My husband and I had been here about 20 years ago and after having children decided to bring our kids back here! We are from Ohio and Big Sur is a destinations spot for anyone who travels and loves nature. The food here is delicious, however extremely expensive. If you want a good burger it will cost you around 30 bucks! But the ambience and the service is exquisite.
Andy C.
We were stationed here last night for hours during the emergency lockdown where thousands of people were trapped in Big Sur after both north and south roads had mudslides. This restaurant was very kind to us and kept their restrooms open and had gas, food, supplies, etc for purchase. The manager was extremely helpful and so kind to watch over my family. They quickly let us know when an evacuation center was opening up and we were able to get to it. I don't know if I ever got the managers name, but we are now home safe. Thank you so much for your kindness you showed us and I pray you are now back home with your wife that was on the other side of the closure!! Also, we can't wait to come back. The restaurant is gorgeous right on the river and we had eaten lunch there earlier in the day. We were thinking of hosting our wedding here if they do weddings. Thank you again and praying for everyone's safety!!
Teresa H.
Not sure why there are so many negative reviews. We had a very nice meal here. Wait staff was friendly and prompt. Drinks were good. Our food was very good. Don't believe the nay sayers.
Amy Hall
Great food and service, one of my favorite places and has been for years!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Toni
Great place. Quiet. Charming. Zen.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S C
Had dinner here. Ate inside but deck looked inviting next to flowing river and with lots of heat lamps. Had the best salad of my life, their winter beet salad with salmon and avocado added. Everything was perfectly cooked and service was friendly and attentive. Pricey but worth it.
Tania Segovia
This place is one of my absolute favorites in Big Sur. The atmosphere/surroundings are unique compared to other restaurants in this area.Yes, ocean view is beautiful, but this river is, in my opinion, just as beautiful.Last summer, we sat in their wooden lounge chairs in the river, and it was gorgeous. The water levels are high, current is too strong, and water is too cold to do that during winter. But the sounds of the flow are amazing.The lawn area provides tons of seating or playing space. They do have rules, so please be respectful and follow them.* There is ample parking on the side of the restaurant, inn, general store, and across the street.If weather permits, sit outside. On certain days and times, they have live music, and that makes this place even more enjoyable. But, if it's too cold, sit inside and maybe take a stroll of the grounds before or after your meal.Although they were short staff when I visited, our waiter was friendly and made sure to check on us frequently.I have a confession:We visited a cafe that we had not visited before. Since we can't be in this area too often, we like trying new things every time. Well, the other place's menu was not impressive for the price point, and we knew it wouldn't be a filling meal.So, we decided to head here instead. We knew we would enjoy a filling meal, and I have absolutely no regrets in our choice.Parking: Parking is available across the street as well. Parking is easily available even on weekends if you go at the right time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sweet Potato Fries, Fries, Sandwich, Black Angus Burger, Potato Fries, River Inn Burger
Clark Whitney
It was great to stay overnight and enjoy dinner at this historic place in the heart of Big Sur...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vicky M.
Food was good, ambiance was great. But the restaurant charged my card twice! all the good food and ambiance went to waste.
gyssen brylle J.
Worth it. The service is 3-4 stars but for me the ambiance and the food are amazing. Best to during summer or spring.
To start this review, no issues with the staff or service. All totally pleasant. The issue is the food. This restaurant is attached to a 5-star resort, and yet the food is practically like that of a military cafeteria.The $33 burger I ordered (a comical price for the quality), was a sad, lifeless sandwich one would have imagined being served in the “The Grapes of Wrath” to men working the railroad. The “Wagyu Beef” was tasteless slop, adorned with deflated lettuce, and a foul American Cheese. I have a ferocious appetite — this was the first meal in many years I have left unfinished. No number of sauces the waitstaff delivered could revive such a dastardly meal.My friend ordered the chicken sandwich. The result was like that of a 10-year old run-amok alone in the kitchen. Gobs of Chik-fil-a sauce squelched from the bread, the meal lacking any rhyme or reason or zest.This was truly one of the most laughable $300 meals I have encountered. I feel sorry for the guests who must descend nightly to the military chow hall and be served such trough.Big Sur is amazing, but I regret to inform all visitors that this restaurant is a pure falsehood. It exists only as a mirage of a “5-Star Restaurant”. I recommend Nipenthe down the road as an alternative.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Marlon Hernandez
Perfect spot for
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher Symons
Every year this place gets more expensive and less enjoyable. When I first found this place years ago, it was a cozy "tavern at the edge of the world" kind of vibe; get a burger, a beer, sit in the river or under the trees in the grass.Now they're looking to cater to "ritzy European tourists" - don't take my word for it, the server said that word for word. It's expensive, average food, and has a completely different feel and clientele. I watched a family order calamari for their 7 year old, then send it back because "he didn't like it, we expect this to be refunded".Definitely not cozy anymore. I'm sure they're making big money, but it definitely doesn't feel cozy or relaxing. I don't plan to be back. They used to have movie nights and live music midweek, not sure if they still do but it's not the same place anymore.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Erin Chippa
Great little spot, Love the Adirondack chairs in the creek on a nice summer day with a cool
My husband and I had been here about 20 years ago and after having children decided to bring our kids back here! We are from Ohio and Big Sur is a destinations spot for anyone who travels and loves nature. The food here is delicious, however extremely expensive. If you want a good burger it will cost you around 30 bucks! But the ambience and the service is exquisite.
We were stationed here last night for hours during the emergency lockdown where thousands of people were trapped in Big Sur after both north and south roads had mudslides. This restaurant was very kind to us and kept their restrooms open and had gas, food, supplies, etc for purchase. The manager was extremely helpful and so kind to watch over my family. They quickly let us know when an evacuation center was opening up and we were able to get to it. I don't know if I ever got the managers name, but we are now home safe. Thank you so much for your kindness you showed us and I pray you are now back home with your wife that was on the other side of the closure!! Also, we can't wait to come back. The restaurant is gorgeous right on the river and we had eaten lunch there earlier in the day. We were thinking of hosting our wedding here if they do weddings. Thank you again and praying for everyone's safety!!
Not sure why there are so many negative reviews. We had a very nice meal here. Wait staff was friendly and prompt. Drinks were good. Our food was very good. Don't believe the nay sayers.
Great food and service, one of my favorite places and has been for years!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place. Quiet. Charming. Zen.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had dinner here. Ate inside but deck looked inviting next to flowing river and with lots of heat lamps. Had the best salad of my life, their winter beet salad with salmon and avocado added. Everything was perfectly cooked and service was friendly and attentive. Pricey but worth it.
This place is one of my absolute favorites in Big Sur. The atmosphere/surroundings are unique compared to other restaurants in this area.Yes, ocean view is beautiful, but this river is, in my opinion, just as beautiful.Last summer, we sat in their wooden lounge chairs in the river, and it was gorgeous. The water levels are high, current is too strong, and water is too cold to do that during winter. But the sounds of the flow are amazing.The lawn area provides tons of seating or playing space. They do have rules, so please be respectful and follow them.* There is ample parking on the side of the restaurant, inn, general store, and across the street.If weather permits, sit outside. On certain days and times, they have live music, and that makes this place even more enjoyable. But, if it's too cold, sit inside and maybe take a stroll of the grounds before or after your meal.Although they were short staff when I visited, our waiter was friendly and made sure to check on us frequently.I have a confession:We visited a cafe that we had not visited before. Since we can't be in this area too often, we like trying new things every time. Well, the other place's menu was not impressive for the price point, and we knew it wouldn't be a filling meal.So, we decided to head here instead. We knew we would enjoy a filling meal, and I have absolutely no regrets in our choice.Parking: Parking is available across the street as well. Parking is easily available even on weekends if you go at the right time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sweet Potato Fries, Fries, Sandwich, Black Angus Burger, Potato Fries, River Inn Burger
It was great to stay overnight and enjoy dinner at this historic place in the heart of Big Sur...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was good, ambiance was great. But the restaurant charged my card twice! all the good food and ambiance went to waste.
Worth it. The service is 3-4 stars but for me the ambiance and the food are amazing. Best to during summer or spring.
Restaurantji Recommends
Good place to be at the Oriya del
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
To start this review, no issues with the staff or service. All totally pleasant. The issue is the food. This restaurant is attached to a 5-star resort, and yet the food is practically like that of a military cafeteria.The $33 burger I ordered (a comical price for the quality), was a sad, lifeless sandwich one would have imagined being served in the “The Grapes of Wrath” to men working the railroad. The “Wagyu Beef” was tasteless slop, adorned with deflated lettuce, and a foul American Cheese. I have a ferocious appetite — this was the first meal in many years I have left unfinished. No number of sauces the waitstaff delivered could revive such a dastardly meal.My friend ordered the chicken sandwich. The result was like that of a 10-year old run-amok alone in the kitchen. Gobs of Chik-fil-a sauce squelched from the bread, the meal lacking any rhyme or reason or zest.This was truly one of the most laughable $300 meals I have encountered. I feel sorry for the guests who must descend nightly to the military chow hall and be served such trough.Big Sur is amazing, but I regret to inform all visitors that this restaurant is a pure falsehood. It exists only as a mirage of a “5-Star Restaurant”. I recommend Nipenthe down the road as an alternative.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Perfect spot for
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Every year this place gets more expensive and less enjoyable. When I first found this place years ago, it was a cozy "tavern at the edge of the world" kind of vibe; get a burger, a beer, sit in the river or under the trees in the grass.Now they're looking to cater to "ritzy European tourists" - don't take my word for it, the server said that word for word. It's expensive, average food, and has a completely different feel and clientele. I watched a family order calamari for their 7 year old, then send it back because "he didn't like it, we expect this to be refunded".Definitely not cozy anymore. I'm sure they're making big money, but it definitely doesn't feel cozy or relaxing. I don't plan to be back. They used to have movie nights and live music midweek, not sure if they still do but it's not the same place anymore.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Great little spot, Love the Adirondack chairs in the creek on a nice summer day with a cool
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5