Riverside Cafe – Restaurant Review

Thomas Miller August 2, 2021

2 82 2 minutes read

Riverside Cafe is one of those places that define what Florida living is all about. It’s located right on the water and you can drive up in your car or dock your boat, get a bite to eat, and enjoy those fabulous Florida sunsets! Owners David and Ellen Lane took ownership of Riverside back in 2008. David had been working at Riverside for over 24 years and his wife Ellen, 13 years as bartenders before taking ownership. They have a long history here and know this place and their customers very well. Chef Brandon Howard’s new menu is fresh, creative, and features a variety of dishes to please most any palate.

This place is truly a “hidden” gem, a local’s place if you will. If you have not lived here long, I’m sure you passed by this place a hundred times and did not know it was there. Parking should not be too much of an issue with their main parking lot having quite a few spaces available, of which only a few are reserved for the Bait & Tackle shop located directly in front of the restaurant. If the main lot is full, there is overflow just outside the lot with additional parking under the bridge. As you enter the restaurant, you are transported to old Florida with a very laid-back vibe. An interior dining room has several low top tables available if you prefer a quieter dining experience. The main dining room has all high-top tables to help you better enjoy the 180-degree views of the water and has plenty of seats available at the bar. A stage is also in this room for live performances by local artists. If you care to dine outside, they do have a limited number of seats out on the deck so you may be in for a short wait if you prefer that option during peak times.

Now let’s dive right in and see what this place has to offer and what I had to eat!