Visited tonight for the first time. What an amazing experience! From the seating, the view, the ambiance - it was a perfect dinner. Our server was the finest I've ever experienced. He was so wonderfully genuinely attentive. The crabcakes were stuffed with pieces of crab and seasoned perfectly, sitting on a bed of fresh zucchini coleslaw. The strawberry spinach salad was large - a lovely surprise for this hungry diner. I cannot wait to return with my husband!
(5)
Fred J.
When we first moved to Yarmouth my wife and I used to eat here all the time. It had a great bartender and was pretty much halfway between home and the hockey rink where my son spent so much of his middle and high school sports time. They had an ok bar menu, a little pricey, not that great but good enough. Time went by, our son moved on to college, the nice bartender left and we found a few other places that we enjoyed more. Also the food was always pricy-which would be fine if it was really good but it never was. Tonight we stopped by for Happy Hour to check out the recent renovations by the owners daughter, Nicola. As expected, they were nice. We ran into some friends and saw lots of others that we knew and would expect to see in a place that would be considered "happening" ( at least until the newness wears off). I asked the bartender about Happy Hour. She said it was over I asked her at what time. Turns out she was wrong and that it was over in 20 minutes. She did not volunteer any information about Happy Hour specials. We had a beer and a glass of wine. The bill came to $17.00. I was not provided with a breakdown of the charges, just a total. I asked her if that reflected Happy Hour prices. She was not sure. It did not. She was put out. She became even less pleasant. She fixed the bill with a scowl on her face. She threw down the bill in my direction without a word. If anyone should have had a scowl it was me. Suggestions-bag the happy hour. If your employees ignore it and then overcharge it causes hard feelings never mind making customers uncomfortable by forcing them to choose between paying more than they should or having to question the charges. We eat out a lot and at a wide range of places. Pats to The White Barn. I will not be back to the Royal River Grill House There are way too many good restaurants nearby to deal with overcharging and lousy service. Considering the menu, this place really needs a bar menu.
(1)
Chris C.
Look, I am a rather subjective reviewer, i don't like to do 5 stars, too often, and I would rather not do a review than do a negative review. With that said, I give this place a five-star for the total experience. It is a beautiful spot right on the marina, the service was very friendly and casual, and we really like the food. What more could you want front a restaurant on the coast of Maine in mid August. Just north of Portland, off the beaten path a bit. And a great place. And an added benefit, Maine Brewing Company Peepers Ale on tap, oh yeah!
(5)
Pat R.
What a disappointment! The setting on the water with views of the harbor and active boats was perfect for a warm summer night. I treated my friend for dinner for her birthday. While she was satisfied with a beautifully presented trout, I was very unhappy with a dried-out paella. The rice was crispy throughout and it looked as though it sat under a heat lamp. The service was barely acceptable. Our waitress never looked at us nor gave us a friendly greeting. When she gave us our dessert menu, she placed it upside down! There are many excellent restaurants along the coast in southern Maine. This is not one of them.
We are from NJ and we were passing through Freeport and stopped here for dinner because of the reviews on Yelp. We were not disappointed. The food here was delicious! The staff was extremely attentive Make sure if you come get the mussels and LOTS of bread to dip. I had salmon and my husband had a rib eye. Both delicious. Views nice of the inlet The only complaint was the our Grand Mariner was served in juice glass and maybe one shot in it. Very disappointed after a wonderful meal.
(4)
Ross C.
While much pricier than it used to be (after Nicola's daddy paid for her to overhaul the decor to her taste), it is actually good value for money. I had the shrimp and pasta, and for $25 I got eight shrimp plus one king prawn on top of a copious amount of linguine. The Flying Point oysters were top notch too.
(4)
Barry F.
The a Royal River Grillhouse has quality food and drinks. They remodeled this past winter making the bar area bigger, which works. What doesn't work are the high back chairs in the dinning room that block the river view. Why would they want to block the river view is beyond me. The dinning room could be in downtown Yarmouth unless you are lucky enough to get a window seat. Sitting outside on the patio is still a treat on a warm summer night. I'm taking off one star for the blocked view, but for food and drinks it's a five.
(4)
Abbie M.
Amazing. Incredible food, atmosphere, and drinks. The place to be on a weeknight in Yarmouth, Maine.
(5)
Mark M.
We ate outside in a perfect setting overlooking the river and marina. Attentive, friendly and helpful service. Paella rocked. Sockeye salmon special also delicious. Loved the blueberry pie.
(5)
Cathy C.
Great place for lunch or dinner, especially if you like fresh seafood! Nice atmosphere, quick and attentive service, and delicious food! A great place to eat!
(4)
DC B.
We have eaten at this location many many times over the years. The location is of course lovely, and the food has been up and down under different management. We were there for dinner at least 10 times in 2013 and 2014 and for lunch a few times more, likewise we have been there 6 times in 2015. Loved the service and the atmosphere, and the food was generally what we expected, mostly good, often great. Last winter's do-over made for some interesting design choices-- the new fancy chairs block the view of the water from inside-- one of its off-season attractions before-- but overall a nice job that made for some nice new places to sit. The outside remains wonderful. However, service and quality changed so drastically between our last visit early in the summer and our visit last week that we won't be back. The food has plummeted in quality. Gone are the smart, experienced servers with a great friendly attitude and a perfect sense of timing. Gone is any acknowledgement of the needs of people over 65. Gone is any sense of community. It is hard to know what the dining theory is now, but it's no longer a place that our foodie family groups of diverse ages is going to enjoy. Three stars for location and atmosphere, and some of the menu.
(3)
Joseph F.
Love this place Love the mussels Frustrating to sit at the bar and have the backs of 3 servers and 2 bar tenders towards us while they chit chat and no waiting or noticing us.
(5)
N Y.
The Grill House has been a long standing place for having a solid family meal. We have tried Sunday brunch and dinners. The brunch always has very good quality food and options. This offering is certainly worth a try. Dinner is less predictable and often disappoints due to slow service and food that is not prepared well. The food options are fine and presentation is good; however, quality of the food is at best ok. The food quality is typically disappointing, with our last experience solidifying this opinion. For instance, crab cake appetizer was terrible! The cakes (two good size) were covered with about 1/4" of panko or similar breading which left only a very small amount of crab. Any decent chef/cook knows that high quality crab cakes should not be breaded! That type of quality can be found in the frozen food section of any grocery store. Our salads had too much dressing, despite a request for "very light" and the ingredients in these salads were not highlights as they should be. There is great local and organic produce in Maine - use it and let it shine! Lastly, on a weekday evening (no holiday period), our service was incredibly slow, resulting with some food being cold. For a table of five, we waited over an hour between appetizers and entrees. Dinner was again regrettable. The server was pleasant and fun, which was a positive for the night. The view, decor and beer/wine selection are all positives for the Grill House. The Grill House needs to improve its quality and service to compete with the many excellent restaurants in the Portland area. Try this place for brunch, but keep going north or south for dinner.
(3)
Tom L.
Dropped in on a beautiful June day, snagged a table on the patio, and had a wonderful lunch. Friendly, fast service. Food was excellent, with generous portions. The prices are not cheap, but the quality is top notch, and the location can't be beat! Overall, a good value.
(4)
Jim N.
Since our disappointing first visit in March, I have been back 3 times. Things have improved but it is still a mixed experience. I was in last week for a dinner meeting. By all accounts it was busy. According to our very nice server, Leigh, it was the busiest night ever for RRG. We can vouch for that. First drinks took a very long time. One of our orders was no longer available. 40 mins after placing our order we were informed that the other order was no longer available and I had to reorder. The mgr. was very apologetic. The food was good. RRG went above the call of duty and comped our entire meal. I refused. They insisted. They made a solid effort to make good on still lacking service delivery. I have another business dinner there next week as RRG continues to improve with time.
(3)
Martha E.
We ate here summer of 2014 many times because it was so delicious, simple and not pretentious. Just finished a meal in the updated space and it was a bit disappointing. The dining room is nice but the updated menu is not so good. Prices are high for small portions that lacked depth of flavor. Please consider bringing back some of the hits of the old menu while working on some new and interesting-menu items. Before you had a place and menu we would go to weekly, now priced for special occasion but lacking the pizazz.
(3)
Anna E.
This is my sister-in-law's favorite restaurant in the state and for good reason. Lucky for all of us, this is where my dear brother and his now wife had their rehearsal dinner the night before their wedding several weeks ago. This place was amazing. Before you even get to the restaurant, as you pull into the spacious parking lot, you see breathtaking views of the Royal River. If you are seated in a good spot in the restaurant you can continue to enjoy this lovely view. Upon entering the first thing I noticed was the ideal combination of rustic elegance that defines the atmosphere of this place. We had the top floor, above the main dining room, reserved for our party. Service was top-notch throughout the night and the food even better. Everything we had was delicious: the Farmers Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, Clam Chowder, Pan Seared Haddock, Prime Ribeye Steak, etc., but the real standout, the creme de la creme was the Double Thick Pork Chop made with birch beer brined pork with roasted garlic au jus, served with a warm summer bean succotash, and crispy sweet potato sticks. Oh my word. I had the haddock and loved it but kept stealing bites of the steak and pork around me as they were so good. Dessert and drinks were also fantastic.
(5)
H.B. ..
Don't get me wrong... the food was delicious. BUT the wait time for it, not so great. My husband and I went here, atmosphere was very nice but the people were in jeans and sweaters :(. I think we were the only one's that were dressed up looking great. It took someone at least 7 minutes before they noticed we were sitting there without anything in front of us. The wine took longer than expected to arrive at our table. The food we ordered took - 40 MINUTES to get to us! So we were there a total of 1 hour and 15 min. 15 minutes to notice us and serve wine 15 minutes here and there to decide on ordering drinks and food 40 minutes for food to arrive 5 minutes to eat it 2 seconds to dash out of there Not sure if we'll come back, but it was nice going out with my husband. I'll go to 555 instead.
(3)
Rebecca W.
My fiance and I went here for valentine's day. Reservations are recommended. WE arrived early and they seated us right away. The decor is a lovely nautical theme. The view of the river was nice, along with the heavy snowfall. We ordered the truffle fries with parmesan as an appetizer. These were absolutely amazing. I wanted to eat another three orders of these. The iced tea was brewed perfectly and so refreshing. We got the hanger steak and the salmon. Both were full of delightful flavor, cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. Both dishes were plated beautifully and pleasing to the eye. The man who never eats a vegetable, even ate the shaved brussel sprouts. The rice was served as a fried patty and the center was soft and delicious. We ordered the chocolate lava cake as dessert. (Even though we were already so full) The cake was served with a creamy vanilla ice cream. The cake was soft and gooey. The service was friendly and the food arrived quickly. The menu is small but everything on it is pure perfection. This is a wonderful restaurant serving gourmet meals at great prices.
(5)
Elizabeth D.
This has always been one of a few favorite restaurants of ours, in spite of the fact they never really seem to get it 100%correct. This time we made reservations for New Years Eve, it's close to home so our commute time is just 5 minutes. We like to dine early and get back home before the real party folk are out and behind the wheel. We got to the restaurant and were told they couldn't find a reservation for us....not a good start. They did accommodate us with what I call the "screw up" table, that is a table for two tiny people in the middle of the room, I liken it to being on an island in the middle of a highway. I ordered a Martini, my husband a nice Cabernet, my martini was perfect. My husband ordered the wood fired Beef Tenderloin and I the Tenderloin with Lobster Tail both dishes were scrumptious, the beef was dry-aged and could be cut with a fork and the flavor was out of this world. We should have paid the bill and left then but we hadn't satisfied our sweet tooth yet so we ordered a Pumpkin Cheesecake and a Chocolate something..... I can't remember the name, neither was memorable, the cheesecake was very dry and the raspberry coulis was barely a dime sized dot on the plate. The entree saved the day, it was wonderful. I will say the the Royal River's Wood Fire Grill is not to be missed, when they can take a crappy cut of meat like a Hanger Steak and make it taste prime and make fish taste so good, it's ok by me. Enjoy the entrees and forget the rest.
(4)
Myra K.
Very good food and good service. Had the asparagus and Bibb lettuce salad with salmon and it was delicious!
I've visited Royal River Grillhouse at various times of the year; each time I stop in, I have a topnotch experience. They have location, very good, and often, great food, atmosphere, and outstanding service. They have their model down and it works. My wife and I had dinner with friends we haven't seen for awhile. We were looking to have an extended evening of drinks, dinner, and even a bit of song. We had all three and we never had to leave our prime location along the beautiful Royal River, with a picturesque winter snowfall scene outside the window. Our friends are fans of Tony Boffa, and wouldn't you know it--his trio was playing in the main dining room from 6:00 to 9:00 covering their wide-ranging repertoire. On what would be a busy, Saturday night, with a popular Maine performer, was a bit slower than usual; our hostess mentioned that a number of diners had cancelled reservations or hadn't shown due to a 3-4 inch snowfall. We arrived at 6:30 for drinks and left just before 10:00 without being rushed, but also well-attended to. Our waitress, an experienced pro, knew we were there to catch up, enjoy our meal, and didn't rush us, checking in to be sure our drinks were updated, kept us in the loop on appetizers, knew right when we were ready to think about dinner choices (she even indicating to us that the double-thick pork chop our friend ordered "usually takes 35 minutes). I went with the pan-seared haddock, which was panko encrusted (a favorite of mine), which was accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and nice seasonal veggie medley. My wife had the hangar steak, which also had similar sides. Our guests went with the haddock and the double-thick pork chop, which came with a mashed sweet potato and broccoli rabe. All of us were pleased with our main courses. I also had a cup of the New England clam chowder, which was thick, and seasoned perfectly, with ample potatoes and clams. I had a hankering for the fried smelts. It seems like such a "Maine" thing. They were breaded and deep-fried. If you know smelts, they are a "fishy" tasting local fish that ice fishermen love. I don't love them, but with the tasty and tangy aioli dipping sauce, they were a unique appetizer. If you are looking for a place just out of Portland with a varied and diverse menu, skillfully and creatively prepared, and a nice location (especially during warmer months, when the deck is open), the Royal River Grillhouse is worth heading to Yarmouth for dinner, or even drinks and appetizers in their ample lounge.
(5)
Leigh H.
Ate here for dinner this week. We were seated promptly when we arrived for our reservation. The service was initially slow to start, but did become more efficient, and our waiter was very polite. Our appetizer- the truffle cheese fries- was delicious and a huge portion. The kitchen made a mistake with our entrees but our waiter quicky corrected it. The entrees were good- I had the haddock and my other half had the shrimp with pasta. Restaurant is nicely decorated and the views are beautiful.
(4)
Gina Z.
This is our go to restaurant in the neighborhood. Yummy food, great ambience. Beautifully & cozily decorated for Christmas and in the warmer months, seating on the deck is a great option. Great seafood menu, wedge salad, & brunch.
(5)
Saul G.
Quite pleased with a Wednesday lunch, Started with PEI mussels in a superb buttery wine sauce. Twin lobster rolls were packed with good quality meat. The potato salad with whole grain mustard was excellent. My wife's order came with a mesclun type salad. A nice pour of J. Lohr Riesling made a fine accompaniment. Service was friendly and competent. Waterside setting was lovely.
(4)
Mark M.
Wonderful location and view. A bit pricy but there are also less expensive items on the menu. Nice specials. Great atmosphere whether you are eating indoors or out on their fenced off deck.
(5)
Helen And Rob B.
EXCELLENT food, service and ambiance served on behalf of professional, courteous staff! KUDOS to you all! Rob and Helen B. of Prescott (son Alex, a chef, is so impressed with your menu!)
(5)
Alicia W.
My husband and I have eaten here twice in two years. Both times the service has been excellent. And Both times the restaurant has been full to bursting. The most recent visit we were seated, no reservations, during a very busy lunch after waiting maybe 15 minutes. Not unreasonable in my opinion. The hostess was very attentive and aware of the door, (A pet peeve of mine). Once we were sat our server was also very attentive and we were well taken care of. The food is very creative. We always get a large variety. The fried calamari is wonderful. Perfectly cooked. Wonderfully seasoned. The menu changes seasonally, something I always like to see. We had a couple of their sandwiches...the pulled pork one and a turkey one. Both were really well done. And went very well with the truffle fries. Always a favorite! I highly recommend this place. You always get what you pay for and then some.
(5)
Benjamin C.
I am a native Mainer and this is my favorite restaurant to visit. The menu is fun and inventive. It's enjoyable to go when not in a hurry and split a bunch of apps before dinner. It is pricey for us and we only go a couple times a year. It is well worth the wait for us and we have never had a meal that was less than stellar. The servers are wonderful and know the menu very well. I can't wait to go again this fall! This is my only five star restaurant review. It's important to not throw those around!
(5)
Mark H.
On a beautiful August afternoon enjoyed watching the birds on the river from the deck, while savoring a bowl of gently simmered mussels, and soaking up the delicious broth with fresh bread.
(5)
Karen H.
We had a reservation at 6:30 and ordered an appetizer and entree and at 8:00 the entree finally arrived after having to comment to the hostess. The food is ok but the kitchen can not handle the restaurant when it is full. Look for other options.
(2)
Tim L.
Stopped by this morning for Sunday brunch. Corned beef hash was great, view was terrific, staff was friendly. Would come back next time I'm around.
We decided to meet friends here since the yelp reviews were good. Waited in the bar area for our guests to arrive, bar service was not great. We ordered a wine & beer and had to finally after waiting for about 5-10 min ask for the beer again (the bar was not crowded). Apparently it was wing night because we received a huge plate of wings not ordered. When we said we didn't order them the bartender just said..it's wing night. We had one each, to try since we felt bad wasting them. They were very good. Our friends came, we paid the bill and asked if we could take our drinks to the table and she said ok, but you can't take the wings. We thought that was a bit rude. The rest of the evening was great. We ordered the mussels, crab cakes, truffle fries & fried oysters for apps, all were delish. For main courses we had the scallops which were great, 2 filet/shrimp special dinners that were also great and the hanger steak was good too. Desserts were also good. The service at the table made up for our bar experience. We would go back next time we are in town.
(4)
Sarah B.
I was looking for a place with an excellent steak dinner for a celebratory meal for my boyfriend. Saw the reviews for the hanger steak here and decided to try it. We called ahead and had no problem getting a table for 8:30. We arrived early and planned to enjoy the sunset but were seated right away. We had the fry appetizer which was different and yummy. The boyfriend had the hanger steak and raved about it but said the potatoes were really the star of his plate. I had the salad that was on special...shaved fennel, goat cheese, watermelon, and the dressing was perfect! We were much to full for dessert between the bread that was served, our appetizer, and out meal. Overall, an excellent meal.
(5)
Adam S.
Don't eat the Salmon!!!!! I was up ALL night with food poisoning! I ordered it medium well it came out rare. I should have sent it back but did not want to be rude! Service at the bar was ok but don't eat the food!!!!! Never again. They should fire the chief for letting something that made someone so sick and NOT cooked to order! No sleep at all last night... Remember DON'T eat the food!!!!
(1)
Dana B.
Great view, great cheeseburger. I asked for it "medium" and it truly was. Most places overcook hamburgers if you are looking for a hot pink center. Definitely worth the visit!
(4)
J. R.
Returned to Grill House last night and lucky enough to sit outside on the deck on such a beautiful night! What a delight! Great food, service, and atmosphere . The waiter actually remembered us from when we came a month ago. Extremely impressive from beginning to end!
(5)
Colby C.
Romantic dining at its finest. This beautiful restaurant is situated right on the Royal River in Yarmouth, Maine. The atmosphere inside is quaint yet sophisticated. Stopped in for a quick lunch on a sunny day. We were seated outside on the breezy deck which was comfortably in the shade and provided nice views of the marina/harbor below. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful with our meal selection. I got a broiled haddock sandwich and was quite impressed. The fish was very nicely seasoned and left my taste buds longing for more. Overall: Atmosphere - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Quality of food - 4/5 Taste of food - 5/5 Price - 4/4
(5)
Jim C.
Upon entering the hostess was very helpful and sat us right away. Decor and atmosphere was very nice. When our waitress finally arrived after a 15 minute wait, she seemed very pretentious and eyed me over like a criminal when I handed her my I.D. When our drinks arrived she poured my wife's beer completely destroying it. I couldn't believe her incompetents at pouring beer. The food was decent but pricey and took an hour to receive. Now I'm giving this place 3 stars because it seems like a decent establishment even though we didn't have the best time. I'm thinking we just got stuck with a incapable waitress. Personally, probably never going back, but I would encourage others to try it, maybe you'll have a better experience.
(3)
Joy E.
Dying for oysters (we were 0 for 3 on the week looking for oysters) we stopped here for lunch - which they had...! Until a party of 12 put their order in before us and cleaned them out... The waitress was very nice and apologetic about it. Thank you universe.. Undeterred, we ordered anyway and were happy we did. We split the Quenelle of Smoked Salmon which was absolutely scrumptious (I wished I were greedier eating it!) as well as the Crab Cakes - very tasty but I have certainly had better. The Wood-Grilled Cheeseburger was perhaps one of the best burgers I have ever tasted (I do not say this lightly and I only took a few bites of my friend's!!) The roasted garlic made such a HUGE impact on the yum factor and the smoked cheddar was so flavorful. The prices were also very reasonable for the food you received. Making our lunch even more enjoyable was the view of the marina on the outside deck on a beautiful June day. Well... that and the "Not Your Mama's Lemonade" I had with lunch (Absolut Citron, Cointreau, fresh squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup served up with a sugared rim - YUUUM) In spite of our oyster-free meal - it was a GREAT lunch and totally worth stopping
(4)
Kristi L.
My husband and I went here while we were staying up in Freeport for a long weekend and were looking for a nice place to have dinner. The Royal River Grillhouse is a bit of a hidden gem! It's located right on the Royal River, so the views are beautiful. While we ate outside we saw boats pass us by, plenty of wildlife, and beautiful evening skies. The food...wow. I had a special that consisted of a salmon fillet encrusted with filberts and served over pasta in a pesto vermouth sauce. Everything was so subtle and just worked together beautifully! My husband had the haddock with the lemongrass aioli which was out of this world! Pricewise, we really couldn't complain for a special night out, though I'd imagine for a regular dinner it might be a bit pricey.
(5)
Deb L.
Had lunch here yesterday. Great service, excellent food, and ambiance to knock your socks off. We have been dining here for years and never had a bad experience. The seafood is fresh and prepared individually. Always delicious.
(5)
Sally B.
Consistently superior food. My husband and I regularly return to this fine establishment after a day of outdoor activity. We always sit at the bar, where the friendly bartender, and equally friendly regulars keep us happily occupied in light, yup, friendly conversation. We typically order the steak, which is locally sourced. It's always exceptional. Maybe even the best steak we've had in Maine. We also usually order the wonderful Caesars salad. We've had lots of other dishes, but the chicken dish over a bed of ravioli we had last week was oh so delectable. Please don't take that off your menu! It's now our favorite meal. Chef at Royal River, you have two very appreciative fans.
(5)
d w.
Had dinner here recently. Although the service was terrific, the food all tasted like it was from Sysco Food Service. I ordered a burger cooked medium, and it was served raw. I have to believe that it came right out of the freezer before it was cooked. The waiter was extremely accommodating, however all in all I wouldn't recommend.
(1)
Katy G.
We used to go to the Royal River Grillhouse back when it was still called The Cannery. There's a very pleasant view of the river from most areas of the restaurant. The kitchen area is open to the main dining room, and our table was positioned directly next to the opening to the kitchen, but the noise was still manageable (the chefs weren't being obnoxiously loud). I had a cup of clam chowder to start. It is a pretty run-of-the-mill chowder. Good, not great. I then had then strawberry and spinach salad. I really hate nuts, and I knew there would be almonds on the salad (I figured I could just eat around them), but the salad was totally inundated with almonds! Some people might find this a positive, but I didn't. The highlight of my meal was the mussels! They were awesome! They came from PEI, and we served in a garlic broth that was sooooo yummy. It's listed under appetizers, and I highly recommend. Our waitress was very sweet and nice but a little air-heady. The food also took a very long time to come out. Those were really my only complaints about the restaurant. It's only a few minutes off 295, and I recommend stopping here if you're headed further north!
(4)
Em C.
5 of us enjoyed a very nice dinner here -- we called ahead to ask about lobster dinners, which are not always on the menu, and were told they could make them for us. Portions were very generous -- the appetizers we had were very good -- the lobster and other entrees were excellent -- and the service was very friendly and attentive. What else could one want?
(5)
Mal G.
Wife, son & I went there on Valentines day for brunch. Great food, service was okay, music was a bit too dated for our taste but well performed. View--even in February--was superb. Reservations a must. We'll go back for sure.
(3)
Mike R.
The food was very tasty: I had the calamari and my wife had a pork sandwich with apple chutney. Prices are reasonable for lunch. The service, however, was not good. We waited nearly an hour for lunch despite a very small crowd, and our waitress was surly.
(3)
susan H.
Beautiful building (inside) -- I'm sure the view would have been lovely, but we went at night. Restaurant is very large with an open kitchen. Staff was helpful and professional. Food was terrific. We had sandwiches (lobster club, grilled chicken, burger, prime rib hero -- all delicious). Appetizers were also good (and huge). We did experience a slight delay between starters and entrees, as our orders must have coincided with a dinner rush. Got to meet the manager, who was friendly and relaxed. A little off the beaten track, but a nice surprise.
(4)
Bob R.
I tend to go to smaller places as I get nervous about the quality in "larger" restaurants but came here for in-laws anniversary. I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. First, the view. Can't be beat. Would be worth eating here even if the food wasn't so good. The service. Good. Waitress was attentive but a little robotic. Thought she might snap at me if I asked too much about the food although she could reel off ingredients in a quick monotone voice. The food. New England Chowder: OK, not great. Apps: Crab cakes were good - would have liked more crab. Crab stuffed portabello mushroom cap - was very good but had the same aioli as the crab cake, in fact - it was a crab cake on top of the mushroom - so we basically had another crab cake (if we were told, we probably would have opted for a different app). Fried calamari was very nice with nice mixed greens. Favorite app was the quenelle of smoked salmon - this was ordered as an afterthought but was delicious. Entrees: Had the paella which was very nicely done and at $19, a bargain. Tasted the salmon which was perfectly cooked - very nice. Also tasted a special yellow fin tuna - mother in-law asked for it well done (sinful) but is was still very, very good. I can only imagine how good it would have been if it were rare. There was a garlic mash potato which was excellent. Several at our table requested special adjustments (i.e. sauce on the side - different side, etc) which were accommodated without complaint. Overall, a very nice surprise - very good food, good service, affordable and a view second to none. A nice alternative to the trendy Old Port venues in Portland. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Greg m.
I have been here for lunch and dinner and i love the food and the view here! Sometimes it is a little slow but for the most part very good! Make sure you get the bread!! Yummmy
(4)
Zoe Z.
Very reliable experience every time. Most recent dining experience (this evening - 8.30.2007) with my parents and my finance: a 10-ounce beef tenderloin on a sweet potato pancake with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus ($35). My mother had the same dish. My father had the swordfish ($19?) and my finance had the baked stuffed haddock ($19).
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Alicia N.
Visited tonight for the first time. What an amazing experience! From the seating, the view, the ambiance - it was a perfect dinner. Our server was the finest I've ever experienced. He was so wonderfully genuinely attentive. The crabcakes were stuffed with pieces of crab and seasoned perfectly, sitting on a bed of fresh zucchini coleslaw. The strawberry spinach salad was large - a lovely surprise for this hungry diner. I cannot wait to return with my husband!
(5)Fred J.
When we first moved to Yarmouth my wife and I used to eat here all the time. It had a great bartender and was pretty much halfway between home and the hockey rink where my son spent so much of his middle and high school sports time. They had an ok bar menu, a little pricey, not that great but good enough. Time went by, our son moved on to college, the nice bartender left and we found a few other places that we enjoyed more. Also the food was always pricy-which would be fine if it was really good but it never was. Tonight we stopped by for Happy Hour to check out the recent renovations by the owners daughter, Nicola. As expected, they were nice. We ran into some friends and saw lots of others that we knew and would expect to see in a place that would be considered "happening" ( at least until the newness wears off). I asked the bartender about Happy Hour. She said it was over I asked her at what time. Turns out she was wrong and that it was over in 20 minutes. She did not volunteer any information about Happy Hour specials. We had a beer and a glass of wine. The bill came to $17.00. I was not provided with a breakdown of the charges, just a total. I asked her if that reflected Happy Hour prices. She was not sure. It did not. She was put out. She became even less pleasant. She fixed the bill with a scowl on her face. She threw down the bill in my direction without a word. If anyone should have had a scowl it was me. Suggestions-bag the happy hour. If your employees ignore it and then overcharge it causes hard feelings never mind making customers uncomfortable by forcing them to choose between paying more than they should or having to question the charges. We eat out a lot and at a wide range of places. Pats to The White Barn. I will not be back to the Royal River Grill House There are way too many good restaurants nearby to deal with overcharging and lousy service. Considering the menu, this place really needs a bar menu.
(1)Chris C.
Look, I am a rather subjective reviewer, i don't like to do 5 stars, too often, and I would rather not do a review than do a negative review. With that said, I give this place a five-star for the total experience. It is a beautiful spot right on the marina, the service was very friendly and casual, and we really like the food. What more could you want front a restaurant on the coast of Maine in mid August. Just north of Portland, off the beaten path a bit. And a great place. And an added benefit, Maine Brewing Company Peepers Ale on tap, oh yeah!
(5)Pat R.
What a disappointment! The setting on the water with views of the harbor and active boats was perfect for a warm summer night. I treated my friend for dinner for her birthday. While she was satisfied with a beautifully presented trout, I was very unhappy with a dried-out paella. The rice was crispy throughout and it looked as though it sat under a heat lamp. The service was barely acceptable. Our waitress never looked at us nor gave us a friendly greeting. When she gave us our dessert menu, she placed it upside down! There are many excellent restaurants along the coast in southern Maine. This is not one of them.
(3)Amanda R.
Out of this, out of that...new kitchen manager. My partner in crime and I decided to take his co-worker and wife out for a fancy dinner on the town. I read the yelp reviews and decided to take a leap of faith and I did. It wasn't what I expected and it was disappointing. Out of all the appetizers, they only had the ravioli and fries available. Our waitress had originally put our spinach dip in for an appetizer, but she came back and said it was gone! We went ahead and got the ravioli which only had 3 pieces mind you. Talk about a bad night! Fortunately, our dinners were made up for what was lost. The steak was cooked how we wanted it cooked, the duck entrée was tender and delicious, and the salmon entrée was phenomenal. The dinners weren't all mine just so you know!!
(3)Diane L.
We are from NJ and we were passing through Freeport and stopped here for dinner because of the reviews on Yelp. We were not disappointed. The food here was delicious! The staff was extremely attentive Make sure if you come get the mussels and LOTS of bread to dip. I had salmon and my husband had a rib eye. Both delicious. Views nice of the inlet The only complaint was the our Grand Mariner was served in juice glass and maybe one shot in it. Very disappointed after a wonderful meal.
(4)Ross C.
While much pricier than it used to be (after Nicola's daddy paid for her to overhaul the decor to her taste), it is actually good value for money. I had the shrimp and pasta, and for $25 I got eight shrimp plus one king prawn on top of a copious amount of linguine. The Flying Point oysters were top notch too.
(4)Barry F.
The a Royal River Grillhouse has quality food and drinks. They remodeled this past winter making the bar area bigger, which works. What doesn't work are the high back chairs in the dinning room that block the river view. Why would they want to block the river view is beyond me. The dinning room could be in downtown Yarmouth unless you are lucky enough to get a window seat. Sitting outside on the patio is still a treat on a warm summer night. I'm taking off one star for the blocked view, but for food and drinks it's a five.
(4)Abbie M.
Amazing. Incredible food, atmosphere, and drinks. The place to be on a weeknight in Yarmouth, Maine.
(5)Mark M.
We ate outside in a perfect setting overlooking the river and marina. Attentive, friendly and helpful service. Paella rocked. Sockeye salmon special also delicious. Loved the blueberry pie.
(5)Cathy C.
Great place for lunch or dinner, especially if you like fresh seafood! Nice atmosphere, quick and attentive service, and delicious food! A great place to eat!
(4)DC B.
We have eaten at this location many many times over the years. The location is of course lovely, and the food has been up and down under different management. We were there for dinner at least 10 times in 2013 and 2014 and for lunch a few times more, likewise we have been there 6 times in 2015. Loved the service and the atmosphere, and the food was generally what we expected, mostly good, often great. Last winter's do-over made for some interesting design choices-- the new fancy chairs block the view of the water from inside-- one of its off-season attractions before-- but overall a nice job that made for some nice new places to sit. The outside remains wonderful. However, service and quality changed so drastically between our last visit early in the summer and our visit last week that we won't be back. The food has plummeted in quality. Gone are the smart, experienced servers with a great friendly attitude and a perfect sense of timing. Gone is any acknowledgement of the needs of people over 65. Gone is any sense of community. It is hard to know what the dining theory is now, but it's no longer a place that our foodie family groups of diverse ages is going to enjoy. Three stars for location and atmosphere, and some of the menu.
(3)Joseph F.
Love this place Love the mussels Frustrating to sit at the bar and have the backs of 3 servers and 2 bar tenders towards us while they chit chat and no waiting or noticing us.
(5)N Y.
The Grill House has been a long standing place for having a solid family meal. We have tried Sunday brunch and dinners. The brunch always has very good quality food and options. This offering is certainly worth a try. Dinner is less predictable and often disappoints due to slow service and food that is not prepared well. The food options are fine and presentation is good; however, quality of the food is at best ok. The food quality is typically disappointing, with our last experience solidifying this opinion. For instance, crab cake appetizer was terrible! The cakes (two good size) were covered with about 1/4" of panko or similar breading which left only a very small amount of crab. Any decent chef/cook knows that high quality crab cakes should not be breaded! That type of quality can be found in the frozen food section of any grocery store. Our salads had too much dressing, despite a request for "very light" and the ingredients in these salads were not highlights as they should be. There is great local and organic produce in Maine - use it and let it shine! Lastly, on a weekday evening (no holiday period), our service was incredibly slow, resulting with some food being cold. For a table of five, we waited over an hour between appetizers and entrees. Dinner was again regrettable. The server was pleasant and fun, which was a positive for the night. The view, decor and beer/wine selection are all positives for the Grill House. The Grill House needs to improve its quality and service to compete with the many excellent restaurants in the Portland area. Try this place for brunch, but keep going north or south for dinner.
(3)Tom L.
Dropped in on a beautiful June day, snagged a table on the patio, and had a wonderful lunch. Friendly, fast service. Food was excellent, with generous portions. The prices are not cheap, but the quality is top notch, and the location can't be beat! Overall, a good value.
(4)Jim N.
Since our disappointing first visit in March, I have been back 3 times. Things have improved but it is still a mixed experience. I was in last week for a dinner meeting. By all accounts it was busy. According to our very nice server, Leigh, it was the busiest night ever for RRG. We can vouch for that. First drinks took a very long time. One of our orders was no longer available. 40 mins after placing our order we were informed that the other order was no longer available and I had to reorder. The mgr. was very apologetic. The food was good. RRG went above the call of duty and comped our entire meal. I refused. They insisted. They made a solid effort to make good on still lacking service delivery. I have another business dinner there next week as RRG continues to improve with time.
(3)Martha E.
We ate here summer of 2014 many times because it was so delicious, simple and not pretentious. Just finished a meal in the updated space and it was a bit disappointing. The dining room is nice but the updated menu is not so good. Prices are high for small portions that lacked depth of flavor. Please consider bringing back some of the hits of the old menu while working on some new and interesting-menu items. Before you had a place and menu we would go to weekly, now priced for special occasion but lacking the pizazz.
(3)Anna E.
This is my sister-in-law's favorite restaurant in the state and for good reason. Lucky for all of us, this is where my dear brother and his now wife had their rehearsal dinner the night before their wedding several weeks ago. This place was amazing. Before you even get to the restaurant, as you pull into the spacious parking lot, you see breathtaking views of the Royal River. If you are seated in a good spot in the restaurant you can continue to enjoy this lovely view. Upon entering the first thing I noticed was the ideal combination of rustic elegance that defines the atmosphere of this place. We had the top floor, above the main dining room, reserved for our party. Service was top-notch throughout the night and the food even better. Everything we had was delicious: the Farmers Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, Clam Chowder, Pan Seared Haddock, Prime Ribeye Steak, etc., but the real standout, the creme de la creme was the Double Thick Pork Chop made with birch beer brined pork with roasted garlic au jus, served with a warm summer bean succotash, and crispy sweet potato sticks. Oh my word. I had the haddock and loved it but kept stealing bites of the steak and pork around me as they were so good. Dessert and drinks were also fantastic.
(5)H.B. ..
Don't get me wrong... the food was delicious. BUT the wait time for it, not so great. My husband and I went here, atmosphere was very nice but the people were in jeans and sweaters :(. I think we were the only one's that were dressed up looking great. It took someone at least 7 minutes before they noticed we were sitting there without anything in front of us. The wine took longer than expected to arrive at our table. The food we ordered took - 40 MINUTES to get to us! So we were there a total of 1 hour and 15 min. 15 minutes to notice us and serve wine 15 minutes here and there to decide on ordering drinks and food 40 minutes for food to arrive 5 minutes to eat it 2 seconds to dash out of there Not sure if we'll come back, but it was nice going out with my husband. I'll go to 555 instead.
(3)Rebecca W.
My fiance and I went here for valentine's day. Reservations are recommended. WE arrived early and they seated us right away. The decor is a lovely nautical theme. The view of the river was nice, along with the heavy snowfall. We ordered the truffle fries with parmesan as an appetizer. These were absolutely amazing. I wanted to eat another three orders of these. The iced tea was brewed perfectly and so refreshing. We got the hanger steak and the salmon. Both were full of delightful flavor, cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. Both dishes were plated beautifully and pleasing to the eye. The man who never eats a vegetable, even ate the shaved brussel sprouts. The rice was served as a fried patty and the center was soft and delicious. We ordered the chocolate lava cake as dessert. (Even though we were already so full) The cake was served with a creamy vanilla ice cream. The cake was soft and gooey. The service was friendly and the food arrived quickly. The menu is small but everything on it is pure perfection. This is a wonderful restaurant serving gourmet meals at great prices.
(5)Elizabeth D.
This has always been one of a few favorite restaurants of ours, in spite of the fact they never really seem to get it 100%correct. This time we made reservations for New Years Eve, it's close to home so our commute time is just 5 minutes. We like to dine early and get back home before the real party folk are out and behind the wheel. We got to the restaurant and were told they couldn't find a reservation for us....not a good start. They did accommodate us with what I call the "screw up" table, that is a table for two tiny people in the middle of the room, I liken it to being on an island in the middle of a highway. I ordered a Martini, my husband a nice Cabernet, my martini was perfect. My husband ordered the wood fired Beef Tenderloin and I the Tenderloin with Lobster Tail both dishes were scrumptious, the beef was dry-aged and could be cut with a fork and the flavor was out of this world. We should have paid the bill and left then but we hadn't satisfied our sweet tooth yet so we ordered a Pumpkin Cheesecake and a Chocolate something..... I can't remember the name, neither was memorable, the cheesecake was very dry and the raspberry coulis was barely a dime sized dot on the plate. The entree saved the day, it was wonderful. I will say the the Royal River's Wood Fire Grill is not to be missed, when they can take a crappy cut of meat like a Hanger Steak and make it taste prime and make fish taste so good, it's ok by me. Enjoy the entrees and forget the rest.
(4)Myra K.
Very good food and good service. Had the asparagus and Bibb lettuce salad with salmon and it was delicious!
(5)DA W.
What a pleasant surprise! Conveniently right off the highway, but a place with a lovely river view next to a marina. And the food was fresh and terrific. Loved the grilled swordfish Niçoise salad. It even had bright blue potatoes! And a puréed vegetable soup. My partner loved the mussels and the Caesar salad. Great prices. Sit out on the deck in warmer weather--delightful!
(5)Jim B.
I've visited Royal River Grillhouse at various times of the year; each time I stop in, I have a topnotch experience. They have location, very good, and often, great food, atmosphere, and outstanding service. They have their model down and it works. My wife and I had dinner with friends we haven't seen for awhile. We were looking to have an extended evening of drinks, dinner, and even a bit of song. We had all three and we never had to leave our prime location along the beautiful Royal River, with a picturesque winter snowfall scene outside the window. Our friends are fans of Tony Boffa, and wouldn't you know it--his trio was playing in the main dining room from 6:00 to 9:00 covering their wide-ranging repertoire. On what would be a busy, Saturday night, with a popular Maine performer, was a bit slower than usual; our hostess mentioned that a number of diners had cancelled reservations or hadn't shown due to a 3-4 inch snowfall. We arrived at 6:30 for drinks and left just before 10:00 without being rushed, but also well-attended to. Our waitress, an experienced pro, knew we were there to catch up, enjoy our meal, and didn't rush us, checking in to be sure our drinks were updated, kept us in the loop on appetizers, knew right when we were ready to think about dinner choices (she even indicating to us that the double-thick pork chop our friend ordered "usually takes 35 minutes). I went with the pan-seared haddock, which was panko encrusted (a favorite of mine), which was accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and nice seasonal veggie medley. My wife had the hangar steak, which also had similar sides. Our guests went with the haddock and the double-thick pork chop, which came with a mashed sweet potato and broccoli rabe. All of us were pleased with our main courses. I also had a cup of the New England clam chowder, which was thick, and seasoned perfectly, with ample potatoes and clams. I had a hankering for the fried smelts. It seems like such a "Maine" thing. They were breaded and deep-fried. If you know smelts, they are a "fishy" tasting local fish that ice fishermen love. I don't love them, but with the tasty and tangy aioli dipping sauce, they were a unique appetizer. If you are looking for a place just out of Portland with a varied and diverse menu, skillfully and creatively prepared, and a nice location (especially during warmer months, when the deck is open), the Royal River Grillhouse is worth heading to Yarmouth for dinner, or even drinks and appetizers in their ample lounge.
(5)Leigh H.
Ate here for dinner this week. We were seated promptly when we arrived for our reservation. The service was initially slow to start, but did become more efficient, and our waiter was very polite. Our appetizer- the truffle cheese fries- was delicious and a huge portion. The kitchen made a mistake with our entrees but our waiter quicky corrected it. The entrees were good- I had the haddock and my other half had the shrimp with pasta. Restaurant is nicely decorated and the views are beautiful.
(4)Gina Z.
This is our go to restaurant in the neighborhood. Yummy food, great ambience. Beautifully & cozily decorated for Christmas and in the warmer months, seating on the deck is a great option. Great seafood menu, wedge salad, & brunch.
(5)Saul G.
Quite pleased with a Wednesday lunch, Started with PEI mussels in a superb buttery wine sauce. Twin lobster rolls were packed with good quality meat. The potato salad with whole grain mustard was excellent. My wife's order came with a mesclun type salad. A nice pour of J. Lohr Riesling made a fine accompaniment. Service was friendly and competent. Waterside setting was lovely.
(4)Mark M.
Wonderful location and view. A bit pricy but there are also less expensive items on the menu. Nice specials. Great atmosphere whether you are eating indoors or out on their fenced off deck.
(5)Helen And Rob B.
EXCELLENT food, service and ambiance served on behalf of professional, courteous staff! KUDOS to you all! Rob and Helen B. of Prescott (son Alex, a chef, is so impressed with your menu!)
(5)Alicia W.
My husband and I have eaten here twice in two years. Both times the service has been excellent. And Both times the restaurant has been full to bursting. The most recent visit we were seated, no reservations, during a very busy lunch after waiting maybe 15 minutes. Not unreasonable in my opinion. The hostess was very attentive and aware of the door, (A pet peeve of mine). Once we were sat our server was also very attentive and we were well taken care of. The food is very creative. We always get a large variety. The fried calamari is wonderful. Perfectly cooked. Wonderfully seasoned. The menu changes seasonally, something I always like to see. We had a couple of their sandwiches...the pulled pork one and a turkey one. Both were really well done. And went very well with the truffle fries. Always a favorite! I highly recommend this place. You always get what you pay for and then some.
(5)Benjamin C.
I am a native Mainer and this is my favorite restaurant to visit. The menu is fun and inventive. It's enjoyable to go when not in a hurry and split a bunch of apps before dinner. It is pricey for us and we only go a couple times a year. It is well worth the wait for us and we have never had a meal that was less than stellar. The servers are wonderful and know the menu very well. I can't wait to go again this fall! This is my only five star restaurant review. It's important to not throw those around!
(5)Mark H.
On a beautiful August afternoon enjoyed watching the birds on the river from the deck, while savoring a bowl of gently simmered mussels, and soaking up the delicious broth with fresh bread.
(5)Karen H.
We had a reservation at 6:30 and ordered an appetizer and entree and at 8:00 the entree finally arrived after having to comment to the hostess. The food is ok but the kitchen can not handle the restaurant when it is full. Look for other options.
(2)Tim L.
Stopped by this morning for Sunday brunch. Corned beef hash was great, view was terrific, staff was friendly. Would come back next time I'm around.
(4)Andy G.
My wife, Simone and I stopped by the Royal River Grillhouse on a recent trip to Portland and really enjoyed it. We arrived on a Monday night at around 7:00pm and were seated immediately in the dining room facing the riverfront. Although there was not much scenery to look at due to the time of year, I can imagine it is very nice during the summer months. The ambiance of the Royal River Grillhouse is very relaxing and romantic with dim lighting, candles on the table and the smell of the wood burning grill filling the air. For starters, Simone and I split a good size portion of house cut Truffle French Fries. Truffle oil to me is kinda like Bacon....it just makes everything better, and this was no exception. The fries were drizzled with the earthy rich oil, shredded Parmesan cheese and crispy roasted garlic and they were exceptional. For her entrée Simone choose the Grilled Chicken Sandwich with a house salad. A thick hearty balsamic drizzled grilled chicken breast topped with fresh melted mozzarella and salty sweet Olive Tomato Caponata was served on grilled Ciabatta Bread. The chicken was perfectly moist and the fresh mozzarella was creamy with the caponata adding a little saltiness and the Balsamic Vinegar adding some sweetness. The salad on the side was fresh and had a nice light vinaigrette. For my entrée I choose a thick double cut grilled Pork Chop with Blueberry Compote served with Broccolini and Mashed Potatoes. On the menu it was supposed to be served with sweet potatoes but they were more then willing to substitute for me. The Pork chop was just a tad over cooked for my liking. It was moist for the first few bites but got drier as I ate it. The taste however was good. I could taste a slight smokiness from the grill and the Maine blueberry compote was not overly sweet but was just a nice compliment to the meat. The Mashed Potatoes were creamy and buttery and the Broccolini was grilled el dente. Overall I really enjoyed this plate. We finished our meal by splitting a rich pecan pie drizzled with Bourbon Sauce and topped with crunchy candied whole pecans. Although I would have preferred the classic Ice Cream al mode topping, the bourbon sauce was very good and had a nice little alcoholic bite to it. I really enjoyed my experience at the Royal River Grillhouse and I saved myself ten dollars by using my Portland Dine Around card. I would definitely return to enjoy more of the menu and the view in the summer. Four Stars.
(4)Samme B.
We decided to meet friends here since the yelp reviews were good. Waited in the bar area for our guests to arrive, bar service was not great. We ordered a wine & beer and had to finally after waiting for about 5-10 min ask for the beer again (the bar was not crowded). Apparently it was wing night because we received a huge plate of wings not ordered. When we said we didn't order them the bartender just said..it's wing night. We had one each, to try since we felt bad wasting them. They were very good. Our friends came, we paid the bill and asked if we could take our drinks to the table and she said ok, but you can't take the wings. We thought that was a bit rude. The rest of the evening was great. We ordered the mussels, crab cakes, truffle fries & fried oysters for apps, all were delish. For main courses we had the scallops which were great, 2 filet/shrimp special dinners that were also great and the hanger steak was good too. Desserts were also good. The service at the table made up for our bar experience. We would go back next time we are in town.
(4)Sarah B.
I was looking for a place with an excellent steak dinner for a celebratory meal for my boyfriend. Saw the reviews for the hanger steak here and decided to try it. We called ahead and had no problem getting a table for 8:30. We arrived early and planned to enjoy the sunset but were seated right away. We had the fry appetizer which was different and yummy. The boyfriend had the hanger steak and raved about it but said the potatoes were really the star of his plate. I had the salad that was on special...shaved fennel, goat cheese, watermelon, and the dressing was perfect! We were much to full for dessert between the bread that was served, our appetizer, and out meal. Overall, an excellent meal.
(5)Adam S.
Don't eat the Salmon!!!!! I was up ALL night with food poisoning! I ordered it medium well it came out rare. I should have sent it back but did not want to be rude! Service at the bar was ok but don't eat the food!!!!! Never again. They should fire the chief for letting something that made someone so sick and NOT cooked to order! No sleep at all last night... Remember DON'T eat the food!!!!
(1)Dana B.
Great view, great cheeseburger. I asked for it "medium" and it truly was. Most places overcook hamburgers if you are looking for a hot pink center. Definitely worth the visit!
(4)J. R.
Returned to Grill House last night and lucky enough to sit outside on the deck on such a beautiful night! What a delight! Great food, service, and atmosphere . The waiter actually remembered us from when we came a month ago. Extremely impressive from beginning to end!
(5)Colby C.
Romantic dining at its finest. This beautiful restaurant is situated right on the Royal River in Yarmouth, Maine. The atmosphere inside is quaint yet sophisticated. Stopped in for a quick lunch on a sunny day. We were seated outside on the breezy deck which was comfortably in the shade and provided nice views of the marina/harbor below. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful with our meal selection. I got a broiled haddock sandwich and was quite impressed. The fish was very nicely seasoned and left my taste buds longing for more. Overall: Atmosphere - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Quality of food - 4/5 Taste of food - 5/5 Price - 4/4
(5)Jim C.
Upon entering the hostess was very helpful and sat us right away. Decor and atmosphere was very nice. When our waitress finally arrived after a 15 minute wait, she seemed very pretentious and eyed me over like a criminal when I handed her my I.D. When our drinks arrived she poured my wife's beer completely destroying it. I couldn't believe her incompetents at pouring beer. The food was decent but pricey and took an hour to receive. Now I'm giving this place 3 stars because it seems like a decent establishment even though we didn't have the best time. I'm thinking we just got stuck with a incapable waitress. Personally, probably never going back, but I would encourage others to try it, maybe you'll have a better experience.
(3)Joy E.
Dying for oysters (we were 0 for 3 on the week looking for oysters) we stopped here for lunch - which they had...! Until a party of 12 put their order in before us and cleaned them out... The waitress was very nice and apologetic about it. Thank you universe.. Undeterred, we ordered anyway and were happy we did. We split the Quenelle of Smoked Salmon which was absolutely scrumptious (I wished I were greedier eating it!) as well as the Crab Cakes - very tasty but I have certainly had better. The Wood-Grilled Cheeseburger was perhaps one of the best burgers I have ever tasted (I do not say this lightly and I only took a few bites of my friend's!!) The roasted garlic made such a HUGE impact on the yum factor and the smoked cheddar was so flavorful. The prices were also very reasonable for the food you received. Making our lunch even more enjoyable was the view of the marina on the outside deck on a beautiful June day. Well... that and the "Not Your Mama's Lemonade" I had with lunch (Absolut Citron, Cointreau, fresh squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup served up with a sugared rim - YUUUM) In spite of our oyster-free meal - it was a GREAT lunch and totally worth stopping
(4)Kristi L.
My husband and I went here while we were staying up in Freeport for a long weekend and were looking for a nice place to have dinner. The Royal River Grillhouse is a bit of a hidden gem! It's located right on the Royal River, so the views are beautiful. While we ate outside we saw boats pass us by, plenty of wildlife, and beautiful evening skies. The food...wow. I had a special that consisted of a salmon fillet encrusted with filberts and served over pasta in a pesto vermouth sauce. Everything was so subtle and just worked together beautifully! My husband had the haddock with the lemongrass aioli which was out of this world! Pricewise, we really couldn't complain for a special night out, though I'd imagine for a regular dinner it might be a bit pricey.
(5)Deb L.
Had lunch here yesterday. Great service, excellent food, and ambiance to knock your socks off. We have been dining here for years and never had a bad experience. The seafood is fresh and prepared individually. Always delicious.
(5)Sally B.
Consistently superior food. My husband and I regularly return to this fine establishment after a day of outdoor activity. We always sit at the bar, where the friendly bartender, and equally friendly regulars keep us happily occupied in light, yup, friendly conversation. We typically order the steak, which is locally sourced. It's always exceptional. Maybe even the best steak we've had in Maine. We also usually order the wonderful Caesars salad. We've had lots of other dishes, but the chicken dish over a bed of ravioli we had last week was oh so delectable. Please don't take that off your menu! It's now our favorite meal. Chef at Royal River, you have two very appreciative fans.
(5)d w.
Had dinner here recently. Although the service was terrific, the food all tasted like it was from Sysco Food Service. I ordered a burger cooked medium, and it was served raw. I have to believe that it came right out of the freezer before it was cooked. The waiter was extremely accommodating, however all in all I wouldn't recommend.
(1)Katy G.
We used to go to the Royal River Grillhouse back when it was still called The Cannery. There's a very pleasant view of the river from most areas of the restaurant. The kitchen area is open to the main dining room, and our table was positioned directly next to the opening to the kitchen, but the noise was still manageable (the chefs weren't being obnoxiously loud). I had a cup of clam chowder to start. It is a pretty run-of-the-mill chowder. Good, not great. I then had then strawberry and spinach salad. I really hate nuts, and I knew there would be almonds on the salad (I figured I could just eat around them), but the salad was totally inundated with almonds! Some people might find this a positive, but I didn't. The highlight of my meal was the mussels! They were awesome! They came from PEI, and we served in a garlic broth that was sooooo yummy. It's listed under appetizers, and I highly recommend. Our waitress was very sweet and nice but a little air-heady. The food also took a very long time to come out. Those were really my only complaints about the restaurant. It's only a few minutes off 295, and I recommend stopping here if you're headed further north!
(4)Em C.
5 of us enjoyed a very nice dinner here -- we called ahead to ask about lobster dinners, which are not always on the menu, and were told they could make them for us. Portions were very generous -- the appetizers we had were very good -- the lobster and other entrees were excellent -- and the service was very friendly and attentive. What else could one want?
(5)Mal G.
Wife, son & I went there on Valentines day for brunch. Great food, service was okay, music was a bit too dated for our taste but well performed. View--even in February--was superb. Reservations a must. We'll go back for sure.
(3)Mike R.
The food was very tasty: I had the calamari and my wife had a pork sandwich with apple chutney. Prices are reasonable for lunch. The service, however, was not good. We waited nearly an hour for lunch despite a very small crowd, and our waitress was surly.
(3)susan H.
Beautiful building (inside) -- I'm sure the view would have been lovely, but we went at night. Restaurant is very large with an open kitchen. Staff was helpful and professional. Food was terrific. We had sandwiches (lobster club, grilled chicken, burger, prime rib hero -- all delicious). Appetizers were also good (and huge). We did experience a slight delay between starters and entrees, as our orders must have coincided with a dinner rush. Got to meet the manager, who was friendly and relaxed. A little off the beaten track, but a nice surprise.
(4)Bob R.
I tend to go to smaller places as I get nervous about the quality in "larger" restaurants but came here for in-laws anniversary. I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. First, the view. Can't be beat. Would be worth eating here even if the food wasn't so good. The service. Good. Waitress was attentive but a little robotic. Thought she might snap at me if I asked too much about the food although she could reel off ingredients in a quick monotone voice. The food. New England Chowder: OK, not great. Apps: Crab cakes were good - would have liked more crab. Crab stuffed portabello mushroom cap - was very good but had the same aioli as the crab cake, in fact - it was a crab cake on top of the mushroom - so we basically had another crab cake (if we were told, we probably would have opted for a different app). Fried calamari was very nice with nice mixed greens. Favorite app was the quenelle of smoked salmon - this was ordered as an afterthought but was delicious. Entrees: Had the paella which was very nicely done and at $19, a bargain. Tasted the salmon which was perfectly cooked - very nice. Also tasted a special yellow fin tuna - mother in-law asked for it well done (sinful) but is was still very, very good. I can only imagine how good it would have been if it were rare. There was a garlic mash potato which was excellent. Several at our table requested special adjustments (i.e. sauce on the side - different side, etc) which were accommodated without complaint. Overall, a very nice surprise - very good food, good service, affordable and a view second to none. A nice alternative to the trendy Old Port venues in Portland. Will definitely be back.
(4)Greg m.
I have been here for lunch and dinner and i love the food and the view here! Sometimes it is a little slow but for the most part very good! Make sure you get the bread!! Yummmy
(4)Zoe Z.
Very reliable experience every time. Most recent dining experience (this evening - 8.30.2007) with my parents and my finance: a 10-ounce beef tenderloin on a sweet potato pancake with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus ($35). My mother had the same dish. My father had the swordfish ($19?) and my finance had the baked stuffed haddock ($19).
(4)