Their not always open I've found. But when they are......great food abounds! The Chef is trained in Fancy Cuisine and it shows! read more

We've been coming to The Craft Lounge near the Mission Inn ever since they first opened a couple of years ago, and it's easily one of the best spots in Riverside. The menu may be small, but every item is thoughtfully done and excellent -- quality over quantity. The atmosphere is welcoming, the customer service is outstanding, and the drinks are solid. Consistency keeps us coming back. It's a small spot, so either make reservations or come early to snag a table. Highly recommend if you're in downtown Riverside! read more

Came in for Happy Hour and let me just saw wow! Service is amazing, staff is super friendly and helpful. The place is super cute perfect for a 1st date or romantic dinner. Food is delicious, we only had the appetizers but I am sure it's great cause their appetizers were phenomenal. Drinks were great too. Lots of options. read more

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A nice spot to eat at in Downtown Riverside. I came here with my wife for dinner on a Saturday and got two of the risotto dishes as well as an appetizer. The risotto's were both really good. My favorite was the French onion risotto, the flavor was muted but perfect for the dish and the onions were really tasty. I got the chicken add on and found the chicken to be juicy and tender. The chicken wing appetizer was pretty solid as well, I liked the dry rub on the wings but wish they put a little more. The restaurant itself is pretty small so I would recommend making a reservation if you want to sit inside. We ended up having to sit outside which has a great view of Mission Inn Ave but had to contend with some bugs since it was a humid summer night. Service was okay, they had some good recommendations for us but it was a bit slow as there seemed to be only one server for all of the tables. Overall a good spot to eat at in the center of downtown. Really want to try their brunch next time! read more

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I really want to like this place, but the food left something to be desired. Service was good-- I had a reservation that was unfortunately canceled due to a blackout, and I was offered a free appetizer on my next visit. Decor was nice, with a huge bar and a modern vibe. Note that despite being open until 3PM (for brunch), they stop serving food at 1:30PM. That's also the latest you can make a reservation. I don't know if this is listed anywhere, like on their website, but I can definitely see people showing up during what would ostensibly be open hours and not being served as a result of their policy. Of the three dishes I tried, the lobster benedict was the best. It had a good amount of lobster, and the plantain was delicious. But the potatoes needed more time--they were soft and not crispy at all. Chilaquiles had the same problem, coming to the table already soggy. We also asked for it to come without cilantro, but there was a handful on top that we needed to brush off. Not a huge deal, but still inattentive. Finally, the frittata was...not a frittata. It was a thin omelet with toppings. It tasted all right, but was definitely lacking. Overall: Good service, restaurant/bar looks nice, but food could use some improvement. There's street parking outside that's free on the weekend. Otherwise, there are parking garages nearby. read more

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You can find better food offerings. Service was meh. We had reservations but no choice but to sit outside on a colder night as another table had got in reservations before us...however, after an hr, that same table had still not arrived... I like that they change up their menu. Their offerings and presentation is pretty. However, food overall is average. No dish wowed. New York strip was cooked nicely to our asking, however, the steak became cooled rather quickly (in minutes). French onion risotto should NOT be on the menu. Risotto is cooked correctly but it really just tasted like fried shallot risotto and less so French onion. I would definitely not order the cheese & charcuterie board again. It seems like they prep the charcuterie board hours in advance because all the meats and cheeses looked and tasted dry. Drinks: pretty presentation again, Harvest Moon is nice and balanced. Sakura Bloom ended tasting like bubblegum! Bottom line: don't come with high expectations read more

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The food and drinks were excellent . Location was convenient in downtown and the service was very prompt read more

Craftz Lounge - Great place to stop in for a drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

I really like Craftz Lounge. The food here is quite good. We definitely kept skipping over this place because of their name. Seems silly in hindsight, but something about Craftz just made me think that the food wasn't good. The friend who recommended it noted the same concern they had about the name. I'm glad they gave it a chance. We got their steak and eggs (New York) and the chorizo hash. Both dishes were A+. The main issues I had were the limited seating. We sat at the bar because the last available table was reserved. Then it took a while for our food to come out. That might be due to the fact that a large party ordered right before us though. Overall, I would give this place a try (esp if one of the other brunch places is too busy). read more

Craftz Lounge - Steak and eggs with New York - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

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Went twice in 2 weeks. 1st time alone, 2nd time with group of 20. This place is great! Everyone in our group agrees! It's small, ahem, "intimate." But it actually has a really warm, cozy, chill vibe, and modern vibe. Both outdoor and indoor seating. Indoors has one long table, with booth seating on one side, regular chairs on the other, that sits 16 comfortably. There's walking space and bar seating just across. That's it. Perfect place to cozy up to the bar and make small talk with new people, or have your own "sidebar" with your group. 1. Service: 5 stars. The bartenders, server, manager and cooks are all very pleasant and do their jobs well. 2. Food: Hey! The Double Fried Wings with Memphis dry rub: Delicious! We were smacking our fingers. Ask for extra rub and you will be delighted! Bacon infused smashed burger: Solid burger. Now, to be honest, it didn't have that char-fired in the grease of a 1000 burgers cooked before taste that the best smash burgers have. So don't order expecting that. Just order expecting a very tasty burger with 2 medium patties, and you'll be very satisfied. Lobster taco: It's light. It has some good flavor. But I've always preferred lobster by itself, and this didn't change my mind. I should've taken advice from a frequent customer who chooses the mahi-mahi tacos instead. So that's what you should do if you want a light meal. Drinks: Really satisfying. They have creative seasonal cocktails. Full bar. The bartender is good. I rarely spend time in Riverside and had to do so for an association I'm in. But I Craftz Lounge is great. I, and a lot of my other friends, will be back! read more

Craftz Lounge - Food menu 12/24 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

Food was solid and the atmosphere was worth it. We ordered from the Brunch Menu. We got the Smoked Salmon Benedict, Chilaquiles, and Charred Brussels. For drinks we ordered the Espresso Martini. The service was very friendly from our waitress to our bartender. The bartender hand delivered our drink to our table. We ate here at 11am on a Saturday. The place was not too busy. It's more of a small indoor bar spot instead of a restaurant. Only have a few indoor tables and a some outdoor. We made reservations about 5-6 days prior. This place is new and appears to get packed quickly. I'd advise to reserve at least one week in advance. We originally wanted dinner but there were no available reservations. This place is beside Mission Inn which is super busy during this time. Their online website has pictures of every food dish from the Brunch Menu with a few pics of the drinks. This was super helpful as a visual. I'd definitely recommend visiting here. Their portion sizes are decent. I'm curious to know what their lunch and dinner menu are like. Service was exceptional. No wonder they are rated so highly on Yelp. read more

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Craftz Lounge has been on my hit list for a while, and finally I got to stop in for lunch. The vibe was mellow and service was attentive without being too overbearing. The shrimp nachos had drier toppings, I wish there was more of the green sauce to reduce that dry feeling. The birria tacos were delicious, but the sneaky hit was the 27 hour focaccia bread. Truly one of the best bread experiences I have had in a while, and something that I will keep returning for! read more

Craftz Lounge - shrimp nachos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

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Good food, good service... chill and relaxing ambience Food came fast. Drinks were good About 200 bucks for a dinner for two with drinks. I'd eat there again and suggest others to go. read more

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Small but mighty ! When we first walked in we were thinking maybe there were tables in the back ? Nope this coffee shop sized restaurant is small , need a reservation, but the food is delicious ! We had appetizers cocktails and main courses and the only thing that could have been better was the ahi poke nachos . Bland not much too then and not much tuna , could have used a siracha mayo sauce ? Other than that everything else was delicious! read more

Craftz Lounge - Great presentation and sweet to the taste - the harvest moon cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

It was time for another date night--away from the kids and time to focus on our relationship. We were in Riverside attending to other business and my wife pulled up Yelp and found Craftz Lounge, a small eatery in the heart of downtown Riverside. The entire day, my wife struggled to book reservations but by the time we arrived, there were indoor and outdoor open tables. We were promptly greeted and given water and menus but it took a while for our orders to be taken. We decided on shrimp ceviche as a starter, I opted for the prime rib dip and the wife chose the scallops. The shrimp ceviche came with a lovely side of thin, crunchy taro chips. The ceviche itself was perfectly balanced with heat from the jalapenos, sweetness from the pineapple, and the acidity from the lemon. The four pan-seared scallops were served with polenta and charred grapefruit. Honestly, the grapefruit did not add too much to the dish. However, the squash and tomato ragu, along with the rice paper chips, were a great pairing of textures. Lastly, the prime rib dip came with an upgrade of truffle fries. The prime rib was a bit on the dry side, and I was unable to finish the entire sandwich. If there was no dip on the side, the sandwich on its own would not be palatable. The truffle fries could have used more truffle but also had that fantastic crisp potato texture (keep in mind that I am a steak fry lover). I would come back for date night to try the other food options. Would recommend if you are in the area! read more

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The service was excellent the drinks fantastic our bartender was helpful and very generous with her time. We'll definitely go back there again. read more

Nice little spot for cocktails and appetizers. We sat at the bar and had the following. Three Cheese And Charcuterie Board, tasty cheeses and meat. Only thing that was weird to me that they gave us toasted bread instead of crackers or crostinis. 8/10 Ahi Poke Nacho looked tasty except it lacked a little flavor. The amount of Ahi was good though. 7/10 Drinks a Southern Belle and a Harvest moon. Both were good. 9/10 read more

This place was just amazing. I mean when I saw it on Yelp I thought it's just a bar. It was highly rated on Yelp and I do trust Yelp lol . So walking in it's a small but very cute space I did sit at the bar. The bartender was very nice and attentive. We ordered some really great craft cocktail drinks . The food we got was really good we got some sliders and a dessert. They said the chef prepares everything. The menu looks really interesting I would love to come and try more things . They said they like to change up the menu . Overall we had a great time here . If I'm back in the area I would definitely come back . read more

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My friend and I went to Craftz for brunch! This place is new in Riverside, so had to try it. We got the mimosa flight which was very refreshing and good! I ordered the loaded fries which I was a bit hesitant since it has scrambled eggs, but man they were good!!! My friend got the cinnamon fried French toast and it was delicious but it was only one piece of French toast cut in half! Usually it's two French toasts, so I think the portion size for the price was not great! Overall service was good! Really cute and chic place. We split the receipt and we each paid $32 which wasn't bad with mimosas. Overall, really good food. read more

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First time visit for myself and my wife. Decided to try them out for brunch. Very small and intimate location. Not great for bigger parties, and I definitely would recommend making reservations. Pro's - Friendly environment, the DJ played a great set list and really created a good vibe. Great for a date night or brunch date. The food was actually pretty good, not great, but very good! Con's - We had a reservation for 10:30am. We ordered right away as we had looked up the menu before coming. There was about 12 people, including us, there this morning. It took 1 full hour to receive our food. They stated they had a very small kitchen but I don't believe it should take an hour to receive food with such a small amount of customers. We never received anything for the inconvenience (discount on bill or at minimum an apology). Lastly, towards the end of our meal the fire alarm kept going off and it seems like they had no idea how to get it to stop which was very annoying. read more

Craftz Lounge - Chicken & Waffles plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

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This place rocks!! But Meza blew it out the park! Her attention to details and going above and beyond! The food was delicious and it's a cute upscale restaurant. The bar is cute and the poki nachos were fire! The sweet potato fries and the special bread . read more

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The ambiance is great example of a nice lounge. The service is great, they are very attentive and the food is just delicious as well as the choice of cocktails. read more

Had brunch with a friend Sunday morning. We made reservations so we didn't have to wait for a table. Our waiter was so attentive and amazing! I had some questions about the menu and she happily answered them all. We ordered the mimosa flight and it was enough for 2. The cinnamon French toast was so yummy! I will definitely be back to try something else from the menu read more

Craftz Lounge - Mimosa flight $30 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

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The Monte Cristo was absolutely delicious first of all. I wish it came with the side but all the food was good. The mimosas were good too super sugary they definitely add a lot of juice so if that's not your thing, it's cheaper just to order the bottomless mimosa. Our service was pretty good. Our waiter was very friendly and nice. The place is decorated cute for Christmas and it's definitely a fun brunch place to go there was lots of girls having parties there with their friends with matching pajamas. It was cute. read more

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Draven was a great server and the food was great. Great bar and his Old Fashion was bomb read more

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Stopped by for some food to go based on the great Yelp reviews. The reviews are on point. The bartender who helped me was extremely nice and helpful. The menu changes, so you may not get what you see in the reviews. The wings I got were very meaty and cooked just right. The fries were also excellent, I wish I hadn't upgraded them to truffle, because I'm not the biggest fan of truffle things. If you love truffle, go ahead and upgrade. It's a small place, I can imagine it gets loud when crowded. I will go back again. read more

Craftz Lounge - Truffle fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

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The Steak and eggs is our go-to when dining here for brunch. The medium rare steak paired with the herbaceous chimichurri is a perfect complement to the well seasoned potatoes and creaminess of the scramble eggs. The addition of crunchy fried onions brings a whole other dimension to this already amazing dish. I decided to also give the Lobster Benedict a try today. Although it was a messy adventure to eat, it was delicious . The soft English muffin paired perfectly with the buttery softness of the lobster and the rich creaminess of the hollandaise and egg yolk mixture. Usually Sunday Brunch can get busy due to the limited amount of seating. On this particular Sunday it was not as bustling but it did feel a bit busy in the small inside dining space. It's clear how such an intimate setting can work so well for dates , but conflict with large parties. Over all, if you don't mind a wait without a reservation, and you want a fulfilling dining experience, give them a try. Compliments to the Chef read more

Craftz Lounge - The Steak and Eggs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

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Third time here and it's always a great experience. Being able to make a reservation and walk in to a table that's ready to great customer service. This time we only had drinks for a group of 4 and we really enjoyed the seasonal "under the mistletoe". I ordered their sliders for my husband to go because I remembered how good they were the last time - and my husband agreed! He was talking about them the next morning. It's a small spot but you must try them! read more

Cute and classy lounge on mission street. Great cocktails, crispy Brussels Sprouts and Mushroom truffle focaccia to share...yummmm! Service was A-1! read more

Food, drink, service by Meysa (spelling?), and ambiance are excellent. Great designer cocktails and appetizers. Every dish we have tried has been delicious but they definitely have the best burgers in town. read more

Craftz Lounge - Craftz Lounge designer cocktail. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

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Went with my family as a second choice but ended up being an amazing experience. Fantastic service, everyone is so nice and welcoming. The food was honestly the best thing about this place. We got the Brussels sprouts to start and they were delicious. My daughter got the bacon infused smash burger and she said it was the best burger she's ever had. My hubby and I shared the wings and lobster tacos and both were incredible. 10/10 my family and I would come back to town just for the food. read more

Came in for a much needed drink after a long past few weeks of mom stress . I've been craving an espresso martini and the one I got here last night was everything I wanted and more. Absolute perfection. The decor is super cute here and the glassware is no different. There's a jukebox so you can play your own music which is an absolute plus just wish it was a bit louder since it was nighttime. Bartender and the other guy serving tables were super nice. We ordered the Birria fries and they were Amazing . I also tried their "tropic like it's hot" and omg it blew me away with how delicious it was. Definitely want to come back for brunch and lunch . Found my new favorite spot to unwind . Also forgot to mention this is not a dive bar at all. You can actually feel safe here as a woman if you're alone or with your bestie . read more

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Very nice intimate spot. The food is always quality and the drinks are unique and delicious. Nice for a low key date night

I am writing this very overdue review, because my family had an incredible experience at Craftz Lounge around the holidays, and I owed the restaurant and team a shoutout. We had a reservation for 16 a few days before Christmas. Unfortunately, a manager had changed and there was no record of the reservation. While this is a small and intimate restaurant, instead of turning us away, they quickly turned into problem solving mode. They sent someone running through the packed streets during the holiday faire to get propane tanks and cleared out the bar area. They set up an appetizer buffet while seats cleared. And, they quickly served up delicious food to ensure that we were all well fed. What could have been a very stressful situation, turned into a very memorable and special family reunion experience. A huge thanks to the Craftz Lounge team for the amazing service and for taking such good care of us. read more

Walked in at 8 pm on a Friday to eat and was told the kitchen was already closed! The bartender was very sweet but the hours are listed until 9pm. As someone with over 20 years in restaurants I can tell you the #1 thing an establishment can do to sabotage themselves is inconsistent hours. Too bad, I won't take the chance on them again because I can't count on them to be serving. Also, way too bright inside. read more

Review is about weekday hours- note that kitchen closes at 7:30pm and rest of business closes by 9pm contrary to hours posted in Yelp and Google. Very small room - maybe 6 tables plus bar that seats 10. Wish we could have tried the food! read more

Craftz Lounge is located in Downtown Riverside on Mission Inn Avenue. There is limited paid street parking as well as a large parking garage just west of the restaurant. This location features indoor and outdoor seating - inside you'll find low top tables and an L shaped bar. The inside of this bar is absolutely gorgeous! It is well decorated and feels very upscale compared to many of the bars in the downtown area. Here you'll find elevated classic American food. They offer seasonal menus, brunch and happy hour. First things first, you'll want to order a cocktail because they are truly one of a kind. The craft bartenders here put them together themselves and they are not only gorgeous in presentation but delicious as well! I tried the empress and feelin' peachy and wow ! Not too sweet at all, just refreshing ! For appetizers I tried the pan seared scallops and the shrimp ceviche. Both were so good !! The polenta with the scallops were my favorite, I wanted to order another ! For my main course I went with the flat iron steak. My steak was unfortunately over cooked but the flavors were good so I'll definitely come back and try again for that medium rare I wanted. I finished off with the tiramisu. It was ok, I think the powder on top was a bit heavy for my liking so I'll be trying the brownie next time! I've heard their brunch is great so I'm very excited to try that ! And this is the perfect spot during the Festival of Lights to enjoy a cocktail and bite to eat before heading out but definitely make a reservation ! Follow my foodie IG for a full video @guacdirtytome_ or @inlandempirefoodies read more

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I truly cannot say enough good things about this little gem! After looking at Yelp for places for Sunday breakfast/brunch close to The Mission Inn and Spa, a review caught my eye that this was their new favorite brunch spot. When we walked in around 10:30, we were welcomed immediately by server, Maysa, and Megan behind the bar as well as who we later learned was the executive chef. The menu, though brief, sounded amazing with amazing prices considering the fare offered. All the cocktails sounded amazing, but I had to go with my tried and true bottomless mimosas! At $30, not the cheapest bottomless price but still good- then was shocked by the presentation with three different juices and a server who was more than on top of it in keeping my glass filled. ( Frequently not the case with bottomless champagne) Our amazing server, Maysa, was super attentive, sweet and friendly to us and everyone who came in. I am amazed by how calm and on top of things she was considering she was the only server in a soon to be filled dining room and patio. Despite the increasing crowd, she never made us feel rushed and continued to be a delight. I can't wait to go back to see the next menu that executive chef Alejandro creates, especially since he graciously offered us a free appetizer at our next visit. read more

Craftz Lounge - Chilaquiles by exec chef Alejandro and bottomless mimosas with assorted juices. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Riverside, California

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Today is my birthday, and my husband and I made our way down from the heights of Moreno Valley to spend the morning in downtown Riverside. We wandered the main strip in search of a place with charm, elegance, and good brunch vibes--and that's how we stumbled upon Crafts Lounge. We had passed it before but never stopped in. Today felt like the perfect occasion. While reservations are recommended (especially for brunch), we were lucky--they graciously seated us at the bar. And what a treat it turned out to be. Kari, a fae-like beauty and master mixologist, has curated a brunch cocktail menu that's as thoughtful as it is refreshing--light on the palate and wonderfully balanced. My husband went with the chicken and waffles, which were airy, buttery, and perfectly crisp--the kind of dish that makes an entrance even before the first bite. I ordered the steak benedict, which was equally impressive: a tender, well-seasoned cut of beef topped with a rich and velvety hollandaise sauce. Both were plated beautifully and tasted even better than they looked. Crafts Lounge completely exceeded our expectations. The service, the food, and the ambiance were all exceptional. We'll definitely be back--and next time, we'll make a reservation. Highly recommend this spot for a special occasion or just a damn good brunch. read more

Located in the heart of downtown, this cozy location with a delicate hand crafts esquite meals and tasty signature drinks. The waiters and bar staff are quick with the introduction and glasses of ice water ready to serve or discuss the menu. Overall the experience is well worth the reasonable price when compared to other restaurants in the area. read more

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Food: I've been here for breakfast and dinner- both are incredible. Each dish I've had has this air of freshness and creativity that reminds me of OC. There's nothing "extra" on the plate, like a whole ecosystem of flavor. Food here is even better than at the mission inn- and half the price. Service: This is a smaller building, because of that, servers treat you like you're their top priority. They're nice, personable and professional while being quick. Plus they know the menu if you have any questions or want a recommendation. Ambiance: Like I said, the building is small but they decorated upward. Look around, the interior design is cute. The lighting is nice, nothing too harsh and the music is good, mellow, pretty chill. I noticed a little jukebox type thing on the wall too so.. you know.. go wild if you want. read more

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