Rio Grill

Hevenpreet Kaur

5 months ago · ★ 3

The food was decent overall. I didn’t really enjoy the pork belly—the flavor was good, but the texture was a bit too tough and didn’t pull apart as easily as the server described. The fries and dipping sauce were excellent. Service was amazing, especially from the staff member who was both making drinks and taking our order.

Matthew Leary

4 months ago · ★ 4

I love the artwork on the walls and the welcoming atmosphere. This has become my go-to spot for happy hour in the Carmel area. Great drinks, great ambiance, and always a good experience. I’ll definitely be back!

Raymond Jason Lagman

a week ago · ★ 5

One of the Best Dining Experiences We’ve Ever Had! Our dinner at Rio Grill in Carmel-by-the-Sea was truly memorable! This is easily one of the best restaurants we’ve ever eaten at. From the appetizers to the main course, everything was beautifully presented, elegant, and absolutely delicious. We enjoyed every bite and practically devoured everything—there was nothing left on our plates! The highlight of the evening was the Swordfish, their Catch of the Day. It was incredibly good and paired with a unique, sticky rice that we had never tasted before. The combination was something special—elegant in presentation yet so satisfying and delicious. Beyond the amazing food, our waitress made the experience even better. She was cheerful, warm, and full of positive energy, which made us feel even more welcome. Rio Grill is the kind of restaurant that makes a dinner feel like an experience rather than just a meal. If you’re visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea, we highly recommend giving this place a try. We would absolutely love to come back!

Wifey212

5 months ago · ★ 5

Stopped in for happy hour - great service, fun atmosphere, and tasty food. A bit pricey, but worth it for the quality of the food. Unique options that are not typically found in other restaurants.

U2uben

8 months ago · ★ 3

I stopped in for the Cioppino but it was no longer on the menu. Asked if they had prime rib, they did not. So I selected the 14 oz “prime” rib eye with the Demi-glace sauce on the side, medium rare. The steak was more medium than medium rare, I mentioned it to the server and she said it was medium rare, so I was wrong 😳! I could not finish it all, and the flavor with and without the sauce was just ok. For a prime cut there should have been more marbling. It came with a good portion of tasty Asiago Mashed Potatoes and very hot Charred Brocolinni. Salad was not included, I asked about clam chowder on a Friday night, they don’t have that in Carmel- by the Sea. I looked at the dessert menu, prices were high and I didn’t want to chance it based upon the overcooked steak. 🥩 🔥. I paid full price, plus tip and left unsatisfied. If I was the restaurant manager I would expect all servers to bring any adverse comments about their dining experience to my immediate attention.