Rio Bistrot

This was the best meal either my husband or I have ever eaten, and we are definitive foodies! We opted for the tasting menu. Everything was fresh, inventive, and so, so delicious. The pricing feels very reasonable for the quality, and the staff is friendly with a good sense of humor. The restaurant is pretty tiny but so charming and you can’t beat the view of the Riomaggiore harbor right outside. For sure, a reservation is a good plan so you don’t miss out on this amazing place!

Awful service! Dirt in our water glass, which the server apologized for and brought a new glass. Then, there was dirt in the wine glass - to which our server said - ‘it’s nothing’ even after we showed him the dirt speck. Then he poured the SAME DIRT IN WINE into a different glass. The WORST part was when our duck appetizer arrived it came with PLASTIC (a plastic pull tab from a package/container) and the restaurant’s response was to BLAME THE CUSTOMER. We asked to see the manager and they sent out a server/hostess who first apologized for the plastic in our food, then informed us that the dirt sometimes ‘drops from the ceiling into the glasses’ and asked what they could do to make us happy. When we replied that we would like the rest of our meal dirt and plastic free, the server informed us that they CANNOT do anything to make us happy. We asked to speak with the manager again and the server informed us that the manager was ‘too busy working on the others’ food’. While the duck speck was good until we found PLASTIC IN IT, the bread was cold and stale. We decided to leave and eat street food to be happier than eating the contaminated food Rio Bistrot served without care or repair. So disappointing - especially after booking our reservation months in advance through a local resident and eagerly anticipating a great experience!!!! We wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else expecting a lovely meal at this highly recommended restaurant.

My wife and I both had the tasting menu of the night and had a fantastic meal. We each receive three appetizers and then a 1st and 2nd, and lastly dessert. We were a bit too excited to devour some of the dishes and couldn’t get a photo of each of them. The service was phenomenal and all of the waiting staff took great care of us and made us feel welcome.

Not sure why this place isn’t 5 stars, full of perfect reviews. My father and I stumbled across this place when it was raining in Riomaggiore. We ended up getting their “special” which is worth the experience and money. The owner Manuel is the real deal and we really enjoyed Eduardo and Ella as well. We went back a second time for the “special” (different dishes as they’re made to order daily depending on the catch/fish availability) before we left because it’s just that good!!!!

Perfect for a romantic dinner date! Our hotel helped us with reservations for the terrace. There are only two dinner services and we saw many tourist be denied because of the full reservations. The restaurant sits right outside of the water edge/marina. The atmosphere is romantic, relaxing and yet still exciting as you see all of the tourist pass by. We had the tasting menu and shared a bottle of wine. The staff were all very professional and friendly. The food was delicious and provided a great variety. We are very glad to have tried this lovely location!

We had our first meal in Cinque Terre here and it was excellent. We chose the Chef’s degustation menu and the Sommelier chose a great bottle of red wine to pair with the meal. All were seafood courses, all local produce and all delicious. On serving, our excellent waiter described the dish, the ingredients and took time to celebrate the course. He also was very personable and enhanced the dining experience with his wit and genuine celebration of the food. It was a wonderful experience and over the many course we went on a Riomaggiore food journey. Highly recommend if you are looking for a very special meal while in Riomaggiore.

This was the best meal either my husband or I have ever eaten, and we are definitive foodies! We opted for the tasting menu. Everything was fresh, inventive, and so, so delicious. The pricing feels very reasonable for the quality, and the staff is friendly with a good sense of humor. The restaurant is pretty tiny but so charming and you can’t beat the view of the Riomaggiore harbor right outside. For sure, a reservation is a good plan so you don’t miss out on this amazing place!

Awful service! Dirt in our water glass, which the server apologized for and brought a new glass. Then, there was dirt in the wine glass - to which our server said - ‘it’s nothing’ even after we showed him the dirt speck. Then he poured the SAME DIRT IN WINE into a different glass. The WORST part was when our duck appetizer arrived it came with PLASTIC (a plastic pull tab from a package/container) and the restaurant’s response was to BLAME THE CUSTOMER. We asked to see the manager and they sent out a server/hostess who first apologized for the plastic in our food, then informed us that the dirt sometimes ‘drops from the ceiling into the glasses’ and asked what they could do to make us happy. When we replied that we would like the rest of our meal dirt and plastic free, the server informed us that they CANNOT do anything to make us happy. We asked to speak with the manager again and the server informed us that the manager was ‘too busy working on the others’ food’. While the duck speck was good until we found PLASTIC IN IT, the bread was cold and stale. We decided to leave and eat street food to be happier than eating the contaminated food Rio Bistrot served without care or repair. So disappointing - especially after booking our reservation months in advance through a local resident and eagerly anticipating a great experience!!!! We wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else expecting a lovely meal at this highly recommended restaurant.