Fantastic food and drinks! Stopped at River Cafe because it was in the same shopping center at Patagonia Outlet store. Just wanted a coffee and surprised and happy they offered many vegan options. We tried the vegan dumplings and vegan noodles with hot soup broth (they also offer it dry). I topped it off with a mocha with oat milk. Everything was delicious and a great portion size. The dumplings came with siracha and the soup came with chili oil which just elevates everything. The noodles came with tofu, peas, carrots, noodles, and a delicious broth. Add the chili oil to it and it'll definitely hit the spot! The dumplings came with a side salad which is a nice touch (the naked plate with pale dumplings that most places serve is always a little disappointing). I'll definitely be back as there's even more options that I'm sure will be just as good! Super friendly staff as well and a good amount of seating inside and some covered seating outside. read more

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

Tried the chicken panini and Noodles with Tofu. It was great, flavors were wonderfully balanced and we loved it.

Had Sunday breakfast/brunch there today. The vegetarian breakfast burrito was good, if unremarkable. Grilling it on a panini press was a nice touch, texturally speaking, but there could have been more flavor in the filling (e.g., onions, cheese...). Pinto beans mixed with the eggs were good. The frittata was just okay--once again--it could have used a bit more flavor. The bowl of lentil soup was the star of the meal. All of the food could have been hotter, temperature-wise. The cafe is small, and it gets a bit awkward maneuvering around in the cramped quarters. We'll probably go back for pastries and/or lunch, but maybe not breakfast. read more

River Cafe - Delicious scones (strawberry-almond and peach-cornmeal) bought at the Westside Farmers Market - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

See all

friendly, inviting staff, incredible food! everything is house made with love :) definitely my new favorite spot! read more

River Cafe - chicken dumplings & chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Possibly had one of the best lunches in my 15 years of life. The sandwiches are so savory and the momos are just so amazing!! The location of this place in general is great If you visit Santa Cruz, I'd definitely recommend this place!!! read more

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

Four months ago I would have given this restaurant 5 stars. We used to eat breakfast there every Sunday. It's in a great location and has outdoor seating where we can sit with our dog. However, something has recently happened with the management/ownership, and we might not be back. The staff is surly, the service is almost nonexistent, and the food is marginal. I'm not sure if the owner (whomever that is) knows what's going on or is interested in fixing the problems. read more

Good food, but a bit overpriced, I think. We ordered a Turkey Panini and their breakfast special on home made Rye bread. Both good and worth returning to, however, I was blown away by their Hazelnut Chocolate Cookies. It was soooo goood especially w/ their house brew. Will come back and try out the rest of the menu and get more of them mouth watering hazelnut chocolate cookies! :) read more

See all

So....I never take the time to Yelp- But these stuck up - organic loving people could not be any more rude or have worst customer service. I like the Breakfast Burritos - But i walk in....getting stared down by all these "Organic" people....and the guy working is busy making coffees....I get it. However, instead of a smile and a "Be right with you".... It's rude looks, no acknowledgement whatsoever , so still hungry , but so offended by the rudeness, I finally just leave. I don't need your organic burrito that badly, to put up with being treated like that. RUDEST PEOPLE - WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE read more

A friend brought their Tibetan Mo-mos as an appetizer to my dinner party and I've been coming back for them ever since! I'm obsessed with both the veg and meat mo-mos. They're fresh and delicious and I've only felt good vibes from the guys behind the counter, who I think are also the owners? They're the sweetest and kindest and make amazing dumplings. My only complaint is that they close so early, I want to eat there for dinner! read more

I've yet to try their lunch fare but I love their cheeses. I am a huge cheese fan and they have an excellent selection where you can taste, ask questions and buy as much or as little as you might need. To me, this is perfect. Sometimes a cheese looks intriguing but I don't want to buy a ton of it only to have it not be what I want. They're also very knowledgable and helpful say.... if you want to set up a cheese plate but maybe don't know which cheeses are good combinations, or if you're looking for something new in a style that you know you already like. Pay them a visit. I plan to today. ;) read more

Hey owner of River Cafe, time to crawl back in your hole with This review. Time to shut down this dirt hole. Ordered a burrito smoothie and kombucha directly with the manager. Sat down at table and waited 20 minutes and nothing came. Went and spoke with staff. NONE of staff had any idea of my order. Juice sat at counter and went warm. No apology. Just attitude. Food was garbage and Very bland & Way overpriced. If the manager forgets your order the rest of the crew is just as bad if not worse. You've been warned. You like being forgotten when you pay for food? Then this is your spot! The owners response to this review is "to stick it where the sun don't shine" Now that's Quality customer service right there. read more

Have eaten and made a lot of dumplings in my life. These are the best dumplings in Santa Cruz, hands down. Don't expect them to be exactly the same as Chinese-style jiaozi or potstickers. They are in the shape of a xiaolongbao soup dumpling, but the flavors are not typical Chinese style. I tried the beef and the veg. Both excellent. The beef had a delicate broth inside, and the veg are a mixture of kale, broccoli, tofu, onion, and other herbs...DELICIOUS. They came with a smoking hot sauce - I ordered hot because I thought I liked hot...but it was too hot for me! Would go with medium next time. On the other hand, the momos do not even need any type of sauce, they are so flavorful. They also came with a nice side salad. read more

Despite a few minor negatives, I have to give this place 5 stars just to call attention to the inventive Eggs & Greens breakfast. If you're not crazy about carb-heavy fried potatoes and bored by the only alternate of fruit, the mainstay of every other restaurant in town, this is the dish to try. I had poached eggs with three varieties of organic kale (supplied, as I learned from chatting with the owner, from Lucky Boy Produce.) It came with a side of salsa, toast, butter and jam, and a garnish of about a quater of an apple in thin slices, which added a pleasantly cleansing and crisp finish to the meal. After reading the other reviews, I would keep in mind that it is a small space and would not be so appealing if I had to deal with a long line of customers waiting to order at the counter. Fortunately, at 8:15 AM, I was the only one in the place when I arrived and was served. Four others came in after me for take-out, but they received their meals and were gone before I left, so there clearly was no problem with the owner and one cook being able to handle a reasonable number of simultaneous orders. River Cafe was essentially just a coffee dispensary until the current owner took over about eight years ago. I also read quite a few reviewers complain about prices. My breakfast cost a total of $15, including coffee and a nice tip. Yes, that is high, but only if you compare it to the "eggs & hash browns" places that use lower quality ingredients. I felt I was getting what I paid for. read more

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

See all

This place is special ! Rebgee the owner has great dumplings that are beef ,chicken ,or veggie. Two customers came in after me asking for his dumplings but I unfortunately got the bacon Panini which was stuffed with bacon and extremely yummy along with a almond milk latte which was perfect and spot on. I'm gonna come back for the dumplings because obviously I'm missing out on something . I'll update my experience here but all I know is Rebgee is a breath of fresh air to talk to and I can taste the time he put into my order. read more

Very expensive food with poor management. I am upset at this establishment. I wish the owner would put more love and care into building a respectable business read more

Found this place when we were looking for Nomad Momo food truck. They got momo's along with cafe food. Coffee was strong. The "hot" hot sauce was really good - we got both medium and hot hot sauces and the hot one is both more spicy and more flavorful. My wife had momo (some beef some chicken) and said they were good. I had frittata which was well cooked though a bit bland by themselves (easily fixed up with the hot hot sauce!). The owner was super nice and welcoming, not surly or whatever at all, based on our experience. Would come back again for sure! read more

Lovely little cafe! The food was amazing, the owner was nice, there dumplings and burrito was delicious, definitely recommend!

In the past I would have given this place a better review but lately its been a disappointment. My latest experience: I went in to order and waited patiently in the slow line (10 minutes). When I got to the cashier the lady snapped at me to wait until she got espresso drinks ready for the previous patrons. So I waited, waited while she heated up the milk at the espresso machine, then waited for her to get more in another building after running out, waited for her to take the drink out to the patron.. ok then it was my turn. I ordered a chicken panini ( no prices on the board ) but I figured it couldn't be too much. I mean, its a sandwich right? The register rang up $18.00 for this panini. I quickly stopped and said, I'm not paying that much for a sandwich. (which I never do!) I asked for a refund and got my money back but what the...? Insanity. Such a disappointment! read more

This place needs to do something about their speed! Food is good but when they take over 45 minutes to make you a sandwich, it's too much... even when is slow and nobody is there they take too much time... no my first time there and it's always been like that, trying to give multiple chances but that's it! Sorry but you make me waist my lunch brake too many times ! You can do better ! read more

We had the Tibetan Momos, both chicken and vegetarian and both were fantastic. You can opt for steamed or pan fried (we chose pan fried) and they come with a delicious spicy sauce and a salad on the side. We also ordered the tritip sandwich (another winner!). Their chai is the best I've had in Santa Cruz. The owner and staff are so nice. It is under new management so ignore those old reviews. read more

I had a coffee and a juice. The coffee was ok, and the juice was pretty tasty! The interior of the place is pretty cool, nice atmosphere. There's also outside seating. Really good location - near downtown but not close enough to feel overcrowded. Near a Patagonia store as well, so you can relax after some shopping! Just a few things I think they could improve on: 1) Cleanliness. The wood bar had some crumbs from a prior customer, which I rested my arm on without looking. Maybe it was just bad timing, but someone ought to come by to wipe down the counter tops more often. 2) Friendliness. Not sure if the folks behind the counter were just having a rough day, but they were a bit rude (not to me directly). I understand that some customers can be a pain and that the employees have a need to vent, but it seemed like too many folks coming in asking questions were treated like they were a moron behind their back after they left. It's just unprofessional and rude, and they could do better and think better of people. (yes, there are definitely some people who are idiotic and rude, but every customer that asks a "dumb" question shouldn't be treated as such. Please be more generous with your opinion of folks!). This negative attitude kind of messed with the cool ambiance of the place. I will probably be back to try some of their food, but I hope the employees are having a better day the next time I come back! read more

They even take toast to the next level! Toast with Pear and Ricotta cheese!!! Love this place! read more

River Cafe - Organic cinnamon roll and a lovely Mocha- Yum!!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

If I could give a 0 star I would. I loved this place even when they were understaffed, everyone working here was friendly and seemed to enjoy their job. Now two times in a row everyone seems down the cook looks and acts miserable and totally unfriendly. No chairs to sit on and only to-go items. Wasn't even able to make a toast. Too bad. It was a happening place and hope they can hire a new cook or sort out what's going on to keep it going or better to bring it back to where it was - a place with great organic food choices and nice outside seating read more

I ordered a salad and green juice. They forgot my order. I also asked for no cheese on it and when I got to work it was on it. Then there was a paper towel at the bottom of the salad. read more

I am so lucky this place is across the street from where I work. Love the new ownership, friendly and once I tried the dumplings I am hooked. Much shorter wait time with new owner as well, thanks Georgia read more

Decided to try this place on a whim and I regret doing so 100%. I had ordered a cold brew because it's my go to drink. Sad to say, it was one of the worst cold brews I have ever had. Little to no flavor, extremely watered down, and not worth the $5. I had also ordered a burrito and requested it to be heated. Mind you, the burrito was PRE MADE and I waited 20 minutes for it to be REHEATED on their panini grill.. When I inquired about my burrito, the lady at the counter asked for my name so she could check to see if it was ready. Her response was, "yours is up next." The problem with this? I was the ONLY person to come in and order when I did so. There was absolutely no one ahead of me, yet people who had ordered after me where already receiving their MADE TO ORDER food. I then asked if I could take my burrito to go without it being heated since it was next in line and she said it was ready.. making no sense since clearly I was just told it wasn't. She then still proceeded to convince me that even though the burrito was ready, that I need to wait a couple of minutes. For what? To let the burrito get cold again? Yikes I was never offered a refill on my drink or a pastry in a recovery fashion and I will definitely NEVER be back. Luckily I'm not a local, but to all you locals, beware of wasting your time and money here. And tourists, you're better off at Starbucks. I also noticed the owner doesn't respond to 1 star reviews on yelp, and only addresses other reviews. You should start changing that:) read more

Not very friendly staff! The person helping me seemed very confused and not very willing to answer simple questions. My pre made burrito took about 15 min to get warmed up and when I bit into it it was cold and soggy.. Won't be coming back here. read more

Amazing place! Went here while on vacation and ordered the sausage breakfast burrito. The service is friendly and our food came out fast. Would definitely recommend this place. read more

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

Wow! How do these guys stay in business??? The worst service ever!! They take your money and fail to provide your food... $26 dollars for a tuna sandwich and iced tea. Never got the sandwich as they "forgot" to turn in the order?! The folks in line behind us spent much more and their orders were also "forgotten"? At least they asked for a full refund and left angry.... Since there were no other customers I am confused as to how orders are taken, money is taken, and then you are sent away with nothing? What a waste of time and money! read more

It took 25 minutes to make a smoothie on a weekday when the place was empty. They were pretty rude about the delay too when I inquired about my order! read more

Wow! This place was a disappointed. I feel like the girl at the check out ripped me off. Somehow for $51 I got a cup of soup, side salad and no cheese toast which I asked for, apple pie slice, mimosa, kombucha and cbd drink. The soup was bland. Side not remarkable. I would avoid and the environment was so bad. A crazy wan screaming and staff did nothing to make the customers feel safe. This was breakfast and lunch I still feel sad about it. This reply below is hilarious! Buddy, I certainly didn't leave any tip for your girl at the front. This place is robbery don't go. read more

I came here to grab a sandwich. They had soup on the sandwich board, but It was sold out. The panini sandwich I got was the BLT . It was good. read more

The staff was very kind, but the coconut milk matcha latte that I ordered didn't taste right. It was very watery and flavorless. The service was fast, and the place was nice, but that matcha was pretty bad. Also, it was nearly $7. I won't be back. read more

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

See all

This place is a little disturbing. They have been rude to me everytime Ive asked about gluten-free options. They apparently don't have any but scoff at me for asking as if being gluten intolerant is merely a trend. And god forbid you ask about the bathroom. read more

Their Juice Bar is One of a Kind In Santa Cruz, recently a new addition to their cafe. YESSS!!! My taste buds were blown away, I am a Juice Lover & River Cafe is hands down the best for executing well crafted Juices!!!! I have so much appreciation for the timeless and chill vibes here!!! Food and service is EXCELLENT and ORGANIC and Well Priced. (Writing this review is making me hungry) The aroma of fresh bake rye bread to sweet snazzy bakery treats, you want to have breakfast and lunch here everyday. Nice selection on unique teas and Kombucha. This is a great hang out spot, sitting outdoors and having the sun shining from above. River Cafe is Santa Cruz, Gem. :) read more

River Cafe - Yes to organic! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

See all

Small, cute greenhouse style cafe. Great coffee, great energy, great seating environment. The dumplings were delicious and the breakfast burrito was tasty. Will be back! read more

Not sure what the big appeal is except that it is outdoors. Came here for a nice lunch and was greeted with not so friendly staff. Not sure if the lady taking our order was spacey or just hung over from a late night. Promised to bring us our food when it was ready, only to have to come up to the counter to pick it up. Very much overpriced with poor to mediocre food. Spent $23.05 for about $6-7 worth of food. We as customers deserve better! We will put up with okay service, expensive prices with great food. OR okay food, GREAT service with inexpensive prices. BUT NOT okay service, okay food, with okay prices. Only way I can think of this place survives is, there is not much competition surrounding the area and people don't have much to choose from. Never again for me. read more

Fresh, organic and sustainable...maybe if there is anything left when you arrive. I called up before heading up to Santa Cruz to be sure they were open and still serving afternoon lunch. By the time I arrived at 2 p.m., 8 out of 10 of their sandwich selections were unavailable. They were out of pulled pork, ham, pastrami, frittatas, veggie breakfast burritos, ALL side dishes and a lot of their dessert items. This place is open till 6 p.m. and by 2 p.m. everything was almost gone. I could maybe understand if we came in closer to 5 or 6, but 4 hours before closing...and still within the lunch period!?!!? My friend and I were quite hungry and we decided to give this place a try because the guy behind the counter was so kind and friendly. We decided to order a couple of sandwiches (one veggie and one ham and brie half sandwich and side salad) and a couple drinks. Wow, $30 for a small veggie sandwich ($10.50), one small half sandwich and side salad ($10.50) one drip coffee and a strawberry scone!!! The ham and brie was tasty but since they only had a small piece of ham left, it was very small (4 bites and gone small). The strawberry scone was very good with nutty undertones and the drip coffee was strong and smooth. $30 later, we left the cafe still hungry (and my friend didn't even order a beverage, just water). If you are craving a beverage other than coffee or a fermented drink, then you will be out of luck. No soda, lemonade, regular iced tea, apple juice ect. Along with a paltry selection, the sugar was all out at the coffee station and there was no cream available, just milk. Also, the complimentary water cooler was empty and there were no cups available. We also noticed dirty unbussed dishes and coffee cups everywhere. For the high prices they charge, you'd expect either some great sandwiches or some nice scenery and ambience. Without either, I'm left with giving this place a meager 2 stars (which I'm no fan of doing). The 2 stars is because of the sweet guy at the counter. His kindness never wavered, even though he had to recite over and over to the new customers coming in that they were out of this, this, that and that. The new customers coming in even had less to chose from than we did. No scones or salad greens added to the list of unavailables by 2:45 p.m. Later while cruising around downtown, I noticed so many people enjoying big hearty gourmet sandwiches and panini's for half the price (Zoccoli's, Alfresco's, Cafe Delmarette and Chocolate), which is where I'll be taking my business next. On the bright side, we both had room for another meal while in Santa Cruz and some Marianne's ice cream 2 hours later. read more

We came in here for lunch after an appointment in the neighborhood. It is a cute crafty looking niche. We had 2 of the tri-tip avocado salsa Panini special, soup, an IPA, a mimosa and peanut butter cookie; all of the above were delicious. I recommend the place if you have the time to kill, the service is friendly but very slow we waited for our meal for about 20 minutes, I will make a stop again if I have some leisurely time for it. read more