The River Restaurant & Lounge
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The River Restaurant & Lounge
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
American
Meal types
Breakfast, Dinner, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Parking Available
Is this a juice / smoothie bar?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 8:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 am - 10:00 am5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Monday
7:00 am - 10:00 am5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Tuesday
7:00 am - 10:00 am5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Wednesday
7:00 am - 10:00 am5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday
7:00 am - 10:00 am5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Friday
7:00 am - 10:00 am5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday
7:00 am - 10:00 am5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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3.4
833 reviews
Excellent
142
Good
270
Average
261
Poor
81
Terrible
79
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and noninfringement.
spendley3
Tucson192 contributions
July 2024 • family
Overpriced Tourist Trap with mediocre food and slow service. You're a captive audience here because it's pretty much the only game in town, so they can charge $21 and change for an uninspired buffet breakfast. At dinner, they can overcharge for mediocre food and poor service. You may get your drinks -- or may not. Either way, you will wait. Granted, the service industry is suffering from a lack of personnel in general, so I get that, but it seems extreme. On our final morning, we opted to leave the hotel hungry and drive for an hour and a half to another town for breakfast just to avoid eating at this restaurant again. On a positive note, the atmosphere is nice enough, and the outdoor patio next to the Merced river is beautiful, which is the only reason it got bumped up to three stars.
Written 7 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura
London1150 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
We had breakfast here whilst staying at Yosemite view lodge. Needless to say that was the one and only time we ate here. The breakfast itself was fine, a buffet with some hot options like bacon, waffles and scrambled egg but it is SO expensive. The bill came to $50 for 2 of us and the staff didn’t seem to understand what we were saying half the time. On our second morning (check out day) we drove to Mariposa for breakfast and paid less than half the price for much better food. Unfortunately your food options are quite limited in the area so it was better than no breakfast at all, but we felt it was far too overpriced.
Written 14 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stéphanie B
21 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
The service is too fast: the plate is taken away from you as soon as you take your last bite.
On the other hand, we had waited 30 minutes so when our turn arrived several tables were empty....
We would have preferred to wait seated with drinks...
The meat was firm and overcooked.
Specify very rare or Black and blue for rare meat.
The Burger and pork ribs were good.
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
469cherid
12 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
This was the only option around the hotel . We had to wait since a bus load of tourists had arrived and they could not accommodate everyone. The food was way overpriced and not good . My daughter got the shrimp , it was loaded with large carrot slices . The only option for breakfast was the buffet - again very pricey and dried food .
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LesMisso
Madurai64 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
We sincerely pity the staff who do what they can trying to keep smiling, but the place is completely undersized compared to the Pension of which it is the only restaurant around (except the pizza next door, cool but fatally too quickly overwhelmed).
Result: if you arrive after 19:30, you have at least 30 linens waiting to have a table (rarely respected deadline) and once in the place, you have to wait an hour to see your dishes arrive. In short, dear owner, your organization is to be reviewed!
Automatically translated
Written 12 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DesertRose
568 contributions
June 2024 • family
As our hotel didn't offer breakfast we stopped here as food choices near the park are very limited.
We had the breakfast buffet and about the only difference between it and what you get for free at most chain hotels was the astounding price of nearly $50 for two people.
It tasted ok but it was obviously instant gravy, frozen biscuits etc.
In no way was it worth anywhere near the price.
Written 9 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank dB
Arnhem1404 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
Besides the pizzeria, this is the only restaurant at the Yosemite View Lodge. We ate here twice fine. Especially the NY steak was good. The fries served with it are also crispy and tasty. Service attentive. Atmosphere of the restaurant is fine.
Automatically translated
Written 3 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendan S
Arlington2243 contributions
Oct 2022 • solo
When I’m going to the only restaurant within 10 miles of a remote national park, I am not expecting that much - a decent meal and a drink - but the River Restaurant couldn’t achieve this. The drink menu didn’t have beer (maybe I had to ask?). The cocktail I ordered, a grapefruit juice and vodka martini, sounded refreshing, but was awful. I’d have preferred just a glass of grapefruit juice.
The food menu is limited. Not surprising in a remote location, but also no excuse not to get the food right. The ribs were dry, overcooked and flavorless. The vegetable side included dry, barely cooked broccoli and some zucchini (edible). The menu advertised “gourmet” French fries, but they were the Aramark fries ubiquitous at sporting events. At $30, this wasn’t a cheap entree, either. I wisely decided not to try a dessert and will avoid returning here if at all possible.
Written 30 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chatdad
1481 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
You're kind of stuck eating here unless you want pizza as it's the only restaurant around. Surprisingly the menu is rather extensive. The quality is good. We each had the chicken breast dinner (one with teriyaki sauce, one with bar-b-que) with fries of course. The fries were very good. The main dish was moist and tasty. With a slice of chocolate cake ($8) and a soda the bill came to $67 excluding tip. For the budget, pizza might be a less expensive choice.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hagi P
13 contributions
June 2021 • couples
Good location not far from where I live and the park nice atmosphere. Decent service they’re kinda busy so it’s a bit slow and it took a while to get the food like half or almost an hour I would say. We ordered orange ginger shrimp it’s over sweet it’s too much for me I felt like I had a cup of syrup on my plate. No other flavors and the rice is hard they didn’t cook it right so 0/5for this dish and the tortellini is nice creamy decent taste but my husband ordered extra chicken but they barely gave you any and charged for $6 that’s ridiculous so overall it’s expensive decent food I gave this dish 3/5 but I guess they don’t care because it doesn’t seem like you have many choices around here.
Written 23 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NJFabFour
Lawrenceville128 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
It was a significant mistake on our part not to take the host's offer to have dinner in the bar. We got cocktails in the bar while we waited 30 minutes for a table and were pleased with the prompt service and attentive server. Unfortunately, that was not the same experience in the restaurant. The server took approximately 20 minutes to come by the table to greet us or take our order. He quickly and abruptly asked what we wanted and left. We witnessed that the few other tables he had also received this same dismissive service. He failed to bring salads and didn't even ask if we wanted drinks when he threw the dinners on the table, even with 3 empty glasses at the edge of the table. And the food was mediocre at best. We will be here another couple of nights but I guarantee we will NOT return to the River Restaurant. It really reflected poorly on this entire establishment.
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wgm51
Albuquerque127 contributions
June 2021 • none
We had dinner here after a long day in Yosemite. Since there are really very few options in this area unless you are willing to drive a ways, I was skeptical about this place. We both ordered trout and it was quite good and the waiter recommended a good microbrew from the area. Service was very attentive as well. It did start getting busy since there are only 2 choices for eating here at the Yosemite View Lodge, which has over 300 rooms. My only criticism is the prices seemed somewhat inflated, but that is not surprising since they basically have zero competition.
Written 6 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William W
Vacaville481 contributions
Nov 2024 • solo
Remember there are few meal options in the area. Be happy for what is there. The breakfast buffet has tons of options, though the toast in warming pans is not my preference. The rest is plentiful and options if you are there for more than one meal. The dinner I had was good. The tri-tip one night was VERY good. If you are a foodie, remember the meals here are good and basic, not a destination. This is a third-party offering food, not the Lodge's work. As is the case in some establishments, bring cash if you want to save 2%+ if you use a credit card. I was there for shoulder season--staffing was a bit lean, but they work hard!
Written 15 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vincent K
Stavanger2 contributions
July 2022 • family
Waited an eternity. Then they were out of fries, the veggies I ordered instead never came. The “rare” hamburger was overcooked. Margarita was bad also. 2 out of 8 at the same table were served 20 minutes before the others, and the drinks were served after the burger.
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David T
Sacramento171 contributions
May 2022 • couples
First time here. Didn’t read any reviews prior and I’m glad I did not. Our experience was wonderful. Ambience was great. Sat outside along the River. I little loud but it’s a river, enjoy the beauty. Price point was good. I had the Chicken Marsala with Mash and vegetables; it was outstanding. The sauce made the meal. My wife had the ribs and for regular pork ribs they were fall off the bone great.
I’m a sucker for dessert, the carrot cake was really good and enough for two
Service was great, our waiter had all the answers. If your in a rush, you need to tell them. To me, this Is more a dining experience
Overall I’m very happy that we are here and we will return
Cheer’s
Written 20 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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