River Tavern Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to River Tavern, a New American gem nested in Chester, Connecticut. Here, culinary creativity meets comfort in a classy setting that’s inviting for families and groups alike. The menu showcases an impressive array of dishes, from vibrant first courses like creamy winter squash soup and sautéed P.E.I. mussels to tantalizing main courses such as grilled New York Strip steak and a flavorful lobster sandwich. Vegetarian and vegan diners will also find plenty to delight the palate.
The dining experience is bolstered by a full bar and delicious desserts, including the unforgettable key lime tart and indulgent molten chocolate cake. With features like outdoor seating, takeout, and happy hour specials, River Tavern caters to all dining preferences. Reservations are recommended, especially for the house specialties that promise to leave a lasting impression. Enjoy a memorable meal at River Tavern, where every dish tells a story.
First Courses
Olives
Green + back olives marinated in olive oil, chili, herb + citrus
Guacamole
Made to order with house-made tortilla chips
P.E.I Mussels
Sauteed with chorizo, garlic, shallots, herbs, white wine, + butter
Soup
Creamy winter squash puree with grana padano + fried parsley
Mystic Cheese
Melinda Mae with roasted winter squash, sage, brown butter, guanciale + preserved autumn olive honey
Parsnips
Roasted in beef fat-with apple butter, red wine-braised duck, garlic chive capers, rye crisps + herbs
Shrimp
Seared shell-on with garlic confit, calabrian chilies, hazelnuts, lemon + winter savory
Scallop Crudo
Raw stonington scallops with pears, lemon crème fraiche, celery, poppy seeds + nori
Roasted Beets
With chili yogurt, mint, pickled shallots, grapefruit, za'atar spice + dried black olives
Classic Caesar
Romaine lettuce, house-made dressing, grana padano cheese, + croutons
Local Greens
Fennel, apples, watermelon radishes, walnuts, feta + buttermilk-poppy seed dressing
Fluke
Cornmeal fried with grilled wellstone farm lettuce, buttermilk ranch, pickled shallots + crispy ham
Monkfish
Pan roasted-with braised white bean + swiss chard, shaved kohlrabi, parsley + fried capers
New York Strip Steak
Grilled-with roasted fingerling potatoes + carrots, blue cheese fonduta + saba
Chicken
Grilled boneless thigh and leg with braised black beans, salsa guajillo, + an avocado, red onion, cilantro salad
Ramen
Lightly smoked pork, dry aged veal, chicken + shoyu broth with tokyo style noodles, braised tofu + pork, fried chicken, soy marinated egg, spicy sesame oil, pickled shiitake + scallions
Soeltl Farm Beef Burger
Cheddar cheese, homemade pickles, ketchup + greens on brioche- served with french fries
Lobster Sandwich
Warm butter poached stonington lobster on brioche with lemon + sea salt-served with greens
Homemade Pasta
Spaghetti with stonington calamari, mussels, garlic, tomato sauce + herbs 17/25
Crispy 'the Bridge' Tofu
Sauteed with local vegetables, rice noodles + spicy thai chili lime sauce
Main Courses
Desserts
Souffle
Flourless bittersweet molten chocolate cake- please order ahead
Date Pudding
Toshi's date pudding with dark rum caramel sauce +fresh whipped cream please order ahead
Key Lime Tart
Served with whipped cream
Apple Crostade
Local apple tart with crème fraiche + cider honey
Olive Oil Cake
With roasted pears, persimmon jam, whipped crème fraiche + walnuts
Sundae
vanilla ice cream with pistachio, whipped cream + Italian cherries