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Hours
Sun
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mon
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tue
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wed
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thu
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 am
Sat
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 am
What is Travellers’ Choice?
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.
Ratings and reviews
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Italian, Tuscan, Central-Italian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Does this restaurant serve Sicilian food?
Details
CUISINES
Italian, Tuscan, Central-Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
1,129 reviews
Excellent
643
Very good
275
Average
114
Poor
53
Terrible
44
Robert N
Bowmanville22 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
We cameTuesday night without a reservation and found the place surprisingly busy. They took our names and told us to return in about 30 minutes and a table would be waiting. We're very glad we came back because both the food and service were excellent. My wife enjoyed the shrimp scampi and I had the aglio e olio, which was delicious. With tiramisu for dessert and a nice bottle of wine with dinner, we felt the price was more than fair for a relaxing dining experience.
Written 19 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.
From613
Ontario5 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed everything about Riva: the service; atmosphere and particularly the food (and the wine.) it was our first visit to the restaurant. We were in Gananoque for a play at the Thousand Islands Playhouse. (Jersey Boys—the cast and production were stellar.) At Riva, we ordered salads to start, which were fresh and delicious; we probably should have shared one but we managed to eat both of them. I ordered penne with a butternut squash sauce, which came with crispy prosciutto and burrata. It was perfect. My husband raved about the sea bass. We particularly appreciated the server’s familiarity with gluten sensitivities and the restaurant’s willingness and ability to substitute gluten-free pasta. We were also happy to see a wine on the menu from just down the road in Prince Edward County and would have been even happier to see more local wine options. We really can’t heap enough praise on this restaurant. We look forward to returning. I am ashamed to say that I am also able to report that the crème brûlée did not disappoint. For a 7:30 show at the TIP, Riva recommended a 5:15 or 5:30 dinner reservation. We chose 5:15, which was perfect. We were on foot. The theatre is about a 15 minute waddle from the the restaurant.
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.
ironleague
Westport192 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
Visited Riva for the first time for a birthday dinner for a member of my family. Had heard good things about this restaurant for years, so we wanted to check it out. There are many positives about Riva. The food was very good. Cocktails were good. Appetizers of Escargot, Caprese Salad and Beef Carpaccio were well received. Two pasta mains of Sausage Truffle Gnocchetti and Steak Penne were also delicious. Third entree of Bistecca strip loin was good, but maybe a little overpriced for the quality. Desserts of Tiramisu and Italian Chocolate Mousse pudding was also good. Server Mackenzie was friendly and attentive.
My only really issue was the timing of service. We had hardly started our appetizers when the mains arrived at our table. The server was surprised how fast they came out and did apologize, as did someone who I can only assume was the owner or manager. I felt I had to rush eating my appetizer to ensure I got to my main in a timely manner. My main was good, but not as hot as I would have liked considering it sat there while I finished my appetizer. Not sure if this is an issue with the kitchen or servers being told to turn over tables, but it should be addressed considering this restaurant seems to consider itself finer dining based on its menu and prices.
Like to think we will return, just to see if this was an anomaly. Hopefully not the norm. Also a little surprised that there seems to be no responses to any reviews from management.
Written 22 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.
Tanya O
Brockville39 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
This place is very tasty & quite expensive. $34 for an 8oz. glass of red wine is overpriced for the area. The pricing is more on a larger city scale. A group of us waited almost 2 full hours to get our meal and the server didn't even offer us bread or a discount on our meals. She did offer up 3 desserts to share between 8 people. I also suggest removing the tails from the shrimp in your pasta dishes as it isn't very classy to have to bite or cut off the tails. If the restaurant is going to charge high end prices, then the presentation should also reflect that.
Written 18 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.
Rhe W
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • couples
This is a pub! Not a gourmet restaurant! We have a reservation at 8pm we came from 5hrs drive.its Anniversary dinner we waited for our table and finally seated at 8.30pm.the Calamari was chewy.(compare to the Calamari at the keg or the snug harbor in mississauga which is excellent.)
The seafood linguini is terrible they put a tiny bay scallops obviously frozen from china.the tomatoes are alive like came from the can.server didnt offer to give a freshly crack pepper or parmesan to my husband penne.the ambiance is Loud it's a bar!!!its way overpriced as well we had 8oz red and white wine penne bolognese and seafood pasta came to $167.
Written 1 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.
J B
Ottawa43 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
Having just read a recent glowing review of another diner's experience I conclude that food and service is inconsistent.
We ate there on Saturday June 29 and yes our reserved table was ready when we arrived and a server introduced herself saying she would be looking after us, and took our order. We ordered pre dinner drinks and main courses. Much to our surprise our meals were delivered by someone else, yet no sign of our drinks. My guest's beer AND wine were both brought when we asked about our drinks. I had ordered a Margarita which was served in a tumbler and did nothing to resemble a true Margarita in taste or appearance. While we drank our “pre dinner” drinks our meals cooled off and were no longer hot when we ate them. There was no bread served or offered and the “ragout” looked like any spaghetti sauce one might find on a children’s menu for spaghetti with a ground meat sauce. Is a ragout not supposed to be a stew with meat and vegetables? I chose the seafood dish and had they stuck to fish and shrimp it would have been fine and received a thumbs up. The addition of calamari and baby squid added texture, (to the point of rubbery and chewy) and detracted from what could have been an enjoyable meal. My guest was so disappointed with his meal, on all counts. He commented that he could have done better himself. And he is no cook. It looked unappetizing, a large dollop in the dish, served without any appreciation for presentation and nothing like the “ragout” he was expecting . To say we were disappointed is an understatement. Such a pity when we had heard good things about Riva and their meals. Neither service nor food would receive more than one star based on our experience, and atmosphere gets just one star too as it was so noisy. But that is the type of building, hard surfaces and nothing to absorb the sound.
Written 3 July 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.
Pawco11
Montreal32 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
The restaurant was beautiful, service was good. Food was average and pricey. The pizza tasted like something you made at home, except I would have put more ingredients, the caesar salad was very good. I ordered the coconut cheese cake and it was not good at all, too much gelatin put in to set it and portion was very small. I would not return.
Written 26 July 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.
Wayne M
Oshawa1 contribution
Nov 2023 • family
We arrived at RiVA at 4:15 after making a reservation for 4:30. We were a little early but were confident we could get in as when we called to make the reservation they advised (over the phone) that we should arrive early - before dinner hours- NO PROBLEM, Riva would be serving appi’s and drinks so we could come in and enjoy that before dinner. We arrived to find the door locked. An employee opened the door and informed us that we were mistaken and NO WAY would we be allowed in. I felt like Dorothy meeting the wizard in the WIZARD of OZ. She even commented that it was only 15 minutes and we should be able wait outside (in the November cold). WOW!!!! What turn off! Especially when we were assured that we would be welcomed. This restaurant definitely needs to get a reset on their service standards. The food was good, we had a fungi pizza and amazing Caesar Salad, but the sting from the initial greeting soured our taste for the place. TOO BAD! -
Written 9 November 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.
Christine D
Laval92 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
Nice restaurant, nice bar. My husband and I are both in our 70’s and we were seated at a table that is very high with high stools to sit on. We were uncomfortable throughout our dinner. The food is not bad but also not very good, I would say that the food is okay. Service is so-so. Don’t expect that they will change your cutlery or clean off you dirty side plates after you had your appetizers. Oysters were very small but good. Branzino was mediocre with a tomato sauce that did not go well. Seafood stew lacks depth and good luck finding any scallops in it! At this point we decided not to have dessert based on the quality of our apps and entrees. Maybe staying with traditional pasta dishes would be better.
Written 16 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.
Judy W
Ottawa10 contributions
Apr 2024 • friends
Had the best time at the Pasta Cooking class! Hosted by the lovely Deanna, class led by chef Thomas with his backup Ethan. Started the event with a glass o’ wine and a charcuterie board to tide us over. Chef Thomas took us step by step on how to make pasta from scratch. Then we split into groups and started rolling, cutting and filling the pasta. Next Chef Thomas showed us several ways of making a sauce for multiple types of pasta. Of course we all got to taste it. Then we sat down at the table family style with a wonderful meal. Cudos to Riva for such a great evening
Written 17 April 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.
Cathy K
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
waitress was nice but she has no knowledge of what's on the plate. manager who poured wine for my parents complained about how expensive the limes are when my kid was asking for a small piece. very unprofessional. took almost two hours for our food. by then we were about to go, food finally came and they were so normal that it was not even worth the price. will NOT go again. it was a perfect restaurant to ruin a good day.
Written 7 June 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.
Barry L
Toronto4 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
Not a bad restaurant overall. We were seated on time and the ambience is rather pleasant. However I was disappointed to learn that my first two entree choices were sold out (at 7 pm!). I settled for an expensive but average pizza. I’m not talking about a daily special being sold out, but two of seven regular dishes, rather early in the evening. Apparently the kitchen can’t figure out how much to order. If you go, go early and be prepared to eat pasta or pizza.
Written 30 July 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.
Barbara P
Kingston33 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
Have eaten here many times before Covid and enjoyed the menu choices and quality. Our recent visit was a total disappointment. Dinner menu VERY limited so went with the evenings special recommendation. 12 oz prime rib with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Meals arrived with no potatoes at all. When server did quality check we pointed this out and she brought a small (cold) plate of potatoes to the table and told us they forgot to put them on our dinner plates. The seasonal vegetables were literally raw and, worst of all, the prime rib was excessively fatty. 40% of the meat was fat. When the server collected our plates she could clearly see the quantity of fat pieces left on the side of my plate. The other guest had slightly less fat, maybe 30%. Clearly, they need to trim the meat correctly and list it as 8oz prime rib. Really not the restaurant it used to be.
Written 9 June 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.
Linda H
Richmond Hill190 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
We were lucky to get a place on the patio but for sure make reservations. On a Monday night, the place was at capacity. Service was very pleasant but a little slow due the sheer numbers of customers. Sour dough bread was amazing. Seafood pasta was also great and they accommodated a request for just shrimp and scallop which was very nice. My steak was a little too done for me but otherwise very good.
Would definitely go back.
Written 5 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.
FoodandTea_Lover
Kemptville359 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
Great dinner venue for pre-theatre goers especially if you have a large group. Amazing patio. Everything we ordered was tasty (pizza with very thin crust) and linguine with pesto and vegetables although on the pricey side, considering the proportions, especially the $8 add on vegetables. Service was attentive. The value for price is the only reason I gave a 4 and not 5 out of 5.
Written 7 July 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.
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