Welcome to Rio California
Nestled in the picturesque Preservation Park of Oakland, Rio California fuses Brazilian and New American flavors, crafting a unique culinary experience. This charming eatery, praised for its warm ambiance and attentive service, offers a delightful variety of dishes, from the succulent jerk chicken to the creamy chipotle mole shrimp. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared, showcasing vibrant ingredients and bold flavors that resonate with both locals and visitors alike. With an inviting outdoor seating area, Rio California creates a perfect backdrop for enjoying expertly crafted meals. The passion of its owner further enhances the dining experience, making every visit memorable.
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1233 Preservation Park Way, Oakland, CA 94612 Hotline: (510) 834-2565
Welcome to Rio California, an enchanting culinary gem nestled in the verdant surroundings of Preservation Park, Oakland. With a distinct flair for blending Brazilian and New American cuisines, this charming restaurant has quickly captured the hearts and palates of locals and visitors alike. Open exclusively for lunch, Rio California offers a delightful dining experience amidst a quaint and romantic atmosphere, where the lush greenery creates a serene backdrop for your meal.
The location itself is a hidden treasure, only a short and pleasant stroll from the BART 12th Street station. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the warm hospitality of Nathan, the owner, who not only serves dishes with passion but also ensures that each visitor feels valued and well-informed about the menu. His extensive knowledge of Brazilian cuisine adds a unique cultural touch that elevates the dining experience.
- Signature Dishes: Rio California is widely praised for its Jerk Chicken, a dish that has earned a spot in many diners' top food rankings. Tender and flavorful, the chicken is perfectly spiced and served alongside refreshing salads and delicious rice. Customer reviews frequently mention it as a must-try.
- Other Standouts: For those seeking variety, the Feijoada, a hearty Brazilian stew of sausage, pork, and black beans, is a crowd favorite. Each bite bursts with flavor, especially when the ingredients are mixed together. The Creamy Chipotle Mole Shrimp and Coxinha, a crispy chicken croquette, are also high on the list of recommendations.
The thoughtful menu caters to diverse tastes, ensuring that every dish is served in generous portions, all while maintaining a focus on quality ingredients. Diners can enjoy a myriad of beverages ranging from domestic sodas to the unique Guarana, a Brazilian soda that beautifully complements the tropical flavors of the food.
As you savor each dish at Rio California, you not only indulge in an array of culinary delights but also appreciate the subtle infusion of Brazilian culture into every element of the meal. Whether you're dining solo or bringing friends and family, the invigorating flavors and inviting atmosphere guarantee a memorable culinary adventure.
Rio California is not just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of food, culture, and community. Make sure to visit this oasis for your next lunch outing—it’s certainly more than worth the trip!
Rio California is a safe walk from BART 12th Street in an exceptionally beautiful Preservation Park. The greenery obscures the sign. Just walk towards the fountain. It is on the left, somewhat obscured by greenery. This restaurant was featured on Check Please Bay Area with high accolades. I was so glad to see it close to BART. They are only open for lunch with a beautiful searing area outside. We ordered jerk chicken although someone we ran into at the entrance to Preservation Park said the lemon chicken was a favorite. We intended to enjoy our entree for dinner. So our entree was boxed up with salad separate. No leakage here. Good containers. As we awaited our order, we could see the guy behind the counter expertly steered customers towards meals and drinks they likely would enjoy. One item, I think the burrito, is less spicy, more for kids. I appreciate that conveyance of knowledge. Now to the food. We split one for dinner. WE ARE STUFFED. The salad was crisp, the chicken juicy and on fire. The rice cooling off my mouth. RIO CALIFORNIA IS A WINNER. I look forward to many more meals here. It is truly worth the trip.
Great service and food. Enjoying the hidden romantic location and the warmth environment. Upon entering, you will always received a tenderness greeting. Favorite dish is the Creamy Chipotle Mole Shrimp. Mixing the chipotle sauce with white steamed rice. The side of salad comes with cilantro dressing. It is so delicious.
The jerk chicken at Rio California is easily one of my top 5 chicken dishes, of any style or type, of all time. The spiciness and flavor and tenderness of the jerk chicken is perfect. The owner is always so friendly and helpful. I tend to get four or five chicken dishes at a time and then my wife and I eat them for several days in a row. I love how the restaurant is quaintly situated in the cute Preservation Park. A delightful experience every time!
Delicious food- jerk chicken was great. Good portion sizes and well priced. Overlooking garden in Preservation park.
Great jerk chicken and fish tacos. True Brazilian food make sure to try their signature drink there Guarana the Brazilian original.
This is one of our go to spots whenever we have people visiting from out of town. They didn't have my favorite on the menu today so got the fish tacos. They were okay. Fish was excellent quality but needed some sauce or something. We sat in the little room towards the front of the building which was nice and sunny. This restaurant is located in a historic Victorian house. The owner (?) sometimes gets a bad rap but he's always been nice to us.
Rio California never fails! With a packed house and only the owner taking orders and serving plates...the food remains AMAZING. It remained flavorful with big portions. Must try the Jerk Chicken Plate.
My partner and I have been wanting to go to Rio for a long time and I am so happy we finally went. He found it tucked away in a handsome building in Oakland's Preservation Park and was dying to go because he has a fascination with places that are somewhat tucked away. While it looks small, the restaurant had nice indoor and outdoor seating. The food was absolutely delicious and filling. He had the feijoada and cleaned his (substantial) plate, saying the black beans were cooked to perfection and the combination of collard greens and yucca flour really made for a unique and delicious dish. I had the jerk chicken burrito, which was very good (albeit huge). The chicken was moist and the salsa was a really flavorful complement to the burrito. There is table service after ordering at the counter. I suspect the cashier was the owner, as he had extensive knowledge of all the dishes and offered up a few Brazilian cultural tidbits. He was very nice and accommodating to my request to hold the pico de gallo due to a food allergy. I highly recommend this spot if you can make it during the time it is open. While the menu is chicken heavy, there are fish and veggie options.
I can't get enough of this place bc of the food & the owner, Nathan who has a true passion of serving great food. I always come for the Jerk Chicken, consistently moist & infused with herbs. The next dish was Coxinha(not pictured)which is a popular Brazilian street food & I can see why. The light & crispy croquette filled with chicken meat was perfectly fried & had enough moistness inside that one can only beg for more. Although 3 Coxinha's come on the plate, don't be deceived at how filling it can make you. What I also appreciate is the generous amount of salad that is included, with only the freshest of ingredients. The last dish we ordered was the Creamy Lemon Seafood Risotto. The only thing I wish for is for them to be closer to my home.
If you're looking for a little adventure for lunch, try this place out. It's located in Preservation Park, a beautiful and unique setting in Downtown Oakland. The food is tropical with a Brazilian accent. I ordered the Feijoada, a Brazilian stew of sausage, pork and black beans. The first picture is how it arrived at our table, then I was told told mix everything up on the plate. When I did, the dish came to life and it was delicious! I will definitely order this again. She got the fish tacos but although there was a nice piece of fish on each taco, they weren't very well seasoned. She did love the salad, especially the dressing. We'll be back!