Cafe riva in Bournemouth

Gem of a place- perfect location on cliff edge, warm and friendly ambience and delicious eats. Really enjoyed dropping in on a cold and drizzling morning for a hot chocolate and quiche!!

Frost on the sea front. Looks a little dilapidated on the outside but OK inside. The sandwiches were good, nice size and well presented. The other patrons appeared to be local. Many with yappy companions. We experienced a frosty service, maybe because we are not local, maybe because we are ethnically non-compliant.

Great food and friendly service.

Lovely cafe, great views and good choice of cakes

Nice lunch overlooking the sea, you can eat inside or outside. Food and cakes is usually pretty good and there is a decent range of options. Also a full bar. Prices are pretty good. They also have live music and they have some additional food options outside at peak times. Oct24 still the same very well liked cafe and used by tourists and locals alike

Very was pleasant but slow sevice, it is ideally situated for the beach. I always call in when I am going to the beach with the little one, she normally gets an ice cream and a drink.

Really enjoyed our lunch today at Cafe Riva, such friendly and welcoming staff and a delicious burger. Relaxed atmosphere am looking forward to returning for some of their delicious looking cakes! Many thanks 😊

Great place to have breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack overlooking the cliffs and ocean! Had plenty of gluten free options including bread to enjoy a delicious sandwich.

awesome place for breakfast by the beach in Bournemouth! relaxed atmosphere for a bite and soak up the beach atmosphere. Quality of food is decent too! There is plenty of space to sit and the place is pet friendly

Staff were very pleasant. Full of dogs.

First time in 2 years, felt as though it's lost some of its mojo, will try again when back sometime next year,see what happens then

An excellent place to stop for anything from a cuppa to a full meal.

Great location and fast service

Our favourite place for coffee and cake, great vegan cakes and decaff coffee

Only stopped for coffees as passing by was lovely cafe with nice view overlooking sea staff friendly

I have visited Cafe Riva three times in as many years and can safely say I have never had a good experience here. I am unsure what the appeal of this place is other than the sea view. We all sat at a table and made it clear we were eating/drinking in. When ordering drinks, they appeared in takeaway cups. I then said we were eating in, this was met with a bit of frustration from members of staff. Drinks were then poured into a mug. Staff have zero personality which makes for an awful experience. Facilities are run down. Food and drinks are expensive.

We have been coming to the Riva every year for the Air Show. Was very disappointed this time. Breakfast arrived slumped on my plate, making everything soggy, sent it back. The toilets are awful, not very clean. The outside of the Riva, looked a mess, needs a good clear up and some TLC.

Food was not presented properly toast on plate first then egg then mushrooms then fried tomatoes, my toast was soggy, sent it back for it to arrive on a side plate, had to ask again for a bigger plate. Toilets messy, the place has gone downhill, don’t think we will be going there again .concentrating on what’s going on in the cafe not all the outside attractions

Prawn Marie Rose Baguette, great prawns but spoiled by a distinctly sweet strong tomato ketchup flavour.

Lovely little cafe on top of the cliff at Southbourne. Food and drink nothing special but pretty wholesome and great as a pit stop. Staff are friendly and informative. Bizarrely, it is the only beachfront cafe for some distance east or west.

The simple lunch dishes really do arrive as simple. But the bigger more expensive dishes looked a little nicer. Service was a bit chaotic - there seemed to be a lot of confusion. But hey ho it was a busy summers day

A lovely place to stop and friendly staff. Delicious mince pie!

Visited her with an elderly friend..ordered the Scampi which when came was so overcooked and hard it was impossible for my elderly friend to eat..I had the Mac &Cheese which is advertised as Homemade..!!!.it was awful...a bowl of pasta with melted cheese ...and at a charge of £8.50!!!!.No taste and very bland..hardly homemade in my opinion...I'd of complained but My elderly companion did not want a fuss made No worth the money ...go elsewhere .

Busy but fast service. Good coffee and large terrace area

Great place to sit outside in the sun and great food

The outside vendors and music did a great job. Security were super friendly. The bar/till staff inside could do with a morale boost as they were a tad grumpy with basic requests from people queuing ahead of me.

Don't order the scrambled egg. Everything else for breakfast was great, but this (bulk catering microwaved?) substance bears no resemblance to any eggs I've ever cooked. Please, Riva, change this! Otherwise, amazing location, great food, nice people, good value.

Beef chilli nachos in the sun with a cold Amstel...perfect lunch! 5 Stars!

Honestly locals know it as having the worst coffee in southbourne and tend to avoid. Not sure the cafe seems to care, as has had this reputation for years. Cakes and pastries are nice.

Great location and view's. Lovely coffee and food offerings with several options of gluten free cakes!! 😋

Nice in the summer, breakfast is stunning. Plenty of dogs on leads. Coffee or tea in a take away cup.

Loved it here staff were so so friendly, and really nice coffee ! Highly recommended

Only had ice cream Toilets outside probably nothing to do with them but the disabled ones were really smelly and disgusting

Opens early on Sunday, lovely eggs for breakfast then a stroll down the beach with the dogs (dog friendly) before it gets to busy.

When visiting Bournemouth, I always go up to Fisherman's walk and always call in for a pot of tea, and never had to complain, this year after asking for a pot of tea I received a takeaway cup, I said that isn't what I asked for, where she poured it into a pot, I took the lid off to give it a stir there was only half of a pot, I had to go back to the counter and say that I asked for a pot of tea not half a pot. No apology, too busy talking.

Sitting outside was a task with the bird and seagulls all eye on our food.

Overpriced. Overcrowded. Could do with better outdoor seating

Love this place, every time I visit it's a great vibe and chilled atmosphere good drink and music 😎

Very nice location but the toilet is too small needs better service

The price varied 2 times for two identical rounds of drinks ? That apart the music and atmosphere was good.

Great breakfast, good pricing and a beautiful view. Had a full breakfast.

Cozy little café at the top of the beach in a beautiful setting.

Food is well over priced and Portions are small

I assume the council has put constraints on improving this amazing spot because whilst the current managers have grown it successfully with dj sets like hush club, drinks etc the place has had so little investment despite probably x10 the turnover over the last 5 years. If no investment in outdoor seating, toilets, food ordering etc is made, this place will quickly fall behind all the others in the local area iver the next few years. P.s £6.50 a plastic cup pint and service out of a shed. You're paying for the view I presume?

Great little café. Beautifully placed for sea views. The food and coffee are excellent.

Best little sea front cafe!! Love it here, cute and cozy

Expensive, runs out of items midday eg eggs. Service not good, give a table no with spoon, then when food arrives they forget to make a note on food No.hence no idea who to serve the food too. Mediocre food. Sandwiches made earlier in the day, so can't amend contents too your wishes

Great cafe, beautiful views and excellent food. Will be back!

Fantastic service last weekend from a young lady, possibly name Loulou, so attentive & polite, thank you

Lovely place had coffee on this occasion. Great friendly staff.

very friendly, great service and food and very friendly staff

On this occasion I only came for a coffee but it’s local so I’ve been plenty of times over the years. The food is pretty good. Above average for the type of establishment. It gets a little cramped inside on busy days but if it’s sunny, the outside area is lovely.

Beautiful vista, right the cliff overlooking the sea. Plenty of outdoor seating great homemade cooking ,cakes and coffee. I have been here many times and I love it

Great location (especially if you can get a sheltered seat outside). Food and drink OK. Could have done without the music once they opened the outside bar.

Amazing view and lovely location!

Lovely spot for a beer in the sun

Stopped by with our doggies for a coffee on a sunny day. Very busy,nice little spot. Not much shade for the dogs in the garden area

Great coffee and amazing views over to the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks !

Nice place to have a bite to eat and a drink. Helpful friendly staff

Ideal location With their turnover, they most probably could be best in town. Coffee is really, really sub par with anything anywhere in Bournemouth. It is worse than an instant coffee or any coffee from a machine in a service station. Im not joking it really is the cheapest of the cheap Get a decent coffee machine, and you'll have the best spot in Bournemouth

We had a good experience coffee was good and food was just OK but we were disappointed to see so many dogs sat on customers laps eating food from tables .If you goy to have dogs surely it should be paws on the ground !

Lovely little place; had the eggs benedict and was mostly great. Few cracks and chips in the crockery, bit rough around the edges - characterful rather than bleak though.

4 family members and I visited Cafe Riva for Breakfast.The food & beverages were very good and very reasonably priced.The customer service was very friendly ,polite and prompt.The cafe and toilet facilities were very clean and tidy.

Came here for breakfast, very tasty food and good service. Would come here again.

A lovely place, great breakfast and coffee. Staff were very friendly.

Extortionate prices, bad coffee

Had lunch here today, there were 12 of us and I would definitely visit again. The service was excellent and speedy considering how busy it was. There was a great selection of food, some of us had meals, others had sandwiches, A kids menu is also available. A shout out to Molly who was extremely helpful and an amazing asset to the cafe. Beautiful location and view and plenty of parking on the road.

Lovely location above the beach especially if it's sunny. Teas, coffees , breakfasts , and a bar. Outdoor table seating as well as indoor. Friendly staff. Breakfast for two and teas , just under £20.

A little jaded, restrictive, tired.

I recently visited Cafe Riva and was thoroughly impressed with my experience. The cappuccino was expertly crafted, with a smooth and creamy texture that was perfectly complemented by the rich, bold espresso. The almond cake was also a standout - moist, flavorful, and not too sweet, with a delicate almond flavor that was simply delightful. But what really set this place apart was the staff. They were incredibly friendly and welcoming, going out of their way to ensure that I had a pleasant experience. Their warmth and hospitality made me feel right at home, and I left feeling happy and satisfied. Overall, I highly recommend Cafe Riva to anyone looking for a tasty treat and a friendly atmosphere. Two thumbs up!

Great views but queuing up (it's usually busy) reminds me of waiting in line for school dinners - staff aren't particularly welcoming. Coffee not the best - able to make nicer tasting brew at home plus a lack of gluten free options too.

Happy place, friendly staff, great atmosphere 👍

Late drink Sunday, tunes playing in the garden, staff serving in the café, great atmosphere, friendly and fun. Thanks for the drinks, rounded our Sunday off nicely.

We love to go to Cafe riva for food ,drink and view.😁 The place is nice ,clean,with seats inside and outside,staff friendly, food good and warm.

Really nice spot on the cliff top. Great view from outside seating, good selection of cakes, and cooked snacks

Lovely staff and great surroundings with a nice choice of cakes 🍰

Great place for coffee and a snack. Unfortunately, crazy golf was disappointing, it now looks very neglected, the grass damaged, holes blocked with stones and everything falling apart, the holes no longer have numbers the golf clubs are rusty and tired, I could go on... a sad sight. If you sell a ticket, make sure everything looks as it should. It just looks not looked after at all.

I've been here a couple of times recently. It's cosy, good coffee and cake and fabulous views. A lovely place to stop after a bracing walk on the cliff top in Southbourne.

Friendly service but a small apple juice and a coke zero cost me £4.20

Best breakfast ever Absolutely highly recommend it It's definitely my favourite place

I had a bacon sandwich..there was a choice of bread. I would rather have paid a bit more money as there wasn't much filling! It didn't come with crisps or salad or anything. In summer it's lovely to and sit outside because the view is lovely. We also shared a cake which tasted nice and had tea to drink. It was quite cold in there but the only table left was next to the door so obviously that kept opening and closing.

Lovely cafe, food looked and smelled great..... just popped in for coffee and. Cake.

After an enjoyable and bracing walk along the beach from at Southbourne, we decided to pop in for a spot of lunch at Cafe Riva. We chose the tomato & basil soup with white baguette followed by a rocky road and frangipani slice washed down with 2No teas. The food was very good and was served in a timely manner after our order. It is always quite a busy place, is dog friendly, and the staff are friendly and welcoming.

First visit for lunch but really enjoyed both the food and service. Friendly staff, great choice of meals, snacks & drinks and fab location and view too! 👌

Great view of see from outside seating

Veey busy tosay, Sat 6.1.24 Great location, superb views of the bay....lovely weather today following the heavy storms. Dropped in to Riva for a Cappuccino! Thanks Julian

Coffees are well short, the amount of times I’ve ordered a latte that’s too hot to drink got to the beach and it’s 3/4 of a cup,it’s just pointless. Water is free just top it up to the correct margin, poor.

Went on a day when most of cafe was closed off for a private party so not a true representation ((maybe)

I was very disappointed, the staff were miserable and the food was very poor. We had chipped cups and milk jugs. Such a shame as it’s in a beautiful setting.

Lovely place for a coffee and cake stop. Other drinks and food available.

Friendly and great with littles..

The food was good, I ordered a sausage sandwich which was undercooked and a child burger for my child. The burger was bigger than the sandwich and cost less 6 quid for a sandwich is ridiculous and 2.50 for a can of Coke is pathetic I can get a 2 litre bottle for that price I also preceded to see a member of staff cough on a sandwich and continue to give it to a customer. Staff where miserable and messed around while cooking food probably why it was under cooked I will not be returning ever this experience makes me sick.

Avoid this place at all costs! £2.55 for a can of coke zero? The sausage sandwich was hardly cooked. The biggest disappointment was the mix race lady with the attitude problem, she was very rude! Drinks are not on the menu you need to ask for the prices. The young boy working there was just joking around, then standing around with his hands in his pockets. We won't ever come back here and I advise everyone to walk 20 mins up the road to harvester that is cheaper than here. The staff really let this place down, I know it's by the beach but it's so over priced

great little cafe. plenty of seating, looking out to sea.

Such a lovely small place on top of the cliff.People are friendly and fast.Thank you.Ther is offer on Cake + Drink Mon-Thur after 10am for £5.Very good offer.(8/10/23) Not sure how long this offer will be so get there now

The location of the cafe is so beautiful. Its a shame the staff are so miserable. The atmosphere felt very cold and depressing. Saying that the coke was nice and refreshing.

All we wanted were bacon sandwiches, no salad, no tomato and NO AVOCADO….. And that’s exactly what we got in spades Fresh wholemeal bread A hint of butter Perfectly cooked bacon That’s it Oh and the perfect accompaniment for a wet and wild stormy Tuesday morning A pot of tea!! Great friendly service rounded off a great visit!

Lovely breakfast spot. Would certainly visit again. Food was delicious. Please consider supplying marmalade along with the toast. Or offer it with breakfast My apologies regarding the marmalade. Just didn't see it when we were ordering. I appreciate that the English café culture predisposes the local, or regular, to look for and order everything at one time, so it's not an issue. Where I come from (Zimbabwe), the condiments are complimentary and come with the meal when it's served. The real point of this post though is to compliment the owners/ management who were in touch with me the day I posted my original review to discuss the subject. Well done and thank you.

Food portions small, staff not helpfull, paper cups, uncomfortable seats, the smallest toilet i have used, but a great view on a sunny day.

Lovely spot, beautiful views, good service and food was pleasant. Would recommend