I came here last week. I would come here years ago (like in the 1990's) and I remember it being very charming and relaxing. I cane here with a few friends and it was still charming and relaxing. I noticed the back yard area was much cooler and very clean and cute. Cooler like it was such a hot day and the back yard area was very cool and shaded. I love the plants and lots of places to sit. Okay so for the drinks, two of us got an iced americano and two of us got the Chai iced tea. All our drinks were SO good. And OMG the lemon tart thing was Delicious and the fruit tart. Everything was really good and the customer service was great too. I appreciate the cafe feel with so many drink options from coffee, tea- hot or iced, smoothies, italian sodas and the option for different caffeine levels. I really appreciate that! The offer snacks and yummy desserts. It's a cute place to meet up or read your book or study. I know they do poetry readings and art shows here as well. It's definitely a cool place to come and very charming still. Thank you Back to the Grind read more

The food was great and the Watermelon Smoothie as well! They have great evening events such as RUPO on Mondays. read more

Back to the Grind - Seating area. Front Entrance. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

Love the coffee shop. It's like another home. I don't know how I didn't know about this place, but I'm happy to have this place around. read more

Back to the Grind - Cold brew like who knew they could be so good - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

Great ambiance and the coffees are delicious. They also have great pastries and the gentleman working here is so kind and friendly. Definitely coming back! read more

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Great place to get some work done, or read a book. It can get a bit noisy in here, also people tend to bring dogs frequently. If you have allergies this may be an issue. The coffee is great, and the pastries are also pretty good. The ambiance is awesome, very cool decor and design. You really don't find places like this, it's a hidden gem. read more

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Very very unorganized and rude. I STRONGLY suggest they need to start taking NAMES because we waited 30 minutes for our coffees that were taken by someone else 2 times. Very annoying and the man working today Sunday right before 12pm w tattoos was very rude and is the reason I will never come back here again so if you want to wait 30 mins for a latte, have to hawk eye your order and be rudely waited on then come here! read more

Tried out this coffee shop for the first time & wasn't greeted even though there was no one inside & nothing to do. Assuming he was irritated because upon arrival, we were unsure what to order. (Menu sucks) he responded to us with so much attitude (grown man btw). Coffee was okay but refrained from adding anything else because of the way he was responding. In this day & age where coffee shops are opening left and right, this coffee/bar whatever it is will continue to decline if they keep allowing the beady eye guy with 0 customer service skills to keep customers from returning. Place looked cool tho. Add on: Timmy the business owner, you keep responding to these reviews as if there are changes being made... obviously not.. don't come here. read more

A nice little coffee shop if you need to get some work done or need to wait for your event at the nearby theater. I got an oatmilk chai and it was good. Wish it was more concentrated though. They also have a 2 bathrooms,which is great if you're spending a lot of time there. However, the bathroom is pretty dirty and the toilet is suuuper slow to flush, so def keep that in mind. The ambiance is cozy and pretty quiet. I would stop by again if I was ever in the area. read more

This place is a special vibe at any time. It's so cozy. Staff is wonderful and the coffee is great. Lots of activities throughout the day. Saw some ppl play dnd once. That was awesome read more

Back to the grind was very unique , that is what I loved the most. They had alot of random, old items with an array of books on their shelves. The coffee tasted great and the barista was helpful when choosing a coffee since it was my first time. The building seems like it's a bit on the older side , you can definitely smell that as you walk in. I would give them an opportunity to see how unique their shop is in downtown riverside read more

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Cute establishment. I came for poetry night which is held in the basement. I wish there was more ventilation down there, it would definitely make the space more comfortable, airy, and smell better. Parking is an absolute nightmare but this can probably be said for many establishmentsin the area. read more

Super cool place to find after our tour of UC Riverside! The staff were so friendly and the drinks yummy. I only wish we were able to stay to watch a poetry night. read more

Back to the Grind - Back patio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

The menu read that a small Matcha is $4.50, she charged me $6.75...unfortunately I didn't say anything because I was in a rush and thought maybe I read something wrong. So heads up, eye how much they charge you. Other than that the ambiance is pretty cool, looks cozy on a rainy day. They have scheduled events throughout the week, lots of seating. They even sell beers which is a cool addition to a coffee shop. Kind of leery on going back to purchase since it came out so expensive but I'd go back for a place to hang out. read more

Back to the Grind - Here's the size comparison next to my 32oz flask. I ordered a small iced matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

Coffee 2/5. Coffee is not good here tbh. Long wait. Ambiance is nice. High ceilings and a lot of tables. Seems to serve as a gathering place for the community, which is important. read more

Ambiance was ok. Food and coffee was ok. Service was terrible. Spent $60 in coffee/ matcha showing some friends around. Should not have come here and won't be returning. read more

Stepping into this place felt like walking into a live art installation called How to Disappoint a Customer in 10 Minutes or Less. The bathroom? An aromatic horror show -- no soap, stench for days. The staff? Olympic-level coldness, with extra points for making every customer feel like an unwelcome houseguest. No AC, because apparently suffering builds character. And my coffee? A tall glass of "meh" -- mostly water with a whisper of caffeine. LA spoiled me, and this place just reminded me why. read more

Good study spot, kinda busy though. You have to make a purchase for the WiFi code lol. Bought a bagel and later an ice cream. Their ice cream was very yummy and the perfect study pick me up. read more

Stumbled into this little gem by complete accident while running an errand in downtown Riverside. Was just looking for a much needed coffee and maybe a muffin but this place exceeded my expectations. Such a cozy, eclectic, and fun place. Love, love, love. Extra brownie points for great service, food options and ambiance. The brew of the day is sure not to disappoint. read more

Found a good place in dtr to chill and "study" before class! Coffee (iced americano) was great; strong as i like it. The employees are lovely and real friendly. I came early in the morning (~9am) so noise was minimal with only background conversations and music. Perfect environment for college students in the area! I will be visiting every week before my classes :) read more

Back to the Grind - lobby - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

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The best vibe of any coffee shop in Riverside. Great drinks, cool regulars, a great hang.

Staff here is always rude and dismissive, if not visibly angry to be at work. It's not a pleasurable experience by any stretch of the imagination. Worst shop to visit for any reason - if you do, keep your expectations very, very low. read more

The first time I came here it was quite nice; I spent the evening with a buddy. The second time around we were just perusing the riverside area and saw that there was a jazz singer. It had been quite busy and the ambiance was nice. We sat in the corner by the entrance just listening in to the music before we got kicked out for having a drink from a different spot next to me. The staff member was hostile from the beginning and even asked the girl in front of us doing her homework to toss her drink out or leave(it was a cup of water.) I don't recall names, but it was some white dude. I was not aware of the rule, nor was I actively drinking what I had next to me, but the worker could've gone about his demeanor a better *much* better way. It's a little embarrassing on his part considering our age gap. We just got up and left, as it's a privilege to just "toss" out a drink. read more

I enjoyed this place. Baristas are cool AF It's part Coffee house, Part Bar and Part Small-town library. It has a great location in the heart of Downtown Riverside. I found the coffee drinks excellent a cool crowd and a staff that was real and kind. No drive through and expect a bit of a que but it's worth walking in and certainly worth the wait. This place is a part of what makes downtown Riverside cool. read more

I live in Fontana that lacks any kind of social gathering spots and while searching for something to eat we found this place. When you walk in you are met with an abundance of eye capturing novelty items , colorful items and the sweet sound of 80's and 90s RB musics. We passed on some typical places like Starbucks. The cashier was the sweetest young lady ever that greeted us and took our order We walked the place while food was prepared. There's different levels of seating and she shared information on calendar events. While sitting I read past reviews and noted there is a male employee who should be avoided at all cost. Thankful he wasn't working. His lack of customer service is certainly hurting reviews. However bases on my personal experience this is 5 stars and I'll be back over the summer. read more

Cool chill spot with affordable coffee. Great space to read a book, sip on a coffee or study. read more

I forget how much I love this place. Just an absolute artistic safe space. Their coffee is amazing and so are their baked goods. Iconic little gem read more

This place is SUPER cute. Really gives off modern Harry Potter cafe vibes Out of 5 Cleanliness 4 Service 5 Food 5 Atmosphere 5 Price 5 I went in just to get a chai latte (delicious btw, would get again) and instead my friend and I ended up staying to also get their Turkey blt. I'm not sure what bread they use but it is the MOST sourdough bread I've ever had... and I LOVE sourdough. I got to talk to the barista, super sweet, and the owner too! Also extremely kind and kinda gives off a "Im a teddy bear but don't get too close until I know you" kinda vibe. But I'm general a really fun atmosphere and good vibes all around. I love this place, will def come back. Only bad thing is no free parking if you plan on staying long term. But totally worth a stop! read more

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Enjoyed their services and beautiful atmosphere with my toddler. I like selection of coffee bar and pastries for desert read more

Back to the Grind - Weekly music schedule - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

One of my favorite spots in So Cal.... Period. Beautiful atmosphere, awesome service, supporting small artists, etc. it's all an amazing place. I don't live in Riverside but make it a point to stop EVERY time. It's wonderful that Back to the Grind remains such a strong presence that is so important to preserve and support. Get the matcha. You're welcome. read more

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Back to the Grind coffee shop is a chill downtown hang out spot. I find myself grooving in my seat while sipping on a perfectly crafted latte. Simple drinks and music make Back to the Grind special. The food choices are limited and basic but I am okay with that. Because the place is like being wrapped in a warm coffee-scented hug. The cozy seating, the friendly staff, and the eclectic decor create a happy place. read more

Back to the Grind - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

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This place has such a cool vibe, I could hang out here all day. The staff is super friendly and helpful, which makes it even better. Seriously good energy, I felt so comfortable right away. Definitely coming back here again soon. Highly recommend checking it out! This place is my go-to, haven't found anywhere better. Been coming here for over two decades, crazy to think about. Always a good time and consistently great. Definitely recommend checking it out if you haven't already. A+ experience every single time. read more

Not sure why they don't have 5 stars?! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE! Great options, Amazing drinks, Great atmosphere and affordable! It's a cute vintage looking cafe, with alot of events that they host. It's my new study place but in the afternoon it gets busier and the vibe is still great! Just not as quiet as the mornings here. The staff is very welcoming and so is the atmosphere and furniture! There's days I've spent 5hrs here and nobody bothers you at all. You start to feel like you're studying in your own home after awhile lol The Matcha Latte with Amaretto is amazing! read more

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The iced mocha latte and matcha were so delicious i practically INHALED them! As a vegetarian (i love animals, especially cats), they had a plethora of mouth watering options. I settled on the hummus veggie sandwich which was very filling surprisingly. Service was great, and i waited a very short time for my food. I completely fell utterly in love with the atmosphere in there! The eclectic decorations and trinkets had me staring around in wonder for hours. There was something captivating in every corner you turn! This place is great for studying and i will be wandering through these doors again. P.S. The music was also #fire as you can say read more

Back to the Grind - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

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The coffee shop has the most amazing ambience. I mean, to the point where it could be in a movie... like a Harry Potter movie. If I lived closer, I would definitely be here more often. I don't know anything about the problem employee. I have met Nicholas and we exchanged names weeks ago. I saw him this week and he remembered my name. I remembered his too. Can you imagine? I've seen nothing but friendly, professional people here eager to serve. I'm in the for open mic nights. I do think it's the most creative place to be in Riverside County on a Monday night. Great vibe, great people, just a joy to be a part of. I really like this place and highly recommend. read more

Love the atmosphere, love the music, I like the food I like the beverages but like is it a job requirement to be a bitch here everyone mean as helllllllll all the time read more

It's a great spot here in dtriv! Local shows from local bands and plenty of options from the menu to choose from. Service is great they are super sweet and accommodating. The seating and space is beautiful with indoor, outdoor and upstairs seating. Can't go wrong here read more

Great atmosphere and ambience. They had an open mic when we were there. The coffee was okay. The service was fast. read more

This is a Riverside classic must! Whether you're going to college or university or even visiting go get your delicious coffee! So much room to sit and study as well! read more

Took a break from a long drive to take a break from the heat and grab something cold. The space is huge and with such an eclectic decor and taste. I enjoyed the random items and antiques on the wall. As well as the various painted tables and art! This time around I enjoyed a couple cold draft beers - a honey blonde and a hazy IPA. Very refreshing on this hot day. While I appreciate the high ceilings and the various fans, it definitely would be nice to have A/C on such a sweltering day. Nevertheless, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Pretty chill on a Friday, but people continued to come in and grab coffees, smoothies and sammies. What was so nice to see was how the staff knew many of the customers. I saw that they host various events throughout the week - would definitely love to come back for the music. read more

Such a fun artsy coffee shop!! Great vibe.. and close to walking around the Mission Inn area. Our server, Max, was awesome!!!! Very friendly and helpful and full of smiles! Personable, polite and gets to know the customers! A nice welcoming vibe where even the owner was hands in helping with orders and friendly Chat. Love this!! We will be back! And they have paint nights once a month and a patio out back that is so pretty with all kinds of cool paintings and succulents! read more

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