Riverhouse Reef & Grill
995 Riverside Dr, Palmetto, FL, 34221
Riverhouse Reef & Grill Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Palmetto for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
995 Riverside Dr
Palmetto, FL, 34221 - Phone (941) 729-0616
- Website https://www.riverhousereef.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Karen R.
The service here is great - they have a trolley running across the pier to transport guests from the parking lot to the restaurant in the rain! Aside from a friendly and polite staff, Riverhouse Reef and Grill body's a fantastic selection of seafood. For dinner, I ordered the lobster cakes served with a Cajun sauce. I love anything seasoned with Cajun flavors, so I was bound to fall in love with this dish. I got the lobster cakes grilled, and they were so soft and jam packed with flavor. The Cajun sauce paired nicely with the dish, and most of the other seafood dishes for that matter. My brother ordered the mahi mahi grilled, and I would also recommend that. The fish was cooked very nicely and I would have probably ordered that had we come here a second time.
(4)Christian D.
We decided to stop here for lunch after having a beach day with the family. We were excited because the place looks very nice and we were looking to get some good seafood. Unfortunately all our food was extremely bland. All of the fish lacked seasoning and the coleslaw didn't taste like anything. I don't understand how you can be a chef at a nice restaurant and not know how to season food. If they can get that part down, then it would of been great. Our server was really nice.
(2)Sophia R.
Awesome view from the Palmetto side of the Manatee River, right next to the Marina. The wait staff is friendly, professional and knowledgeable of the menu. The food is hot, fresh and excellently prepared. A full bar with delightful libation creations. A perfect choice to relax and celebrate any occasion! The courtesy tram ride out to the restaurant is an added bonus to those who need assistance walking or just for fun, with an sweet gentleman driver!
(5)Boon C.
We have arrived by boat and they have restaurant dock to hook up the boat. The restaurant foundation is support by piles and is over the water. The outside deck is a beauty for this weather when you dine out. You can see boat come and go on the Manatee River. The restaurant have the lunch menu and their food is typical more expensive than the nearby restaurant that serve the same food. I have ordered the lobster corn chowder and the blacken Mahi Mahi sandwich. The lobster corn chowder have lobster chunk meat in creamy sauce. This soup is $7.50 and they are good deal. Most restaurants have a value dish to attract customer and this is one of the dish. I was original going to order the grouper sandwich and the menu show market price. The cost is $19 for lunch. I change my mind to order the Mahi Sandwich since they more reasonable price. The Mahi is blackening. The blacken spice is nice but very plain. They also are missing salt in the ingredient. The overall service is good, the restroom is clean, and the setting is nice. I like the lobster corn chowder.
(3)Beautiful S.
Sunday Brunch....the way to go for sure! Yummy yummy yummy! 14.00 for adults 6.00 children 5-11. It was a Birthday celebration and the Birthday dessert was beautifully done. Going back for the lobster pot pie.
(5)Brian B.
Go here for atmosphere not food or service. I have been here several times to entertain work colleagues. The atmosphere is wonderful. I would say the food is what you would get at an Applebee's. The sides were low quality. Vegetable medley is definitely microwaved and the mashed potatoes were old and dry. It took 15 minutes to get an appetizer and the food seemed to take long as well. I had the mahi mahi, blackened, at $20.00 it was ok. Service was friendly but the kitchen was very slow.
(3)William S.
My wife and I were vacationing in Palmetto this year and decided to try this spot because of the wonderful Yelp reviews. It was really cool that a gentleman with a golf cart gives rides from the parking lot to the restaurant. That would've been a long tedious walk for somebody like me. The food was very good. I opted for the grouper sandwich which was wonderful. The cole slaw was pretty darn decent as well. The sandwich was huge and more than enough for anybody to eat for lunch. The view was wonderful on a beautiful day. The service was less than stellar. It was merely ok. The attitude was pretty apathetic, but it was not awful. I would recommend giving this place a whirl !!!
(4)E F.
We came upon this restaurant by accident, driving back north from a visit to Sarasota. Location: Outstanding, waterfront location. If you aren't up for the short walk along the docks they have a "trolley" (overgrown golf cart) that will take you from the parking lot to the restaurant. The restaurant is nicely decorated. Menu: Not extensive but a reasonable selection of items. Food: We ordered the chicken wings as an appetizer with a medium hotness. Even the waiter who delivered them, said he hoped they were not too hot, as he was detecting it walking out with them. His nose was right - they were far too hot for a "medium." We also had the three sliders which were very good, including the onion straws. The homemade chips were good, albeit a bit hard. Scallops were cooked well. Service: Wait staff was exceptionally good, and deserve high marks. A manager came by and spoke with us and thanked us for coming in as well. All good marks here. All-in-all a good meal. Not outstanding, but deserving of more than 3 stars, but not so sure about 4 stars, but I'll give it 4 stars.
(4)Anna S.
my husband's favoeite! Great place for a wedding or event.
(4)Jim N.
Went for lunch with friends today. Beautiful view; great salads, tuna & mahi mahi, and beverages. Definitely a place to revisit.
(4)Jonathan C.
Attended a wedding here. Great views of the river and the marina and a beautiful bride to boot! ** The entree was delish (Mahi Mahi). The DJ did a good job. The staff were super friendly (we had a Maine-iac waiter, which is a waiter born and bred and the state of Maine). The sunset was a "beautiful orange ball" in the words of my uncle. They even have a golf cart to bring people down the long dock (which is appreciated when donning formal wear on a 90 degree day). My only suggestion would be an awning over the deck for the ceremony. It was quite toasty! **Must supply own bride.
(4)Peter M.
Back in florida for a visit and had to make a trip to Riverhouse and had another great meal. Andrea had the lobster pot pie and I had the redfish Angie had the cuddle fish and warren had he shrimp. Great food with great friends.
(5)Jim B.
It's going to take you a while to get a seat at this Palmetto hotspot for seafood. Not because the wait is necessarily that long, but because the Riverhouse Reef & Grill is stationed at the end of a very picturesque pier at the Regatta Pointe Marina. You'll spend a half an hour marveling at the sights of the marina, her ships and the sea in all it's splendid glory, and all the while watching the wiser, older people ride the electric bus-like go-cart to the Riverhouse and stealing your table. But who cares? Lifes not worth living unless slow down from time-to-time and drool over other people's boats and yachts and wish that was your life. Anyways, the location of this restaurant alone is worth the walk. Beautiful views of the Manatee River, both on your walk in and at your table. The food is certainly above average as well. I had the grouper at my most recent visit, but I also had the red fish. You have the option of choosing between three different specialty sauces and having the fish prepared in the manner in which you prefer (blackened, battered, grilled, etc.) Every time I go I request all three sauces, those being the "tropical salsa", "lemon dill aoili" and the "cajun remoulade". It's tough to say which to recommend. All three are good and variety is the spice of life.
(4)Tori W.
One of my favorite restaurants in Palmetto. Nice atmosphere on the water. Love their Island time salad.
(5)Kyle P.
Great view with good food. Prices were not bad for seafood. Defiantly if you ate looking for a seafood place with a view this is the place.
(5)Fred D.
Nice river view and the breeze on the deck was pleasant. Good, attentive service and nice variety on the menu. We all enjoyed our entrees. I.think the only cause for 4 stars rather than 5 is the "bang for the buck" category.
(4)A M.
Fantastic Restaurant. We were in the area house-hunting and will be taking ALL of our out-of-towners here. The food is delicious, the location is beautiful and the staff is very friendly and attentive. My fiance ordered the club, because he wasn't in the mood for fish and I got the spicy shrimp app (which is THE best shrimp I've ever had!) and the ahi tuna sandwich with homemade chips. The sandwich came with wasabi, and I absolutely cannot descibe how tasty it all was! It would be a great place to POP the question at sunset, and I would recommend it to anyone, whether they like seafood or not!
(5)Paul J.
Jessica was fantastic. Drinks were great! Food was amazing! So happy to find a new place to eat. Better than Pier 22!
(5)Sue H.
This restaurant is pleasant, service and food good. We were seated inside on a very warm day next to a door however which blew a hot blast of air every time it opened. We probably will go back but will know better where we want to sit. There are good prices on happy hour drinks n food a little more than we usually pay for casual dining but worth it. Nice view of river. Not enough handicap parking. I had to walk some just to get to where the buggy picked us up. It also has nice venue on second floor for events n place for weddings on third floor.
(4)Denis D.
Great location with mediocre food. That's the impression I got of this place from the Yelp reviews. My impression: Great location with mediocre food. The reviews are right on. Great to know how much I can rely on my fellow Yelpers! Four of us went for dinner, arriving at the restaurant around sunset. The setting of the place is quite picturesque. It's on the north side of the Manatee River just a few miles east from where the river empties into the Tampa Bay. Looking toward the west we would have been beautifully positioned to watch the sunset, if the sky wasn't overcast with clouds. It was a Wednesday night and the place was hopping. At 6 p.m. there was a forty minute wait for dining room seating. Despite the weather we sat outside comfortably positioned between two propane heaters and didn't have to endure the wait. Outside temp was in the 50s F. Service could not have been better. Kudos to Amanda who was charming and efficient. Kudos also to the bartender. His generous pour of Johnny Walker Double Black was greatly appreciated. However, it was the food itself where this place loses points. I had the Steamed Coldwater Lobster Tails. The best I can say about them is they were edible. I can't use the words delicious, tasty, or even flavorful. They were a disappointment. I did get a taste of someone's Ahi Tuna and that was quite good. Someone else got the Lobster Pot Pie and although I didn't taste that, it did look mighty good. Sides with the dinners included cole slaw, cheesy mashed, and ambrosia. All were good. I can also say the appetizers were quite good. Among their pre-entree wares we tasted were the Calamari, Coconut Shrimp, and Bacon Scallops. If Yelp allowed halvsies, I'd probably give the restaurant 3.5 stars. Since I can't, I'll give them the benefit, and post 4.
(4)Brian S.
Amazing service! Mouth watering food. First time here and will definitely come back. Shrimp tacos and po boy with the spicy sauce were fantastic! Chicken sandwich with bbq sauce was wonderful. Definitely check this place out. Amazing view as well!
(5)Mema C.
I found this facility by doing a web search and anticipated having a very high and wonderfully tasting meal. That unfortunately was not the case. I invited my younger brother out for a nice birthday meal and walked away quite embarrassed by the tasteless food that I had purchased. The view and location of this restaurant are amazing and the potential to have a spectacular experience is definitely there but they do not follow through. I started off by waiting in the lobby for almost 8 minutes while server and a hostess walked back and forth never eating and knowledge in that I was standing there. When somebody finally did, and asked if I was how many were in my party and I stated that I had a reservation she took me directly to my table which was outside looking out at the boats in the bay is a beautiful location. My brother and I SAT there at the table looking at the beautiful view for approximately another 10 minutes before any server even came by to ask if we had been helped already. The server was very polite and very helpful and I did enjoy the service that she did provide. Once we ordered our drinks we waited for another 10 minutes approximately until the drinks were brought to the table. I ordered a mango margarita it took a very long time to have it delivered to the table. When it was delivered to the table for some reason it was delivered in a martini glass and when I tasted it it tasted like box mango juice that you can buy at the local supermarket I tasted no alcohol in it whatsoever yet the cost of the drink was $8. A waste of money to say the least. For an appetizer I ordered the California rolls another huge disappointment. I have eaten a great deal of sushi in my life including California rolls the presentation of the roles were sloppy at best they were not rolled tightly at all once I put a California roll into my mouth and began to digest it the only thing that I could taste on my palate with cream cheese I could see the fish and the rice and the other ingredients in the California roll but literally the only case that came off of those California rolls with cream cheese again quite a disappointment. For my meal I ordered the fish tacos and the cheesy mashed potatoes. The quality of the fish and the ingredients of the cheesy mashed potatoes were lacking I have had streetcorner food taste better than the food at this facility and cost much less. My brother and I spent approximately an hour and 15 minutes at this restaurant I walked away paying 60 box which basically gave each of us a drink and appetizer and a meal again as I said before the view is spectacular so I guess I paid 60 bucks for some tasteless food and a beautiful view if that's what you're looking for this is your place if you want something that's probably got better food I'd say skip this facility and go to the cafe.
(2)Ken C.
Wonderful location potential but ...! The Cabo Fish bites were tasteless and warm. Oh, and there was no bed of romaine! I always marvel at high end restaurants and their "Sea Salt!" Don't stick to anything!! The Cajun Crawfish Loaded Chips were absolutely "DISGUSTING." Both my wife and I had sour stomachs after about thirty minutes and paid for it the next day. The menu says Blue Cheese Dressing. Well i have never seen "Blue" Cheese Dressing that was Orange!! No much to say about this place that is good. Out of the way, a hike from the parking lot and average food and drinks.
(2)Dean E.
This is a great fish joint at the end of a free access fishing pier. Cheap plastic table cloths, paper napkins and furniture are mixed with pricy but good food. Actually, given the location and seafood menu, the pricing isn't too bad. If you stick with water and go for a basket meal, you can be under $12ea. Specials today were $19 and included either blackened salmon or Mahi Mahi Provencal (which was incredible). The menu is mostly seafood, but there's also some sandwiches, burgers, and a few vegetarian dishes as well The atmosphere is fish house...quite literally. People with poles and nets line the pier and surround the restaurant like patrols defending the parapet of a fishy castle in the middle of a salt moat. Herons and other birds patrol as well, hoping to grab bait or a hard-won prize from an unwary fisherman. Right now, I'm sitting at an outside table during sunset, with a cool bay breeze and acoustic guitar chords of a soloist wafting through the air. A great meal and unforgettable experience!
(5)Steve R.
There are several restaurants and bars at this marina, but the Riverhouse Reef and Grill is located at the end of the marina pier. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll past the boats to get to the restaurant, or jump on the large golf cart shuttle for a quick ride. The thing you notice right away is the amazing view of downtown Bradenton across the Manatee River. We arrived on a beautiful evening and really enjoyed the view. The food was very good. We started with Kickin' Chicken appetizers which were flavorful and had just the right kick. We ordered Grouper Sandwiches which were large and fresh. My fried grouper was light and flaky, but the tartar sauce was a disappointment. Our friends had the ribs, which they said were excellent. We finished with Key Lime Pie. Ours was very tart (a good sign for key lime pie) and very nicely plated. The Riverhouse Reef and Grill is definitely worth a try when you are anywhere near the Palmetto or Bradenton areas!
(4)Amy D.
My Crab dip appetizer was excellent ....I decided to order lobster pot pie it was a bit too salty for me . So I only took a. Few bites . Our seating was perfect . We sat inside but near glass walls . We got to. See the sunset . The only bad part is that we were next to the bar . Where there is a lot of Loud rude people standing right behind my husband chair . Blocking the walk way where people and servers couldn't get thru . They would bump my husband chair every time they walk by . Shouldn't let drunk idiot block the walk way . So next time if you go make sure they push those bar people away from dining room table .
(3)Mahalia B.
Saturday night for dinner. The wait for an outside table stretched well beyond the hour we were quoted (but waiting there with the pier and docks to roam around on is not bad). Once seated it was worth the wait. Beautiful night, great food, mellow, acoustic, live music. We had the Mediterranean Chicken, a shrimp pasta, and a burger and everyone was very pleased with their meals.
(4)Sara K.
Nice location and friendly staff, but the ingredients for the food tasted as if they were purchased from the local gas station. The fries were good though. The place seemed like it caters to older folks lacking taste buds in their later years.
(2)Ellyn I.
On this first time visit, We found the Fishhouse to be in a great setting and to have wonderful service but the portions were extremely small for the price. As a starter, I had a very nicely presented Red Sangria and an excellent fresh tossed salad. However, I was disappointed with my entree of ocean scallops ordered from the fresh seafood portion of the menu. The scallops were very small and there were only 6 (or was it 8?) of them which didn't live up to the $27 cost. My husband stated that his fish portion was also very small. TI ordered the Ocean Scallops from the fresh seafood choices. The scallops were small and there
(3)Larry V.
What a wonderful place!!! Amazing service and great food. We had a birthday party for our granddaughter's 18th birthday. 15 in our party and everyone loved their selections. Ride the golf cart down the pier.
(5)Abigail L.
Went for lunch Long wait for just appetizers Good amount of flies but we were outside so hey. BUT when the food came everything was amazing! The food was worth the wait. Four stars because of the wait but the view was beautiful! Great ambiance.
(4)Casey L.
Great view and great food! Perfect place to go when the weather is nice!
(4)Cameron B.
From the first time we tried this place we loved it. From the ride in the golf cart to the door to sitting by the ocean while you eat and watching the dolphins and manatees as well as the boats pass on by. My family and I have done many lunches there, as well as dinner and a couple of fourth of July buffets. Our youngest son would always go up to the hostess for the portable DVD player and pick a movie he wanted to watch. We were even able to bring our dog, Perry to eat with us outside, they always had water for him. Everytime my family came to visit we would always take them there. After going for a while, my fiance and I ran into three separate times that the food was meh, and the service was less than par, we thought management had changed, so I emailed to express my disappointment and that we would no longer be patrons . I expected no reply or management to reply, but the owner actually did. He was so down to earth and very accommodating and willing to go the extra mile to deal with what issues they were having with chefs and wait staffs, we weren't the only complaints. He went so far as to send us a generous gift certificate to come back, and we did and were pleasantly surprised at the immediate changes. That is the epitome of customer service. When I go back to Florida, I will be eating there as often as I can.
(4)Aaron W.
We ordered take out to eat on the boat. All of our meals were quite good but it felt a bit pricey for takeout. We will return, of course, because each time we have been the quality has been consistent.
(4)Bob Z.
Good food, service and view. I loved the Kickin' Shrimp! Try their Happy Hour between 3 - 6 for some good deals.
(4)Jaime L.
Terrible service. I've never been so disappointed because this used to be my favorite restaurant but was treated like crap.
(1)Joy S.
Sadly the whole family wasn't too happy with our dinner. We started out with the lobster fritters and they were good, great flavor and texture but the sauce was a odd pairing. We also ordered 2 doz oysters, and while they were nice sized they had NO flavor and they are not severed with the regular cocktail sauce. Instead they serve a canned diced/puréed tomato product with no flavor. The bread they serve is a piña colada flavored bread with a cinnamon butter??!! Don't see how that goes together but to each his own. Our DD ordered the lobster cakes and they were a huge disappointment, so mushy an infant could eat them and again no flavor to speak of. It was like they shredded the lobster and added a ton of breading. The veggies that came with it were fabulous. It was a nice mix of fresh green beans, broccoli, zucchini and squash, however they weren't seasoned either. Hubby orders the lobster pot pie. His description was a no so liquid clam chowder with no clams and the only lobster flavor was when you bit into a VERY mushy piece of lobster and there weren't very many of those. The best part was the piece of puffed pastry. And again his veggies were good. I orders the seafood pasta with the Chablis sauce. Let's start with the fact that there a was a large pile of chiffonaden basil in the middle of my food. Not a flavor that you'd expect with a seafood dish in a white wine sauce. And once AGAIN next to no flavor to speak of except for the over abundance of very large parmigiana shavings. I have to say there was a nice amount of seafood in the dish. Overall it was not a great dining experience, there was a very large party of 20 right behind us. And they were super loud and kept bumping into our daughters chair and into the couple next to us. There were also very loud drunk people at the bar and they were using non-family friendly language. This was our third time eating here and I am pretty sure it was our last. They took the lobster cakes off the bill and the manager came over to talk with us which was nice but still we won't be back.
(2)Kait D.
On our vacation and local friends brought us here. I wasn't overly impressed with the service at first, but as our server warmed up to us, it got a bit better. We ordered appies: coconut shrimp and the artichoke dip. Our coconut shrimp were very dark/over done and when we brought it to our server's attention, she told us a second/replacement order would be the same due to the oil in the deep frier. We opted out and sent them back and didn't re-order. The artichoke dip was pretty good, though. I ordered the sirloin steak (I have a ton of allergies, pineapple being one of my worst - there is pineapple in everything here!! Steak was the safest choice for me) and my wife ordered the shrimp tacos. Our kiddo ordered the kids pasta. All three meals were pretty good. My steak was cooked perfect to order and the cheesy mashed potatoes were great - the veggies were a bit stiff, but I like them like that. My wife LOVED the shrimp tacos. They were done perfectly!! Our kid loved the pasta and ate it all up. We didn't bother with dessert ... The live guitar was a really cool touch. Overall not a bad place. I'd recommend it!
(3)Elizabeth D.
We have been here many times on out date night without the kids. Location is always beautiful, sit outside if it's nice or inside by glass walls if not. Food is good if unimaginative. Get there for happy hour for the margaritas and coconut shrimp! Nice bar outside to wait for a good table. Live music while waiting and often happy newlyweds getting photos on the dock and a reception on the upper floor. The Shrimp pasta Chablis was excellent and the calimari never dissapoints.
(4)Cary Y.
Sunday brunch was exquisite ! The seafood dish, and the fruit was delish! They had scrambled eggs and cheese and tomatoes. Hash browns with peppers and multigrain strawberry pancakes. Such a wonderful array of desserts . Service is always great and everything is clean and the view. AWESOME! We have been here a few times and always wonderful Will return every time we are on town.
(5)Matt A.
Started with the scallops covered with bacon. Not anything special. Lobster fritters were good nothing great. So far 3 stars then main courses. Blackened shrimp was good and the Fried shrimp was bland then the blackened mahi mahi was very good but the blackened grouper was phenomenal. Would have been 3 stars but the grouper and the view brought it to 4.
(4)Leisy G.
Went out to lunch here with my friend. I wanted to have a nice lunch with a nice view so I found this hidden spot. The food was amazing!!! We had seared tuna for appetizer. I had the shrimp tacos and a side of french fries and my friend is not a big sea food person so she had the Parmesan chicken with pasta. We ate Cookie Monster for dessert. We sat outside to enjoy the nice ocean view but the restaurant is nice inside if you don't like sitting outside. To get to the restaurant after you park you have to walk on a long deck by the marina. I would have never found this place if I didn't map for restaurants near by on my phone, glad I found it. : ) Won't give it a 5 star because I didn't try their drinks and didn't dine inside. Also the entrance of the restaurant doesn't look that inviting.
(4)Robin Z.
The restaurant is right on the water with a great view. The food was very good and service was good as well. I was there for lunch and had the lobster corn chowder and the fish tacos with the "kickin" shrimp. The sauce on the shrimp tacos definitely had some kick (but not too much) and gave it nice flavor. I would definitely get them again. The rest of the menu looks great and I'll return to give other menu it's a try!
(4)Kelly A.
Excellent! We frequent this restaurant often. We went for Valentine's Day dinner and it was superb! They specialize in their sauces. Get the butter fish! Yumm!
(5)rhonda w.
First off the service was unbelievable! My server and his runner made sure that my bf and I did not want for anything. I usually do not order steaks at a seafood restaurant but I'm happy that I made this choice. My ribeye steak with rice was cooked to standard. My bf had the blackened salmon with cheesy mash potatoes. Those were so good. But the main star was that cajun crawfish dipping sauce. OMG! I could have licked that bowl. So good! Sadly, my Caesar salad could have been a touch better. I felt like the dressing could have been better. Overall I would definitely come back here.
(4)Matthew R.
This place was fantastic. Mariah our server was attentive and helpful. She was on top of all our requests and when we asked for a night cap glass of wine she didn't act annoyed as we were close to the last ones in. Food was great as well, try the lobster pot pie!
(5)R B.
The location is right on the manatee River! So the view is great. Happy hour is good too. The food is typical fish house....pretty good. Go for the view, and have something to eat.
(3)Mike R.
Oh my gosh were do I start is it the Killer Key Lime Pie, the spectacular view, the extraordinary service, the rich muscles, perfectly cooked stake, the convenient location, the spacious seating, clean bathrooms and so many choices of entrees . I have nothing left to say every time I go my whole family has a fun time no one is hungry when we leave.
(5)Kim H.
Visited the Riverhouse with my parents while they were visiting. The atmopshere is very impressive! we also thoroughly enjoyed the golf cart "limo" ride to the front door and back over the pier. I liked it so well that I will be hosting my rehersal dinner here! All that being said, I'm not a seafood eater, my compaignions seemed to enjoy their meals and my chicken was "ok" but I don't expect a fantastic non-seafood meal at a seafood restaurant. Overall, I'm pleased :) You can't beat the beautiful atmosphere.
(5)Patsy T.
Had to go to the DMV and found this place on the water. What a great find! I had the soup and salad for lunch and added shrimp, which was a good decision. Hubby had the grouper sandwich and it was really good!!! We sat outside and it was a beautiful day and wonderful view. Will definitely go back!
(5)Angela H.
My high expectations really were not met when I ate here. It's the truth. I drove a little out of my way while on a business trip to grab food here and while the food was okay, I thought it could have been better. I arrived right on time--happy hour! The food I ordered was off of the happy hour menu and were finger foods, like coconut shrimp. Most of it was fried but on the over cooked side. The best part of Riverhouse was the view of the water and relaxing scene, especially after sitting on a plane. The service was pretty good and I might be back to give them a try again.
(3)Mica F.
You know what they say about location, location, location and you can't beat this place for location and the view. Free boat parking from 11am-11pm, also a shuttle to take you to the restaurant from the parking lot if the walk is too much. The restaurant is on the far end of the pier of the Palmetto Marina which in itself is a picturesque location. Came here on a Sunday at lunch. There was a wait for outside seating, no wait inside. Excited to see a buffet but after I checked it out, not impressed, we ordered off the menu. Recommend skipping the buffet. The food was good, not outstanding. I had an ahi tuna taco and the ahi was cooked as it should be. My husband had a lobster cake sandwich which he said was excellent. My son's salad was rather bland as my daughter's kids meal. The dessert potions were on the small side for the price. The servers were quite nice and attentive. If I were to come back, it would be for the ambiance and the view of the marina and gulf. Not sure I'd opt to sit inside again. If you're in the area and doing some site seeing, it would be worth the stop.
(3)Donna K.
What can I say.....walking up the boardwalk to the restaurant (or you can ride a chauffeured golf cart) sets the scene for a delightful dining experience. My friend and I chose outdoor seating as we were there on a somewhat cool but sunny day. No worries, because as the sun was setting out come the stylish propane heaters. I ordered the Chablis Shrimp Pasta, a 'happy hour' glass of wine, and we shared the Triple Chocolate Cake with coffee for dessert. The cocoanut flavored bread served before dinner was a delicious and delightful surprise. My friend thoroughly enjoyed her Shrimp Tacos and sides, as well. Our bill was $52 and change. I highly recommend this restaurant for the food, service, and atmosphere. Enjoy!
(5)Bob L.
Palmetto's waterfront has never looked better with its large marina, condos, and nearby historic district. The crowning touch of the docks is the Riverside Reef and Grill, a three-story structure at the tip of the main pier. The restaurant is on the first floor while the top floors serve banquets, weddings, and meetings. Riverhouse has the huge seafood and American menu most tourists expect from such waterfront locations, but this place is beautifully designed with a wide outdoor deck and sliding doors that brings the sea breezes in. And the decks are pet friendly. Other notable features is a long Happy Hour, a Sunday brunch, and lots of lunch specials. We live in Tampa so my wife and I stop here mainly for lunch - lobster pot pie and grouper sandwiches done right. The dessert menu is small, but their key lime pie is not too tart and not to plain.
(4)Kristi A.
My husband and I love this place. We always make an effort to stop here for some food when we are out that way. They have spectacular waterfront view...definitely a must see during sunset. The food has always been great. I usually order their Mahi fish tacos or sandwich. Yum! Only complaint I have about this place is that the friendliness of the staff is hit or miss. Sometimes we go there and they are very friendly and other times not so much. Still not enough to prevent us from coming back for more!
(4)Amy K.
Amazing view, amazing food and amazing service! Our party included an Alaskan, a local Bradentonian and a typical teenage girl and we were all satisfied. Our server Sarah was very knowledgeable about the menu which made ordering that much easier. We started with raw oysters which were incredibly fresh and delicious served with an interesting homemade cocktail sauce. Next we had salads; the balsamic dressing was perfect, not too vinegary as some tend to be. The bacon wrapped scallops were a tad overdone, but the delicious corn relish and salad bed they were served on made up for that. The Gulf Shrimp as is the case with ALL the fish served , can be prepared sautéed, grilled or fried and served with a choice of sauces. I had the remoulade, which was amaasaazing !!!!! Also included with the entree is a choice of. 2 sides. I went with steamed mix veggies, which actually tasted fresh and coleslaw which was delish , not too sweet and not too vinegary . The teen was extremely happy with her "sliders," served on Kings Hawaiian rolls which came adorned with onion straws, a dill pickle and seasoned fries. To give the waitress the additional props she deserves, the beverages were kept filled and all our needs were met. The dessert menu had many and varied options, we were just too full.
(4)David Z.
Great spot to watch the fireworks on the fourth. Reservation required and buffet style all you can eat dinner. The view is as close as you can get the the big show and parking is reserved for people at restaurant only. Makes for a fun evening out with the kids. A bit pricey but the ease of reserved parking and stress less surroundings are priceless.
(4)Jennifer S.
I love the outside view of the place. You are able to sit outside and overlook the water while indulging in a drink. The food there is also really good. My favorite item there is Green Goddess Shrimp. They are the perfect appetizer. I love coming back to this place.
(4)Patricia S.
Absolutely amazing Lobster Pot Pie. It came out super fresh, the pastry was light and fluffy, and they were very generous with the lobster pieces. The service was friendly & fast. One of the best outdoor dining restaurants in Bradenton & the inside decor was very nice too. Would definitely recommend this restaurant again.
(5)Elizabeth K.
What was good: the location was beautiful, the service was prompt and courteous. What was bad: the most important thing - the food. It just wasn't very good. I asked the waiter for his recommendation and he picked the butterfish. I got it. Not great - dry, not flavorful. The cheesy potatoes were pretty good, though. My mom got the scallops and she didn't even finish them. Not tasty. My recommendation - go for appetizers and drinks!
(2)Andrew N.
Great view, service and food. The Margarita was awesome, and so were the lobster fritters. We will be back...
(5)Kevin M.
You seriously can't beat the view from the end of the pier, but don't get your hopes up too high on the food and service. We eat there often for the location and because it's close, and the food is always good. Not great, but good. The service is usually about the same. Could easily be four stars with just a little effort.
(3)Benjamin K.
Some of the best ribs I've ever had... I stop here every time I visit Anna Maria Island, one of the top 2 baby back rib plates in the US, my opinion...
(5)Andrea W.
We dined here yesterday evening. Didn't know exactly what to expect but it looked nice from the outside... I wasn't dressed up by any means but did wear a cute casual dress. . .still felt overdressed as it's definitely "Florida casual" . Nice deck to watch the sunset and possibly some manatees and or porpoises. That was cool, we saw all three. We ordered margaritas. Normally we'd order wine but the wine selection was sparse and the few choices were about as low as you can go on the totem pole. The margaritas were ok, nothing special. Sadly the food was just ok. We had calamari for an appetizer which came with a delicious sauce. But the calamari needed to be fried for another minute or two to get nice and golden brown. Fish tacos looked delicious when I saw them go to a nearby table, but I ordered mine blackened and they either forgot the blackening seasoning, or don't know what it means. :(. Also they came with a cheese that just didn't seem to work with fish. Same with hubby's fish. He ordered just blackened grouper and it was hard to tell it was blackened at all. I had steamed veggies as one of my sides (good), and fries which were ok. Hubby had fries too but he didn't care for them. I used the calamari sauce as a dressing for my fish tacos, and picked off all that cheese. I'd go back maybe to see the sunset and eat appetizers but certainly not going for the great food. Too bad, it's a great location.
(2)Michelle T.
The kickin shrimp and green goddess shrimp are pretty good if they don't drench them in sauce. The mushroom Swiss burger is pretty good too. Fish & chips were just ok. Calamari was chewy and flavorless. Black cod was pretty good but the flavor was so powerful that after a few bites you got tired of it. Overall this place is just ok, and a bit over priced. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there again.
(3)Lori t.
Love this place. Had dinner last night with friends and we all enjoyed it. Great atmosphere and a beautiful water view. Not too noisy. Prices are very reasonable. I had the blackened shrimp dinner and it was excellent. Can't wait to go back and try the Black and Blue salad or maybe shrimp tacos.
(4)John S.
We drove down for lunch with our daughter visiting us from Boston. My wife had lobster pot pie, my daughter a grouper sandwich and I had a club sandwich. Everything was great. Great table service, beautiful scenery. Couldn't have asked for more. We will be back. JVS
(5)Tim S.
Their food is delicious and reasonably priced. I had the Butterfish and grilled Mahi entrees on two visits which were both great. Can't beat the view on the river paired with $2 beer specials either! Now instead of coming here for when I am working in the area, I just need to buy and live on one of the yachts and go here all the time.
(4)Alex F.
Excellent shrimp po boy sandwich and fresh "huge" raw oysters. Great outdoor seating with a fantastic view of the marina.
(5)Jim B.
Beautiful location and wonderful views. Food is reasonably priced and good. They will not take reservations for groups less than 10 which is rather odd. I was told that there would be no problem for 4 people at 7:30 and ended up waiting an hour and a half.
(4)Ann M.
Can I give a 0 star???? This was absolutely horrible! Our meal ended up being 56.00 ( no alcohol involved) and it was SOOOO not worth the price. i had lobster stuffed grouper and it was way...... over done! The cheesy mashed potatoes had just big chunks of cheese in it. The vegetable medley was way overcooked and bland! I will never ever go back here. Oh, yes, our waitress SUCKED!!!!!!!!! No smiles, no suggestions, rarely checked on us, no personality. Its a shame, the location is great! Just wish they took pride in the food they were serving! I felt like the kitchen must be full of young people who care less how the food is, they just want a paycheck!!!!!
(1)Ron H.
They started out trying to appeal to the public with good food, service & music. As time passed we experience a lack of service once seated, no entertainment, early closing & very poor bar service.
(2)Karen B.
Tonite, we took some very important people for dinner. First of all, the yelp website said they took reservations. No. When I called, they said they didn't take reservations!! Happy hour on the website says you can get appetizers. No so. We arrived at 5:20. It took forever to get the 4th drink to our table ( it was only a draft beer) . We didn't leave until 7:45. Our orders took forever. The bill was so incorrect, it took 3 tries to get the checkout right!! The food was good, but the poor service just ruined our evening! Don't believe all of yelp info!!
(3)Veronica D.
Excellent food and pet friendly pier! I absolutely loved every bit of my experience. The food was very fresh and there were many furry friends in the pier with the families very happy :) The service was a bit slow but I can understand with so many guests coming in to eat this fantastic food.
(5)Amy S.
Don't plan a party or large event here!! Sadly my brother's rehearsal dinner was ruined because we came here with our group! If this wasn't the only upscale (ish) restaurant in the area we would have walked out and gone somewhere else, but we had no choice but to begrudgingly stick around and hope for the best... My brother and his fiancé planned to have his reception dinner here for about 15 members of his wedding party. He scouted the restaurant months before deciding on the place and was assured by the manager that they would be able to accommodate such a large party. The riverside view was beautiful and though the location proved to be a bit difficult to get to, it seemed the perfect setting for such an occasion. However, I don't think I have ever experienced worse customer service in my life. When we arrived to the restaurant, the back area that we were told would be set-aside for us was not prepared. Instead of having one long table (like my brother had asked for) they had a tabletop for 5 and another table top for 10. Half of our party was sitting somewhere else. When we asked the manager why our table was not set up right, he did not apologize and or offer to make adjustments, he just shrugged and offered us an extra chair. He did nothing to assist us. It took 4 members of our party to go up and complain to various employees get a few comp'd appetizers for the inconvenience at least. This was a nice gesture though I think we would have rather had it set up correctly in the first place. The restaurant had seated another party in our area (a mistake?) and we were stuck playing musical chairs all night. Hardly appropriate behavior towards a group of people planning on spending over $500 in your restaurant. Our server didn't show up to bring us water or our menus for at least 45 minutes. By the time we ordered and got our meals, 2 HOURS had passed. Our reservations were for 7pm and it wasn't until after 9pm that we actually got our meal. I don't remember if the food was any good or not, I just remember being so starved by the time the food came that I wolfed it down. The servers seemed to take advantage of the fact that gratuity was pre-added to the bill because they were half-assing it all night. There were a few other random inconveniences, though to spare you all the details I'll just mention one. The complementary bread with cinnamon butter was actually the only food item that I remember enjoying. When one member of our party asked for more bread, instead of bringing her fresh bread from the kitchen, the server walked over to our table and gave her our bread. I was a bit confused as to where our bread basket went and I asked the server for some more for our table... to which he walked over to the other end of the table and took the bread from where my mom was sitting and brought that to me. Huh?? If I wanted my mom to pass the bread I would have asked her. Who ever thought of taking food away from one table to give it to another? At least the ridiculousness of the situation gave us all a laugh. Sadly though, it came at the expense of the bride and groom's special night. They were embarrassed that the place they had carefully chosen could be so rude to their family.
(1)Ma R.
The best part of the restaurant is the view and location. Other than that, the food is overrated. We came here for lunch and wanted some fresh Florida fish; however for the price we were quite disappointed. My father's grouper sandwich was NOT fresh. In fact, quite fishy in taste & smell. My mahi-mahi sandwich was better. However at $15 a pop for those sandwiches, we expected something fresh (especially for my father's sandwich), and they were not. My mother's and brother's hamburgers were completely overcooked. In fact, they charred the living daylights out of them, so my brother had to send his back. Other than that, the servers were polite and friendly, the restaurant is nice looking, and of course the view is very pleasant - but something needs to be done about the food. If they improve that, this place would be stellar, becuase it's got a lot of potential.
(2)Rudi F.
We love to come here around sunset time and during Happy Hour. It's a great place. We really like the Mahi Mahi -- lightly blackened -- with remoulade sauce.
(5)Kenny R.
The view from the deck is nice. The food was nothing special. The service was good. The food was ok, but again, nothing special. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit.
(2)Wil H.
We ate at the Riverhouse Reef and Grill after living here for two years and driving by the beautiful establishment directly on the water. The ambiance was amazing. The food was so poorly executed we regretted paying for it. We had the bacon wrapped scallops for an appetizer which were nicely presented but overcooked. My husband ordered lobster corn chowder which was tasty but too heavy on the salt. He also had the Black and Bleu salad which came with a pile of fried onions on top (not described on the menu). The steak was not actually blackened and was not properly seasoned. I had the Mahi Mahi fish tacos and they were bland and disgusting. They had the consistency of canned tuna and were topped with lots of cheddar cheese and a few tiny tomatoes and iceberg lettuce. This was not at all what I have come to know as fish tacos. The server was friendly and attentive but in spite of that we will not be repeat customers.
(1)Carole W.
We found this place online and glad we did. The foor was very good and plentiful, We will go back when it is cooler to sit outside but in the meantime we will go back for the food and atmosphere. Worth the 30 minute drive. They do have a shuttle from the end of the pier but after dinner you need the walk!
(5)Jim Z.
You are paying for the view and not the quality of food. Buffet was OK, but overpriced at $17 per. I had green eggs, literally. I was told it from their cooking pans,but still...really?
(2)Steve G.
Not sure what is going on here as in the past this has been a respectable place for a fine meal. We waited 35 minutes past our reservation for a table but they gave us 2 appetizers on the house. So far, so good kinda. The food was horrible. I had lobster tails doused in paprika, almost unedible, grouper stuffed with lobster cake was certainly sub par and mostly bread crumbs, tomato basil soup was so salty I took an extra blood pressure pill, meatloaf was just ok, lobster pot pie was not what it used to be. Is there a new chef? If so please bring back the old one.
(1)Elaine S.
I'm glad this great space is finally being used again. Great views and the ribs were excellent. Redfish with fruit salsa was also top notch. Did not try dessert but the selection looked yummy. Indoor and outdoor seating.
(4)Lisa H.
My husband and I are always looking for cool and good restaurants that we can stop at on our way to Tampa International from Long Boat Key, Palmetto is about halfway for us. Our criteria is that there must be a water view, outside seating and of course, good food. This restaurant far exceeded our expectations. We first stopped at the Riverside Cafe, which is located next door. That resaurant had good reviews; however, we found the menu offered onlys true fried bar food and the place was a little dirty. We left there and gave the Riverhouse Reef and Grill a try. The view was spectacular, and the outside seating with its teak tables, a perfect setting. Our waiter knew we were on a time constraint due to our flight departure and he made sure we received our drinks and food quickly. I had the the Green Goddess Shrimp Salad and The Crab & Corn Chowder, my husband had a fish sandwich. Everything was delicious! It was a perfect way to say goodbye to Florida. I will return.
(4)Rikki R.
Great food, great view, great drinks! Peaceful location and atmosphere. Happy hour specials were OK, not fantastic prices. The food was great from the pineapple bread to butterfish. I will return on my next trip to the area.
(4)L C.
Great location. The menu is ok, a bit pricey for the quality. Eat here if you don't want to drive out to the beach for sunset. Make sure you arrive well in time for happy hour, iif that's your thing. They also cut it off well in advance of 6pm with some lame excuse about the computer won't take new orders ?
(2)Trisha A.
Awesome food and drink pricing. Service is great and the food was very fresh. Awesome views from all tables.
(5)Rina A.
I work nearby this restaurant and one of it's many appeals is that I can go and have lunch on the water in a very stylish and sleek setting, a really nice break in the day! The only downside is you'll need to plan the better part of your hour (if you're part of the fortunate, depending on your take) to eat, since the service is a bit slow but the view really makes up for it. The lunch menu pricing is really reasonable with tasty dishes starting at $5.99! I had the Graham Cracker Crusted Stuffed Chicken, which was delish, along with a salad for a small upcharge bringing my total to $10 without a tip. yummy, relaxing and filling... worth your visit.
(4)John A.
I was concerned after seeing the 1 and 2 start experiences, but remember, this is yelp! People generally post only after a great experience or a poor one. Our experience was outstanding. In an area lacking for restaurants, this has quickly become my favorite. I happened to have sprained my ankle earlier in the morning and was a bit hesistant when I saw the restaurant at the end of the dock. Fortunately, they have an extended golf cart that runs non-stop back and forth. Very convenient, especially when you are limping about! We had about a 20 minute wait (without reservations), but the time flew by with a drink, plenty of seats to wait in and a cool breeze. You have options for inside or outside seating, you have a wonderful view on all sides of the river. Facing West at sunset is stunning. We even had a few dolphins swim up and greet us. My wife had the Center Cut Sirloin, which is a bit pricier than you would expect, but when you taste it, the extra couple dollars is well worth it. I highly recommend the Melt in Your Mouth Butterfish. An Alaskan cod with a pineapple relish that will now me my "requested birthday meal." We had a great experience here and visiting again soon.
(5)Antony D.
Great restaurant to visit by boat. Great location, great food, great service. They also have a private room for banquets/ weddings.
(4)Ken B.
Fabulous views of the river with a great menu. We have been a dozen times and will continue. Tbs up PS.Situated a long walk on the pier but there is a cart available if needed
(3)Alldaron K.
Wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. The waitress was a little nutty, but it added to the experience. Had some shrimp and white wine, little too pricey for the quality, but in the end the view on the deck makes up for it. The hostess was very cute and friendly.
(3)Alex S.
I have dined at this place frequently and have always enjoyed it; however out of curiosity I read the review of this place and had found that a couple of the most recent reviewers had given it poor ratings. So, I felt compelled to dine there this past weekend just to see if the quality had gone down. Well, in my opinion, the place is operating and tasting just as good as it ever had before. This past visit I ordered my favorite; blackened Mahi Mahi (17$ market price that day) and my boyfriend ordered the Mahi Mahi tacos. They were both absolutely delicious. They give you a generous filet of Mahi Mahi and it is cooked very nicely....flaky and moist. If you are sensitive to spice, then don't order anything blackened here, because they use a lot of seasoning. I, however, love blacken seasoning. The tacos were cooked very nicely as well with fresh pico. The Riverhouse also has nice side salads (I always upgrade one of my sides with my dinner for a couple of dollars more, but they are big...with good toppings and dressings). As for the rest of their food: I am not a big rib fan, but when I went there with my parents one evening, I had tried it and it was surprisingly really good. I recommended it to my boyfriend one night, and he loved them as well. Also I always get the fruit ambrosia as one of my sides with my meals...I eat it as more of a dessert though, and I do not know of anywhere else around here that serves this dish. The burgers are good, as well as the lobster pot pie.....i really could go on and on about the food that I do like. However, I do NOT like the meatloaf. I am picky about meatloaf anyways, so I might be too selective, but when my boyfriend ordered it one night, we both thought it was really bland and gross. Some people might complain about the price here.....BUT what do you expect for a seafood place? ALL seafood restaurants that I have been to that serves decent fish, does charge a bit more. Also, this place is on the water....I can only imagine the cost that the restaurant has to pay each month in expenses. So expect to spend around $10 - $20 per person depending on what entree you order....which I do not see as unreasonable considering the portions, quality, and location.
(4)Lisa M.
I had lunch there shortly after leaving the hospital. What an absolute wonderful dining experience! Service was pleasant & eating the flat was like a party in my mouth. It was absolutely delectable!
(5)Gary C.
I have enjoyed the food and service.
(4)Emily E.
I took my parents here after they picked me up at the airport. They'd been wanting to try this place,and were just as pleased as I was. There was a nice selection of fresh fish, some local, and a variety of side dishes. The Riverhouse rice and the cheesy mashed potatoes were especially good. We started with a plate of mussels in coconut broth, I had the lobster-stuffed grouper, Mom had the butterfish, and Dad had grilled shrimp. They were all excellent. The prices were very reasonable. We didn't have any of them, but there was a nice assortment of happy hour specials, both food and drink, as well as some interesting daily specials. When the bread came out, I was surprised that it came with honey butter. The views are spectacular (especially at sunset). The service was excellent, very attentive and accommodating. The free shuttle between the parking lot and the end of the pier is a really nice touch, especially if someone is mobility-challenged, but I'm not sure it could handle a wheelchair. The food didn't seem to take longer here than at other restaurants of comparable quality, but it's definitely not a fast-food place.
(4)Florida G.
Run, don't walk, away from this place. There are WAY too many lovely eateries with a view of the beautiful Manatee River without having to put up with the crap this owner gives you. Not enough kitchen help, excuses, excuses, excuses and never an apology although it took 1 1/2 HOURS to get our food! Took 20 minutes just to get a drink order. And this was during the week at 11:00 am, not during a weekend dinner or a lunch rush. The owner could care less and NEVER came out to to meet the angry mob that was his customers. I've lived here 10 years and this is THE worst place I've eaten so far. When the food did arrive, it was mediocre at best. This guy needs to either get out of the business or hire a manager that knows how to treat customers. In this day and age of a slow economy, we don't have to put up with treatment like this when we're spending our hard-earned money. Go elsewhere. Trust me. I live here. I know.
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