Venus is taking over Cafe rio and Flats bistro and I encourage anybody to not ever go there. The food is not great, the service is not great etc. very pretentious and rude people. Aptos is a tightknit community, with people that have resided many years that have extended friends and family. Cafe rio had a pretty big staff, of which Venus said they were keeping everybody on, everyone filled out hire packets and went to meetings, as soon as they signed the papers they let everyone go, with four days to find a job. Very unprofessional and nobody wants a business like that in Aptos, we are community, and you don't treat community like that.
Karen M.
Went to Cafe Rio for a "bar meal" yesterday!! Food was delish - we had edamame, coconut shrimp, black & blue ahi and brought home steamed clams and blueberry cheesecake. I encourage you to go before they close on May 29th!
Bella L.
We live in the neighborhood for 30 years and have always enjoy Cafe Rio. In the last few years the menu has changed and they don't have any vegan or Vegetarian items sadly. The cauliflower crack was not good. It would be so nice to have some healthy plant based items so our family can dine. Salads with a protein source Hummus with veggies, grilled tofu perhaps Vegan burgers, etc Thanks kindly
Natalie R.
If you go don't order the fish tacos, there is literally just crumbs of fish on the taco. 3 tacos at $15 that was expensive and the actual tacos are very small. Such a same because they have a prime location right by the beach.
Stephanie W.
We had a very nice meal there the other night. It was pretty busy for a Wednesday evening and even with only two servers they did a great job. Always a good meal.
Nick Mehring
This is a $10 salad... And the blogense was very very watery. There are better places in Aptos.
Myles Menor
Always a fun nice time, beautiful beach view and sunsets
Carla Malveaux
Good food in a pleasant and casual atmosphere.
stephanie h.
The food is great. Nice mix of standards and some innovative new things. It's right on the beach and it's owned by the first waitress that ever worked there! To top it off Goyo of Manuel's fame is now onboard. Dogs welcome on the patio.
Jay V.
Location x 3. Helpful staff. Prices as expected given the beach venue, so expect to pay $20 for a solid burger and more for an entree. Patio is great at sunset.
We had a fabulous meal at Cafe Rio tonight: Shared a beet salad that was so artistically crafted and presented that we didn't want to eat it--but we did! The linguine and clams dish was luscious, served with garlic toast. And the pork chop with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables was superb. We chose a bottle of Sarah's Pinot Noir to accompany the meal. Our server was wonderful: knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. We've been going to Cafe Rio for years--but the restaurant and Chef really knocked it out of the park last night! Kudos to everyone!
Diana B.
Had a wonderful wedding anniversary celebration at Cafe Rio, and as always, it didn't disappoint. Everything about the dinner was superb! My calamari was perfectly cooked and served with very fresh mixed vegetables and homemade mashed potatoes. My husband had the grilled salmon and loved every bite! The service was outstanding and the price fair. Can't wait to go again.
Julie T.
Great ambiance but the NYE dinner was extremely disappointing. Steak and lobster @ 69.00 plate consisted of tough flat iron steak and lobster that was not even separated from the shell- difficult to remove. Won't do that again!
75alimo
I enjoyed a very good dinner on New Year’s Eve. Ashley, our waiter was attentive and her service was efficient and personable. Bus person was also attentive to our water refills. From a holiday menu, the coconut prawns withThai dipping sauce were good, the beet salad of gold & scarlet beets with fuyu persimmon, roasted hazelnut & chevre goat cheese over fresh greens was delicious. My entree was the lobster ravioli with bay scallops, marinated cherry tomatoes, ahi, prawns and a light pesto cream sauce. The first bite melted in my mouth and made me so happy with my choice. This restaurant has a history of mixed reviews with several lamenting the loss of excellence from the “old days” when it was the locals choice for great food and service. I have dined at this restaurant for over 30 years. In more recent years, it hasn’t ever recaptured the excellent reputation it once had, but I give my dining experience on this evening a high rating.
Ali S.
I enjoyed a very good dinner on New Year's Eve. Ashley, our waiter was attentive and her service was efficient and personable. Bus person was also attentive to our water refills. From a holiday menu, the coconut prawns withThai dipping sauce were good, the beet salad of gold & scarlet beets with fuyu persimmon, roasted hazelnut & chevre goat cheese over fresh greens was delicious. My entree was the lobster ravioli with bay scallops, marinated cherry tomatoes, ahi, prawns and a light pesto cream sauce. The first bite melted in my mouth and made me so happy with my choice. This restaurant has a history of mixed reviews with several lamenting the loss of excellence from the "old days" when it was the locals choice for great food and service. I have dined at this restaurant for over 30 years. In more recent years, it hasn't ever recaptured the excellent reputation it once had, but I give my dining experience on this evening a high rating.
Venus is taking over Cafe rio and Flats bistro and I encourage anybody to not ever go there. The food is not great, the service is not great etc. very pretentious and rude people. Aptos is a tightknit community, with people that have resided many years that have extended friends and family. Cafe rio had a pretty big staff, of which Venus said they were keeping everybody on, everyone filled out hire packets and went to meetings, as soon as they signed the papers they let everyone go, with four days to find a job. Very unprofessional and nobody wants a business like that in Aptos, we are community, and you don't treat community like that.
Went to Cafe Rio for a "bar meal" yesterday!! Food was delish - we had edamame, coconut shrimp, black & blue ahi and brought home steamed clams and blueberry cheesecake. I encourage you to go before they close on May 29th!
We live in the neighborhood for 30 years and have always enjoy Cafe Rio. In the last few years the menu has changed and they don't have any vegan or Vegetarian items sadly. The cauliflower crack was not good. It would be so nice to have some healthy plant based items so our family can dine. Salads with a protein source Hummus with veggies, grilled tofu perhaps Vegan burgers, etc Thanks kindly
If you go don't order the fish tacos, there is literally just crumbs of fish on the taco. 3 tacos at $15 that was expensive and the actual tacos are very small. Such a same because they have a prime location right by the beach.
We had a very nice meal there the other night. It was pretty busy for a Wednesday evening and even with only two servers they did a great job. Always a good meal.
This is a $10 salad... And the blogense was very very watery. There are better places in Aptos.
Always a fun nice time, beautiful beach view and sunsets
Good food in a pleasant and casual atmosphere.
The food is great. Nice mix of standards and some innovative new things. It's right on the beach and it's owned by the first waitress that ever worked there! To top it off Goyo of Manuel's fame is now onboard. Dogs welcome on the patio.
Location x 3. Helpful staff. Prices as expected given the beach venue, so expect to pay $20 for a solid burger and more for an entree. Patio is great at sunset.
Restaurantji Recommends
We had a fabulous meal at Cafe Rio tonight: Shared a beet salad that was so artistically crafted and presented that we didn't want to eat it--but we did! The linguine and clams dish was luscious, served with garlic toast. And the pork chop with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables was superb. We chose a bottle of Sarah's Pinot Noir to accompany the meal. Our server was wonderful: knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. We've been going to Cafe Rio for years--but the restaurant and Chef really knocked it out of the park last night! Kudos to everyone!
Had a wonderful wedding anniversary celebration at Cafe Rio, and as always, it didn't disappoint. Everything about the dinner was superb! My calamari was perfectly cooked and served with very fresh mixed vegetables and homemade mashed potatoes. My husband had the grilled salmon and loved every bite! The service was outstanding and the price fair. Can't wait to go again.
Great ambiance but the NYE dinner was extremely disappointing. Steak and lobster @ 69.00 plate consisted of tough flat iron steak and lobster that was not even separated from the shell- difficult to remove. Won't do that again!
I enjoyed a very good dinner on New Year’s Eve. Ashley, our waiter was attentive and her service was efficient and personable. Bus person was also attentive to our water refills. From a holiday menu, the coconut prawns withThai dipping sauce were good, the beet salad of gold & scarlet beets with fuyu persimmon, roasted hazelnut & chevre goat cheese over fresh greens was delicious. My entree was the lobster ravioli with bay scallops, marinated cherry tomatoes, ahi, prawns and a light pesto cream sauce. The first bite melted in my mouth and made me so happy with my choice. This restaurant has a history of mixed reviews with several lamenting the loss of excellence from the “old days” when it was the locals choice for great food and service. I have dined at this restaurant for over 30 years. In more recent years, it hasn’t ever recaptured the excellent reputation it once had, but I give my dining experience on this evening a high rating.
I enjoyed a very good dinner on New Year's Eve. Ashley, our waiter was attentive and her service was efficient and personable. Bus person was also attentive to our water refills. From a holiday menu, the coconut prawns withThai dipping sauce were good, the beet salad of gold & scarlet beets with fuyu persimmon, roasted hazelnut & chevre goat cheese over fresh greens was delicious. My entree was the lobster ravioli with bay scallops, marinated cherry tomatoes, ahi, prawns and a light pesto cream sauce. The first bite melted in my mouth and made me so happy with my choice. This restaurant has a history of mixed reviews with several lamenting the loss of excellence from the "old days" when it was the locals choice for great food and service. I have dined at this restaurant for over 30 years. In more recent years, it hasn't ever recaptured the excellent reputation it once had, but I give my dining experience on this evening a high rating.