Riva Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine — Restaurant in New York

I have never been more pleasantly surprised with trying something new. My husband and I wanted to go out for dinner and try something different. We saw a new place called Riva had opened by us, we decided to go. The place is decorated beautifully and was packed for a Sunday night. We were seated right away though. Our server, Gazi, told us a little about the bottle of Turkish wine we ordered, even letting us know the grapes were grown in his home town.

We had the Baba Ghanoush and Sarma (Stuffed grape leaves), and having never tried either before, we couldn't believe how delicious it was. The bread comes out piping hot too.

We both ordered the mixed grill, it has chicken, beef, lamb, and the rice was perfectly seasoned. Knowing we ordered a dish with several meats, salad and rice, we thought it would be a small piece of each. NOPE!! The portion was big enough to share, I tasted everything and even brought home leftovers.

We were looking to try dishes we had never had before, and we really enjoyed everything. When it came time to order desserts, we ordered 3, the Baklava, the Turkish Custard and Kunefe. Big bite sized Baklava, nice and crispy, the custard wasn't overly sweet and paired perfectly with the baklava. The Kunefa came out a few minuted later. It's a baked dessert with shredded Philo dough, cheese, a sweet syrup and toasted pistachios on top. I love coffee so I had the Turkish coffee, added a little sugar, but did not add any cream. The coffee was not bitter at all, Gazi said it was a strong coffee, and it was. But honestly, it hit the spot perfectly. There were some grounds on the bottom of the cup, however, they were not gritty like traditional coffee.

Over all we greatly enjoyed everything we ordered, the light fixtures and wooden tables are beautiful, and also from Turkey. The staff are friendly, very attentive, and we asked quite a few questions about the menu and our server was more than happy to talk with us and answer our questions. I could really ramble on more about how great our experience was tonight. Over all, if you're looking for a nice place to go with delicious food, great staff and affordable, try Riza. You will not be...

Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Riva Turkish restaurant truly transports you to the heart of Turkey from the moment you step inside. The warm and inviting ambiance, adorned with beautiful Turkish decor, sets the perfect stage for a memorable dining experience. Whether you're dining with friends, family, or that special someone, the cozy atmosphere at Riva makes you feel right at home.

Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The service at Riva is nothing short of exceptional. The staff is attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They go out of their way to ensure that your dining experience is comfortable and enjoyable. From recommending dishes to accommodating dietary preferences, their hospitality is top-notch.

Great Delicious Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Now, let's talk about the star of the show - the food! Riva delivers an authentic Turkish culinary journey that tantalizes your taste buds. The menu boasts a wide array of dishes, from mouthwatering kebabs to flavorful mezes and delectable desserts. Every dish is a burst of flavor, beautifully presented, and prepared with the utmost care. Don't miss their signature dishes like the lamb kebabs and baklava – they are truly outstanding.

Overall, Riva Turkish restaurant is a hidden gem that deserves recognition for its wonderful atmosphere, impeccable service, and, most importantly, its delectable Turkish cuisine. It's the perfect place to savor the flavors of Turkey without leaving town. Your taste buds will thank you for this...

This little gem on the south shore of Staten Island was such an amazing find. Came for a pre- birthday dinner and from the moment we walked in the service was impeccable. We sat in the first room of tables with the little sofas (which were surprisingly super comfortable and giving Turkish vibes). They start you off with some homemade bread that you might have to take yourself because it is delicious with and without sauce. For appetizers we ordered calamari (my favorite thing to order) and they were fresh and cooked to perfection just the right crispy outside and melting 🫠 in the inside with just the right taste. For dinner we both had Bronzino (another favorite) which was well cooked chard and grilled so it had a great texture but could’ve used a bit more garlic but definitely worth wasting paired with pilaf rice and salad which complements it well. Our main server was efficient and attentive as well as all the other servers there, whole team helped in making the experience unique. All the food came out rather quickly even if the restaurant was about 75% full. Baklava was good paired with Icecream and tea to top us off made this such an experience we...