Restaurants Near the Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside, California

The Mission Inn & Spa is located in the heart of downtown Riverside, California. The hotel was built in 1876 with flying buttresses and Gothic-style architecture and has since become a National Historic Landmark. A full spa is available on the premises. The hotel hosts weddings at the chapel and has been visited by such celebrities as Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart. Dining is available at the hotel, as well as within walking distance.

Mario’s Place

Mario’s Place (mariosplace.com) is located across the street from the Mission Inn. It provides an elegant dining atmosphere, and attire is typically dressy or dressy-casual. Chef Leone Palagi offers a menu of contemporary northern Italian cuisine. Live entertainment adds to the ambiance on the weekends, when the back patio opens as a bar with a live DJ. The restaurant offers special menus on holidays, and reservations are recommended.

Tio’s Tacos

About a mile from the Mission Inn, Tio’s Tacos (no website; 3948 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside; 951-788-0230) provides authentic Mexican food in an eclectic environment. The outdoor decor includes statues and artwork made from old bottles, crates and other found-objects, and mosaics. Menu options include seafood, tamales, meat dishes and vegetarian dishes. The restaurant is also a favorite for its aguas frescas, which are freshly squeezed fruit or nut drinks, some with milk, and sweetened with sugar. The restaurant has an informal atmosphere.

The Salted Pig

About a mile away from the Mission Inn, the Salted Pig (saltedpigriverside.com) is a bar and restaurant. The bar features local brews with a constantly changing selection. The restaurant takes advantage of local produce, and menu items often change based on what is seasonal. The menu features comfort food with elegant twists, such as flat bread with arugula. Much of the produce is grown by the owners themselves, and in an attempt to be environmentally friendly, the restaurant serves water from reusable glass bottles. The establishment is open late every day, though the kitchen closes before the bar does.

Restaurants at the Mission Inn

The Mission Inn offers restaurant options on-site. Las Campanas Mexican Cuisine & Cantina (missioninn.com) offers dining al fresco in the garden. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and does not accept reservations. Duane’s Prime Steaks & Seafood Restaurant (missioninn.com) features fine dining in an elegant atmosphere. Reservations are recommended, and attire is dressy. The bar in the restaurant, Duane’s 54°, has an extensive wine list and a tapas menu. Bella Trattoria (missioninn.com) is a sidewalk cafe with contemporary Italian cuisine, including pizza, pasta, calzones and meat dishes. Reservations are not required.