Relaxed, comfortable atmosphere; good food and service

The first visit to the Bistro was just O K, not great, but when a friend suggested we meet here on a gorgeous summer day and sit on the back patio, it seemed like a good idea. Turned out to be a great idea. I was greeted immediately and made to feel comfortable while I waited at the bar. When... more

Relaxed Setting & Fine Bistro Fare

Second time we were here for lunch with our son & granddaughters after the girls' dance recital. The Centre 2000 must not let the restaurant know when they have shows. Too bad because the management were caught off guard again by the number of people attending for lunch.
There is a patio but we chose to eat inside again. Not... more

Our New Favourite Restaurant

We have found our new place to go! My wife went here for lunch with her Sisters a couple of weeks ago and raved about the place. They were just getting ready to open the patio. We went for dinner on the patio and were very pleasantly surprised.
Service - very quick, very friendly, knowledgable staff
Menu - Limited but... more

good meal

Ate here last weekend- had the grilled calamari app and the chicken and shrimp curry- both of which were very good-
The restaurant was very busy and only one waitress with a helper- they both just seemed a little too busy to attend to our table properly- i wasn’t offered another glass of wine with my dinner, we had to... more

Outstanding

We've eaten at this restaurant many times and have always found it to be amazing. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is inviting. Both appetizers and entrees are very tasty and we both really enjoyed the rustic mashed potatoes. Would recommend this amazing restaurant to anyone who is looking for a great restaurant in Erin!

Extremely disappointed

My husband and I ate at this restaurant this past weekend. We ordered an appetizer of curried mussels to share. Although they were on the small side in terms of size, they were flavourful. It was the main courses that left a negative impression. My husband ordered Fish and Chips. The small portion of 4 battered fingerlings of fish served... more

Half Good & Half Disappointing

Stopped for lunch and chose to sit on the patio with a nice view of a pond. Shared the 3 Cheese and Spinach Dip which delicious and the Chicken & Mushroom Flatbread which lacked flavour. The waitress brought some hot sauce which didn't seem to help much. Not worth the $14 we paid. We would try this restaurant one more... more

a nice surprise in the heart of Erin

We were recently visiting in Erin and had Bistro Riviere recommended to us...what a pleasant surprise...the service was prompt, the bartender helped the waitress serve and tend the tables, the menu was inventive and the food very good...our one regret is that we were too full for desert! portions are on the large size, so if you are having dinner,... more

Love this place

The inventive menu keeps us coming back! There is a nice variety for everyone. The wine list is good and the staff is great!

A Surprise

My first thought when I saw the lunch menu was that the prices were somewhat steep for a small town in Ontario. But the luncheon dishes were surprisingly good and worth the price. Enjoyed our lunch while passing through Erin.

Nice place in a small town

Options are limited in Erin, so this place just might work. Fairly upscale in ambiance, this restaurant delivers a good meal at a fair price. It won't blow you away, but you won't be disappointed either.

A Diamond in the Rough

the staff are always welcoming and as attentive as you would want, the menu items are great, there is always something a little different, like the shrimp wontons, the wild game menu, the fish dishes which my wife adores, the Paradise Farms steaks withthe Stilton topping, and of course the variety of Creme Brulee offerings for dessert--this place has never... more

I came to chew the fat but

My friend and I chose this restaurant to meet for lunch as we had not been there before. We had the 3 course special. Since we both considered the butter chicken, I asked the waitress about the corned beef and she said that it too would be a great choice, so I ordered it. ( Cue the creepy music...) .... more

Not sure it will get a second visit

We travel through Erin on occasion, which is such a great little town, and it seems the timing is always meal time. We haven't had great luck there yet. We stopped in the Bistro for a late lunch. The portions were small, which would be okay if the quality was outstanding but it was just OK. It was a small... more

My favourite restaurant

We go to the Bistro at least once a month. The food is always fresh, local and original. Thorntin and his staff are attentive to us, very knowledgeable about the food and wine available. Friends we have taken to dinner are always impressed with the meals. In fact, the bistro catered our wedding last year and did an amazing job!

Cold service, cold entreEs

2:30 in the afternoon. Empty restaurant. Got the feeling none of the staff wanted to be there. Grumpy, aloof, distracted and forgetful waitress. Warm mushroom salad app was delicious and - warm. Entrees, however, were obviously prepared at the same time as the apps, and were as cold as the service. We considered asking for warm food but feared retribution.... more

great taste,but where was the chicken

Lovely bistro, service was friendly and efficient.
I ordered the Bistro Curry. The flavour was outstanding but the amount of chicken was very disappointing. Chicken pieces were very small (that's okay) but truly had about 5 pieces (could fit in a tablespoon) the majority was chickpeas and potato. So if ordering do so for the taste not the chicken.

Better than Toronto

My husband and I have eaten at this restaurant many times, great food & service everytime! They just changed the menus & decided to try to use local farmers & organic foods....excellent!! The way real chefs should cook!! They even make there own cheese & pastas from scratch. Wow! We are all so lucky to have such a good restaurant... more

Delicious

We reserved for a Saturday night and were surprised to find Bistro Riviere almost empty.The decor was upscale and comfortable. They had bench seating -with small pillows for your back-and high backed leather chairs. Candles on every table. Local artist paintings hung inconspicuously. The service was attentive and not overwhelming. The wine was superb and our meals were DELICIOUS! We... more

The Fish and Chips are the Best Anywhere

The decor could use a little sprucing up, but the fish and chips are the best anywhere. I believe that the chef uses bassa (not bass) and cooks it in a very light batter, almost tempura style. The fish is not that heavy, greasy fish that is often found in many fish and chips shoppes. The curried mussels are also... more

So-so

I am a local and have only a few choices when I choose to dine out locally. The Bistro seems to have forgotten who butters their bread. The menu rarely, if ever, changes. The owners are not friendly and do not recognize those who frequent their establishment on a regular basis. This is not just my opinion - it is... more

A Restaurant Milestone

Bistro Riviere opened five years ago, quite an accomplishment as most new restaurants don't survive anywhere near that long. So congratulations to this pleasant restaurant on its anniversary in the heart of the thriving village of Erin. Thriving indeed as it me took a while at 1:00 P.M. on a Wednesday afternoon to find a parking place.
The dining room... more

Decent lunch, room for improvement

We called the Belfountain Inn to make reservations. However, they were booked for a private function and recommended their sister restaurant the Bistro Riviere. The decor and ambiance was rather bland. Thankfully, the food we received was good albeit average. I decided on the soup of the day which was a carrot,ginger, pear. Sounded interesting with the pear, so I... more

Not Impressed

We had read great things about this restaurant and were excited to try it for my husbands birthday last night. Unfortunately we were disappointed. The food was mediocre but for the price, there are better places near by in Alton ( Mill Croft Inn) or Orangeville (one 99) Maybe we were there on an off night, but I wasn't impressed... more

Great place to dine in Erin

Food and service were excellent. We dined there the first night of our stay and enjoyed it so much that we returned for dinner the second night.

great city type bistro in the country