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    Café at Rio

    4.3 (15 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Café at Rio Photos

    CAFÉ AT RIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Bonnie G.

    First off, this is a college cafeteria and it makes no qualms about that. Secondly, this is an amazing lunch place for foodies on a budget. Not only is it based on sustainable, local produce sourced daily, their prices are insane. I bought a huge plate of salad, fruit cup, large iced coffee and a coffee cake for barely 8 dollars. And it was all huge servings and delicious. The atmosphere is crisp and clean and decidedly modern without being too cheeky or smirky about it. You still have all the food stations you remember from state run institutions like the salad bar, the pizza bar, the hot meal bar and the deli counter. The baked goods and coffee stand is a little across the ways. I rode my bike from work, excited after reading about the cafe in Edible Phoenix that I could finally have a quick lunch place to go to that wasn't fast food. There were helpful signs around the driveway but hard to find parking for my bike. I was overwhelmed by the set up when I first got in and probably freaked out the poor employee ordering a Greek Salad at the salad stations b/c I was overwhelmed by the size of his entree. However, for $3.25, I got a huge half salad that had: quinoa, flax seed, sunflower seeds, local goat cheese, fresh cut peppers, tomatoes and spring mix with a just made cilantro dressing. Incredible. The fruit cup I bought for $1.75 tasted like real fruit, they had plenty of soy milk for my iced organic coffee and the coffee cake was delicious and huge; I shared it with 3 co-workers! It tasted truly home-made too, you could actually taste the egg, butter, milk, brown sugar, etc that made the silky textured dessert hard to resist. The phrase is over-used a lot, but considering very few people know about this place, it is truly a hidden gem and worth you getting to know it and their admirable mission. After all, you gotta love a lunch place with compost-able plates and cups!

    Tuna melt and fries.

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    Photo of Donna B.
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    11 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great potato soup today!! I didn't have enough room for a burger. The burgers here are the best.

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    2 years ago

    We are so lucky to have the Cafe @ Rio. The food is always great and their is a nice variety.

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    2 years ago

    Great food at great price! I love supporting a sustainable kitchen on a college campus!

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    15 years ago

    Helpful 12
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    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
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    5 years ago

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    Michael H.

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    15 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    12 years ago

    There are many better places than this for anything. Poor hours not very good don't eat here unless you have to even than maybe just wait

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Café at Rio

    Review Highlights - Café at Rio

    We are so lucky to have the Cafe @ Rio.

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    xolo coffee - Pistachio espresso

    xolo coffee

    4.8(169 reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$

    I've been wanting to try Xolo Coffee for months now and finally made the trek this weekend!!! There…read moreis a small parking lot out front shared with other businesses, including the tattoo/piercing shop next door "In The Streets Tattoo" nowned by the same folks as Xolo Coffee! I was specifically interested in their piercings (Side note, I asked if Xolo Tacos is also owned by them, but it isn't). I visited for the first time on a Sunday afternoon, just missing the late morning rush, so I had ample options to choose from regarding seating (there's couches, tables, stools)! As a first-timer who loves specialty coffees, I inquired about which drink might be the sweetest and best suited to my tastes, and through shared decision-making, we decided on the Azucar Morena! It's comprised of brown sugar and molasses, which satisfied my taste buds and coffee fix. There wasn't a wifi password sign anywhere, but upon inquiry, I received it and proceeded to chill for an hour or so before closing. I loved that they kept the door open to let in more natural lighting and fresh outside air on that serene Sunday afternoon. Overall highly recommend this coffee shop for delicious, unique specialty coffees. I can't wait to return to try more, including the pistachio espesso and cafe de olla! Or I might even stick to my azucar morena that I loved so much

    Tried this place out for the first time this morning; It is such a cool vibe!…read more We were immediately welcomed and assisted by Malice, who did a fantastic job at walking us through the best-sellers and his personal favorites. The coffee was naturally flavored, brewed to excellence, and wonderfully presented. The inside is decorated with a ton of local artwork, and does a great job of including the community, which is why this place is more-than-deserving of these 5 stars. Keep it up!

    Photos
    xolo coffee - Summer Madness

    Summer Madness

    xolo coffee - Pistachio

    Pistachio

    xolo coffee

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    FUTURO - Cajeta (~$7)

    FUTURO

    4.4(186 reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$

    Futuro currently takes the cake for my favorite coffee shop in Phoenix currently…read more I've tried their matcha two ways: 1. as an iced latte, unsweetened. The first time I ordered it unsweetened was accidental, but trying it without sweetener or flavor was what made me realize that their matcha may be the best I've ever had. I've also had their Mas matcha latte and it is also absolutely delicious and simple and still allows me to taste the matcha through the vanilla and sweetness. I've been to other places that serve Kettl matcha, but none have tasted nearly as rich as Futuro's. The atmosphere itself is true to its name. It is futuristic, simple, and beautiful. It is full of unique art pieces of all types, and they sell their coffees and teas as well. I feel at peace inside and they always have vibey music playing at a perfect volume and incense lit. The service itself is one of a kind and makes me feel like I'm at a 5-star restaurant. They bring your items out on a beautiful tray and will always serve your drink with a cup of water on the side if you order it for here. They will even package your food up for you, which I would never expect from a coffee shop. It can be busy at times with a bit of a wait because the drinks are all made one at a time, but it's always worth the wait. The place isn't very big but has plenty of seating given the space. For working from home, they do have wifi but limited outlets. Their pastries served from a local bakery are also delicious.

    The coffee, the pastries, the vibes -- everything about Futuro has gotten me thoroughly obsessed…read more The intentionality of every item on their menu shines, and I find myself visiting more and more. I'm currently hooked on the Cafe de Olla, a gorgeous blend of sugar and spice that's topped with a star anise pod that enhances the aroma with every sip. But virtually every menu item -- honorable mention to the Cajeta -- is balanced and well crafted. The baristas are all very knowledgeable about their teas, as well. I've recently been SO hooked by their semi-new weekend pastry artist, Ghita, who crafts such unique desserts. Most recently, I tried their absolutely FIRE black sesame craquelin with a mildly sweet tahini cream. The rhubarb cream pastry was also gorgeous and creative. Futuro as a space is intentionally designed as well, with plenty of seating on both sides, boutique goods for sale, and great reads. It's the perfect place to read a book and chill on weekends. And the staff, even when busy, seem to always perfectly serve each order and efficiently clear out plates. Officially my favorite coffee shop 1000% now.

    Photos
    FUTURO - Chia: chia, agua de coco, lime. So refreshing!

    Chia: chia, agua de coco, lime. So refreshing!

    FUTURO - Calabaza: roasted kabocha squash cake topped w/caramel apple. Romanian culture treats with a love for French pastry. Beautiful and tasty!

    Calabaza: roasted kabocha squash cake topped w/caramel apple. Romanian culture treats with a love for French pastry. Beautiful and tasty!

    FUTURO - Espresso

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    Espresso

    Songbird Coffee & Tea House - Blueberry Lavender Matcha Latte w/ Oatmilk

    Songbird Coffee & Tea House

    4.6(501 reviews)
    6.3 mi
    $$

    Songbird Coffee & Tea House is a cute coffee house in downtown Phoenix (more specifically near the…read moreRoosevelt Row Arts District) and the shop is located in a historic house built in 1904. Apparently the shop sources coffees and teas from local businesses. For example, coffees = Infusion Coffee Roasters in Tempe, loose leaf teas and chai = Maya Tea Company in Tucson, kombucha = Milly Moon Kombucha in Phoenix, and breakfast burritos = Lua Lua Catering. [Parking]: Mostly metered parking and I ended up parking few blocks away from the shop (plenty of metered parking spots near the intersection of E McKinley St & N 5th St). [Atmosphere]: Inside of this historic house, the wall features the work of local artists. The shop also has a cute outdoor patio area with tables. [Menu]: Apparently Matcha Latte is one of the more popular drinks here. The shop offers 12 black tea options, 9 green tea options, 8 herbal tea options, 4 white tea options, and 3 oolong tea options. *** Matcha Latte (16 oz, iced - $6.25): I was surprised that my drink was sugar free by default and I probably say yes when the staff had asked about adding sweetener. The drink was not as creamy as I thought and it was honestly a fairly mediocre drink. The drink also came with a paper straw. *** A great spot for a casual 1st date due to great vibe, but matcha latte just didn't hit the spot.

    I love the ambiance of this Cafe. It does not even feel like downtown Phoenix. It feels like a…read moresmall quaint village in the north east. The decorations are beautiful. The theme is (as one might suspect) songbirds and the entire Cafe is decorated with small songbird items. As a detail oriented person, I was in heaven noticing all the cute decorations. I ordered the matcha latte and it did not disappoint. My friend ordered an iced americano. Both are classic items and they delivered well. There is plenty of seating inside and outside (weather permitting) and it seems like it would be a peaceful place to study or work. The baristas were sweet and patient and helpful with the menu.

    Photos
    Songbird Coffee & Tea House - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    Songbird Coffee & Tea House - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    Songbird Coffee & Tea House

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    Café at Rio - coffee - Updated June 2026

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