River Cafe

4 years ago

I wasn't planning to stop here but happy I did! I got their house chai and it was delicious. The gentleman that helped me was super friendly and had such a warm smile. I will definitely come back! read more

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Maggie M.

494

225

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5 years ago

it's a must a must stop for me every time I dropped of my son to UCSC they have good coffee and the vegan momo os so good wish they have it here in Los Angeles so when in Santa Cruz check it it's deffo worth Besides small Business make everything good and with passion and love read more

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Anakin M.

4 years ago

If I could give 10 stars I would! I cannot describe how good this place is and this was such an accidental discovery. This is an unassuming Tibetan restaurant which makes incredibly delicious momos and coffee amongst other things! The owner was genuinely kind hearted to give us more amounts of food and beverages than we had paid for. Plus the sitting area makes the food even more worth it eating there. Can't recommend highly enough. read more

River Cafe - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

River Cafe - Beef momo and Avocado Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

River Cafe - Locale - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Dalia S.

3 years ago

Coffee shop had no pastries at 9:50am. Leftover cookies and dirty pastry display from yesterday. All windows in the coffee shop are dirty and flies flying on our food. The floors are stained dirty as well. They don't provide any receipts but they can email you one if request. I order the Yogurt $9 served with granola and seasonal fruit. What I received was completely different than the picture provided. On the picture it was showing a beautiful bowl of granola and fruit. What I received was a sag cup of nasty looking room temperature yogurt and some blueberries. I took a spoonful and It was completely disgusting and I almost vomit. The yogurt wasn't fresh or cold. I had 3 spoonfuls and couldn't force myself to finish. It had tons of syrup and it ruin the appetite. Never again! I hate lazy owners not taking pride on their place. Clean windows, tables, floors are just essentials. read more

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Ashley W.

Elite 22

104

8 years ago

Ok I have mixed feelings about this place. The food always looks delicious though I've only ordered the avocado toast. You get a a lot of avocado for your money but it's avo on sourdough bread. It was the plainest avocado toast I've ever had. They should do some salt & pepper with olive oil or something. Orders the Cali greens juice which is absolutely delicious. Service is not they friendly. They aren't flat out rude but kind of snobby "hippies" which I find contradicting for what Santa Cruz is supposed to represent. And keep in mind... this is coming from a life long local. ANYWAYS, will keep coming here for the juice and that's about it. read more

Business owner information

Screw Y.

Hi Ashley! Thanks so much for your review! We're so glad you love our…

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Jacob L.

4 years ago

Very nice little cafe with great service and even better food. Perfect for any time of day.

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Donna Y.

3 years ago

If you find yourself in Santa Cruz, this cute little cafe owned by the nicest Tibetan gentleman is a must try. Noodles, ham/apple panini and dumplings...yes, please! read more

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Summer A.

3 years ago

Such delicious momos and the nicest staff! Was shocked the reviews were so low, I keep coming back and no matter how busy they are I always have excellent service :) read more

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Penny R.

3 years ago

We have come here often and love the food and nice strong coffee! The owner is kind and friendly and we loved the burrito which is crispy on the outside and delicious inside. The Momos and salad are delicious...a wonderful place to support in Santa Cruz! You feel good being there. read more

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Adam Z.

4 years ago

Wonderful food! Staff is terrific and friendly. We ordered a veggie burrito and dumplings. Beautiful and tasty! read more

River Cafe - Veggie dumplings are beautiful as they are tasty! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Vicky T.

463

3220

1696

10 years ago

48 bucks for 2 spritzers, 2 paninis and a salad... meh. Be prepared to wait a minute for freshly squeezed juice and meal. Mini spot with some outdoor furniture. As a plus the cheese is amazing. Next time I will stick to the fancy toast and cinnamon rolls.. read more

River Cafe - Turkey panini w vinegar chips - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

River Cafe - Spritzer beverage - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

River Cafe - Breakfast burrito WINNING - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Michaela N.

3 years ago

Absolutely love this place! I've been coming here for years & am never disappointed. The food always taste very fresh, a bit pricey but worth it. Even the simple menu of drinks, still perfectly made & tasty! I would assume is the owner of the cafe, is very sweet & always up for a good short conversation to make it feel even more cozy! read more

River Cafe - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

River Cafe - Breakfast burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Dana C.

5 years ago

Yum! Had the fresh made beef and chicken Tibetan Momo's and they were delicious. Came with a great side salad and house hot sauce. Nice outdoor dog friendly patio. The owner is awesome, he makes food with love and you can feel it! read more

River Cafe - Homemade Tibetan Momo's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Gayle R.

5 years ago

On our way home, it's lunchtime, we're hungry, and there on our right is River Cafe. It's been a while since I'd been here. We ordered a large salad, iced teas and chicken momo's. We sat at a small table outside, under a shade tree, sipping tea while lunch was prepared. A very sweet woman cheerfully brought our lunch with napkins & forks after about 10 minutes, and we opened those containers to see a very fresh green salad with garbanzo beans, fennel, shredded carrots, chopped apple, and pickled beets on top of perfect baby spring greens. The dressing was deliciously seasoned. Ok, now about those dumplings My eyes are tearing up- the outer dumpling is so tenderand inside, the chicken with ginger and garlic and cilantro (yum) is somehow surrounded in broth, all kept inside that dumpling! It's outstandingly good! read more

River Cafe - Chicken momo - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Lindsey N.

5 years ago

River cafe was incredible! The staff was so kind and made helpful menu suggestions. The food we ordered was DELICIOUS. Truly one of the best vegetarian breakfast burritos I've had. The vibes at the cafe are the best. I love the plants the fill the cafe and the abundance of natural light inside. Such a great experience!! read more

River Cafe - Vegetarian breakfast burrito and avocado toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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G R.

4 years ago

Went there today after a Patagonia stop. In fact, helpers at Patagonia recommended them...Delicious, absolutely delicious!!! Plus the owners were very friendly...Coming from high priced Monterey, the prices seemed reasonable. Now, whenever we go to Patagonia or Specialized, we'll be going there too! read more

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Jennifer K.

4 years ago

Delicious and Rabjee the chef is delightful! My new favorite place with hefty portions of healthy on each plate. read more

River Cafe - Dumplings - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Tom H.

4 years ago

I like everything about this café the people are nice food is good I like sitting outside on the deck I definitely recommend this café.

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Danielle N.

3 years ago

The momo is amazing, so is the hot sauce that comes with. Service is always timely and the owner is super friendly and accommodating.

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Dickyi D.

3 years ago

I love their fresh coffee and momo. Owner is so friendly and nice. I will highly recommend.

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Joshua P.

5 years ago

This place is delightful. I'm gonna pull the "I've had momos in Nepal" card, and these are an excellent example of this Himalayan dumpling. The proprietor is friendly and there have top notch house made teas (we had hibiscus). Combine it all with a serene outdoor eating area and walking distance to a variety of shopping options, and it's a no-brainer for a lunch about town. I look forward to returning in the evening for the momo soup (served 3pm to close). read more

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Tina W.

4 years ago

Stopped here for a quick bite. The chicken dumplings and lentil soup were delicious! We would come here again. Also, they are dog friendly. read more

River Cafe - Chicken dumplings. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Linda P.

3 years ago

Sweet little cafe with shady outdoor seating right off hwy 1. Welcoming cafe staff, simple and yummy menu.

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G Y.

3 years ago

Vegan momos are delicious! Friendly owner and staff. It is like dining in a greenhouse. And it is next to a Patagonia outlet

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Nima C.

6 years ago

Under new ownership this place is amazing. Great choice on dumplings, chicken, beef and veg. ...yum. Tri tip sandwich was amazing with fresh salad. Happy and kind owner.. thank you for bringing new flavor in Santa Cruz... I believe this place will be the jewel of Santa Cruz.. Nima read more

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Carlin C.

4 years ago

The chicken momo at this place is so amazing. The cafe is super cute, with a very nice deck, or indoor seating. The food is amazing and the service is good. I love this place. Also, they serve beer. read more

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Christa L.

8 years ago

We came here based on the fact they have a pet friendly patio, since we had our 2 little dogs with us. The food was so fresh and delicious with several vegan options, which has been surprisingly hard to find in Santa Cruz. The patio is comfortable and cute with friendly and efficient people working there. The mimosas were delicious, OJ was so fresh! We will definitely be coming back. Picture is avocado toast and the delicious spinach (maybe some basil) local tomatoes, green beans, avocados, balsamic dressing. So good! I put in on my avocado toast and it was very filling! Thank you for making our visit relaxing and enjoyable! read more

Business owner information

Screw Y.

Thank you so much for your great positive review! We are so glad you…

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Stephanie D.

478

306

7 years ago

I'm not sure why there has been so much hate. I have always gotten my food in 5-10 minutes and I often come in here multiple times per week. The paninis are really flavorful and the options here are healthier than most cafes. It's nice being able to get a juice with my meal. Everyone has always been nice to me. Yes it is expensive but such is life in Santa Cruz. read more

Business owner information

Screw Y.

Thanks so much stephanie. We get trashed on Yelp. Sometimes it makes…

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Jason L.

8 years ago

Went for lunch there today. Took over 20mins standing in line behind just 3 people. Ordered their Panini Pastrami sandwich with chips totalling to about $15 after tax. At that price I was expecting a decent sandwich. Sat outside waiting for 30mins for it. It took so long that I went inside and asked them to make it ToGo since I was running late. When they finished the sandwich they hand a a poorly wrapped sandwich with a avocado remnants and oil all over the outer packaging. What's worse is my sandwich didn't even come with avocado....the spread got all over my hand and they didn't even apologise. To top it off he sandwich might was not even the length of my hand and with the amount of ingredients they usedl read more

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Brant B.

8 years ago

I came here for lunch today and was interested in getting a sandwich. When asked if they had gluten free bread the man at the counter responded by saying it's too expensive to keep that bread around for a population of less than 1% that has a "legitimate need". Clearly he was not aware of the myriad other health reasons why one may prefer a gluten free bread option. And that a large proportion of the population in Santa Cruz actually prefers gluten free breads. It doesn't cost more to keep it, throw a loaf in the freezer and toast it as needed. And don't make people feel bad for having a reasonable and common preference. The food is quite good in general but the review reflects the service as well. read more

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Fatima B.

4 years ago

Iced mocha with oat milk 10/10 recommend sooo good! Amamzing service ! Love the aesthetic sitting area they have felt very welcomed. read more

River Cafe - Iced mocha sooo good!! 10/10 recommend. Amazing service never have felt more welcomed in Santa Cruz than here! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Elaine M.

3 years ago

Rob G. & his staff at River Cafe are some of the kindest, most genuine, hard working individuals I've ever met. I am a former employee at the Patagonia Outlet next door, and regularly spent my lunchtimes eating delicious food and hanging out at River. The Momo's, breakfast burritos, paninis, and noodle variations are all incredible! Coffee, matcha, and baked goods as well. A lovely deck outside and Tibetan history and culture present inside. Ask Rob G. about his story (he loves to talk), tell him your name once and he'll remember forever. I have never known someone so happy, and the positivity in this place has turned MANY of my bad days into good ones. River Cafe is affordable, consistent, and truly became quite special to me during my time in Santa Cruz. I'll miss it so much! read more

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Chantel Y.

147

813

11 years ago

I don't go to River Cafe often but when I do , it's for their paninis and side dishes. Their baked goods are delicious as well, and you can find them at the Santa Cruz Farmers' Market both Downtown on Wednesdays and at Westside on Saturdays. I tried the Lavender Butter Cookie today and it was quite decadent- light, crisp, and buttery with a touch of fresh lavender. Their pulled pork sandwich was brilliant, stuffed with cheese, fresh strawberries, and of course pulled pork, which was cooked to perfection. I believe their side dishes vary daily, as today River Cafe had lentils, carrots, sweet potatoes, and asparagus. Unfortunately we arrived later in the day so while we were waiting for our order we were told that there was no longer asparagus nor roasted carrots left. We decided to order the sweet potato side instead and it was absolutely delish! Garnished with brown sugar and definitely fresh out the oven! There is also a Groupon going on for River Cafe right now- $9 for $15 or $15 for $25 (for a table of two). Great deal for the sustainable, fresh, and healthy food that is served to you! There's also day old baked goodies that are 50% off the original price . read more

River Cafe - pulled pork panini (yes those are fresh sweet strawberries!) with a side of sweet potatoes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

River Cafe - tuna panini with a side of sweet potatoes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

River Cafe - large garden salad $11 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

River Cafe - lavender cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Fiona D.

101

6 years ago

Really friendly owner and delicious food! Stop by here if you can, it is a gem. I got the veggie panini and it was fresh and super good.

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Z C.

5 years ago

Highly recommend this cute, welcoming spot! Veggie momos are absolutely delicious, and the staff is super friendly. Their sandwiches are good as well! read more

River Cafe - Veggie momos - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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daniel s.

3 years ago

The dumplings are excellent, definitely some of the best in town. Owners/staff are so friendly and welcoming. Prices are fair and affordable. The location is clean and a nice place to sit and eat under the maple trees. We also got matcha lattes that hit the spot. We'll definitely keep coming here. It's a perfect way to get a quick bite and a drink on a busy day. read more

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Nicole N.

6 years ago

Great food, great coffee and great service! Super friendly! Coming back for Momo Dumplings!! Outdoor seating, sanitizer everywhere, covid-friendly. read more

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Anita T.

103

985

795

12 years ago

Well, the main reason I stopped here was mostly because it was next door to the Patagonia outlet. I'll give them 3 stars for the very yummy lavender butter cookie (LOVE flower flavored cookies, and there are not a lot of places that make them). However, I had the chicken / pesto panini ($11) and it was not only really greasy with oil soaking through the paper wrapper but also the service was slow enough that I scoped out the whole Patagonia store and came back and it still wasn't done, lol. The sandwich was a decent portion though. To be fair, it was just two high school / college kids working the stoves with a fair amount of business on a Sunday afternoon. Also, I had to piss like a racehorse and there's no bathroom. There was one bathroom for the whole shopping center and they lost the key to it. Sadness!! Overall, mixed feelings on this place. read more

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Back

Page 2 of 9

415 River St
Ste K
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Directions
(831) 420-1280
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.rivercafesantacruz.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does River Cafe open?

River Cafe opens at 9:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does River Cafe close?

River Cafe closes at 4:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.River Cafe is closed on Wednesday.

Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 9:00 AM - 4:00 PMWed Closed

Payment methods

Does River Cafe take credit cards?

Yes, River Cafe takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does River Cafe have catering options?

Yes, River Cafe does have catering options.

Does River Cafe have a drive thru?

No, River Cafe does not have a drive thru.

Does River Cafe have a happy hour?

No, River Cafe does not have a happy hour.

Does River Cafe serve alcohol?

Yes, River Cafe serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does River Cafe have TVs?

No, River Cafe does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does River Cafe have bike parking?

Yes, River Cafe has bike parking.

Does River Cafe have outdoor seating?

Yes, River Cafe has outdoor seating options.

Does River Cafe have parking?

Yes, River Cafe has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is River Cafe wheelchair accessible?

Yes, River Cafe is wheelchair accessible.

Does River Cafe have free WiFi?

Yes, River Cafe has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Under New Management since April 2020, River Cafe is excited to bring authentic Tibetan Mo-mos (meat or vegan) to our menu while continuing to offer delicious Breakfast Burritos and a variety of paninis (veg and non-veg) to satisfy your palate. Our motto-Good Food, Good Mood.

History

Established in 2005.

River Cafe was established in 2005 as a local cheese shop and evolved as an artisan specialty coffee shop over the years. Today we are proud to bring Tibetan Mo-mos to the Santa Cruz food scene.

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - River Cafe

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Coffee was good and staff was friendly. This location had limited seating but great for stuff on…read morethe go. Pastries were tasty as well. Might have to try out another one of their locations next time we're in the area.

My mocha on the patio space

Flower Bed

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Inside

Firefly Coffee House

4.3(728 reviews)

1.0 mi

This was my first time ever at this particular coffee shop, and I was so happy I found it when I…read moredid!! I was looking for something heavier than a pastry and found out they had breakfast sandwiches and their own bagels! Score!! To my surprise, they also had specialty drinks so I had to get the Blondie latte with a plant-based milk. I asked the lady if it was sweet and she said it came with a tablespoon of brown sugar. But they could switch it and make it a teaspoon instead. Perfect! As I got my latte it was amazing!! The espresso used in the latte was actually a mild roast coffee so I really liked the flavor of it roast and it was Organic!! Win-win!! Since I'm trying to avoid dairy at the moment, I asked if I could get the lox bagel sandwich without cream cheese and replace it with avocado. The lady at the register asked another barista behind her and she said it was fine! Perfect!! You also get to pick out what type of bagel you want, so I wanted to try something different and got the sun-dried tomato and basil or something like that! The sweet flavors of the herbs in the bagel and then the juiciness of the tomato baked into the bread once simply wonderfully with my breakfast sandwich!! There's a cute little waiting area inside with at least 10 tables or seats along the breakfast bar counter and a couple of tables. There's also a very large outdoor seating area, but I was cold so I wanted to sit inside to warm up my body since I was going to go to yoga on the beach. I had only planned on eating half the bagel sandwich but honestly, it was so good when it came out. I sat there for a good 20 minutes until I ate the whole thing!! Lol so funny!! I was so stuffed I had to walk an extra mile before I could start my yoga on the beach! As I sat enjoying my breakfast sandwich, I got to overhear the two barista's talk about music!! One of the baristas allowed her device to search new genres of music while the other barista specifically looked up different genres of music she liked and then would tell her device to find music of that era. So interesting to hear their discussion!! I honestly loved everything about this quaint little coffee shop, and I will definitely be back again and again!!

Had an amazing breakfast burrito (the Works Burrito) at Firefly Coffee House! The burrito was huge…read moreand came out piping hot with melted cheese, and the chorizo was super flavorful. I couldn't finish all of it so I saved some for later. Don't forget to try their homemade hot sauce - it was great and had a nice kick. The Americano was good as well. It's a small place with only a few seats inside but plenty more seats outside. Service was friendly & efficient. My only complaint is that there are no restrooms.

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The Works Burrito

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22 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Jane W.

14 years ago

I would give them ZERO stars if I could but that is not an option. Every time I leave this place I say "This is the last time I will ever come here" and for some reason I come back I guess hoping, just hoping that they will get their act together. Well, "I WILL NEVER COME BACK AGAIN!!!!" I came here with my son after taking him to the doctor to check out his very recent surgery and all be it I knew he would have limited time out I didn't think, stupid me as I should have known better that it would take FOR EVER to get 2 sandwiches. Not only are they just completely checked out and don't give a darn about you trying to pay them for their food which takes forever to have someone help you in between them talking to each other and their friends which there were 5 of them behind the counter today and only us two in the shop.... HUMMMM why is this a problem for them, they make you feel like they are doing you a favor. Well 20 minutes of waiting I finally go to ask how much longer we would have to wait which took 5 minutes to get their attention to ask, we were told it would be 15 more minutes as the girl making the food did not see our order.... HUMMMM, WHAT!!!! OK they offered a side dish to hold my son over but come on 35 minutes! I just don't understand the lack of caring and customer service, WTF we were the only two there and the girl cooking didn't see our order?... You have to understand that unless these people get their act together I don't see how they are going to survive, it's expensive and then you wait half the day, people are busy, working, recovering, HUNGRY!!!! You should take a look at the reviews you have and pay more attention to the negative one's than the positive one's as you are losing customers and they are telling 100 people they didn't like it not telling 3 people they did, do the math.... You guys are horrible and need some serious help with owning a business that relies on people not only coming in but COMING BACK!!! I won't come back and I know a lot of others who won't either. :( read more

Eric B.

12 years ago

My review would actually be great, except for the staff. The cafe is great, the food is wonderful. My problem was deciding to go there for lunch yesterday. I had an hour before an appointment, and figured a sandwich would be a great way to grab lunch. I ordered the sausage sandwich while my wife got a pressed sandwich. $25 (???) later, i sat and waited....and waited....and waited some more. As a former chef, it was PAINFUL to watch the staff "work", from my seat I could watch the kitchen staff; i have NEVER seen such ill trained, lazy, Laurel and Hardy-esque cooks....they would cook ONE sandwich at a time, even though the space could turn 50 covers in an hour with one decent cook. 3 people hovered in the area, pausing every 5 minutes to tell each other stories, while i sat staring at my watch. I honestly expected to see Gordon Ramsey jump out any second to rip the entire staff....it was that bad...Kitchen Nightmare bad! I finally had to go inside and ask for everything to go just hoping I would make my appt....45 minutes later I actually got our food. The thing that pissed me off was the casual "we had a long line" excuse....REALLY!?! I saw excatly 4 orders go out. $25 ??.... Good luck people. To the owner: hire somebody whos actually cooked at some point. Oh and watching the kid delivering the plates to tables? Yeah, I think he brought the food to EVERY table BUT who it was for....every time! If I wasn't in a rush, It would have been very entertaining. read more

Sasha F.

11 years ago

The only reason I'm giving two stars instead of one is because the food wasn't terrible it just wasn't what I had wanted or was able to eat with the recent dental work I've had. First their menu is messy and confusing. It's hand written in chalk looks like it was done in a hurry. I asked her to explain it which she she didn't seem that thrilled about. Everything says daily this and daily that and you have to look back and forth to see what they actually have. I ordered a daily toast but somehow ended up with two sides,which I didn't think was possible. Also is $13 worth two sides and a drink? One of which I couldn't eat because of my dental work I've had done recently. I had gone originally because I heard they had good soup, but they didn't have any today. It had good flavor and I felt bad throwing it away but what could I do? For my first experience it definitely was a sign to never return, and I would never recommend this . Maybe I'm just not hipster enough. read more

Kelly S.

8 years ago

River Cafe is one of the best sources for organic, quality in food in Santa Cruz. I've been a customer for years and continue to marvel at the deliciousness and caliber of ingredients. This is the kind of place that add years to your life! Fresh, natural, made to order meals that truly fill your belly with goodness. The fresh cold pressed juice is the best in town. The coffee is insane. ...And the cookies! The burritos! The fresh salads and grilled sandwhiches?!?! YUM! The best part is that Claire doesn't skimp on portions. She gives her customers FULL PLATES of healthy food. I never leave hungry like so many other "organic restaurants" that cover their costs by skimping on portions. Sometimes I see the bad reviews on YELP and it makes me realize how little people understand about how hard it is to run a full service restaurant out of 50sq/ft. River cafe is a gem. Never close! read more

Marissa A.

8 years ago

Trash food and trash management. Updating my review because of the owner's not only hideously written responses to negative reviews but because of her utter lack of class reflected in over priced eggs and attitude Claire, If you really spoke to chocolate restaurant you would know EXACTLY who I am. And you should know that if you want to be affiliated with chocolate you are choosing to take the side of a restaurant that supported those who sexually harassed multiple women at chocolate. How dare you. I apologize for my initial, scathingly angry response -- but I'm very disappointed in where you want to position yourself with chocolate based on hear say rather than legal evidence. I also find it incredibly amusing how obsessed you are over a former employee. And how you must believe this account is them.... read more

Olive K.

19 years ago

the river cafe and cheese shop is soo quaint and lovely. and the food is good! it's sort of expensive, but worth it! they have a wonderful selection of sandwiches, cheeses and a few soups as well. i had a cold cucumber soup which was divine and a really good vegetarian panini. for dessert i had a walnut brownie dusted with bittersweet chocolate powder. delicious! i also sampled some of the cheeses (the cowgirl creamery cheeses are some of my favorites) and they were all mouthwatering. the shop is tiny but they are very efficent and your food is prepared quickly. you can choose to sit inside and overlook river street or on the deck. both are very pleasant, and while it is very close to river street, the noise from the traffic nearby isn't bothersome at all. read more

Emily S.

12 years ago

I have tried the burritos before and they were delicious too bad the service, inspired by the owner, sucks and leaves a very foul (no not fowl, unfortunately) taste in your mouth. After waiting for 15 minutes and painfully watching the cashier/barista finalize one order of drinks and toast and make one americano I couldn't take it any more and told the owner about the turtles pace that was occuring. She obviously could have cared less and let me know so by her attitude of rudeness. So I left. I went back to let her know if she would have been polite I would have stayed. It definitely left a bad taste in my mouth and I will not return. read more

Ana S.

8 years ago

I love stopping by here. The food is so fresh and local, and it's perfect for breakfast or lunch. I just got the frittata and a juice and it was so delightful. The outdoor seating is relaxing, and the staff is kind. They are doing great things with such a small space. This place has a real Santa Cruz feel to it and it's one of my favorite lunch stops. read more

Tari N.

10 years ago

I've come here a lot over the years but recently the customer service is so under par. The attitude and lack of gratitude is no longer something I want to support. I didn't even get a thank you or have a good day after I paid. read more

Emily S.

3 years ago

This place is a gem! The chicken momo is delicious and the owner is so sweet and friendly. There's plenty of outdoor seating and the patio is dog friendly. I can't wait to go back and try more things off the menu! read more

Itzi C.

3 years ago

the people who work here are the sweetest people ever! they offed to wrap my panini to go and told me to sip my matcha so they could add more it it! Food here is amazing and such a great location read more

Maggie D.

7 years ago

They have good coffee and tea collection with rustic atmosphere. Serving is little slow but food is great. will revisit.

Sam L.

2 years ago

Dumpling are so damn good. Dumpling are so damn good. Dumpling are so damn good. Dumpling are so damn good.

Vic E.

8 years ago

I have never been your employee. Please get your food game together and take some honest criticism.

Hello M.

230

10 years ago

Rude. Serve juice till 3.. Why 3? Lazy and rude. Always out of everything.. Not impressed

Gobig L.

13 years ago

Worst Frittata i have ever had. VERY SLOW service. I will not ever come back here.

Rob M.

12 years ago

Always a mess, and very expensive.....Its kind of like no one really works there.

Mikiji N.

10 years ago

Stoned again. If you have 30 minutes to wait for your food then no problem.

Kirsten R.

15 years ago

Love the food and all of the hard working ladies that work at River Cafe!

K W.

4 years ago

These are STILL the best Momos I've ever had. GET THEM. Immediately!!!

River Cafe - coffee - Updated September 2026

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