Cafe Riva
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Cafe Riva
We are open 364 days of the year serving Breakfast, Lunch, Drinks and Cakes. Our extensively stocked bar offers our customers a wide range of both soft and alcoholic drinks. We have a great selection of wines or if you prefer, a freshly prepared coffee or tea. We also have an 18 hole Crazy Golf Course and Pitch and Putt which is open everyday.

Our extensive outdoor seating area (including our very own beach!) offers panoramic views from The Bear at the Isle Of Wight and across to the Purbecks and Swanage. We are a Dog Friendly Cafe and welcome well behaved Dogs inside and offer a range of Dog treats too. Our indoor and Outdoor areas can be hired for Evening Private Functions all throughout the Year.
Services
For many years Southbourne has been very popular for holidaymakers and locals who want a break from the hustle and bustle of Bournemouth centre but still want to appreciate the miles of golden beaches and stunning views. It is the ideal location for all with the local shops, beautiful beaches and Hengistbury Head near by.
Whether its breakfast, lunch or dinner all our food is locally sourced and freshly prepared by our chefs Daniel and Marian. Our pick and mix English breakfast allows you to choose exactly what you want. For lunch we offer a range of light snacks, sandwiches and proper meals like our Homemade Riva Burger and Beer battered Fish & Chunky Chips.
Riva is available to hire for Evening Private Functions all year round. A perfect setting with fantastic views, whatever the occasion we can cater for your party needs. We can cater for up to a maximum of 70 guests and we have an alcohol license until 1am. The food was first class and all the guests commented on how good it was, the staff were brilliant and the venue perfect.
Reviews (16)
Jasper Wells
Jasper Wells
Jan 28, 2022
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Pretty basic caf, good looking breakfast. Perfect for a family lunch at the beach but a bit cramped / lack of social distancing possibility
Melanie S.
Melanie S.
Jan 16, 2022
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We went for breakfast this morning and were very disappointed in both the quality of cooking and overall lack of service. It seemed to be understaffed and run by teenagers who were doing a job rather than providing a service. Sorry but need to up your game.
Christopher Bushnell
Christopher Bushnell
Oct 10, 2021
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Came along today with my sister, her youngest and two of my kids and felt comfortable and welcomed by the staff. They even do gluten/wheat free buns for burgers etc so I was really impressed as a lot of cafes and restaurants/takeaway places don't do that. Bit of a delay for my sisters bacon baguette and unfortunately sold out of the kids burgers but that's not exactly a problem as they had other kids options which they enjoyed. Very friendly lady served me and was chatty and kind even on her lunch break. Personally I'll be coming back again. Great work guys with great service and food.
Jsychris
Jsychris
Sep 29, 2021
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A fantastic place for breakfast. Marvellous wide sea / coast views from the delightful terrace. Great coffee, scrumptious pastries and cakes and generous cooked breakfasts served by friendly and helpful staff. We just had to return again and again. Perfect!!
Julie Vogel
Julie Vogel
Sep 20, 2021
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Great food. Myself & friends usually meet up there for breakfast & then sit on a bench on the cliff. The great thing about breakfast is that you choose the items you want to create your own & pay per item. Free street parking & a park for the children to play
Mary Seer
Mary Seer
Aug 29, 2021
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Lovely cafe, with amazing views!! It does look a bit tired, if I am totally honest and looks like it has mashed together with different parts being updated at different times. However, who cares about that? When it is clean, nice staff and they keep the prices at an affordable level. They had gluten free cake! Yey for me! They had vegan cake! Yey for vegans! So they really have tried to cater for everybody. You can buy alcohol from the bar. Apparently there is music in the evening Friday and Saturday night. There is a play park literally 100yrds away and a mini golf course which we played on for
Sara Maguire
Sara Maguire
Aug 16, 2021
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We visited about 11.30am Saturday morning. Great breakfast (served until noon), great views, prompt service, decent coffee.
Sweet treats looked yummy too!
Crazy golf kit hired out here too for some simple seaside family fun!
Piotr S.
Piotr S.
Jul 19, 2021
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I had tasty burger, served quite fast. Reasonable prices as for cafe over cliff in this area. Quite nice place with plenty tables outside. There is also mini golf course which belong to café. Close to footpath which takes you down to beach. There is also lift
Yola Barrett
Yola Barrett
Jul 13, 2021
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Just an update…. It opens at 8:30, but for coffee and cake only. Don’t stand in the queue hoping to order a full English till the kitchens open at 9am.
I suggested they put a note on the door to that effect, but that was just met with a shrug…. 🤔🤔
Great location on the cliff top. Staff are always helpful** and friendly**. They are very COVID organized. Delicious bacon rolls and lattes.
Steve Mclaughlin
Steve Mclaughlin
May 13, 2021
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Great afternoon listening to Rich Baxter with friends, outside bar very organised as well as inside ordering for hot drinks and food too, plenty of tables and a great atmosphere and location.
Qype User Towbar
Qype User Towbar
May 25, 2013
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There's a new chef at the cafe & the food is excellent & good value for money .
We often go there with our children on Thursday as there's a special offer with the pizza in the evening.
The pasta dishes are lovely too .
Paul E.
Paul E.
Oct 07, 2012
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VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AVERAGE FOOD SAVED BY ITS LOCATION.

I think the only reason this place survives is because of its physical location. Sat on top of the cliff it has great views. It also has no competition because it is a long way from any competitor.

I have been here a few times, each time hoping things will have got better. They haven't.

The staff are surly at best and rude at worst. I think the owners set the tone. They bark at customers and do the bare minimum in terms of service. The delivery of food is always slow.

The food is OK but is priced at a level where it should
Qype User Tipton
Qype User Tipton
Jul 11, 2011
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I visited this establishment and found the staff or is it the owner ruder than ever. Last year my friend wanted a sandwich but the chef had gone home and no one was prepared to make one. This time I stood in a queue the first person ahead of me wanted something from the 12 o clock menu but since it was 11.50 they could not have it. The second person wanted an ice cream and was rudely dispatched to a kiosk which by some slight of hand the council has given the cafe.


The cake I had was dry and the coffee was froth. They are massively overcharging and the enterence to fishermans walk should have
Qype User Malica
Qype User Malica
Oct 17, 2010
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I often walk along the beach between Hengistbury Head and Boscombe Pier and this is my favourite place along the route. Nothing spectacular but if you are looking for a decent coffee, cake or sandwich, they do this very, very well. It is also licensed which is a bonus on that odd occasion. Personally, I have a liking for Nachos and Cheese and Riva's are the best around.
Paul G.
Paul G.
Jun 06, 2010
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Cliff top cafe in a wonderful location, at the top of a 'zig zag' to the beach, or you can use the cliff lift in high season. They do tea, coffee and cakes, ice creams etc. They are licensed too. Plenty of seating and parasols outside (but they don't seem to clean them!).
If you can't take wheat, they do a limited range of gluten free things from Honeybuns. They also run a mini golf/crazy golf. Parking for a couple of cars.
Qype User Alison
Qype User Alison
Nov 23, 2008
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On a Birthday trip to Bournemouth I just had a need for some cake. Me and my partner went out on a recce for some.


We traveled many miles that evening with no luck but finally came across Cafe Riva.
this is a small one level building with low lights, candles, and other fancy lamps. Very atmospheric. They sell snacks, specialty teas, coffee's, alcoholic drinks and..... Lovely Cakes!!
We couldn't believe the selection they had. The selection had a french feel about it, I couldn't decide which to get so had two! My partner had a pint of cider and a cake.
This place is lovely and