Riva Grill On the Lake, South Lake Tahoe CA

I went here with my brother and got the filet for 55 dollars. It was covered in fat and wrapped in bacon that tasted like… it had been fried in the deep fryer. How do I know this, the bacon tasted similar to the “wild Alaskan cod” for the fish sticks! The mashed potatoes also had the same fishy flavor. However, I worked as a chef in a seafood restaurant for a while and enjoyed the taste of fish in everything that wasn’t:). The service was pretty nice but the management seemed to be a pair of real incompetent dirtbags: (. Also I’m hearing rumors that the staff is forced to come to the restaurant through the worst storm of the season. One staff member had to be given a ride from local emergency staff! It’s frankly disgusting how this workplace treats it’s workers. I would say it’s as disgusting as their dishes.

We went as a family for two special occasions - the food is very good and well portioned. It is pricey but its a great place for a special occasion or a bit of a treat. The staff are very friendly - special shout out to Mackenzie for looking after our family so well on Christmas Day.

This place was a delight! Caught an amazing sunset and had some wonderful apps and wine with incredible service. Really was a dining highlight of my trip to Tahoe after being severely disappointed at Evans American Gourmet Cafe.

First time at Riva Grill, loved the atmosphere. It was raining out so we sat inside right next to the cozy fireplace. The food and service were wonderful. We tried the steamed clams, Caesar Salad, and Margherita Pizza add Pepperoni.

First impression. They were all booked up online for reservations. We called and they were able to get us in within an hour for a Saturday dinner. The food, the service and the cocktails were exceptional. Just a little on the pricy side.

Service was friendly and tentative, but the main course was less than desired. Steam clams was mediocre, Caesar salad was also mediocre, ribeye and the glaze was overly salty, and chicken risotto was overly salty. You pay the high price for the view, not much to see when the sun has already setted during the winter months.

The french dip was delicious. Over priced menu for food and drinks. The deviled eggs were bland. Couldn't sit outside because restraunt says it was "too cold" during daylight in mid November.

We did just some appetizers for a lite dinner. The braised ribs were good, crab cakes were great, but the lobster deviled eggs were tasteless. I guess you could say lobster because there was a speck of lobster on top, but there was no deviled egg flavor at all let alone an elevated flavor profile for a high priced restaurant. There was no salt, mustard, paprika, pepper, or anything flavor on the deviled part, just very bland overly whipped (like whipped cream texture) filling.

Food took a bit to come but we were a big group.

Everything was a bit on the saltier side, our waiter was kind of funny.

Clams were good.

Home of the “wet woody”, this is the sister establishment to the Gar Woods Grill & Pier, where I had a similarly mildly disappointing experience pre-pandemic. I feel like I should like these places. The sophomoric innuendo is right up my street, as it were, and I’d be delighted to pay whatever they think they can charge for the best cocktail they can think up. The waitstaff was friendly and considerate, the service was prompt and the food was at least decent, with the salmon with a nut finish making it to “good”. The cocktails were nicely presented and, yeah, not bad. Yet I’m left underwhelmed. I imagine the management knows their market and, given that they seem to have instructed the staff not to wear masks, they’re saying that doesn’t include me. It’s been a couple of days and the food did enduringly agree with us, so I’m hopeful that not all consideration for public health has gone.

Christmas Prime Rib for $55 was 40% fat and grissel and barely edible. The rest of the food was ok but overpriced. Service was good.

Went here without reading other reviews, nice setting, beautiful lake view, waiters were nice and welcoming except I will not order fish and chips. I had to return the fish for it was not cooked and had very bad smell. After no ever came to apologize or even offer any kind of complimentary or anything. I won’t go here again

The food is decent, but dramatically overpriced for its quality. It's reminiscent of a chain restaurant, and the wine list is like a Safeway shelf.

Food was bad. Pizza was oily. The coconut prawns were under sized and cold. The French dip had little-to-no meat. The Chicken sandwich was cold and hard as a rock. The only thing that was okay with the meal was the ice cream that came from a box. Cost 550 bucks for a very bad meal. Looks like I'm taking Riva off my list.

Bad experience dining here for the first time.

Pork tenderloin tasted good but you can tell it was frozen previously, and it wasn’t even hot when served. Pork is bland. However, sweet potato and Brussels sprouts with pancetta were delicious. And this is the best dish we had out of the 5 we ordered.

Scallops were fishy and bad. Couldn’t even swallow it, we had it returned.

Risotto was sour for some reason, and does not taste great. Asparagus was over cooked, the added chicken is dry and hard. Although a mushroom risotto, we see no mushroom.

California burger was good, this can be ordered again.

Conchiglie tastes good, but it’s too thick and creamy, and doesn’t set well when cold. An expensive mac and cheese

I've been coming here over 18 years. I always enjoy the food and the restaurant. But, I was there a few weeks ago and the front door attendant (girl) had a chip on her shoulder and was not welcoming or friendly at all. We literally got the not wanted feeling, we decided to turn around and went to another restaurant. It was unfortunate. But I know their food was good. I'll give it another shot on our next visit hopefully.

The food is nothing to write home about, unsophisticated and very old school. We ordered the cashew salmon, which was very well cooked but the sweet sauce overpowered everything and made everything including the rice and veggies syrupy (you can’t even taste the cashew btw). The deviled eggs were also lacking in any flavor. The drinks were also very average and not elevated enough for the price. The views are good but I think you are better off doing a takeaway from one of the many other cafés and eating at a bench on the beach. Very expensive and not worth the money.

Food, Cocktails, and Views were great. Our waiter never smiled seemed put out and ask if I could pay he had another job to get to.

Food was ok I did not eat my Caesar salad it was too strong with to much vinegar for my tastes. The service was great however it was sooooo cold inside! As we looked around and noted many customers wearing jackets we thought that maybe this is normal? It felt warmer outside.

It's all about location which is right on the beach and beautiful views. Food was good, portions was good but unfortunately not Great for the price. Order a Moscow Mule drink that doesn't come in the typical copper cup. Waitress had to be reminded who ordered what, forgot my salad and hamburger was ordered well done but came back with some pink. Hostess at the entrance chatted with other employees when we could have used some assistance opening the heavy front doors to let 2 handicapped patrons In and again when we left.