As California’s fastest growing inland metropolis, Riverside offers an exploding foodie scene serving up innovative cuisine from around the world. From historical landmarks to hip gastropubs, the city’s diverse eateries incorporate locally-sourced ingredients into artistic presentations that nourish body and soul.
| Restaurant | Description |
|---|---|
| Mario’s Place | Upscale Italian restaurant known for red-sauce classics and a regional wine list. |
| Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill | BBQ heaven offering smoked brisket, ribs, and Santa Maria-style tri-tip steak sandwiches. |
| Castaway Restaurant | Seafood and steak restaurant with panoramic views overlooking downtown Riverside. |
| Mi Cafecito Colombian Bistro | Authentic Colombian cuisine with dishes like patacon con todo and ajà pepper chicken. |
| Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro | Bakery and bistro with croissants, custom layer cakes, and weekend brunch. |
| Springs Restaurant at the Mission Inn Hotel | Fine dining with Old World romance and modern Californian interpretations. |
| Salted Pig Gastropub | Comfort food favorites with creative twists, including Sloppy Pig sandwiches and bacon poutine. |
| Trio Restaurant at the Riverside Arts Museum | New American dining with rotating exhibits and scenic views of the Cultural Arts Park. |
| Mario’s Italian Deli | Italian deli offering hearty sandwiches, imported ingredients, and homemade pasta. |
| Flemings Prime Steakhouse | Steakhouse with beautifully presented Black Angus cuts, loaded sides, and fine dining ambiance. |
Tantalize taste buds with this guide to Riverside’s 12 tastiest restaurants loved by both locals and visitors.
Mario’s Place
Name and Location: Mario’s Place, Downtown Riverside, California.
History and Significance: A well-established restaurant known for its fusion of Italian and Contemporary American cuisine. It has been a culinary landmark in Riverside for years.
What to Expect: A menu featuring gourmet pasta, seafood, and steaks, along with live jazz music on weekends.
Visitor Information: Reservations recommended. Open for dinner service. Dress code is smart casual.
For nearly 50 years, Mario’s Place has satisfied cravings for red-sauce classics in an upscale yet relaxed Riverside establishment. Northern Italian recipes brim with full flavor in hearty dishes like oven-baked lasagna and signature chicken parmigiana crowned with bubbling mozzarella. Regulars flock for the steak pizzaiola’s sizzling peppers and onions dripping over tender filet mignon medallions. Meanwhile, the regional wine list tours top vineyards across Italy and California. Unfussy white linen tablecloths and flickering tea lights create a convivial vibe for celebrating la dolce vita with exceptional peasant fare.
Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill
Name and Location: Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, Riverside, California.
History and Significance: Part of a well-regarded Southern California chain, known for its high-quality American BBQ and friendly atmosphere.
What to Expect: A menu with a variety of BBQ meats, including ribs and brisket, complemented by a selection of sides and craft beers.
Visitor Information: Casual dining. Suitable for families. Open for lunch and dinner.
Carnivores rejoice at the smoky barbecue heaven found within Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill. Housed in a sprawling rustic lodge near Riverside’s bustling downtown, this local outpost smokes brisket, ribs, and pulled pork low-and-slow over California white oak. The tangy Santa Maria-style tri-tip steak sandwiches overflow with tender grilled beef coated in signature garlicky BBQ sauce, while roasted chicken and smoked sausages round out hearty meat plates. Fun family-style dining options include all-you-can-eat smoked meat specials piled atop red checkered tablecloths. Don’t skip drool-worthy cornbread or the onion strings golden crispy with ranch dipping sauce on the side.
Castaway Restaurant
Name and Location: Castaway Restaurant, Riverside, California.
History and Significance: Known for its stunning location and views, Castaway Restaurant offers a unique dining experience with panoramic vistas.
What to Expect: Specializes in seafood and steaks. It’s also popular for Sunday brunch and special events.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended. Dress code varies by dining area.
Soak up sweeping panoramas along with seafood towers overflowing with oysters at Castaway Restaurant. Perched high on Mt. Rubidoux overlooking downtown Riverside and miles of wilderness beyond, the landmark eatery impresses with upscale surf and turf entrees served against an ever-changing backdrop. Start with domed platters brimming with colossal shrimp cocktails and cracked Dungeness crab. Moving into grilled sea bass in lemon caper butter or perhaps the bone-in ribeye charred pitch perfect. Local wines and specialty cocktails enhance the flavors while friendly, knowledgeable service makes occasions special without stuffiness between courses of decadent mud pie and cheesecake. With flawless views and cuisine, Castaway satisfies on every level.
Mi Cafecito Colombian Bistro
Name and Location: Mi Cafecito Colombian Bistro, Riverside, California.
History and Significance: A locally loved bistro offering a taste of Colombian culture and cuisine in the heart of Riverside.
What to Expect: Authentic Colombian dishes and coffee, with a cozy and vibrant atmosphere.
Visitor Information: Casual setting. Ideal for breakfast and lunch. Known for their coffee.
Transport your tastebuds to vibrant Latin America within cozy Mi Cafecito restaurant in downtown Riverside. Authentic Colombian recipes brim with complexly satisfying flavor like the patacon con todo appetizer crisping smashed plantains topped with shredded beef, queso fresco, hogao sauce and crema. Main dishes shine in complex moles gracing tender short rib platters or spiced up with ajà pepper chicken stewed in tomato broth. Of course, no meal is complete without strong café con leche sweetened just right to end on a high note. Intimate digs filled with colorful murals, woven textiles and Latin music immerse diners into the rich culture behind Riverside’s rewarding Colombian cuisine.
Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro
Name and Location: Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro, Downtown Riverside, California.
History and Significance: A beloved local bakery and bistro, famous for its fresh, homemade breads and pastries.
What to Expect: A casual, cozy spot for breakfast and lunch. Known for their sandwiches, soups, and baked goods.
Visitor Information: No reservations needed. Often busy during peak hours.
Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro tempts those with a sweet tooth to its quaint riverside cottage location. The scratch bakery excels with metro Riverside’s best croissants, scones, custom layer cakes, and artisan breads baked fresh daily. Those buttery treasures get paired with egg sandwiches, wholesome salmon salads, or Reuben stacks during the restaurant’s daylight hours. Make time for the decadent weekend brunch highlighting fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes crowned with bursting blueberries and whipped cream. Every warm batch delights like it came straight from your grandmother’s kitchen. Add chalkboard specials, cute sidewalk seating, and kind counter service for irresistible small town charm.
Springs Restaurant at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Name and Location: Springs Restaurant, inside the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside, California.
History and Significance: Situated in the historic Mission Inn, the restaurant offers a luxurious dining experience in a historic setting.
What to Expect: Fine dining with a menu featuring Californian cuisine. Perfect for a special occasion or romantic dinner.
Visitor Information: Reservations recommended. Dress code is smart casual.
Springs Restaurant offers white-gloved service and refined cuisine inside downtown’s National Historic Landmark Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Beneath hand-painted frescoes and wrought iron chandeliers, the elegant venue blends Old World romance with modern Californian interpretations. Menus evolve seasonally around peak produce and premium proteins. Recent highlights include burrata salad dressed in berry gastrique or pan roasted duck breast with forbidden rice risotto and blood orange glaze. Extensive wine features nod towards regional vineyards while also boasting Icon-level bottles. Special occasion sweets might deliver Meyer lemon chiffon cake or passionfruit crème brûlée. With polished atmospherics and standout farm-to-table dishes, Springs Restaurant supplies a memorable fine dining experience steps from the Mission Inn’s enchanting courtyards and fountains.
Salted Pig Gastropub
Name and Location: Salted Pig Gastropub, Downtown Riverside, California.
History and Significance: A popular gastropub known for its artisanal approach to food and craft beers.
What to Expect: Gourmet burgers, craft beers, and a casual, lively atmosphere.
Visitor Information: No reservations. Can get crowded, so expect a wait during peak hours.
With comfort foods kicked up a notch, Salted Pig Gastropub packs patrons into its brick-and-wood enclave across from Fairmount Park. The kitchen gets creative transforming pub grub favorites into piled-high signatures stacking fried chicken between maple waffles crowned with Sriracha hot honey. Their famous Sloppy Pig sandwich layers shaved ham, pork belly, and chorizo sausage slathered in gooey fondue cheese dripping through a toasted hoagie. Peppered bacon poutine drowns crisp fries in rich chicken gravy and cheese curds while chicken & waffles arrive with bourbon maple syrup on the side for drizzling over each sweet and salty bite. With local craft brews, cozy counter seats, and outlandishly tasty plates, Salted Pig offers affordable gastropub fare done right.
Trio Restaurant at the Riverside Arts Museum
Name and Location: Trio Restaurant, located at the Riverside Arts Museum, Riverside, California.
History and Significance: An elegant restaurant that blends fine dining with an artistic setting, overlooking the Riverside Arts Museum.
What to Expect: A menu of contemporary American cuisine. Ideal for a meal after exploring the museum.
Visitor Information: Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Trio Restaurant pairs fresh, innovative New American dining with rotating exhibits inside downtown’s contemporary Riverside Art Museum. Stepping beyond typical museum cafes, the sleek eatery welcomes with glass walls overlooking the lush Cultural Arts Park. Menus shift with the seasons highlighting herbs and vegetables from local gardens. Recent plates include grilled peaches mellifluously topping burrata cheese next to prosciutto crisps and micro basil. Pan-seared barramundi makes regular appearances on the seafood-centric menu served aside brown rice pilaf and lemon beurre blanc. Molten chocolate lava cake capped with vanilla gelato makes the ideal sweet finisher. Thoughtfully curated ingredients meet inspired presentation at Trio’s intersecting cultural hub.
Mario’s Italian Deli
Name and Location: Mario’s Italian Deli, Riverside, California.
History and Significance: A family-owned deli known for its authentic Italian sandwiches and deli items.
What to Expect: A wide selection of Italian meats, cheeses, and sandwiches. Perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
Visitor Information: Casual and quick service. Ideal for takeout.
Mama mia! Mario’s Italian Deli brings hearty sandwiches, imported ingredients, and homemade pasta specialties to Riverside’s open-air Canyon Crest Towne Centre. The cozy market overflows with overstuffed subs like the Godfather packing capicola ham, salami, mortadella, provolone, banana peppers, onions, tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar and oregano on soft rolls. Their extensive deli case offers Italian take-home comforts like creamy burrata, prosciutto-wrapped melon, marinated vegetables and stuffed pastas. Don’t miss their weekend lasagna special promising fall-apart beef ragù between pasta sheets tender with love. Picnic provisions galore make Mario’s a treasured neighborhood gem.
Flemings Prime Steakhouse
Name and Location: Flemings Prime Steakhouse, Riverside, California.
History and Significance: Part of a high-end steakhouse chain, known for its prime steaks and fine wines.
What to Expect: An upscale dining experience with a focus on prime steaks, seafood, and an extensive wine list.
Visitor Information: Reservations recommended. Dress code is business casual.
Sophisticated steaks meet serious wine within Fleming’s contemporary Liberty Plaza location. Gorgeous high-back booths, linen-dressed tables, and chandeliers dripping from high ceilings set an refined stage for executive business deals and special gatherings. The kitchen takes center stage turning out beautifully presented cuts of Black Angus filet mignon, bone-in ribeye, or supple lamb racks prepared exactly to your liking. Loaded sides like truffle mac & cheese or bourbon bacon Brussels sprouts shouldn’t get overlooked. Extensive wine features nod towards iconic regions worldwide while also spotlighting smaller boutique vineyards nearby for interesting pairings. With fine dining polish plus landmark service, Fleming’s makes occasions memorable.
Mezcal Cantina Y Cocina
Name and Location: Mezcal Cantina Y Cocina, Downtown Riverside, California.
History and Significance: A vibrant spot in Riverside offering a modern twist on traditional Mexican cuisine and a vast selection of mezcal.
What to Expect: Innovative Mexican dishes, a lively atmosphere, and a comprehensive selection of mezcal and tequila.
Visitor Information: Popular for dinner and drinks. Reservations are recommended on weekends.
Modern Mexican standout Mezcal Cantina Y Cocina adds vibrant flair to Riverside’s dining scene just off the bustling 91 freeway. Exposed brick walls, stamped metal light fixtures, and hand-painted murals transport visitors across the border into Oaxaca’s lush central valleys. Traditional moles showcase complex flavors in signature enchiladas, tamales, and tacos stuffed with favorites like carnitas, homemade chorizo and chipotle shrimp. Their signature Mezcal Mule sparkles with smoky reposado tequila and zesty ginger beer. And true to its namesake, the restaurant offers one of inland Southern California’s largest collections of small-batch mezcals and sotols bringing intense smoky dynamics to creative new cocktails. Vibrant, loud and deliciously festive, Mezcal Cantina keeps the soirée going well into the night.