrees I had the gnocchi and blue crab, the gnocchi are made in house and they don't skimp on the blue crab, absolutely decadent. My husband had the crispy suckling pig, he loved this dish it has taken pork to a whole new level! He's not typically a grits fan but in this dish he was. Our dinner companions had the sweet spicy skins salmon which they said was fab and the gnocchi with blue crab. We passed on dessert as we were so stuffed, highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Alexa C.

As far as happy hour goes, they're the best in town. The spots fill up quickly but if you arrive perhaps twenty minutes earlier than when it starts, you might be able to secure a spot by the bar. Known for their "designer oysters", you have a few choices of exactly what kind of oyster to order. The drinks will definitely help you wash them down along with the certain bar bites on special (they change from time to time). Parking might suck but that's just the area. This place has been here for years and they know how to do happy hour. I've come here during dinner hours and had a full meal which was obviously heavenly. I prefer to come during happy hour because I get to order more stuff for the same price. A lot of businesses in this area have come and gone, yet this gem remains. They're obviously doing something right!
(4)
Jessi L.

The BEST happy hour in Miami! IF you are a fan of raw oysters :) 1/2 price oysters....and we are talking about the best oysters NOT the frozen crap you get at most places.....blue points and kumamotos are my favorite....
(4)
Jay S.

Hands down the best happy hour in the Downtown/Brickell area. The oysters are fresh and delicious and the bacon wrapped shrimps are mouthwatering.
(5)
Jer R.

This review is only for the happy hour. Went here as recommended by a friend for happy hour. Upon entering this establishment I could tell that I was in a good spot to begin the night. My friend insisted we sit at the bar which happened to be filled from wall to wall. Once we sat down the bartender immediately handed us menus and asked us what we wanted to start with. She was amusing and friendly and very helpful with the menu. The oysters were the highlight of this trip however. We tried every type of oyster they had to offer. Each one fresh and prepared exactly as described in the menu. We then tried each order again and almost went for a third round but thought better of it. Between the drinks, oysters, and bartender it was truly an amazing experience and at the end of it all before heading out when we were handed the check the bill was lower than I had expected due to the happy hour prices! Definitely great spot for happy hour and I would love to go back to try the dinner.
(4)
Debora M.

Wowzers. Came here when visiting a friend in town and it was Uh-mazing. We started with the oysters; blue point, blue pool and Nasketucket. So fresh and delicious, my fav were Nasketucket light and salty mmmmm. Moving onto to the Kale salad....whaaaat. Divine. The real and smokey bacon, blue cheese, and pecans- what a delight. My friend and I then split the main course which I'm still salivating for two days later... The gnocchi and blue crab. Let's talk about that for a second or two. The sauce: light creamy made with black truffle and Parmesan. Ridiculous. The gnocchi: fresh pillows of heaven. The blue crab: the meat was plentiful and an amazing pairing with the truffle. Paired the meal with the light and crisp Sancerre. Highly recommended!
(5)
Bianca C.

If you're looking for amazing service and outstanding food you MUST come here. The food was outstanding. I got the red snapper with the scotch sauce, their green beans and potatoes. Absolutely the best fish I have ever had in my life. The scotch sauce was amazing, just perfect. Our server Manny was absolutely a delight. So personable, kind, patient and knowledgeable with everything on the menu. He answered any questions I had and never once got frustrated. He gave my family and I the best service we have ever had! And we love to travel and eat!! The best place by far in Miami!
(5)
Adrian C.

Ate here on the early side of a Sunday night for happy hour, and made a little tasting menu for ourselves. Got a couple glasses of nice crisp dry white wine for $5 a glass and phenomenal oysters for $1.50 each. We started with the tuna togarashi, which was phenomenal, then got the Thai steamed mussels, which were phenomenal, then the grilled octopus (phenomenal), and of course the gnocchi with blue crab (take a guess). Oh, and the bread is fantastic. Warm, fresh baked raisin bread, corn bread and white bread. Service was excellent from the bus boys to our waitress. Perfection.
(5)
Jenny W.

A little known secret the River Oyster Bar has an amazing event coordinator, Christelle. She helped me plan an intimate wedding party dinner for 30 guests. She was incredible and went above & beyond our expectations. Every little detail was perfect and she even included small things we never expected (like a personalized menu and extra special decorations for the cake). In the back of the restaurant is a private dining room & it's fabulous if you're planning a special party. We had two servers for the evening, Matt & Wess--these guys were top-of-the -line gentlemen & excellent with our guests. We like to say they had us on "auto-pilot" never a moment was my flute empty. Thank you SO Much. Oh! and it would be remiss of me not to mention the food was excellent....fresh, seasonal and amazing sauces/flavors. One of the few great restaurants loyal to its locals and keeps the menu fresh & interesting.
(5)
Anita G.

I feel a bit guilty about this so-so review because I don't eat anything else from the sea besides fish and this is an oyster bar...but...oh well here it goes... Service and atmosphere were pretty much 5 stars. I came with a big group (hard to serve) and all went very smoothly. Everyone was satisfied but me since I didn't eat the wonderful oysters like everyone else. Instead I ordered the grilled mahi-mahi.... How hard is it to cook grilled mahi ppl?? I love ground black pepper like anyone else and often exaggerate while seasoning my food with this spice but this was a first for me; the mahi mahi comes out black...and I'm like "hummmm did they burn or over cook the fish?" But unfortunately NO all that black was actually ground black pepper...I took the first bite (wow! Awesome! New world record for me in ground black pepper indulging) but third bite made my lips burn! Yes burn from ground black pepper that's how much they put on it, I've had my lips burned before from fresh cayenne etc but harmless ground black pepper this was a new low I didn't even know that could happen! Ground black pepper overdose :( I did complain about it to the waiter which made me super uncomfortable because I was with clients and they all loved the place (party pooper me!!) and he was super cool and didn't charge us for my dish... Well long story short I will go back because I believe this was a bad day for the chef but danm my lips still burn remembering this experience lol!!
(3)
Rosa Maria L.

I've been to this restaurant several times & have not been disappointed. Both the food & service are truly excellent. What a nice change, often the service in restaurants is not up to par, however the waiter here are professional and know how to take care of their customers. I will continue to return!
(5)
Layla E.

The drink selection is great. Some things on the menu are great like the mushroom flatbread, some things are not so great. It is pretty hard to find parking as it is on a little street that always has some construction going on. All in all I like the place and I recommend to all my friends.
(4)
Jake E.

The RSOB is for the seafood lover not afraid to dine in the midst of the seemingly never-ending Brickell Construction mayhem... Although not in the most beautiful of locations, once you are inside, you will be satisfied from the second the busboy places the tray of delicious breads, butter, and olive spread on your table. The tables are packed close together, but I was surprisingly unbothered by it because of the excellent food quality and the good music being played (at the right volume) on the speaker system. Overall, I would describe the crowd as a downtown, white-collar, crowd, fresh from the office. For appetizers, we had the fried oysters and anchovies flatbread: both the right amount of flavor and subtle taste of the sea. The fried oysters could have been more crispy, but despite that, they were delicious. For my main course, I had the cioppino, which was a monster dish of different types of seafood in a very appropriately spiced tomato broth. Other members of my party had the fried yellowtail snapper and the snapper fillet with an avocado tomato salad, and all were stoked about their choices. Everyone agreed that the fried yellowtail snapper was the best dish of the night. For dessert, we shared the toffee pudding something or other, which was fantastic. It get destroyed in three minutes. Overall, this is a good place for when you are craving some quality seafood and you don't want to leave the Brickell area, but be sure to make a reservation! It gets crowded, especially on a Friday night.
(4)
Kristina G.

Despite all the construction and the rather small venue, this has to be one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at in a very very long time. We went for my mother and fathers birthday last night and I'm so happy we did. We each got something different from the menu including the grand sea food platter and everything exceeded our expectations. The clams and oysters were a little on the small side but the food more then made up for it. I had the Gnocchis and blue crab and was on cloud nine. Very rarely do I finish my food, I was practically licking my plate! The chocolate mouse cake with Oreo was just sinful. River Oyster Bar staff was A+ All and all, thank you for making such good food!
(5)
Natasha P.

we want the old bar bites menu back!!!!! Very disappointed with the new menu! Great place but not happy with the changes the new cook has made!
(2)
Lyudmila M.

Simply Amazing! Great atmosphere and food. Our waiter John was great, exceptional service. Regardless construction wide spread around the area its a must visit place if you love classy and delicious food
(5)
Foodie In D.

This place is simply awesome. From the delicious breadbasket including corn bread to the great service, can't say enough about it. Happy Hour 1/2 price oysters and affordable bar snacks were fantastic. The whole grilled fish was amazing and I'm still dreaming about the crab gnocchi. Wesleyan is also a fantastic bartender who mixed one of the best old fashioned I've had
(5)
Lokman G.

My hubby took me there for my birthday dinner during our visit in Miami. We hit the crowd there for happy hour and the whole restaurant and bar area were packed! We forgot to make reservation, and ended up waiting for around 30 minutes. The wait was not too bad especially we joined the happy hour crowd and had our drink outside. There is construction going on around the area, so nothing too impressive on the outdoor environment. The environment inside is nice and romantic! We started with some raw oysters and mussels. We picked 3 different kinds, and my fav is Kumamoto!!! They are all so fresh! My fav for the night is the appetizer mussels!!!! The sauce was soooooooo good! It went so well with some bread. Amazing! I ordered "Linguini & Clams" with small pieces of pork belly. The pork belly was actually a surprise! They fried the pork belly so it's crunchy and it's tasty with little bit of belly fat! The clams were as fresh as the mussels we had! The portion is good for a lady, unless you have ordered appetizers like us. He ordered a seafood dish (forgot the name), with scallops, mussels, clams, shrimps and more in a reddish yellow sauce. All the seafood was fresh, but again, the portion is not big, especially this dish does not come with any pasta. Suggest ordering couple appetizers to share with entrÃ©e for each person. Don't forget the oysters and mussels!!! It's a home run! All the seafood they served are FRESH!!!!!!! Will definitely go back again when we visit Miami!
(5)
Marguerite B.

Fabulous food! I went with friends and we shared all our dishes. The whole red snapper was awesome! Brussel Sprouts cooked in a unique way. We chose baked oysters and they were super. I love the idea of sharing a few dishes as it give an opportunity to try more plates. Great service, friendly staff. Due to all the construction it's hard to get there so make a reservation and plan for a slow ride when you get about 3 or 4 blocks from the restaurant. I recommend it.
(5)
Oliver J.

What an experience last night! So much so that I felt compelled to leave this review. I've eaten here more than a few times and while it's always solid -- last night was just amazing. Came in around 6:30 with no reservation -- sorry about that one -- fortunately they were able to squeeze me and my out of town guest into a small table in the back behind the bar. I will just give you the highlights from here: Happy hour $5 glasses of wine -- Malbec -- incredible value! App: Scallop with Scotch Jam -- what? Amazing -- you've never had scallops done like this before. Think sashimi raw scallops in a scotch infused lime sauce. App: five different oysters from I don't know where, who cares, amazing! One of the available sauces came with shallots, that's the one! Main: mushroom crusted black grouper on top of Parsnip mash -- forget about it -- incredible! Main: slab cut bacon wrapped corvina or cobia don't remember exactly but get it -- out of this world. Post dinner drink: 20 year port. Aside from the amazing food another highlight was our server Wes (?) I think that was his name. You know there is something about being served by someone who knows the deal. He was incredible. Always there at the perfect times and his knowledge of the menu and recommendations made the night what it was. I was so impressed with him -- I had him call the manager over so I could let her know what an asset he was to her staff. Way to go everyone there! from the hostess, to the server, and the busses -- and most importantly the chef -- you hit multiple home runs! Oliver James MIAMI
(5)
Sally S.

This was my favorite find on a recent trip to Miami. We received the River Oyster Bar as a recommendation from our waitress at Khong River House for a good seafood restaurant. It did not disappoint. We made a reservation via Open Table and were seated immediately. The waiter was a little slow to get our drink orders but was attentive throughout the rest of the evening. The place is small with a main dining area and a smaller area by and behind the bar. We were seated near the bar. I would recommend sitting in the main dining area. They offer bread service - there is an interesting jalapeno cornbread. Spicy with a nice crust. For appetizer, we ordered the Fried Oysters. This was superb. The oysters were large, super fresh, salted and peppered, lightly battered and served with onions, cilantro, tomatoes and remoulade. I could have made an entire meal of these oysters. As our main courses, we ordered the Linguini & Clams and the mahi mahi with mango chutney. The Linguini & Clams were good with a dozen fresh clams. It was an interesting dish when paired with pork belly. The cut of pork belly wasn't the best as it was almost 100% fat on every piece. I really liked the kick from the smoked chiles. Gave the dish a nice bite. The linguine was al dente but a few strands were stuck together. The mahi mahi was one of the simply prepared fish selection which we had grilled. It was a decent serving size at 4 oz and very fresh. We ordered sauteed kale and swiss chard, which ended up forgotten by the kitchen and served after the main course was finished. The side dish was almost inedible for the sourness. If you enjoy sour dishes, you may like this but be forewarned! For dessert, we ordered the Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake. OH MY GOD! This was perfect. It is a warm cake served in a tall, wide glass, filled with delectable toffee pudding and topped with vanilla ice cream. The cake is not over soggy and pairs wonderfully with the toffee pudding and ice cream. I'm drooling thinking about it. The only down side to this experience is the location. There is construction surrounding the entire building. If you are not a local, it's not easy to figure out where to park. And when I say construction surrounding the building, I mean three high rises going up concurrently in three corners. I do see in the Miami Herald that the Oyster River Bar is moving to the Miami River in early 2015.
(4)
Rich K.

Everything was perfect, cant wait to go back. Only below average dish was the blue crab rice, which was very bland!
(5)
Genaro H.

Good points; extensive wine list with many by the glass which is great if you want to try different varieties. Service was polite but slightly stand-offish, making us feel a little unwelcome. We ordered the shrimp platter which was returned because the shrimp were covered in batter which was not clear from the menu. Credit given as they returned with a clean dish of simply and deliciously pan fried shrimp. Other dish was the seafood linguini.
(4)
Claudia B.

Everything we had was delicious. The fish, the scallop tiradito, the oysters...all excellent!
(5)
Tiffany C.

We've been to this restaurant twice. Both times on a double date. Very nice atmosphere with low lighting. The oysters are delicious and they have a great selection from both the east and west coast. The blue points are our favorite. We had the gnochi and blue crab, the ceviche mixto, the mushroom truffle grouper. For dessert, try the macadamia nut caramel with ice cream. Yummm!!
(5)
Fred F.

The atmosphere is casual, noisy but great. We did appetizers, octopus, crab cakes, oysters and others stuff. Everything was great. We finished with the blue crab gnocchi.Also delicious. Avoid the anchovy flatbread, otherwise it was a great meal.
(5)
Taysha C.

This was a great meal from start to finish. We had a selection of oysters as well as two entrees: the gnocchi with blue crab, black truffles and parmesan cheese and the sweet-spicy salmon with fried crab brown rice. Both entrees were perfectly cooked and delicious. Our server was very knowledgeable re: the menu, friendly and she gave our table just the right amount of attention throughout the meal. We also had the meyer lemon cheesecake for dessert, which was light (not heavy like typical cheesecake) and super-yummy! This was our first visit to the restaurant and it will certainly not be our last. Exceptional food and service!
(5)
Andres E.

Outstanding everything. On my top 5 list for Miami. Can't believe they are getting kicked out of their place. I am stressed as to whether they will settle into the new place seamlessly and continue delivering the usual quality, value and excellence. Sidebar - Matt is one of the better bartenders I have met in my life. Hats off all around.
(5)
Amanda P.

Amazing food! Must go for a date night for fresh and tasty food. Ask for a booth! The corn bread is really really good.
(4)
Chris M.

WARNING - BEWARE... I have been going to the River Oyster Bar for over 4 years and have spent thousands of dollars dining there. I used to be a big fan until recently. I had dinner there with my girl and we always have loved the Blue Point Oysters on the half shell. On August 16, 2013 we ordered a dozen Blue Points and the chef did not properly shuck the oysters and there were pieces of shell in with the oysters of which my girl chipped some of her teeth. The GM Michael Hidalgo was sorry and said to get my girls teeth fixed and the RO would pay. We filled out all of the insurance forms and recently found out that their insurance company went into liquidation and wasn't paying the claim of $2,210.00. We already paid the dentist to fix her teeth as a result of the RO. They gave me the run around on the phone and I was out of the counrty. I got back and went in the RO on June 9, 2014 and spent $130.84 to speak to Michael and or the owner and was told that their Attorney was handling it. I was told yesterday by their attorney and partner Karen Fallon that the owners did not want to do the right thing and pay the claim. That's not the way you treat loyal patrons. SHAME ON THE RIVER OYSTER. I normally never ever write these type of reviews but I wish someone would have told me that they did not have insurance and that I could be stuck for $2,210.00 as a result of their lack of properly shucking the oysters. Be warned...
(1)
Liza M.

smelly, old & dated...time to shut the doors, knock it down & start over. boring wine & menu choices. construction in front. sleepy, uninterested staff . I have nothing good to say about this place sorry.
(2)
Alexandra G.

All I have to say is the whole yellowtail snapper was everything. The fish was fresh and light combined with the tangy broth and crunchy vegetables. Delicious! I will definitely be back.
(4)
Brandon P.

First off I have been coming here for years and always had great experiences with both food and service. It's not exactly close to where I live so it is certainly a destination spot when I am in downtown. We celebrated my fiancÃ©'s birthday last year and it was fantastic. We decided to do the same this year and it was a nightmare. The food was mediocre and the service was horrible. The server Eli most must have had a lobotomy every time he left the table. Pushy somewhat rude and forgot it was a birthday celebration. He forgot drink orders offered no apology and had a general attitude like we were bothering him that we were there. Not very inviting. At one point my fiancÃ© had a question about the sauces for the whole fried snapper and he looked at her like she was stupid and didn't know what we were talking about. I could go on and on but the most important is that I will not being going back there. This all could have been solved by some really good service and politeness and perhaps a sincere apology. SERVICE PEOPLE! It shouldn't be that hard to get it right. There are so many other places that get it right. Why waste your time, money and special occasions to settle for less.
(1)
Maria G.

Oyster perfection! Came here 10 minutes early before our 7pm reservation and we ordered 2 dozed oysters with the happy hour special. OH EM GEE. I was in oyster heaven. The variety and flavor of the oysters they had were to die for. Delicious, fresh and such a bang for the buck! On top of the oysters, I had the mussels (Can you tell I like shellfish?) They're on the appetizier menu, but the size is more than sufficient as a main. The mussels were packed with some heat but the lemongrass flavor was oh so good! My husband had the blue crab gnocchi which was cooked to perfection. If I lived in Miami I would be here several times a week...contributing to the demise of oyster species....
(5)
Katrina B.

Coming here is such a treat - a true food euphoria! I've had so many great moments and conversations in this place, and surely it's from the high I get off great oysters & wine. Everything is so fresh and well presented. Typically, I order the mixed oyster platter, which comes with a variety of oysters on a bed of ice. So refreshing and delicious! I personally enjoy sitting at the bar or at the high tops which surround it which fill up quite quick, especially after 6 p.m., but there is adequate seating in the dining room. Go ahead and order a bottle of wine, this is the type of place most would love to linger at.
(5)
Josh E.

I come here weekly and love everything about it. From the bar bites to the fish entrees, I can never go wrong or get bored with the selections. This Sunday was the first time they offered a brunch menu. Wow. I am so impressed with the menu, and selection of brunch items. the steak and eggs had a center cut rib-eye, the French toast was stuffed with marscapone, the Caesar salad EspaÃ±a had a poached egg and manchego cheese, there was this duck gumbo andouille that was out of this world, and the Lobster omelet.... Out of this world. The drinks were great too. I had a What's Up Doc which is Gin, and carrot, orange and ginger juice. It was great. My girlfriend had the wake up call after the meal. It consisted of a milk punch and a double shot if espresso. Overall, I'd say it's the best brunch in the Brickell area. Definitely coming again and again!
(5)
Yulia L.

Pretty good seafood restaurant. Food is very good, but the place is kinda of small and too loudly for a dinner with conversations because of tiny space and lots of people. I couldn't just hear what my party was saying, but even the background music inside the venue. Another thing that I didn't like the MOST is their actual menu prices were 33% more then online menu. Well they might didn't do it intentionally and don't even know about it. But here I see the bad management. Anyways if you want to get a great seafood meal - it is the pace.... But only if you without a company ( like I said before there is no way you can hear each other ).... And if you aren't concern about prices either.
(3)
Monica S.

The River Oyster Bar is one of those restaurants that's always a good idea. It's the kind of spot someone might say, "oh, you're going -there-? Nice choice." It means you have good, unostentatious, taste. You could've opted for Truluck's, but instead, you came to this non-chainy, local gem. This small, but classy restaurant serves as a great spot for dinner, but a recent lunch proved equally as successful. My old friend and I were celebrating his 30th and opted for a sampling of oysters (of which they offer many varietals), clams casino (of which we ordered a 2nd order after devouring the first), fresh cut fries with drizzled truffle oil (another one that we ordered seconds of), and a bottle of sauvignon blanc. Service was incredibly cordial and attentive and nearby, another clever group celebrated their colleagues birthday. This jazzy little place is the kind of find you get to feeling really excited about. You won't hear tons of people talking about it, and rarely does it get written up anymore, but this throw-back gem hits all the right spots with its savvy selection of seafood. This here is a refined experience your girlfriend and grandmother would equally enjoy.
(5)
Young L.

The food was delicious and the waiter was very nice and informative when we asked about where we could walk around in the area. Get the fire roasted oysters, ceviche mixto, and shrimp and grits!
(5)
TONY S.

Well it's been over 10 years and it's still the best place for oysters in Miami. All of the dishes are great. My favorites are the black grouper with the scotch bonnet sauce on the side or the whole snapper. You have to try the chefs signature dish the roasted oysters, nothing like them anywhere else. Great atmosphere, friendly people, wonderful staff. Can't wait for the new place to open.
(5)
Luke S.

The oysters were very good; a bit on the small side. The oyster shuckers work in slo mo. Happy Hour Martini is 5 bucks. A definitiv plus. My neighbour's lobster sandwich looked absolutely fabulous although I didn't taste it, and so did the bar bite tacos. The place has a musty odor which was quite disturbing. The two entrance doors are located directly behind the bar. Each time somebody comes in or leaves, your back is hit with a wave of heat from outside. Traffic was a mess. Lots of construction around. The check (Happy Hour pricing) was more than reasonable.
(4)
Ryan R.

I had the 3 course pre-fix lunch. The mahi was cooked perfectly and paired with mash sweet potatoes. The carrot cake for dessert may have been the best I ever tasted. I will be looking forward to going back for dinner. Definitely a must go to place when in Miami!
(5)
Sabrina F.

Great oysters, they have a good happy hour. Yummy mushroom risotto, and THE BEST Oreo Chocolate Mouse Cake EVER, OF LIFE!!! Seriously, go try it, right now. Stop what your doing and go have it. Great, now that is the only thing i can think about. sigh.
(5)
Elizabeth O.

Great place to get seafood in Brickell. The gnocchi with blue crab and truffle was excellent. The Brussels sprouts were also very good. The coconut cake is delicious and absolutely massive. Service was a little slow, but overall a good meal. We will come again.
(4)
Maria A.

I've been converted. I was never a big fan of River Oyster Bar especially after a bad experience during one of their much-loved Happy Hours. And then after years I gave it another shot and really liked it so much more. The service is so friendly. The food is great. Love the pomme frittes as an appetizer for the table. All the food was good. But for me it was that blend of casual class that really went far this time and I'll be returning soon.
(3)
Pierre K.

I had a really good dinner here. Sat at the bar as the place was packed 9on a Tuesday!). I actually did not mind and if not preferred it. We had the crab cakes which were great. Often the problem with crab cakes is the amount of breading which is a sign that the place is cheap. Here the crab cake was all crab, and I mean all crab. it came on a bed of freshly grated veggies which were a great complement. We then had the Churrasco and the lobster pot pie. I had the former which although being cooked to perfect and delicious, I regretted not getting the pot pie as it looked and tasted amazing! I recommend to anyone and that is what I will order next time I return. We did not have any desserts but they looked good as well. The portions are steakhouse, diner size and people seemed to enjoy the various cakes. I highly recommend this place.
(4)
Larry F.

nice ambience, good food. Service was very good. Pricy. i'll return !
(4)
Chris A.

Spectacular !
(5)
Jose F.

We had a 7 PM dinner reservation for four people last night, Monday. The bar was busy but the rest of the restaurant was half empty. The maitre de offered us a table at the far end of the bar in the noisiest part, but we declined. We chose a table in the less crowded restaurant. We ordered appetizers and our entrees. The other tables in the restaurant started to fill. It took half an hour to get out appetizers. The ceviche was adequately prepared and the stone crabs were fresh. The seafood soup was barely a consome and rather bland. Then after forty more minutes, we still hadn't gotten our entrees. Wait staff are scattered, manager is uninterested and distracted. We complained to our server and got an odd explanation that everyone in the restaurant was seated at the same time(?) but that our food was coming. Then the table next to us, that had arrived a half hour after us, got their entrees. We called over our server, who then explained that only three of our entrees out of four had been made and that the kitchen prepared our entire order again. Server offered to comp us a round of drinks and dessert to make up for the error. Finally, an hour and a half after we were seated and an hour after we got our appetizers, our entrees arrived. My monkfish special was barely the size of an appetizer. The veggies for an other order were sent back because they were overcooked. Server asked us to give the place a second chance, but given the number of great seafood restaurants in town, I doubt we will be back. Other than the bar scene and the oyster selection, there is little to recommend at The River.
(2)
Tracy W.

This may be the best restaurant I have ever eaten at. The entrees were superb, drinks during happy hour reasonable, desserts...yum! The entrees had that Latin flair that made them delectable. The cioppino excellent then I had the fresh halibut the next night... OMG is was even better! Our daughter had salmon which was extremely tasty! The service matched the food dishes! We will go back. We went twice in two days.
(5)
Steve C.

I'm a little torn on how to review this place. I was visiting from California... so maybe my perspective is a bit skewed. The food was good - nothing to write home about, but nonetheless, it made for a good meal. The service was mixed. Bartenders were great, and the waiter was OK. What I had a problem with, was the hostess. I had made a reservation a week earlier for 8 PM. I showed up 10 minutes early, and was told sternly that my table wasn't ready. No problem, I'll just got hang out at the bar with my companion and grab a drink. The hostess told me that she would come get us from the bar as soon as our table was ready. I expected that to be 10-15 minutes, tops. Nope. After finishing my first drink, (now around 8:15 PM), I went up and asked the hostess if my table was ready. She seemed more interested in chatting with her co-worker than acknowledging me or my question. After a few seconds, she told me, No, it wasn't ready yet, but I'll come get you very soon. Yeah, right. It wasn't until around 8:45 PM that I, again, went up to her and asked her what the deal was. She looks up at me and says, "Oh you're ready now?" Uh... you told me that YOU would come get me when the table is ready, not the other way around! While I'm pretty irate at this point, I was also hungry and in no mood to deal with this, so I just said, "yeah I'm ready". Her response was to tell me to hold on for a second... she then (to my surprise) goes to another table near the hostess stand and asks the customers sitting there if they "needed anything?" What the hell?!?! For whatever reason, she just didn't want to seat me... Fortunately the rest of the evening went OK... but this definitely put a sour taste in my mouth and I'm pretty sure I'm never coming back here again.
(2)
Gabriela G.

Ok. I liked this place, but it was nothing incredible. My first impression was that I appreciated the dim lighting as my face was not at its most presentable on that particular occasion. I ordered a half-dozen gigamoto oysters and those were quite good, though I thought they were a bit pricey. My friends both ordered burgers, which I got to taste (hurray for sharing); they were nothing spectacular though, and they came with some unappetizing overripe tomato slices. One of my friends also ordered a cosmo, which was much too strong. Overall, though, the great ambiance and good service made for a pleasant lunch experience. Just, don't be all crazy like my friends and order burgers - the place is called an oyster bar for a reason - go there to get your aphrodisiac on. PS: If you find metered parking, do it. If not, the lot behind the restaurant charges $3 (at least during the week for the lunch hour), and Tobacco Road has an atm machine in case you need cash or just wanna get some noontime shots of patron.
(3)
Michelle D.

Great seafood joint! from the food to the service this place is top notch. The manager crystal was super nice and very accommodating. It was an excellent meal - super fresh fish. loved it!
(5)
Eve C.

I recently made a detour from my regular Happy Hour spot to check out River Oyster Bar, and I must say, I was not that impressed. The best thing about happy hour here is the 1/2 price oysters, for sure!! They have quite a selection to choose from, so if you're an oyster fan, this should be a must for you. Another plus, they had Beaujolais as one of their red wines on the happy hour prices ($5/glass). Since Beaujolais is one of my all-time favorite wines (and it was probably the Nouveau, since it was just recently released on the 3rd Thursday of November...), this was a definite "do." The crowd was definitely Brickell/business, which is expected. There's valet parking in the back for $5, but if you luck out, you might find something on the street nearby. I'll probably return, but it might just be for the cheap oysters...
(3)
K C.

Had dinner on 1/12/13. Came an hour before my reservation to have a drink at the bar and try to be seated earlier. It was about 830-9, the bar was full and there were no open seats. The guy said he'd get us if a table opened up. We stood around for a few minutes, decided to order a drink and before we got our drink...a table was ready. So we grabbed our drink and took a seat. The restaurant was very lively and had a very upbeat feel to it. We started with some oysters and the shitake flatbread. Oysters were fresh and the flatbread was decent. For our entrees we order linguine and clams and a grilled lobster. The linguine was excellent,, it had a kick to it and some pork belly...pork belly makes any dish good. The lobster is cut in half and grilled...and it turns a lot of heads when it's served, it was a decent size, probably about 2lbs. It looked so good the man sitting at the table next to us tapped me on the shoulder to tell me that it looked good. I can confirm it also tasted good. If you like lobster, get it, I was lucky to get a lobster full of tomalley..the green stuff that non-lobster lovers squirm at, I on the other hand, love it. I ordered a few drinks and don't recall having a dessert, the portion size for the linguine was large, we packed it up. I think I ate it with my fingers in my hotel room later that night...it was still good.
(4)
Gisela C.

I was so excited to have lunch here today since it had been 5 years!! The service was "eh", i think our waiter forgot the last part of lunch (the bringing the check part) - other than that, the food was as good as I remember!! 3 stars for weak service and the menu is EXACTLY the same!!
(3)
James S.

We went for my wife's birthday and stayed for the oysters. The waitstaff knew their shellfish and accurately described them with adjectives. They were friendly and were completely down with us just having oysters and a slew of appetizers. It wasn't too loud to have a conversation and the service was great...if it was a little cheaper I would be a regular.
(4)
Jordyn W.

Nice place good food. Delicious oysters!!
(4)
Lyng-Hou R.

Nice Fixe Prix Lunch menu, small portions and well served. Will try to go back for Happy Hour.
(3)
Pavel E.

Food was very good but the experience overall was poor. I just went to The River on a Sunday. I made a reservations for 8:15 (earliest hour) and got there on time. The first thing me and my friend were told is that they were running late and that we will have to wait at between 15-20 min, but we were welcomed at the bar (which was packed). We decided to wait and tried to get a drink for over 10 min, when we saw that was really difficult, I approached to the person at the door (I think she was the manager, middle-aged blonde-ish woman) and ask her if she could help me getting a drink. She told me she can't get me a drink but she approaches the bar and ask the bar tender to please give me a drink. The bartender in the worst possible attitide and with the worst elevated tone says to her "I TOLD HIM TO WAT". I was just shocked on the way she responded to a request - It's not my fault that they have poor managerial skills, that they have incompetent staff and then I get an attitude. Everybody at the bar look at the scene, the "manager" (I am using quotes since at least I certainly do not ever respond like that to my manager or my clients) apologized to me and said that the drinks were on the house. We waited at least other 15-20 minutes - I order "The Albert", Ketel and an orange-cocunut syrup, very good drink unacceptable attitude.. Then we were seated. We promptly order oysters, after at least 15 minutes of waiting I asked the waiter if there were a problem, oysters are usually pretty fast and her answer was "we have one guy for the whole restaurant" - worst excuse. We placed our order and the main course tool at least 25-30 minutes to be served. The food was very good, I got the grouper with avocado and tomatoes and my friend had the swordfish and quinoa risotto, both were very good, right amount and well cooked. Our waiter was nice and kept excusing the waiting. Other tables were experiencing the same problem. The issue with the drink the "manager" blame the owners for having one bartender and excuse her awful attitudes towards clients because she was the only one, the server said that the appetizer took so long because there was "only one guys doing the oystesr", and then she blame "too many people on a Sunday" as the reason to wait that extra time for our food. At least dessert was very good (coconut cake). It is hard to recommend a place that have such unprofessional staff, yes food was good but when you're paying over 50-60 per person I think you at least deserve a respectful treatment - no excuses period. So, if you feel like having seafood, and you have experienced other places then come to this one, hopefully the staff will be in a better mood and be happy to get your business. I will think twice before I come back.
(3)
Nicolle R.

Loved River Oyster.. two bottles of Rose, Vietnamese sandwiches were delicious, burrata and pear was delicious, crab cakes, and delicious and i mean amazing bronzino!
(4)
Marisa S.

My only negative on this spot is that it is a little "pricey"...however, it is some of the (if not the) best seafood in Miami. In addition, the servers are knowledgeable and attentive. Everything I have tried has been absolutely delicious...starting with the warm corn bread that gets delivered to your table upon arrival. Whether you choose a special like the "Pumpkin Fish with Curry and Black Rice" or a traditional grilled fish, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Patricia K.

This restaurant is now one of my FAVORITES in Miami (Altamar is another favorite). Yes, Im really big into Seafood but even if you're not, there are several plates on the menu that are well worth your time: -Thai BBQ ribs (juicy, falling off the bone, not too salty not too sweet- a great appetizer) -Wild mushroom flatbread (very tasty and and the crust was perfectly crispy too!) -Kale salad (BEST fresh Kale salad I've ever had; it was very refreshing and the beets were perfectly cooked. I also liked that they didn't cover the salad with cheese. They put the perfect amount of cheese, I think Gorgonzola) -Gnocchi pasta with Blue Crab (although small portion for $28, still very delicious) - As a side dish, the Brussel sprouts were very tasty, and I liked the fact that they weren't sauteed in bacon or anything like that, which is very common these days. (I have to say that the shitaake mushrooms and the crab fried rice didn't look anything special. The mushroom portion was super small for $8 and the rice looked kind of dry- however I didn't taste these) Now for Seafood lovers: -the Blue Point oysters are a must! (try their 'shooters' too, they looked uhmazing) -SNAPPER TARTARE was delicious (although small portion) -fresh grilled Swordfish/Salmon (for those of you just wanting a fresh, healthy, clean meal) -Florida lobster (much better than the Maine Lobster) Desserts: -Chocolate Mousse is A MUST! -Toffee cup is wayy too sugary but was the favorite amongst some of the ladies. Don't bother with the guava cheesecake nor with the panacotta (they were great but the first two mentioned were better!) Overall, a great experience. I read the previous not-so-great reviews, and I'll reiterate what I've learned throughout the years: You haave to know what to order!! As with most restaurants, some plates are 'misses': not every single plate on the menu is going to be TOP quality because it's not a Michelin star rated restaurant nor is the chef an Iron Chef, nor does everybody have the same taste/opinion. I do see how some plates could be a bit disappointing (small portioned,etc) but everything had great taste, and as long as you know/research what to order, you'll have a '6 Yelp star' experience here.
(5)
Lisa C.

We found this secret gem from another guest at the Viceroy. It was walking distance from the hotel. And it was great! We sat at the bar and the bartender Shawn was great. He was attentive, friendly and very helpful!! The oysters were soo fresh and tasty. The sampler platter is the best order if you're not sure what to get! I had the watermelon martini. Delicious!!! Freshly made. This place was packed! Atleast the bar was :). I can see why. The bartender is so nice and quick. Will definitely be going back!!
(5)
Saucy B.

Seafood is always fresh and because of that it's the only in place in Miami that I'll eat oysters from. Husband had the ceviche, and we both ordered Side Car cocktails that were pretty tasty too. There's a bit of traffic to get there now with all the construction happening in the area, but there's a parking lot in the back where you can find a spot. Good for a casual date night.
(4)
George S.

The food is good bust some dishes lacked seasoning. The happy hour is amazing and so is the oyster selection, but the fish is not as good as truelucks.
(4)
EpicuriousChic C.

Happy hour, o happy hour. Where art thou, happy hour? Ani! Happy hour is at River Oyster Bar; where it's always been. Honestly, I don't often frequent happy hour spots. I don't do the singles thing, can't stand crowds and absolutely abhor bottom shelf booze. So what is my resolve? A familiar neighborhood haunt opened in 2003, the River Oyster Bar, and it is only one place I keep going back to. The Brickell neighborhood is plagued with an overkill of mediocre, chain restaurants and a myriad of hit-or-miss mom 'n' pop eateries. The River Oyster Bar is the area's longest standing independent restaurant serving modern American fare, incredibly fresh seafood and an ever changing wine and beer selection. Owned by Chef David Bracha, he has been cooking at the River's location for almost two decades. In its former incarnation, David served Brickell's yuppie lunch crowd at the same location for eleven years; longtime Miamians and Brickellites remember Fishbone Grill. Fast forward to 2010, David is still serving some of Miami's best fare. Happy hour stands out particularly because the River offers half priced oysters, specially priced wines and draft beers and other uniquely delicious bar snacks. With a glass of muscadet and a pint of Boddington's Ale in hand, @ceeroks and I opt for the conch salad, fresh oysters, oyster po'boys and hand made chips with caramelized onion dip this time. The oyster po'boys, dynamite as always, are fried crisp and sandwiched in a potato bun along with creamy remoulade sauce, tomato, lettuce and red onion. Fresh shucked oysters with red wine mignonette and freshly squeezed lemon always hit the spot. For the Tabasco fiends, request a side of rocoto chile sauce that is made in-house; it will surely provide that spicy kick without masking the natural flavor of the oyster. Note: the River is the only restaurant in Miami that always has at least ten selections on hand delivered on a daily basis. As much as I love oysters, (you had me at oyster...) the highlight of the evening was the conch salad. More of a ceviche than a salad, the small chunks of conch, fresh and tender, show off their Caribbean flair dressed in a lime, orange and scotch bonnet marinade while slivers of onion, small, juicy cubes of tomato and whole cilantro leaves float through the glass as flavorful color accents. The sweet conch flesh tastes purely like the sea and its sweetness, along with the orange juice, offsets the intense fruity sear from the scotch bonnet pepper. But watch out! This dish is not for the faint of heart or those sensitive to flavor or spice. It definitely packs a punch. I know the River is an old-school Miami place. The fact of the matter remains, they are still putting out some of the best, freshest and most consistent food in town. Ask me, "Where do you go eat?" or "Where can I get a decent glass of wine or good beer?" or "Where can I get good service?" I would tell you, "The River Oyster Bar." I can't honestly answer these questions and provide the same place for all three questions; this being the exception. The River Oyster Bar has been delivering stellar, uber-fresh seafood for the last seven years and has been my go-to neighborhood spot since the doors opened because I know every time I walk in through those doors, I'm in for something great. So, Cheers to half-priced oysters!
(4)
Alex G.

Upscale oyster bar decor, although the tables are somewhat too close together for my taste. The service was adequate, but far from excellent. The food was certainly worth coming back for, and the menu was both creative and fresh. Highlights included the grilled scallops with cauliflower purÃ©e (delicious!); a perfectly cooked strip steak; pecan crusted soft shell crab over "creamless" corn (crunchy and bursting with flavor); 2 dozen amazing, cold raw oysters; a terrific onion soup -- covered with cheese -- made from veal stock. The paella, on the other hand, was sub-par, although the ingredients were fresh and cooked just right; the flavors were somewhat weak and not as authentic as you'd find elsewhere in Miami. The modern seafood menu, along with an adequate wine list, makes me want to return for another meal. One suggestion for improvement - beef up the signature cocktail menu; they were not very good, to say the least.
(4)
stephanie f.

Went on a Tuesday night and was surprised to see how crowded it was. Very cute place with a decent size (but on the small end) dining area, some high top tables, and a very well sized bar with plenty of seating. I didn't realize how much food we had ordered until I wrote everything down for this review. Everything was very good and well presented. We never got to a main course, but we will save that for next time. BBQ bacon wrapped shrimp: these aren't on the main menu but were on the bar menu. Awesome and one of my favorite dishes of the night. scallops: very good, but not my favorite item oyster shooters: not necessary but if your into it oysters (3 types): they were fresh, but I'm not a huge fan of oysters. mussels: looked great but didn't try. everyone at the table seemed to enjoy tuna tartar: very good and served with what i think were plantain chips. one of my higher ranked items ribs: awesome ceviche: ok, but i never order ceviche on my own cheese plate with raisin bread: the raisin bread was awesome. crispy and lightly sprinkled with sugar. the cheese selection was very good and served with fresh berries, honey and walnuts and jam and if you didn't think i was a fatty to begin with we ordered dessert which was to die for. i really don't know which one was better but both were fabulous. key lime cheese cake 5 layer coconut cream pie
(3)
Kevin H.

We went there a couple weeks ago. The food was fine, but not great. The oysters we got were average, and my fish was over $20, but it didn't come with any side dishes or anything. We ordered another side dish, but it wasn't anything fancy. I know this is a short and not super descriptive review, but I think it suits the establishment. This is a place that will put a table cloth on your table, charge you an expensive price, and then not really deliver food that's any better than that of an average seafood place, with of course the presentation being a bit better than average. That's it. Nothing to see here. Not terrible. Not great.
(3)
Mike A.

Good food and service. The environment is fun too, but it gets very crowded so get a reservation.
(4)
Marylin T.

Had the chocolate mouse cake and the coconut cake and they were delicious. The staff is very friendly and great. Go now!
(5)
Ericstevenc T.

Great seafood
(5)
Catherine C.

Great food. Great service. Well done all around. One definitely needs a reservation to get in, but it is easy to do that. Good wine selection. A great experience overall.
(5)
Jenaia F.

Yep, still love this place!! Have been back a few times since my original review and have not had any issues. Their seafood is as fresh as ever and their service is top notch. This past weekend I ordered the whole yellow tail snapper which was lightly fried with Chinese vegetables. It was phenomenal!! The sauce was very light in weight, but very tasty and a little spicy. It was absolutely perfect. Also had their steamed mussels for the first time... deeeeelish! If you haven't been to the River Oyster Bar and love seafood, you are definitely missing out. Don't forget to make reservations, as this place does tend to fill up.
(5)
Andrew J.

I've been a big fan of the River for years--I'd have to say it's my favorite restaurant in Miami. First of all, it's way more than just an oyster bar-- it is a true gastronomy destination. The space is simple and sophisticated with a partially open kitchen in the middle and a long crescent shaped bar dominating the entrance with very comfortable padded leather barchairs. It' always pretty busy with a real urban ambiance. Service is very professional and attentive. They always have a selection of a half-dozen or so cold water oysters served with a shallot mignonette and a cucumber wasabi sauce. The menu is seafood driven with house specialties as well as simply prepared fish with a choice of one side. Even the non-seafood items are excellent. Standouts are the tuna tartare and ceviches, roasted oysters with manchego and chorizo and bacon wrapped black grouper over roasted corn. Nice selection of wines by the glass. Good happy hour too with oyster and drink specials. Usually hassle free $2 parking in the lot in back that they share with Tobacco Road. Great place for a first date.
(5)
Regina Q.

The first place i had Oysters. and i dont even like seafood. hahaha. But surprisingly i actually enjoyed the oysters, it was a cool experience, i ate both raw and fried. I love the cocktail sauce and lemon..gives it a yummy kick.
(4)
JL Q.

Love this place on mnay facets. The oysters here are very good, fresh and not overpowering. Service is impeccable. The prix fixe menu is really a super bargain. I didn't have it but two dining partners did and they raved over it. Definitely a place to have lunch or dinner at.
(4)
Amy Jo A.

Made reservations thru yelp and open table and was only able to secure a late reservation. Called the restaurant directly and they gave me an earlier time. We arrived ten min late..coming from broward and was told that our table had been given away. The hostess on duty was a bit short but made sure she delivered her message to scold me...one reason I had to knock off a star . I let it go as my children were with me and I didn't want to scold her back..I am the customer. She ended up giving us a good table which was a high top in a nice area. The place was packed and no open tables. We started with a taste of six oysters on the half shell. I ordered a fish soup and the smoked tomatoe salad w pesto. Salad was so good..soup was just okay and a bit spicey. My husband had the grouper with mushroom tea..it was the best thing we tried that night. My son ordered the linguini and clam sauce..said it was better than mine...it too was spicey. My daughter had another fish dish that mentioned bar b que sauce which was sweet and wonderful with crispy leeks on the side. We tried the Carmel pudding I think it was...just okay. I ordered coffee which came when we were ready to leave..another reason for four stars..my husband and I had a beer with the oysters at the beginning and he ended up ordering a glass of wine which had some wierd sediment that looked like seaweed in the bottom of the glass..testing his gag reflexes..strange..never saw anything like it. That charge was taken off the bill. All in all I would go back. Perhaps leaving my teenage son at home. He was the only teenager out with his parents in the place. Our college age daughter totally enjoyed it. Great place for happy hour if you work in downtown. The bar actually must seat 20 to 30 people and looks so nice.
(4)
Martha K.

I love this place! I've been here with groups of friends, but it would also be nice for a quiet, romantic dinner. In fact, the first time I went, we walked in just as a guy was proposing to his girlfriend - she said yes :-) River Oyster has a nice ambience, great service and fabulous food. I've eaten here twice and really enjoyed the fire roasted oysters (the manchego, chorizo and oysters are a surprisingly good combo!), the chitara pasta with crab and sea urchin roe, the porcini-crusted halibut, and the paella. But save room for dessert - the Chocolate Decadence Cake is out of this world! Much better than the Chocolate Mousse Cake, this has a silky, creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor (with a hint of hazelnut, I think). I'm not even a big chocolate fan, but I love this dessert. Although it is a white tablecloth kind of place, it has a casual vibe and service is attentive but understated. It's the kind of place where you can linger over a long meal, savoring the food, the wine and the company.
(5)
Tessie B.

Great Happy Hour but get's really packed on Fridays. If you're going for dinner - I suggest reservations. Everything is delicious and the service is exceptional. The gazpacho soup is very well made, the oysters very fresh, as well as the crab cakes. For dessert - the pineapple cake with rum raisin ice cream was to die for!
(5)
Holly B.

Went a few weeks ago with a party of 6 at 9:30 on a Friday night sans reservation and they seated us within 2 minutes. (and it was packed... we lucked out for sure). Bloody Mary's are full of horse-radish (I love bloody mary's and I'm a big fan of horse radish but they could go lighter on it...it was a bit overkill), wine was great and the oysters are KILLER. We got a dozen oysters (mixed)- we favor the brinier medium sized oysters and we gloriously slurped them down. So delicious, so briny, perfection. Honestly don't think I have had better. I made a mental note: happy hour oysters are 50% off. We had a beet/kale/apple salad which was light and flavorful and worth every bite, we also shared the grilled octopus- again another favorite and done to perfection, a little charred and meaty but not chewy. Fast forward 2-3 weeks, Tuesday night, didn't feel like cooking- happy hour at oyster bar beckons. We got another dozen mixed oysters for a mere $16 (a steal in my opinion for this quality) and a few bar snacks: the oyster po' boy sliders which were outstanding and the oxtail tacos which were mehhh....too spicy for me, we also had the conch chowder which was tomato-based with corn and veggies and conch, superb. Wine was $5 per glass, again another thrill. This is on my list of Miami-favorites.
(5)
Bill A.

The food, good, the waiter - odd.... No joke, it took three order s- I mean attempt's to get our order in and wine on the table.... It was like an episode from bad sitcom... Once food arrived, it was great, but even another waiter had to help us - and even he was like "... where is your waiter... " For the price, the service should have been spot-on, but it was not. This review would have been higher had the server been better - even he apologized at the end of the dinner - but what can you do... I will try again cause I like the location and it's next to Tobacco Road.
(3)
Melodee R.

My favorite Miami Restaurant, as it reminds me of NY Restaurants: Consistently good food Excellent Service Great Wine list Comfortable Ambience
(4)
Courtney M.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Miami. Good food, great value, awesome atmosphere. I've been here on several dates but also been for birthdays and girl's nights out. You absolutely have to try the Coconut Cake which I have appropriately renamed the orgasm cake because it is just THAT GOOD! I kid you not... The first time I ate it, I literally mumbled OH MY GOD between bites. And it wasn't my cake. But the birthday girl generously donated it to me. My favorite dinner is the scallops over pureed cauliflower. Ok I'll confess it's the only dinner I've tried other than sampling the dinners ordered by others (which were yummy but I still wouldn't trade in my scallops). I never would have thought I would like pureed cauliflower but it is a delicious and much more healthy substitute to mashed potatoes (although the butter probably evens it out). I've tried to make it at home but no luck. The oyster shooters are also yummy. They also have happy hour on Saturdays which is rare in Miami but I've never been able to make it in time!
(5)
Daniel T.

This was my first time there and I will definitely be back. First of all, I love a good happy hour. The oyster selection is excellent and they are all half price before 7PM at the bar. I also had clams on the half shell and a house-smoked steel head trout salad with beets and arugula and a sherry vinaigrette. The fish was really good, very moist, flavorful and not overcooked. The Caribbean fish soup was pretty good but the dominant flavor was tomato and not much Carribbean about it. They also had a couple of draft beers on special for happy hour. They have a decent selection of top shelf rums and whiskey. I look forward to going back to taste more of their offerings. A word of caution, I had two GPS's and they both brought me about two blocks away.
(4)
Jennifer R.

WHAT A NICE PLACE!!! The BF suggested The River after our night at the opera. It was late so a light seafood dinner was a good choice. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and some off of the bar menu... The oyster poor boy slider - yummy! The Creamy Mac and Cheese - with some bread crumb baked on top, it was smooth and crunchy at the same time. The Ceviche - fresh! Will definitely go back for the full dinner experience.
(4)
Niki D.

Good place food has been good the couple of times I have been there
(4)
Roger D.

A local friend brought us here after a few drinks around at Tobacco Road. No reservation and the place was full but the hostess took a liking to our female companion and we're straight on in. Nice. Really enjoyed our evening here. Maybe it was the drinks, probably the food, definitely the company. As the name would suggest, there's a nice selection of oysters here. Not cheap of course, but the quality was decent. Oysters from all over - it's lucky they travel well. Had some good fish too, and bumped into a few friendly folk later on. Will definitely go back next time I'm in Miami.
(4)
Ivan C.

Currently TOP 3 for me in Miami! Since my first time 3 weeks ago, I've been back 4 more times and every time my meal has been delish and my guests have been extremely pleased. Their specials always rock and an ever-changing oyster selection is a wonderful treat. Even being on the ocean as it is, Miami is lacking in great seafood restaurants but certainly River Oyster is the exception. Touche!
(5)
Liana S.

The River Oyster Bar is one of those select restaurants in Miami that consistently delivers good food, atmosphere and service. This upscale neighborhood seafood restaurant revolves around a steady and vibrant bar scene frequented by mostly locals as far as I could tell. After being there a few times, I recommend the Kumamoto oysters, crispy calamari salad and blackened grouper with parsnip mash. Their private room in the back looks like a great place to host an intimate dinner party and their wine and drink selection has disappointed me yet.
(4)
Derrick S.

I love the place. I always meet a cool new person sitting at the bar and they always have good leads to other good spots to visit. I love seafood and their choice of Oysters are the best that i have had thus far anywhere in Florida. This Restaurant was referred by a co-worker. I must admit my initial experience was not they best because the were having a maintenance issue with sewer drain elk. I told manager about it and on my second vist made it more than right! The scene is nice the company good and the drinks and food great!
(4)
Jennisa P.

Went with a group of friends. And it was fantastic! Service was great and food delish! We kept on asking for more oysters and they kept coming fast and fresh. The server was extremely knowledgeable on the types of oysters and what wines to pair them with. Overall, a great find!
(5)
enrico v.

This place is amazing, I've been 3 times in the past month and the seafood is outstanding...i had a business lunch recently and we had meat instead of seafood....not the best meal though....keep doing the seafood that way, i will keep coming back......just for the seafood
(4)
Al C.

Oh, so damn good for happy hour. Haven't been here otherwise. But the happy hour, Lordy LORD! Excellent prices for quality drinks along with decent brews on tap. Go in and eat some oysters from all over!
(4)
tony t.

Now that World Resource is gone, River Oyster Bar is my answer to the question: If you could only go out to one Miami restaurant the rest of your life, which one would you choose? That doesn't make it the absolute best, but it makes it the top choice with the most variety. Of course, the best way to start a meal is with the happy hour oysters (definitely focus on the Bluepoints) but leave some room for the very creative selection of seafood appetizers and entrees. The vibe is always upbeat and the restaurant is packed most nights, despite the fact that it's one of the more expensive restaurants in the area. The restaurant has been there for many years, they have a lot of regulars (including my family), and the staff is extremely friendly and professional.
(5)
Steven G.

The real deal for seafood in Miami. Casual and sophisticated at the same time. You can have any fish any way or order off the menu. Excellent raw bar, great cocktails and you can actually have a conversation, they have acoustical ceiling attachments. Definately one of the best seafood joints in Miami. Great service, great wine, good prices. Very mellow vibe.
(5)
Alessandro S.

I knew the place before and I liked the atmosphere, different from the Miami standards. I went back on Sunday night for a glass of wine and an appetizer at the bar. It was around 9:30 pm. The bar tender started to clean up the bar while I was still eating and sipping my wine. They were preparing to close and they started all operations while customers were still in. No manager was on duty and the place looked like in the hands of the employees, who of course did not care much of the service and reputation of the place. Will give the place a second chance.
(2)
Cindy P.

Read almost all reviews and went knowing all the ups and all the downs. So I will make this review painless: SERVICE: OK! I can't say anything more than OK. It wasn't exactly fast but it wasn't bad. Our server attempted to explain the differences between oysters and let's just say we had to make up our own mind. FOOD: VERY GOOD! All the yelpers were RIGHT. The Fire Roasted Oysters were amazing. 3 is not enough and not fair when there are 2 of you dining. So we ordered 2 additional servings - that hit the spot. The Fresh Oysters lived up to the name...they were all fresh. The main courses were....OK. Tried the Snapper and it was a little bland but the freshness made up for it. The Paella was good but I am convinced that after growing up on home cooking, I should stay away from anything my mom makes because it never compares. But the seafood pieces were huge. PARKING: A little sketchy. We parked in the Tobacco Road lot and had to wait for a lady to stop fighting with the valet who lost her keys??? Luckily we did not run into this issue once we left but SKETCHY to say the least. Nice place, great food, decent service. It was a great night and I so plan on going back
(3)
Jamie C.

All i have to say is WOW!!! This place is amazing. Everything was impecable from the service to the ambiance, i truly had a great experience. They have a really nice bar, dimly lit, very cozy little spot. The wine list was great, and the food was delictable, the oyster shooters infused with tomato juice, and thyme-lemon vodka, just addicting, you'll leaving wanting more. Another must try is the lobster pot pie, its delicious. The pie crust is flaky and warm, and the pie itself is filled with veggies, and lobster chunks in a yummy cream. I loved this place.
(5)
John D.

Great Oysters, big selection. Make sure to make it for the happy hour between 5 and 7 to get them half off. I've also had the ceviche and linguine and little neck clams. Both Delicious. Great for a date.
(4)
Joseph N.

My gf and I's favorite place! Happy hour oysters are 1/2 off need I say more!! I'm a kumomoto oyster junkie And add great service from Dan the man, then it completes this place! See yall again soon!
(5)
Cynthia M.

I feel so lucky to have this place in my neighborhood. The River consistently delivers good food and good service. I don't eat shellfish and I still enjoy having a meal here. The food is tasty and well presented. My stand by is the churrasco with grilled veggies and yuca frites. Good selection of wines (from various countries) though pricey. I like to come here to enjoy a good glass of wine at the bar when relaxing or for a good solid meal with good company. I know that I can come here for a satisfying snack, meal or indulgent spread (appetizer to apres-dinner cheese spread). Don't just come here for the variety of oysters offered, but come here to try cheeses AND wines that you won't find on other Miami menus. For lunch you will be offered a different menu but always the same quick efficient and professional service. Tip: Valet is $2 in the same parking lot as Tobacco Road, though you may be able to score a meter spot around the block
(4)
Sasha S.

The River is my favorite restaurant in Miami, and hands down the best local restaurant with an upscale, but unpretentious atmosphere. David Bracha's creative menu includes tasty "bar snacks" (tapas) and appetizers, fresh oysters flown in daily from around the country, delicious sushi-grade seafood and other meat and vegetarian items such as mushroom flatbread, meatball sliders, and spicy conch salad. Mains include handmade pasta, seafood, fowl and other scrumptious dishes, for example, Whole Yellowtail Snapper, Lobster Pot Pie, Salt Baked Whole Branzino, Blue Crab Gnocchi...the list goes on. The sides and deserts are also amazing. The lunch menu does not disappoint and includes even more delicious fare including a burgers, fresh grilled chicken on zesty greens and roll your own tacos. I can't say enough about the food, wine list, fantastic cocktails and ambiance. To top it off, the staff is always friendly and welcoming! Be sure to make a reservation for dinner especially Thursday - Sunday. Valet and self-parking is available. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
George C.

Went for happy hour and will surely go back! 5 dollar well drinks and half off ALL oysters! You seriously can't beat this place for good drinks, food and great vibe. Come early cause the bar gets packed. Seriously one of the most charming bars in Miami.
(4)
Adam A.

The scene: Tuesday night. 7:30 reservation for two. Sit down dinner for girlfriend's birthday. Restaurant was definitely hopping on a Tuesday night. Bar was full a really vibrant (could say noisy) atmosphere. The decor is slightly confusing; some paintings/picture go well together others don't. Is it chic, is it a local hot spot, is it traditional, is it high end, is the next great restaurant of Miami? I have no idea and I don't think the restaurant does either. It was almost as if a whole bunch of other restaurants were using River Oyster Bar as storage for various pieces of art. The food: We took it slow and got various appetizers and raw bar items all one at a time before splitting an entree. Started off with fire roasted oysters. There were 3 large oysters covered in cheese and a little slice of chorizo on top. Very nice the cheese was only slightly overwhelming, but I do love all cheese. Next round was the oyster shooters and snapper tartar. Oyster shooters are always fun and there was a nice kick at the end of these. We'd never had snapper tartar so it sounded fun. Served with fried won ton and a little bit of wasabi it too was a decent dish. Innovative and fun, but the snapper was just too light of a fish to be a tartar in my opinion. After that it was gnocci and crab in a cream sauce. Cream sauce was slightly over-salted, but there was lots of crab in the dish. The gnocci were too light, which I didn't think was possible. The just didn't have the texture one would expect or the density. We each had a cocktail to accompany the meal. Sidecar for the lady and a modified whiskey sour off the cocktail menu for me. Both drinks were well made and had fresh juice which is always a pleasure. Overall, the restaurant was "A-OK". I think the prices were a little high and not enough local seafood. The service was not great; our server for whatever reason was weeded with 4 2-tops. Server offered little to no help and was not interested in being a part of the dining experience. I'd recommend it, but if there was another place that sounded interesting I'd probably pick the other place before going back.
(3)
IGOR B.

So.... If you like a classy, intimate restaurant with amazing fresh fish, and oysters from all around the world this is your place. Few tables, very quiet,perfect for a date with your love. Lil expensive but doesnt matter because the food and the wine are amazing. Try it. You will go crazy for the oysters selection! If you have a reservation is better. Very good restaurant.
(5)
Valentina D.

We got there in time for Happy Hour, which at the River Oyster Bar meant half-priced oysters. Yee-ha! I was so happy that one of my companions actually enjoyed the slimy buggers, because most of my friends, lovers, etc. can't stand the things. I, on the other hands, adore them and loved the opportunity to snarf down a large sampler platter of blue points, Penn Cove, Kumamoto, and other exquisite bi-valves who gave up their simple yet poignant lives for my momentary enjoyment. Thank you, you sweet and ugly little things! I salute your generosity. As a main dish I had the mixed grill of yellow tuna, pink shrimp, and sea scallops accompanied by three house sauces. It was light, tasty, and beautifully prepared. As a side I had the brussels sprouts with parmesan, which I now crave incessantly. I swear, I feel like a pregnant lady. And to all of you who hate brussels sprouts I say "fine, suckas, more for me!!!" Really, I'm so going to try to replicate that dish in my own modest kitchen. My companions had the Yellow tail snapper with pegoen pea rice and coconut spinach (ubiquitous in Miami) and the grilled skirt steak, and both were declared delicious. Our wine pairings were fantastic (the restaurant is justifiablly famous for their wine list) and my mojito aperitif was minty, lemony, and oh-so-fresh. I blamed my European upbringing on the fact that I felt very comfortable having a few drinks during a dinner where I was being scrutinized as a potential job candidate, because: a) I can hold my liquor, within reason b) I don't want to work with puritans and teetotallers I was also the only person to have dessert (urged on sadistically by my dinner companions, who then modestly got a cups of coffee). The chocolate mousse cake was only so-so...not very mousse-y, and that's a cardinal sin for me. The ambiance at the River Oyster Bar is laid-back yet quietly elegant, with a nice Havana-esque chocolate-and-subdued-apricot interior. Ladies, it compliments all skin tones, so you know what I'm sayin'.... If I go back to Miami, I'll be sure to go back to this very solid and satisfying restaurant. And watch out lil'oysters, cause I plan to eat more of your progeny. But I swear I'll say a prayer for your slimy little souls,okay?
(5)
Paul R.

My second time here in as many weeks! Had some friends from out of town here; we were all delighted with the ambiance, service and spectacular dishes. The Ciopino is excellent- our waiter kept serving our table with crusty bread for- yep, dipping! Highly recommend!
(4)
Andrew P.

26 dollars for a dry yellow tail fish filet covered in dry plantians with some avocado and tomato slices. Rip off. The roasted oysters are covered in greasy cheese and sausage, taste like pizza. I will not be back.
(2)
alex m.

4.5 Stars! I LOVE this local gem and go to this spot all the time. Im keeping the review short since the dozen mixed oysters, incredible food, and my glass topped with Macallan have got my tongue!!!
(4)
Frank L.

Lunch fixed price of Blue Point oysters, ahi tuna with encrusted mushrooms, and chocolate truffles. All was good, but I'd come back for as many oysters as I could eat. That's just me.
(3)
Megan T.

The oysters were excellent and they have a great happy hour but everything else we ordered was disappointing.
(3)
Marivi I.

I'm not a fan of oysters. Call me crazy but runny and sandy aren't qualities I look for in food. But fortunately, The River Oyster Bar is about so much more than oysters. The seafood here is really amazing and super fresh. The menu does change often so I won't mention specific dishes but I've never ordered a dish I haven't loved. The vibe is neither casual nor dressy but somewhere in between. Overally, it's pricey but worth it. They have a nice wine selection and chic bar atmosphere to complement the perfectly lit dining room. Me likey :)
(5)
eglys h.

off we went on date night with our restaurants.com certificate... we were looking forward with high expectations to having dinner here... immediately upon entering we were politely greeted and sat by a very nice lady... our waiter (not sure of his name) came by asked us which water sparkling, spring or regular - we were faithful to our county and went with tap.. we then decided to go with an appetizer - it consisted of raw pieces of sea scallops ceviche style (sliced paper thin) in orange color sauce topped with lots of thin sliced cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. for it to be cured in a ceviche style i found it to be lacking of acidity. for me it could of used more of a lemony or other citrus flavor. for our main dish, my husband went for a grilled fish fillet (i believe it was grouper) this was delicious. nicely grilled and flaky to the touch (no sides- these were extra - portion size good for one ).. on recommendation of our waiter i decided to go with the seafood paella. it came out in a very nice skillet. its a nice sharing portion. it had several clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, chorizo, olives (with pitts-but waiter had advised of this so ok) and 1 small piece of a lobster tail.... it looked pleasing to the eye, buy my palate experienced something else. starting with the rice - the dish was not really hot (and i usually do not mind eating food which is not truly hot) but it being in a skillet and all i thought it would be warmer. the rice was not really cooked too tender, it had actually parts where it was al dente... 1 of the clams as well as 1 mussel did not open during the cooking process (i believe these should be been removed before serving cause it just seemed to scream NOT FRESH) the shrimp were of a nice size, but a couple were not devined properly... and the small lobster piece, this was so tuff and overcooked it was hard to cut a piece off for hubby... it was rubbery... why not send the whole thing back in the start....well usually do not do so.. we decided not to have any dessert (actually nothing on the menu caught our eye) - my hubby did have a glass of wine with dinner thou, it was a nice cab from paso robles, ca. waiter total service was not too bad but nothing to rave about either. he was polite thou... we left with the thought that we have been there - done that - do not believe we would go back again.. note: we had no problem using our certificate..waiter was fully aware of how it worked.
(3)
Maris D.

Great service...excellent quality. Reasonable prices and relaxing ambiance. Btw...Amanda is a FANTASTIC bartender!
(4)
Stephany N.

Favorite oyster spot in Miami. They are always fresh and offer a great variety. By normal standards its expensive, but I take advantage of their wonderful happy hour. HALF OFF ALL OYSTERS! Since I always sit at the bar I cannot comment on their host/hostess or table service, but their bartenders are very friendly and attentive.
(5)
Andy L.

If you look past the bulging bar scene at The River Oyster Bar, there is a pretty good restaurant lurking on the fringes of the room. You do have to be specific with the hostess as to where you want to sit. There is an area tucked into the right rear of the room that tends to be noisy from the bar crowd, so if you want light from the glass-paned doors facing the street or you want to talk above shouting level, ask for a table on the left side of the restaurant. We tried an assortment of oysters on the half shell (various $, but all between $2-$3 each) and found them fresh, plump and briny. Boquerones Flatbread ($7) came warm, covered in tomato sauce, with fresh marinated anchovies added on top. We were happy that the thin flatbread was more pizza-like than cracker, but it was a bit overcooked and burnt on the edges. Shrimp Ceviche ($8) was heavy in both lime juice and hot spices. We like the tartness of ceviche and we like spicy food, but this was too heavy handed and the dish was not enjoyable. Chinese-style Baby Back Ribs ($13) were tender, wet and sweet. A generous portion for an appetizer, the sesame-covered ribs were melt in your mouth good. Jerk Swordfish ($26) with spicy black beans and baked pears was very good. The fish was tasty, moist and flaky & the beans were firm and spicy. The fruit seemed like a nice idea but really didn't add much to the dish. BBQ Cobia with smoked bacon and creamed corn ($24) was a treat. For people who think that you can wrap bacon around anything, even a cardboard box, and create a great dish, this is for you. The bacon was smokey, the fish was juicy and full of bacon-induced flavor and the corn provided a sweetness that balanced it all. Unfortunately, the entire dish was covered with slivers of deep-fried leeks. These were flavorless and soggy and and were a distraction from the other items on the plate . There are several pastas on the menu, all up-streamed with complicated sauces and shellfish or meat ingredients. There was a child in our party this time around and we ordered a simple gnocchi, without the fancy sauces or added ingredients (in this case, forgoing the crab meat that came with the gnocchi preparation on the menu). Unfortunately, when the bill came, there was the $27 charge for Gnocchi in a cream sauce with crab meat. We asked the waiter if that was an error; most restaurants don't usually charge kids full menu price for an upscale pasta dish when it is dumbed down to plain pasta in olive oil. His response was "that's what it costs". We did not argue, but do caution that kid-unfriendly policies like this one should be noted before you decide to go to The River Oyster Bar. We shared a bottle of 2010 Domaine de la Perriere Sancerre ($42), which was grassy and fresh. It was a nice accompaniment to the meal and usually retails for about $17-$20. Outside of the pasta issue, the service was good. The restaurant was busy on this Wednesday night, so reserve ahead to avoid a wait.
(3)
Amanda H.

A year later, we returned during our next vacation and I was thrilled to see it is still amazing. The food is incredible, and they have a good wine/cocktail selection. It feels like a sanctuary in the loud vibrancy of Miami to duck inside and have a low key understated dinner. I had the tuna tartare appetizer and my fiance had the oyster shooters. For dinner I had the scallops and it was in my top three meals of 2011. My fiance had the paella and it didn't disappoint. For good food at fair prices, I would definitely recommend this special place.
(4)
Diana S.

Hard to give a negative about this place. Jamie our waiter was fantastic, food was off the charts delicious and cocktails were amazing. Happy to see Miami has some awesome new places-!am headed back to this one ASAP.
(4)
Carlo M.

1/2 price oysters and prosecco, you can't go wrong! Floor was slippery, ceiling fans were on too strong and service was mediocre, but the overall experience was enjoyable, will go back!!
(4)
A S.

I like this place for the appetizers and drinks. I've had the mussels 3 times, and the last one was not very good. I have tried the bacalao croquettes from the bar menu and they're very good. I had the serrano ciabatta and it was good, the grouper was good but very very small, i tried the shortribs, which were not on the menu last time but they were pure fat and horrible taste. I tried the fish soup and it was ok. After all, I enjoy some of the apps and wine so I will keep going back. I'll stay away from the entrees by now. There is a gossipy bartender that pays too much attention to people's conversations and makes comments and remarks about what she hears. I think it's totally disrespectful. She says "you guys" to everyone and she's always acting "funny/smart", like she thinks she is the show there or something. I learned how to ignore her. I don't go there to be "entertained" by an ostentatious bartender. I guess I could get a table instead but I like the bar better and I can sit next to my man. Oh well. I'll keep ignoring her.
(3)
Jon S.

Great food and atmosphere. Complete lack of pretentiousness made this place a true joy. Leave it to Tony Bourdain to recommend another home run. Gwen, Sarah and Meadow were the best.
(5)
Odious L.

This place good. Really good. When I do my brickell circuit this is where I'll start. Next to the famed tobacco road is this heavenly oyster house. Easily becoming one of my favorite restaurants in miami. To get straight to it, the fire roasted oysters are amazing. As is the shiitake mushroom flatbread. As you can imagine the oysters are fresh and presented with their condiments perfectly. Not sure if there's anything on the menu that I've had that wasn't good. Clams linguini with pork belly is a bit spicy but extremely flavorful. Lobster pie is to die for. Grouper equally yummy. Get the point? Well then there's the service - always spot on. Never annoying or too kiss assy. Restaurant is sophisticated yet casual. I reccommend the river for almost any occasion - its that good.
(5)
Dave N.

Happy Hour turns into a 5 hour night of great food and wine! Rodrigo gave us great service and at 530pm we ordered the 2 dozen oysters at half price, conch salad, fire roasted oysters and my favorite: Large shrimp wrapped in bacon and grilled the brushed with barbecue sauce. Half price Boddington's on tap, Pinot Noir and extra dirty Martinis were the drinks of our table. The cheese-board and bread selection really made the night!
(4)
Trina R.

Pretty good, a little overpriced. The ambiance was good as we had a private table around the back. We had oyster samplers as we were there during happy hour, which were pretty good. I ordered the trout with tomato and avocado salad but I did not really enjoy it too much. The fish was really overcooked and dry. I tried my bfs tuna and his was much better than mine. For dessert we tried the chocolate soufflÃ© cake which was amazing. Overall was good, I may or may not return.
(3)
Steve C.

This place is fantastic - it's my favorite place in Brickell. The food,drinks and service are all exceptional- quite a rarity for Miami, at least in my opinion. The bar snacks are very unique and really good - bacon BBQ shrimp and curried duck empanadas go great with a glass of Dogfish draft. The Thai ribs and snapper tartar are really great as well. For dinner, i like to have the snapper with the scotch bonnet vinaigrette. You will usually need a reservation to eat dinner on the weekends, unless you eat at the bar. The bar tenders are friendly and very professional. There is a good local crowd here too.
(5)
Jenny Q.

The River is so special to us that we had our rehearsal dinner here. Great entrees, good ceviche and fresh seafood. Excellent music selection
(4)
Ricky N.

It's an alright place to go to I guess. A little bit over priced food compared to other restaurant. Didn't really enjoy my time here. Food was decent. Nothing too much to say, but I wished that I went to Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant instead.
(3)
Will C.

Decent food and a nice atmosphere. Did not live up to the hype from fellow Yelpers
(3)
Michelle H.

Whats going on with parking (valet) got there tonight to find out that we couldn't park the car, was advised Valet parking for River Oyster Bar is not happening anymore. Complained to Gwen, she assured us that she will check this out immediately. Dinner was GREAT as usual, and so was service. Gwen hope u could make sure we have parking again.
(5)
Mark G.

Food was horrible and WAY overpriced. It seems as though this place attempted to try Korean style seafood but failed miserably. Don't believe the hype. Avoid this place at all costs. Any place that asks you "how would you like your tuna cooked?" is totally pretentious and totally a waste of time.
(1)
Lowell J.

This is first and foremost a bar not a restaurant. It does have food and it is excellent but if you're going here for a fine dining experience you're going to be disappointed. Located next to the legendary perennial "kid bar" Tobacco Road this is a neighborhood pub and has been for decades. The fillet of snapper was excellent crispy skin and all, the conche ceviche and scallop ceviche were both good and the fish chowder was just plain bad. If I lived in midtown and this was my neighborhood pub I'd be a regular but it was not worth the drive from FLL
(3)
Kay W.

okay selection of oysters but poorly shucked. and a few didn't taste fresh. had a dozen oysters, the cerviche (okay), the mushroom flatbread (that was pretty delicious) and pasta w/ clams (okay). the best thing in my opinion was the cocktails. pricey place for average food.
(3)
Mia P.

Went last night to celebrate a friend's birthday. Waiter was very nice but the service was incredibly slow. The noise level was out of control. Could not have a conversation except to the person sitting directly next to me. The food was good but the prices are excessive for the ambience and experience. Would recommend going for Happy Hour which has 1/2 price drinks and deals on oysters--other than that beware--- your wallet is going to take a big hit.
(2)
K G.

This will be our go to neighborhood restaurant. I'm so happy to have found a place close by that is so exceptional. We went Saturday night at 9:30 without reservations and were easily accomodated. There was a good crowd at the bar and most tables were taken, however we got lucky and snagged a table. They start you off with 3 types of breads, olive tapenade and butter. All very tasty. We ordered the lobster cocktail which comes with passionfruit butter as well as the fire roasted oysters. The lobster was ginormous and ridiculously fresh! The passionfruit butter was so light and tasty-such a surprise since I'm a traditionalist when it comes to my drawn butter. They did bring us an additional bowl of the standard heated butter as well. The fire roasted oysters come with chorizo and manchego and were killer! However, you couldn't really taste the oyster-it was definitely overpowered by the chorizo and cheese. Nonetheless, a very delicious hors d. For our entrees, I had grilled halibut which was perfect and light and fresh. My husband had the seafood stew, which he said was absolutely amazing-it looked fantastic. Finally, for dessert, I can't believe we managed dessert, we had the white and dark chocolate pecan tart. SO GOOD and the perfect way to end our evening. We had a bottle of wine with dinner as well and over all we did not break the bank-I was so impressed when the bill came! Our waiter was wonderful, chatty, but not overly-he made some good suggestions, definitely knew the menu. I can't wait to go back!!
(4)
Jen N.

You walk into the River Oyster Bar, and the ambiance reminds me of a restaurant in NYC or SF. nice. We ordered a dozen each (yes, we are gluttons) of the Miyagi, Blue Point, and Kumamoto oysters. I love the buttery taste of Kumamoto oysters paired with a great sauvignon blanc. Somehow we ordered more food afterwards. While our entrees were decent, I was disappointed that they weren't more creative with the seafood. Would I go again? Yes, and I would eat my weight in oysters (or try to).
(4)
Jason O.

Loved, loved, loved The River. Although we are getting better, it's a fascinating truth that getting quality fresh seafood (as in off-the-boat, not as in never been frozen and smells like you're a douche who doesn't know better) is difficult to come by in Miami. This place is one of those that bucks that trend. The food here is fantastic. They offer relatively contemporary presentations with some surprising flavor combinations. For starters, we had a selection of oysters which were incredibly fresh, the east coast ones tasting more "oceany" and the west coast ones sweeter. We also tried the tuna tartar, snapper tartar and flatbread. All were great, again, with a bit of surprise to your first bite. The tomatoes in the flatbread had this great smoky flavor and the plantain chips served with the tuna were homemade. For entrees we enjoyed crab cakes, the whole yellowtail and stuffed pork chop. Crab cakes were well made (lump meat, a must) and served with a wonderful sauce. My yellowtail was excellent, crisp exterior, moist interior, melting in my mouth the rest of the time. It was served with a wilted coconut spinach (excellent) and rice and peas. I only wish I got more punch from the scotch bonnet vinaigrette. Pork was beautiful, stuffed with maduros and served with a side of this hybrid black and baked beans (again, excellent). We saved some of the plantain chips and used them to dive into those beans. Desserts were way high and way low. Mrs. C grumbled upon receiving her macadamia nut sundae, which she has raved about since we started dating, because (a) the bananas weren't fried, (b) the cherries were weird and (c) the whole thing sort of fell into the Gross category. Opt for the pecan tart instead. It's one of those Holy S- desserts. Our server even almost back flipped when we asked for one of those as well. Service, btw was A+. The server was knowledgeable about the food, the oysters, the wine list (a very nice list at that with quite enough options in the $30 range). He was on top of the water and all our needs and just gave us the slightest hint of a smile throughout, which is far nicer than having a grinning buffoon never breaking character. Prices, for a very nice meal, are fair, with the whole snapper going for $27, the pork chop for $22, apps $12-$15 and oysters a bit higher at $2.25 + each. 4.5 stars
(4)
Bruce L.

Ceviche. Yup, it is really that good. I had ceviche here four years ago. My first taste every. I was a lucky man. I just had it again tonight. Just as good. If you are in Miami, come here. You won't be disappointed. This place would do well in NYC.
(5)
Liliane S.

Good food. Excellent service. Reasonably priced.
(3)
Cristina P.

I love this place!! It has a great vibe and fabulous wine list... Amazing oysters and delicious desserts!! Its very quaint and is a great date place.
(5)
LuxMiami K.

The concept is odd-an expensive raw bar? The outside is shabby and dirty (location, location on a busy corner) with a pay parking lot in the back and they use every inch so don't bring a nice or a big car. The inside looks like they spent all of their money on the display kitchen and decor so they have to make up for it by charging $2.75 each for very small oysters (OK they are from all over the country but get real 10 little oysters for $27.50?) It's too bad they didn't "dial down" the place so they could be more casual with their prices. Service was average and the staff look and act like they would rather be anywhere but there.
(2)
A A.

Excellent happy hour special! Oysters are delicious enough as it is, but half-priced oysters, even better. I ordered a few each of the Blue-Point, Kunamoto, and Miyagi oysters. Paired that with a glass of Boddington's, and I was in heaven. My only complaint--sometime early on (thankfully) l I discovered that there was a fly drowning in one of the sauces (luckily one I hadn't yet tried). Eek! Too much protein for my taste. The waiters quickly switched it out for a clean container of fly-less sauce, though, the waiter and the guests at the neighboring table and I laughed about it a little, and no harm was done. Definitely worth checking out though!
(4)
Carolina V.

Granted, I am not a seafood lover so bare that in mind. I really wanted to like the food at this place more than I did because everything else about it is good! The ambiance and decoration of the place is nice! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. We came here for my friend's birthday and they allowed us to reserve a private room in the back (that probably hosts up to 30 people) and were very helpful in planning menu options for us and allowed us to bring our own cake. They have a great wine selection (including Nieto- one of my favorite Argentine wines). Just as an FYI, this place tends to host an older crowd then the other places in Brickell... not old - just not a lot of 25 years old. Now the food- I asked for a ceasar salad for appetizer and it came out with actual anchovies on it... which is probably consider a good thing unless you don't like anchovies. For main course I ordered the steak- which I knew was probably risky given that this is a place famous for its oysters... it was not bad, it just wasnt great. It was average- and it was out of the ordinary big (which I guess is a good thing- but just putting it out there) I have not tried the seafood here so I cant comment on it from personal experience but my friends love this place, specially the oysters, the salmon and the tuna tartar... so next time I might venture into a seafood choice. I would go back...
(3)
A B.

I love this place. Every time I am in Miami I make it a point to go eat here. The area is great, I love Brickell, it's less congested than South Beach and much cleaner. The food here is great, their seafood is awesome, the only problem I've had is if you get here to late they tend to run out of common seafood like Oysters, a bit weird but I guess they're popular. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Scott D.

Great service, great food and drinks! I went here last weekend with 5 others and we all enjoyed the food, the atmosphere and the service. Had the King Salmon, delicious!
(4)
Ian K.

I was in town last month for several days staying at the downtown Hyatt and came across The River Oyster Bar while walking around the area. The place looked inviting and was crowded. I sat at the bar, which also had a nice sized crowd as well. I had a cocktail and just wanted some appies. The menu sounded delicious. I ordered a bowl of mussels with coconut milk and a special of oyster po' boy sliders. The mussels were really good but there were quite a few unopened ones which was disappointing. Their were three oyster po' boys and it looked like they stuck in the oven to warm the rolls... one of the rolls was burnt - charred black. I watch the bartender knowingly serve it, ate the mussels first leaving the po' boys sitting with the burn roll staring at anyone who looked... I ate the first two, which were really good, super good... then I ate the third one with the burnt roll, wishing it was not burnt, but deciding it wasn't worth my effort to complain about something the kitchen knowingly sent out burnt and the bartender served. I figured if it was good enough for them, I wouldn't make a fuss. Instead, it's here for you to see and for them to know that next time they should step up... So, 4 stars become 3 and I tell you this is a good place but damn, they served me a char burnt roll.
(3)
Janean W.

We had a reservation for 6 Monday nite (2/27)From start to finish the service was slow and the server had an attitude and seemed to hate his job. The olive arugala flatbread was almost burnt with skimpy toppings. The River chopped salad awful. Calamari came as a wet salad of mostly frisÃ©e, 3 different fish selection all terrible....( waited on entrees about 25 minutes).basically server & manager said "that's the way it is when busy" which they were. This was one of the worst overall "dining" experiences I've had in a long time. We did not ask or expect any complimentary treats nor did we get anything.....but it would have been nice if someone would have pretended to care! If I could ...no star!!!
(1)
David A.

This place is solid. I stopped in for a light meal. Very good food, very good ambiance, and excellent service. I would definitely go back.
(4)
zendick h.

Sea food restaurants do not need to stink like dead fish! Food is pricey for not much better quality. Noisy, cramped quarters.
(2)
Rob C.

great prepared oysters. the small plates are actually filling. shared the: lightly fried oysters -- very tasty, mayonaisse sauce fire roasted oysters + chorizo + manchego (3) -- excellent thai bbq baby back ribs -- soft, heavy marinade, meat a tad dry crisp calamari frisee aioli -- good but I like mine less fried, less batter yuca frita with mojo -- average mixed grilled seafood, 3 sauces -- massive scallops, seared tuna, prawns overall a solid place, particularly for oysters -- check out the raw selection as well missed out on trying the ceviche this time $2 valet parking in back
(4)
Joseluis A.

big ups to jerome for hitting on my date (while i was in the restroom) last time i was here. jerome, you snake. youre awesome.
(5)
Michelle B.

My friend & I ate dinner here the other night before going to see Anthony Bourdain. We sat at the bar & had some great wine, awesome dinner & superior service... with a smile (and we all know that smiling service is such a rarity here in SoFl!). We started with the 'antipasta' (can't remember the exact name on menu), it was a platter of olives, peppers, almonds, corizo, salami, cheeses, etc. We added oven roasted tomatoes to it and they brought us some olive oil, balsamic vinegar and 2 kinds of warm bread. It was a great starter! I have a severe seafood allergy which I informed the bartender of who then informed the manager so he could tell the Chef. I was initially concerrned since it is primarily a seafood restaurant, but the manager came over and went through the menu with me to assist me with ordering to make sure I was ordering accordingly. They were very accomodating and put me right at ease. For entree I had the braised short rib served with creamy au gratin orzo. Both were very delicious! My friend had the filet mignon with foie gras, which he raved about! We shared a bite of each others' dish and both agreed - delish!! The bartender knew we were going to a show and actually asked us what time we needed to be there so he could time everything right (again very accomodating & going that extra mile!). Timing was perfect and I can't say enough about how great everything was! Ambiance was very nice - mostly professionals drinking wine, champagne and martinis at the bar - all very friendly and social scene. Nothing stuffy here, but still white table cloth! I would say it is fine dining in a casual, friendly atmoshphere. Tables around us were mostly full and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves with multiple courses and bottles of wine. The wine list is very easy to navigate and they have some gems on there. I thought it was also very reasonably priced. We liked the fact they had so many selections by the glass so we could start with white and finish with red. 2 Thumbs up for River Oyster Bar!
(5)
Tina L.

The atmosphere was cozy, and clean. We sat in the back behind the bar, and it was nice, and private except for the couple sitting next to us drooling over our food. They must have been exceptionally hungry. I ordered the roast cioppino and my mom got the grilled mixed seafood dish, which is no longer on their menu. The roast cioppino was fragrant and tasty. I think the tomato stew masked the seafood flavors of the clam, mussel, scallop, and squid. The scallop had sand in it. The tomato stew was very tasty by itself. I enjoyed my mom's dish better because you can actually taste the seafood. The shrimp, scallop and tuna were nicely grilled. There was a curry dipping sauce that paired very nicely with all the grilled seafood. We also ordered the oyster and it was very fresh, nicely chilled and slivered nicely down my throat. It was succulent.
(3)
Bent C.

Went here twice while on vacation. My brother-in-law recommended this place to check out. The first night, the food was good. Ordered the "WHOLE KEY'S YELLOW TAIL SNAPPER." It was supposed to be steamed, but it looked broiled. Nevertheless, it was very good. The yucca fries are also very good. The oysters are as good as it gets. The clientele is of the more mature and well off types, but the staff is does not discern. The second night we tried different dishes from the previous night, but was not as good. What made up for it was the vibe. They played very good jazzy house music and the clientele was a little more loose. Highly recommended for dinner during the weekdays.
(4)
Islandgirl B.

WHAT A FANTASTIC BAR, we were told by friends to check out this place oysters. wow!! they were right on. we went last friday for Happy Hour, ordered 2dz. blue point oysters. well worth the trip from Ft.lauderdale. also took a nice stroll down to Brickell Village, nice place for a date......
(5)
Daniel M.

Went to The River Oyster Bar a week or so ago with a couple friends. Upon looking at the menu I decided to get a flatbread appetizer and the seafood paella since it had two of my favorite things (seafood and rice). The flatbread appetizer was decent but the paella was bland and crunchy with the seafood overcooked. One of my friends got the paella as well and agreed that it really wasn't good, however my other friend got the salmon and said it was excellent. As for the service, the waiter was attentive and the service was good. All in all, I'd be willing to give them another shot but I'd forgo the paella this time.
(3)
Justin P.

Very good raw bar. A little over-priced, but not horribly so for Miami. Good beer selection. In other words, a great place to meet up with friends on a Friday night for some drinks and appetizers.
(3)
Stephanie S.

Went there on a Tuesday date night with the boyfriend. We were quickly sat and immediately greeted by our server Patricio. We started off with Prosecco and picked our first app, the tuna tartare (not sure on spelling). It had a great smokey flavor and we both really liked it. Then a salad w lots of fruit and blue cheese. I hate bacon so my bf asked for the white sardines instead for me to try. The kitchen had no problems with this substitution although I didn't really care for the sardines either. ;) Then we ordered the crab cakes and my bf had 4 oysters with 3 different dipping sauces.. The crab cakes were excellent, very tasty. He really enjoyed the oysters and the butter dipping sauce. At this point we are stuffed, asked the very efficient busboy to wrap up my last crab cake. We had espressos for dessert and walked out very, very happy customers. Every single person that helped us was extremely polite, Patricio was awesome. We will definitely be returning. I was even more surprised when I opened my leftovers later and found more bread and butter! (We had already eaten 2 baskets).
(5)
Sharie B.

Had a very nice lunch today at the River Oyster Bar. Didn't realize it was a white table cloth place, but the corvina that I had was nicely prepared and fresh. Went with the price fixed menu and had slightly warmed oysters with chimichuri as a starter, the corvina with potatoes and broccoli as my main course and a deconstructed goat cheese, almond and carrot dessert. I really wanted an oyster po-boy or fried oysters but nothing of the sort on the menu. But a good meal. Parking around back for $2 (and you can get your car washed).
(3)
Anonymous R.

Thanks to all the reviewers on this restaurant, I tried this place, and converted to a Yelp-er. It's probably one of the best restaurants that I've been to in a long time, and definitely a superior seafood restaurant. The service was fantastic as our waiter was knowledgeable about all the dishes, and made some great recommendations with the oysters. First off, the seafood ceviche is one of the best ceviche's I've tried. We also tried the "Fire Roasted Oysters," which I was a little reluctant to try, but they were really good. I never thought to combine chorizo with oysters, but it's like "chicken and waffles," I suppose. I really liked the calamari, because of the light batter (tempura?) From the oyster bar, we tried everything, but my favorite were the Kumamoto, which the waiter described as "buttery." For entrees, I highly recommend... the scallops dish (scallops on mashed potatoes with a lemon sauce and caviar--I don't see it on the menu, so it may be a seasonal dish). A couple of my friends had the lamb chops (rare) with broccoli rabe, and that was devine. Another friend had the Cioppino, which was better than most restaurants that I had, but I recommend the scallops and lamb over it. Please, please, SKIP the mac and cheese. It tasted like it was pasta, boiled with a slab of butter, sprinkled with a little parmesan cheese. Desserts were great. We tried the Berry Crisp with Strawberry ice cream and the Upside Down Turnover cake with Rum ice cream. Both were delicious and tasted like they were freshly made. I think this restaurant is more of $$$ instead of two, but the experience was worth every penny, and certainly would cost a lot more in New York. I'm looking for a restaurant like this in New York. Transportation via cab from South Beach to this restaurant was $27-33.
(5)
Kevin N.

I don't know who the chef at The River is, but I am thinking he or she has a mild case of OCD. (Then again, what chef doesn't?) The food here is prepared immaculately. I had a chopped salad and all the hundred little cubes of cheese were the exact same size. It was crazy. And by crazy, I mean "crazy good". The calamari linguini was prepared al dente and also excellent. The ceviche is a must, I hear, although I didn't and will probably boil in the pits of hell if I do not go back and try it at some point before I die. This place has KILLER desserts.
(4)
Sasha K.

oyster selection is great. bartenders are a bit annoying, slow and possibly medicated, but over all a good experience .. walked in on a Friday night, peak dinner time and was told there was a 1-2 hour wait without a reservation. grabbed a drink and within 20 minutes had a table and got great service and fabulous food. the oysters were fresh and the steak was perfect. will def be back again soon, wait and all.
(4)
Liz T.

my girlfriend and i finally ended up trying this place last night, and now i feel like i've been missing out all this time. it's great. i'm not sure if they're always packed on a wednesday or because it's the night before thanksgiving... but man was it packed. people stacked up outside. we had reservations so there was a table waiting for us. the inside looked pretty tiny, but that might be because there were so many people or maybe there was another room i was missing, since our table was right by the front. the crowd was an interesting mix, from people on dates, the brickell happy hour crowd, a few locals (i'm assuming) sitting alone, some tables of friends, and a group of older lesbians that i've never seen sitting at the bar. our waiter was very polite and very prompt (even though it was bumpin). they brought out a small bread plate that had this little olive mixture for your bread. my girlfried was obsessed. she finished the bread and continued eating the olive stuff (ew!). she even asked for more. for dinner we did appetizers and small dishes. here's the breakdown (starting with the ones i liked least)... mac n' cheese- was pretty good. actually similar to my girlfriend's and i like her's better. crispy calamari salad- was pretty good. i actually like china grill's a lot better, but this was good. it reminded us of calamari cheetos?! in a good way though crab cakes- pretty tasty. not the best crab cakes i've ever eaten, but they're were delicious. the cherry apple slaw complimented them perfectly. fire roasted oysters with manchego and chorizo- delicious, and i was really expecting them to be. hot, cheesy, and the oh so good. snapper tartar- i'm not a huge fan of tartar, but this was outstanding. the fish was so fresh and everything was so balanced. i actuallly couldn't get enough. this is definately a place i can see myself going to quite often. wish i skipped the mac n'cheese, so i could've gotten a tasty homemade dessert. well... next time. UPDATE: just a uber great place... updated from 4 to 5 stars. it's rockin'.
(5)
Angela N.

We went to this restaurant on the recommendation of the concierge at our hotel. We ordered a dozen oysters as an appetizer along with paella and cioppino. The oysters were pretty good. The paella was terrible. It did not have saffron! How do you have paella without saffron?!? It was also cooked in an iron skillet and was FRIED! When I took a taste it sounded like I was eating corn flakes. Terrible. The Cioppino was cold and the shrimp smelled like chlorine. The couple next to us has the "seafood platter for two" which was a whole lobster, cold shrimp, oysters, and mussels. They mentioned that they were really happy with their selection and it looked very good. The saving grace of the entire experience was the wine. It was an $83 bottle of Napa Valley Cab. It was ABSOLUTELY wonderful. It opened up very nicely and had a nice body to it. For dessert, nothing seemed to stand out. They did not have creme brulee. We choose an apple crisp with vanilla ice cream and it was average. The service was slow. The place is a bit loud. the wood floors tend to echo if any one table gets loud. If people are looking for oysters, this is an okay place to visit. I was not impressed with any of their other seafood or their entrees. Very Disappointing.
(2)
Elpis E.

I would have given it 5 stars had we not spent too much waiting for our food last Friday night. We arrived at 4:30 for the happy hour oysters. The bartender lady was very helpful and attentive. However, because there was a big party at the restaurant that evening, it took them 30 minutes to bring us the first round of oysters. After waiting another 30 minutes without seeing the second round, we had to ask her to cancel the order as we were running late for the events afterward. That was a disappointment. Overall, I still loved the overall environment and the food (they have great bread too). The oysters are very fresh. They may not have all 8 kinds listed in the menu. The bartender lady would tell us what oysters they are once the order arrived. Compared to the very aggressively selling restaurants in Miami Beach, we were very happy eating at the River as it is more of a local restaurant.
(4)
Scott D.

where to even begin?? used to go here a lot more often when my employer had more liberal reimbursable expense policies. the greatest bar in Miami, bar none. Fantastic bar staff. (we all miss Osheri and a few others who have moved on. Hoping Gerome is still there.) my favorite dishes are no longer on the menu. (the wild boar with polenta. french fries fried in duck fat.) but they always find creative, exquisite replacements. Love the chilled Maine lobster, too--- in a perfect world, I'd be more of a regular at this place.
(5)

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Address : 650 S Miami Ave
Miami, FL, 33130
Phone (305) 530-1915
Website https://www.therivermiami.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :12:00 pm - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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The River Seafood & Oyster Bar

650 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL, 33130

The River Seafood & Oyster Bar Menu

Appetizers

Raw Marinated Cured

Fresh From The Sea

Simply Prepared Fish

Fields & Farms

Side Dishes

Healthy Meal suggestions for The River Seafood & Oyster Bar

Appetizers

Raw Marinated Cured

Fresh From The Sea

Simply Prepared Fish

Fields & Farms

Side Dishes

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