Testimonials & Awards
Awards
Voted Best Seafood Restaurant in Santa Cruz, Good Times Best of 2022
Voted Best Overall Restaurant in Santa Cruz, Sentinel Readers Choice 2021
Voted Best Seafood Restaurant in Santa Cruz county, Sentinel Readers Choice 2019-2021
Voted Best Restaurant on the Santa Cruz Wharf, Sentinel Readers Choice 2018-2020
Voted Clean Ocean Business, City of Santa Cruz 2021
Testimonials
The food here was absolutely amazing! The service was great all around I give it a 10 out of 10!
-Stephanie F.
A Santa Cruz staple!! Awesome chowder and fish plates. Also, the best chicken teriyaki sandwich in town. Great views and awesome bar. Not to mention they make the best gelato outside New York and Italy.
-Jake B.
I’ve eaten at a few of the restaurants along the wharf but this place was a gem. Our usual place is undergoing renovation so it was by chance we went to Rivas. The reason we chose it was the steamed mussels and let me tell you, they are worth the stop. Sweet and buttery with the right amount of garlic and wine. I had the halibut tacos which were rather spicy but very tasty. The clam chowder is rich and velvety with lots of clams. This may become our new “usual”.
-Sean S.
I went there for lunch with my mom during my birthday trip to Santa Cruz. It's a wonderful place with a spectacular view at the ocean. Nathan was our server, he helped us with the menu and gave some food suggestions, and he was very attentive throughout the whole time we spent there. Definitely be back there on my next visit to Santa Cruz!
-Diana K.
Delicious food featuring fresh seafood. Love the clam chowder! Fried items were not too oily or salty with just the right crisp. Friendly servers too.
-Hannah M.
Great food and great service of family owned business. Check out the paintings and photos on the wall available for purchase. Coming back again with friends and family.
-Partha S.
Highly recommended! If your on the pier Riva Fish House is the place to stop in for some Great cocktails and Awesome food! Some of the Best and freshest calamari I have had in a very time!
-Sean F.
The best food on the wharf
-Rick R.
Food was very good, price point was excellent. If I find myself in Santa Cruz again, I’ll be returning here.
-Zachary F.
Great views of the seals/birds along the water by the pier. Try to get a window seat and definitely order the snapper and a cup of chowder!
-Anna S.
Great food, fun place and great sunset views.
-TyVera B.
Clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl was great but the crab melt sandwich was "to die for" We had a table overlooking the bay and our server Sally was really nice.
-Kurtiss G.