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Weddings

About

WELCOME to RIO GRILL!

For more than 30 years, Rio Grill has delighted locals and first-time visitors with outstanding food and exceptional service at The Crossroads Carmel. It’s a fitting name too as this iconic restaurant is located at the gateway to the rural wine country of Carmel Valley, the rugged coastline of Big Sur, and the white sandy beaches of charming Carmel by the Sea.

In short, Rio Grill’s versatilty can meet your celebration needs in a variety of surprising ways. We provide several distinct options for your special event, all geared toward delivering a remarkable experience on your special day. We take a collaborative approach, with our kitchen team and event managers working in concert to design menus perfectly paired with wines, cocktails and just the right ambiance. With 30 years of experience, we have what it takes to make your day special. Let’s create memories for a lifetime! Rio Grill and you — the other perfect couple!

Our Space - Get married on Carmel Beach and host your reception in Rio’s famed Santa Fe Room, a private venue with its own bar. Kick off a wine country wedding with a rehearsal party in the Barrel Room, featuring a barrel-themed ceiling and vintage oak wine cases. Or turn Rio into your own private restaurant for up to 350 of your best friends— it’s all here waiting for you!

  • Santa Fe Room - This private section of Rio Grill features exposed beam ceilings and a built in bar! This beautiful space can seat up to 55 or standing receptions of up to 80. Combine with the Barrel Room for groups up to 120.
  • Barrel Room - This unique space features a barrel themed ceiling and vintage oak wine cases! It can seat up to 30 or standing receptions up to 45 and can be combined with the Santa Fe Room.

Services
We offer event planning services and event rentals to ensure your celebration is a success!

Our Food
Executive Chef Eduardo Santos Coronel utilizes fresh, sustainable ingredients and local purveyors to create creative American regional cuisine with vibrant flavors and a Southwest kick. Inventive, eclectic and delicious menus are complemented by an extensive wine list featuring more than 190 labels, available in either of Rio’s beautifully appointed private rooms. Our Event Staff will work with you to create a menu to suit your tastes and budget.

Offsite Catering & Events
Rio Grill can also bring the party to you. We specialize in inventive cuisine served by a courteous and professional staff. As a full-service caterer, we will handle all the details of your event, including location scouting or sourcing particular services like florists, video experts, musicians, even lodging—think of Rio Grill as your personal concierge.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$1,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$600

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Lighting/Sound
Linens
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$20

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Wine
Specialty Beer

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

2

Describe your venue:

Historic Building
Restaurant
Winery

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Chairs
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
November
December
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Any other questions?

Reviews of Rio Grill

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
2 reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
B
Brendan Sent on 05/15/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Rehearsal Dinner

Rio Grill was one of the few places we could find to accommodate an entirely plant-based and custom menu for a rehearsal dinner. Let’s just say the Chef pulled it all off superbly. The majority of our guests were not vegan and they were raving about the smoked Impossible meat dish the Chef designed. The salad was also incredible. The Chef served a delicious vegan desert, consisting of a sorbet with fresh berries. A truly amazing experience, in an intimate private room setting, all for a reasonable price. Thank you Rio Grill!
J
Jem Sent on 07/30/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Our wedding planner recommended Rio Grill as one of the places we should check out for our rehearsal dinner and we were glad that we decided to go with this place!

We went to Rio Grill one weekend months before the wedding to try their food and our experience since the very start had been really amazing. We decided to try the dishes included in the package we are planning to get and they were really good (half roasted chicken and shrimp with penne pasta). The service was also exceptional and we felt very well taken care of.

Booking the banquet room and finalizing all the details were also very easy. We did everything via email and their banquet manager was very responsive and accommodating with all our requests. They are also very transparent on all the costs and extra charges that the quote that they gave us were spot on.

We had about 50 guests for the rehearsal dinner and we booked the Santa Fe Room which was the perfect size for the event. This banquet room has a rustic charm to it that perfectly matched the theme for our wedding.

Overall, we definitely recommend this place for parties/special events. Their food and service were really great!

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Map

Rio Grill frequently asked questions

Rio Grill includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planning
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Linens
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Rio Grill includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Rio Grill includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Wine
  • Specialty Beer
The space offered by Rio Grill for wedding events is known for:
  • Historic Building
  • Restaurant
  • Winery
Rio Grill offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
Rio Grill offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Rio Grill offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
Rio Grill offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Chairs
  • Tables
Rio Grill is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.

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