Rio Grill's seafood menu takes its cue from the water it sits closest to — Monterey Bay Calamari to start, Crispy Skin Rainbow Trout and Frutti di Mare on the entree list, all built around the coastline that made this stretch of California famous for seafood.
Starters From the Bay
Monterey Bay Calamari is the straightforward starting point — fennel, bell pepper, and orange sesame for dipping. For something with more heat and crunch, the Ahi Tuna Tacos pack crispy wontons, avocado, sriracha aioli, and pickled ginger into a shareable starter, while the Soft Shell Crab comes panko-crusted over glazed soy noodles with a roasted garlic-lemon aioli.
Entrees Built on Local Waters
- Crispy Skin Rainbow Trout — creamy sunchoke purée, corn-artichoke relish, asparagus, grilled sunchokes, watermelon radish, charred lemon.
- Atlantic Salmon — pumpkin seed crust, red pepper-potato cake, green beans, chipotle-lime vinaigrette.
- Frutti di Mare — salmon, clams, mussels, calamari and prawns over spaghetti in a white wine tomato broth.
For a lighter option, the Grilled Prawn Penne Pasta combines prawns with leeks, sweet peas, bacon, and a creole cream sauce — proof the seafood program isn't limited to whole-fillet entrees. See the full dine in and take out menu for the current lineup.
Why It Matters to Order Seafood Here
Carmel sits on Monterey Bay, one of the most closely watched marine sanctuaries on the West Coast — home to the organization behind Seafood Watch's sourcing guidelines. Ordering seafood at a restaurant this close to the source means shorter supply chains and menus that can shift with what the season actually offers, rather than what's convenient to ship in from elsewhere.
A Carmel Institution Since 1983
Rio Grill has built its reputation — 4.6 stars across 3,240+ reviews, features in the LA Times, USA Today, Vogue, TripAdvisor, and OpenTable — on menus like this one, where the seafood program has stayed consistent for over four decades while still keeping pace with what's fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most popular seafood dish at Rio Grill?
The Crispy Skin Rainbow Trout is the standout entree, alongside the Monterey Bay Calamari as a starter.
Does Rio Grill serve local Monterey Bay catch?
The menu draws on the region's seafood tradition, with items like Monterey Bay Calamari reflecting local sourcing; ask your server about the day's catch of the day.
Is there a vegetarian option if I'm dining with someone who eats seafood?
Yes — the Wild Mushroom Spinach Risotto is a full vegetarian entree on the same menu as the seafood dishes.
Can I get a lighter seafood option?
The Ahi Tuna Tacos or Soft Shell Crab starters work well as a lighter meal, or split as an appetizer before an entree.
Do I need a reservation for dinner?
Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekends — book via the Rio Grill reservations page.
See the full seafood lineup on the Rio Grill menu, or reserve your table today.