Rio Grill
101 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel, 625-5436, riogrill.com
Done right, shopping can work up quite an appetite. Despite (or perhaps because of) its position in a shopping center, Rio Grill is a perennial favorite among Weekly readers. In 2020, Rio Grill re-introduced outdoor dining, which existed years ago. The parking lot-adjacent patio seating is set apart in a world of its own with planters, heaters and umbrellas; a slice of well-circulated heaven. The southwestern-leaning cuisine, craft cocktails, excellent wine list and stellar service make Rio Grill the best restaurant in a shopping center. It will indeed make you forget you’re in a shopping center.