Lori Castillo (.
Google
Visiting from San Antonio, Texas, we were on a Pacific coastal road trip from San Jose to San Diego when we stopped in Santa Cruz for the night. We randomly picked Riva’s Fish House for dinner—and I’m so glad we did!
We were seated quickly, and although the window seats overlooking the Pacific were full, we got a spot just across from the window, which was just as breathtaking. The atmosphere was both fun and relaxing, with beautiful local artwork adorning the walls (and even available for purchase!).
Our waitress, Lola, was outstanding! She recommended a local lager that was delightfully refreshing after a long day of traveling and sightseeing. She was attentive, checked in on us several times, and truly made us feel like welcomed guests.
Now, the food—SPECTACULAR! We started off with cheesy bread, which was delivered with a house made ranch that was, by far, the best I have ever tried. (And as a South Texan, where we chug ranch by the gallon, this is saying A LOT!) I ordered the salmon with the Soy Ginger sauce (a perfect blend of soy sauce, green onion, cilantro, teriyaki, ginger, red vinegar, and honey), and it was superb—hearty, savory, and bursting with flavor. The fried fish, prawns, and calamari were lightly battered, crispy, and cooked to perfection—not overly greasy or heavy. Every bite was fresh and delicious.
Between the amazing seafood, welcoming service, and great atmosphere, I would absolutely recommend Riva’s to anyone visiting Santa Cruz. It was a perfect, memorable stop on our road trip, and I would return in a heartbeat! Lola deserves a raise!