lil ap
It was a pleasant dining experience. Great views with seating outside river side, and seating in a sunroom also Riverside. Some seating is located in the middle of the restaurant and views are hard to see. The wait staff was friendly and efficient. The menu had limited choices, but good choices. They will charge you extra for every little thing extra you want on the menu. I tried the hot honey ham sub with some garlic sauce. It was not at all what I expected, it was better. A very unusual combination, it delighted my taste buds with every bite. Fries were crispy and tasty. I was impressed. My husband always plays it safe with a hamburger. He said the restaurant wasn’t bad, which means in man speak that he would try it again.
… moreChecking out cool places
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 – A Hidden Gem on the River!
The Riverside Restaurant & Bar completely blew us away! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by JayLynn, the absolute rockstar bartender everyone deserves in their life. She welcomed us like old friends and knew everything about the menu, the drinks, and even the little details that made the whole experience feel personal.
Let’s talk about the espresso martinis… WOW. These aren’t your basic “shake and hope” cocktails—these are handcrafted masterpieces. Perfect balance of smooth espresso, just the right sweetness, and that silky finish that makes you want to order a second (and maybe a third…). You can tell JayLynn puts genuine care and talent into every drink she makes, and it shows.
The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is friendly, and the food menu is loaded with fun options—including their specialty pizzas and tasty starters. Whether you’re coming for a date night, a casual bite, or just stopping by for drinks, this place hits the mark.
If you’re anywhere near Main Street, do yourself a favor and stop in. And trust me—ask for JayLynn and order an espresso martini. You’ll thank me later!
… moreCharles Smith
A quaint place with fantastic views and access to the Cape Fear River. Enjoy lunch on the patio overlooking a grassed area to walk and play. Property has other amenities and connects via a grassed trail to a park. The classic burger didn’t disappoint, either did the Swiss mushroom bean burger. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive.
… moreBrooklyn Smith
We stopped here for lunch on a Saturday as we were passing through town. We both ordered the French Dip special and it was delicious! The serving size was great for the price and our waitress was very sweet. We did sit inside but it looked like they have a nice view overlooking the river with outside seating available. Definitely somewhere we would come back to!
… moreexpshare
Easily the best pizza in town. Pretty much New York style. Amazing price $18 for an 18 inch and they cooked it to perfection (ordered it well done). This is the real deal folks. Seems to be the last place to get a real pizza around here since Nonna’s closed
Edit: last time I got the pizza the cheese was really thick and chewy, almost no sauce on it, and the crust was too wide. Manager told me I’d get a partial refund but I never got it…
… moreKeith Smith
Had a really good.experience.afyer finally making it a point to stop and try this place. The view from the patio of the river added to the atmosphere for sure. Staff was very friendly, though service was a bit slow for my liking. Then again we weren’t in a hurry and the staff was doing there thing engaging in all the other tables. So not a crazy big deal. Tap menu for beer was smaller but offer multiple styles which is nice. The pizza was great. Really nice thin crust and a good balance of toppings made it very enjoyable. We will definitely return.
… moreKierstyn Myers
Nestled right along the Cape Fear River, The Riverside offers more than just a mea, it’s an experience. With sweeping river views and a laid-back outdoor setting, this spot is perfect for those beautiful Carolina days when you just want to kick back, soak in the scenery, and enjoy something delicious.
The menu focuses on two all-American classics: pizza and smash burgers. The smash burgers are juicy, perfectly crisped on the edges, and served on some of the fluffiest buns I’ve ever had. Seriously, the buns alone are worth the trip.
Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch with friends or a relaxing dinner date with a view, The Riverside delivers a vibe that’s as enjoyable as its food. If you’re anywhere near Lillington, don’t miss this hidden gem by the water.
… moreBecause Wendy Says So
I visited Riverside for the first time on a Friday night along with my 4 and 6 year old kids. The parking lot looked full and I was worried there would be a wait but we were seated right away. We got a booth looking out to the river which was nice. The service was really fast. I ordered an apple martini and it arrived quickly and was delicious. They have a kids menu although it’s not actually printed. You can view it online at their website but also our waitress just told us the options. The food came out quick and was really tasty. Our waitress was great. The restrooms were clean and spacious. My kids enjoyed going down to swing and look at the river after dinner. We’ll definitely be returning again in the future.
… moreCindy Chan
The staff is so nice. Sweetest people I have met. The food is delicious. I had the BBQ Smashed Burger, Onion Rings, and Hush Puppies. It was all fantastic. Add Lemon to their Sweet tea and it was perfection. I highly recommend visiting here. The view of the river is great as well.
… moreMarie Leonard
I’m telling you right now, if you don’t check this amazing gem out, you’re missing out!
We had burgers and fries, and we can’t wait to come back!
I had the mushroom Swiss, and my beau had the classic burger both with fries, and I had a side salad with balsamic.
We were sitting next to the river on a beautiful day with some of the BEST service I’ve ever had! Those lovely young women worked hard to make sure we had everything we needed.
It’s by beaus birthday next week and now we know where to go!!
Thanks, Riverside, for a lovely 1st experience. You’ll be taking my $$ regularly!!
… more