The River Social | dinner, Cocktail, Brunch restaurant in Providence

Overpriced drinks! You’ll do better buying your own bottle.

The reviews here on this Google page are not real. Go to Yelp and you will see the real performance of this restaurant. We went and had dinner before Waterfire, and we have never been served less edible food anywhere, at any time. We were brought $25 dinners in paper baskets that tasted like they were days old and micorwaved to reheat. They have a limited menu with four items on it all 20 to $25 a piece, and the food is disgusting, and I don't use that word lightly.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

Called to confirm reservation after seeing restaurant listed as “closed” during our reservation. Was informed they don’t take reservations despite the fact that I already made one. I attempted to explain in case there was a misunderstanding and was hung up on.

Service: 1

ordered and waited for an hour and 30 before being told that the kitchen hadn’t even begun making our food.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I had a reservation here on a Sunday at 11:15am. Despite their hours stating they open at 10am on Sundays the place was completely empty and no one was in there. I came across several other people who also had reservations and we were all disappointed and confused. Don’t come here unless you want to be met with a restaurant that is not open when it says it’s going to be.

Reservations were made in advance for a party of 4 and even confirmed prior to the day of. We all live out of town so it was about a 35 min ride to get to the restaurant. When we arrived the restaurant was closed! With no phone call, email, or any notification! No posting online or on website! Very inconvenient!

Had reservation for 2pm...arrived at 1:45...place closed up tight! Not sure who is at the controls but you just lost 2 repeat customers.

Made reservations that were confirmed. Showed up with a party of 8 and they were closed. Said on the door they were opened but the doors were locked and they were closed. No sign on the door stating why they were closed.

Server killed it as the only server. So polite, and great service. Will be coming back because of Amy!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food that came out of the kitchen (after a good long wait) did not match the menu descriptions. From omelets missing ingredients (but including others) to avocado toast without accompanying salad or very much avocado. Everything seemed like too much for this kitchen to manage. The server was very kind but seemed overburdened with the restaurant's problems.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 2

Right on Providence River. Outside seating was full, we grabbed a quick dinner before the Waterfire. Loved the vibe and staff

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Great location, kind people, terrible service. We received our food about an hour after our waitress took our order. We then received the wrong orders. The same thing was happening to everyone around us. Seemed like a very off day for everyone.

NEVER GO THERE DURING WATERFIRE!!!! Confirmed outdoor table reservations, upon arrival told they don't take reservations. Menu not the same as on website. 5 dry tasteless meat choices w/ dry bulk-made macaroni salad thrown on takeout paper plate. $11 G&T in a 4 oz plastic cup. Clearly just want to rake in the most money during event. Dry overdone burger & turning brown macaroni made me sick for 3 days. HORRIBLE!

This used to be one of my favorite brunch spots in Providence, and a go to for waterfire season, but it has taken a SHARP downturn lately. The quality of the food, the variety on the menu, and the enthusiasm of the serving staff all dropped hard over the past year or so, and after one last disappointing experience recently, I'll be taking River Bistro off my list of recommendations downtown.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

You're definitely paying for the river view and not the food. I got the meat lover's omelet, and it was pretty overcooked and dry. The service was fine nothing special, it felt like a weirdly long amount of time to get the food for brunch, but they had just opened

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4