I really wanted to love River Twice, after hearing so much hype about the restaurant. There were a few dishes on the tasting menu that really blew my mind, my favorite being a dish with the most delicious tomatoes I've ever had with tuna and a broth. However, for $85, I would expect more than 3/6 very small dishes (plus a decent but not great dessert) to be delicious. The tuna hand rolls to start the meal had very little tuna and were largely tasteless. The other seafood dishes were a bit better, but were all smaller and cost way more than dishes of equal if not higher quality at a nice sushi restaurant. We also started our meal with a cocktail that was so bad that we had to send it back. Luckily, our waitress was very nice, and also gave great wine recommendations. If you don't care about value (and your wallet), you will probably get some incredible bites of food from the tasting menu. However, it felt very overpriced for the amount and quality of food that we got throughout the dinner.

Can't believe I haven't done a review here yet! We've been to River Twice 4 times, and each experience has been excellent and unique. The photos for this review are from a while ago, but good examples of the quality and variety on offer. I also want to highlight the fun atmosphere and incredible service on all of our visits so far. Highly recommend!

Came here with friends for a celebratory graduation dinner and got the tasting menu. The entire staff was fantastic and very enthusiastic about the menu and restaurant. The tasting menu was surprising and delicious- my first time having soft shell crab. The wine pairing was very much worth it, paired very well. Will definitely be back to experience again as the menu changes.

This is such an incredible gem of a restaurant. Chef Rucker and his team not only churn out some absolutely mind blowing dishes but they make the experience so much fun. I love coming here. I’m always excited about what the best dish is going to bring. Unique ideas and incredible flavors. Every time. This place is so much fun.

This restaurant makes a case for why Philly needs Michelin Star Restaurant ratings because they'd easily get at least one star. I say this because the team at River Twice could walk teams at other NYC/Chicago Michelin restaurants I've dined at. We all eat with our eyes first, and every dish comes out looking their best. The team was very insistent on making any dietary accommodations, despite our lack thereof. All the flavor depth profiles exceeded expectations. Normally, I like to base vacations off what restaurants I can get into, but since I'm a local, I don't have far to travel. Although I should say, if you're a foodie traveling to Philly and you're not coming here, you're missing out. Lastly, the parting gift buckwheat madeleines could be sold out the front door and would probably bring world peace. I'd eat them loose out a strangers pocket. Hope this helps!

Excellent, friendly service, great vibe. Grab a counter seat if available and enjoy the show! Be erase list awesome and special events are not to be missed! Look for the Hidden in Plain Sight events for a special treat. Ask the chef some questions and he was so passionate about his answers. One of the current stars of the Philly scene

It’s impossible to overstate the level of culinary excellence and the quality of service at River Twice. We were impressed from the start with the minimalist and refined dining room, which is relaxed for high-end dining and features a prominent open kitchen. The food itself is inventive, deeply satisfying and sequenced perfectly - the presentation is also truly artistic. The wait staff are kind and highly-trained. This is a south Philly gem perfect for any special occasion.

I hemmed and hawed about what to rate River Twice, a place that had been on my list for ages and one I had heard such accolades about. I ended with 3-stars, and here’s why: - Food: it was good, don’t get me wrong. But it wasn’t anything extra or special. It was good, but exactly what you would expect. - Service: everyone was lovely. Just nothing special or extra but everyone was very kind and helpful. - Wine pairing: everyone has their own thoughts and preferences. However, I will say the pairing was a total miss. They didn’t work with the food (or there was a much better option that should have been selected) and they weren’t really special. The staff seemed to need more of an education on the wines as well when asking for more detail. - Cost: this was a big one. Our meal was not worth the $350 price tag. Honestly I was shocked and really bummed. I expected so much from the meal, and it just didn’t hit the mark for that cost. TBD if we’ll be back, but perhaps. We’ll see.

Phenomena food and service. Every dish was well prepared, seasoned and nicely presented. Service was attentive. Yes, the portion is small, but this restaurant is more like a place for you to appreciate the art of food rather than pigging out. The fixed menu definitely worth the money.

Overall an excellent experience. The staff was wonderful, the design of the place and attention to detail is wonderful. The menu changes regularly (about twice per week), so don't expect any specific food items to be on the menu. Most (if not all) of the food is sourced regionally and all processing (e.g. pickling) is done in the restaurant. The cuisine has a very wide variety, all prepared very well. We had 7 dishes, 5 of them excellent, 1 overall good and one missed the mark. I think that's a very good ratio and I absolutely recommend anybody to give this restaurant a try. The wine selection is very good

A relaxing and well paced 7 course prefix meal in a minimalist and endearing venue. If you like elevated seafood, this is the place for you. The service was top notch. Considerate, professional, and flawlessly executed. The staff were all friendly and made the overall meal enjoyable. The venue was minimalist and aligned well with their courses, coming together. The plate ware were absolutely gorgeous. I marveled at each and everyone one, perhaps even longer than looking at the food. We were able to try a variety of dishes which was balanced and understated. The flavors were discrete and unique. I especially enjoyed the mussels on toast and the miso icecream which was probably one of the best icecream I’ve ever had. They need to open an icecream shop only selling that. The overall course although good, felt passive. Like you being on a canoe in calm water just being carried by the stream. I wanted more of an adventure as no one dish had me thinking “wow”. It was enjoyable but yet not memorable. A few dishes just needed a little more seasoning to bring out the depth. Even with 7 courses, I did leave feeling hungry as I had to go somewhere else and order more food after my dinner. With all that being said, it was worth the experience and with the ever changing menu, I expect this place to be a staple on Passyunk.

This place is incredible. We had white truffle on our cornbread. There was a drawer for silverware so you could grab anything you wanted at any time. The service was fabulous and the food was great—highly recommend!

I can't wait to go back here! The whole vibe is chill , but upscale foods. My wife was raving about their dirty martini! So much thought into each dish and everything was amazing. I can't really put into words how great this experience was. We were there on steakhouse night and we were blown away! 10/10 🕺🙏

Randy Rucker easily gets my vote for the next Philly James Beard recipient for 2024. His inspired seafood is pure poetry on a plate. great mix of interesting flavors. The 4 course menu is a great place to start, but foodies should be prepared to add a few of the extras for the full dining experience. On this visit, the raw scallops in a buttermilk sauce was one of the unexpected stars. As a bonus, River Twice has a "bring a bottle, if you buy a bottle policy" which is amongst the best BYO deals in this neighborhood

River Twice is on all the lists but still, actually, underrated. We came for the “chef’s counter” prix fixe and every dish was special. Surprising, really beautifully composed dishes. Probably the best seafood-centered meal we’ve had in Philly. Clean and decadent at the same time. We had to ask for a few extra slices of bread to sop up every bit of lick-the-plate-delicious sauces. The picture is of an off-menu swordfish belly preparation that the chef very kindly let us sample when he saw me watching him put it together. We will definitely be back. A great date-night indulgence, absolutely worth it.

Love RiverTwice. I’ve been many times and will continue to go because all the food is thoughtfully designed, prepared, and served. The service staff is 100% top notch, and the drink menu is simple and compelling (try the house made kombucha—delish). The food: I’d say is a mix between Japanese, creole, and Texas barbecue. In a word it’s different. So if you wanna come here and expect large portions slathered in salt and pepper, then maybe RT isn’t for you. But if you hunger for an experience and can have an open mind about your meal, then you won’t be disappointed. There’s intention with every course and every ingredient, and I think that’s pretty darn special.

One of the best Chef's tasting menus in the city! It's impressively creative, yet comforting. A great date night or splurge with a bestie!

Overall, not bad. My favorite courses were the raw scallops and the preserved mussel toast (see pictures). The courses towards the end, such as the dogfish, were not as impactful in my opinion. The pacing of the meal could have been improved. There was a perceptible lag between the last 3 courses.

Best fried chicken ever!! Awesome dinner spot. Went for dinner during their collaboration with a cider company and would go back. Each dish and pairing was well explained and extremely good.

Biting into the Mother Rucker is an experience! I feel my soul leave my body and transcend into Nirvana. I want this burger to be the last thing I taste in this mortal plane! Now usually I consume food like I'm going against Joey Chestnut, but I actually chew, pause and savor every last bite. I don't know what dark pact they made because no burger should actually be this good. I eat half when it arrives and save half for last, it's truly amazing how much better a burger can be than any beautifully prepared, expertly crafted fine foods.

We tried the tasting menu and it was amazing. The food was fresh and the quality was just right. The team are super attentive and friendly. The chef came out to say hello.

What a beautiful dining experience! Everything is so thoughtfully crafted, tastes amazing, and the service is warm and friendly. A beautiful place for a special date night or if you just want really delicious food. 10/10 recommend!!!

Got takeout yesterday to take advantage of their speical a la carte menu. For two people 2 burgers brisket sandwich and a hotdog. Only regret is we didn’t get more. Might be the best burger in philly right now. Everything they make is amazing!!!

For many years, I have lived in the Philadelphia area. I have noticed the struggle most restaurants face. In spite of these struggles, River Twice restaurant has maintained the highest standards I have ever seen. They have consistently used the finest high quality ingredients. The attention to detail shown in the dishes, the decor, and staff does not just happen. That comes from everyone working in harmony towards a single vision. That vision results in the most unique, and highest quality food in the city. It’s time for Philly to put down the cheesesteak, ring the Liberty Bell, and open their eyes to what could be. Chef Randy and the River twice team have done just that. Visit their world, you will not regret the experience. The dining room is simple, elegant and clean. A fine dining experience, in a casual setting, that feels welcoming, not pretentious. The tables even have a small drawer for cutlery, so if there is a need, you don’t have to wait to summons a server for a knife or fork. Not that the staff would be likely to let you rely on that detail. The staff is friendly, attentive, and informative, on top of every detail. We spoke with three different members of staff, and it is a joy to see servers passionate in their work. Chef Randy and his team build flavors, layering them, mixing textures to create dishes with outstanding taste, and mouth feel. The cornbread skillet, perfectly cooked, with a slight bit of crispy edge were it meets the skillet, braced by the caviar, and smooth porridge, it is elevated comfort food. The oysters, by far the freshest, and best prepared I have ever had. The addition of the spice, with the icy brine of the oyster is amazing, and refreshing. The unagi was gently grilled, lightly golden, and all the pieces were the same size. Layered with thin mushroom slices, micro thin, that dissipate as you enjoy the unagi. With the subtle smoke, and miso like sauce it leaves you wanting more. The four course tasting menu gives you a variety of items to try, all complement each other. This menu takes out the guess work. Allowing you to focus on conversation. Opening your mind to items you may not immediately be drawn to on a menu. A wonderful experience, truly. Sit back and enjoy the ride.