Riviera Restaurant

Overall my friends and I were very
Pleased with this restaurant!

Everything was homemade and delicious. From the chips, to the breakfast burrito and dinner! Zero complaints and really enjoyed the quality of food here.

Riviera Restaurant, exceeded expectations. From delicious homemade chips to a delightful breakfast burrito and fantastic drinks, plus a bottomless mimosa deal, the dining experience was exceptional

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

There were 6 in our party 6 and everything was delicious. Waitress was great as well as the rest of the staff. Drinks were on point!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was delicious! The waiter was the bartender and he was a super nice guy and funny but he took forever to take our order. There was just a handful of people in the restaurant but maybe too much for him. It’s a beautiful restaurant, kind of dead but good food.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

This place is amazing, the food was so good and the service was excellent!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The restaurant closed an hour before our reservation without providing us any notice. They ignored our knocks on the door as they counted their money, blaring music. No regard for the customer. Our reservations were made more than a week in advance and I confirmed the reservation. Unacceptable.

We didn't even know the place existed until we ordered several dinners thru Door Dash. We decided we had to go to the restaurant to see where it was and what was it like. We were pleasantly surprised. It's located in the San Clemente Inn that in the 70s was where the Nixon support and news groups would stay. The decor of the restaurant hasn't changed, and it's neat to see the “retro” 70s surroundings. The service was excellent. I had the salmon and my wife the filet mignon. Both were excellent. The menu is limited but adequate, and they are working on expanding the wine selection. We were surprised that the restaurant was almost empty on Sunday night. That reflects the lack of publicity since we have lived in San Clemente for 35 years, and even if it has only been open for two years, we and our friends didn't know it existed. Maybe consider it “ a diamond in the rough”. Great place and easy parking. Worth a try.

I hate giving a bad review but we ordered calamari and it was so bad we left it. It was tiny chewy bites of breading...like the frozen kind in a bag but those morsels leftover at the bottom of the bag. The ginger beer was flat in my Moscow mule and my son's tequila and soda had tonic instead of soda. We decided to not stay for dinner. We politely paid the bill, tipped because service was great and went to a different restaurant for dinner. It just was very disappointing for our first time.

Great vibes. You'll want to hang out for a bit, the Cadillac margarita is 🤌, the Rivi bites K pop style is money in the bank, and the service is top notch.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Groovy spot! Wow the lemon tahin sparkle water is amazing! Great taquitos for happy hour!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had a really nice meal with great service!! Our server made extra effort to make sure we were happy!

The food was amazing, the staff was super nice and attentive and the ambiance was phenomenal. I ate the chicken roulade with the risotto and it was the best food choice I have made in a long time and I am a foodie so I make good food decisions! Don't live close and I will 10 out of 10 be coming back and making this my san clemente spot!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We've now been here several times since the restaurant opened, and have never had a bad experience. The service is always super friendly and helpful, and every dish has been delicious. We love that there's ample FREE parking and that they take reservations. Great little hidden gem that more people should remember!

The food gave my husband food poisoning and he was throwing up all night.
The service was horrible. The waitress didn’t take the orders correctly.
The atmosphere was very mediocre. The table was slightly messy and the atmosphere wasn’t very pleasant.
All in all- it was a definite no! We won’t be coming back.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Riviera has recently changed ownership, and the food is phenomenal! The restaurant is open 7 days a week now, and we'll worth a visit. The pork chops are reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. The chicken roulade and pulled pork sandwich are also very tasty. Try their tempura green beans appetizer for a great start. We'll definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

What was to be a wonderful celebration dinner for our 16th wedding anniversary ended early after just a lack luster experience ruined the vibe. I got an uneasy feeling as soon as we arrived this might not be what I had hoped for. Upon arriving and seeing the hotel in which the Riviera resides was clue #1, walking in and seeing 2 separate groups bellied up to the bar loudly talking clue #2, wearing slacks and a summer button up and feeling waaay over dressed clue #3 (pretty sure I was only guy in there with sleeves, server not really knowing what's on menu or specials clue #4, server forgetting to put in appetizer order (after we inquired about it over 30 minutes later) clue #5, wife finishing meal to only find a hair under her entrée final clue. Probably an OK place if you're staying at hotel and you're phone died and you're unable to summon an Uber to take you some place else. For anyone local, like us, just don't. Server said the owner was on his way but I just wanted to get out of there and try and salvage our evening. Didn't stick around.