Cafe Riva

There’s a new chef at the café & the food is excellent & good value for money .
We often go there with our children on Thursday as there’s a special offer with the pizza in the evening.
The pasta dishes are lovely too.

VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AVERAGE FOOD SAVED BY ITS LOCATION.
I think the only reason this place survives is because of its physical location. Sat on top of the cliff it has great views. It also has no competition because it is a long way from any competitor.
I have been here a few times, each time hoping things will have got better. They haven’t.
The staff are surly at best and rude at worst. I think the owners set the tone. They bark at customers and do the bare minimum in terms of service. The delivery of food is always slow.
The food is OK but is priced at a level where it should be really good and it isn’t, it’s just OK.
If something similar opened up nearby this place would be deserted I suspect.

I visited this establishment and found the staff or is it the owner ruder than ever. Last year my friend wanted a sandwich but the chef had gone home and no one was prepared to make one. This time I stood in a queue the first person ahead of me wanted something from the 12 o clock menu but since it was 11.50 they could not have it. The second person wanted an ice cream and was rudely dispatched to a kiosk which by some slight of hand the council has given the café.
The cake I had was dry and the coffee was froth. They are massively overcharging and the enterence to fishermans walk should have a notice displaying their prices. They think far too much of themselves and customer service is non existant. I shall always go to the Cumberland in future with my family and since I vist Southbourne often thats £100’s they have lost. BTW if you want good service and reasonable prices then Pete’s Pantry in Southbourne Grove is really excellent. I am not connected with either of these establishments. I hope the café riva goes bust. They certainly deserve to!

I often walk along the beach between Hengistbury Head and Boscombe Pier and this is my favourite place along the route. Nothing spectacular but if you are looking for a decent coffee, cake or sandwich, they do this very, very well. It is also licensed which is a bonus on that odd occasion. Personally, I have a liking for Nachos and Cheese and Riva’s are the best around.

Cliff top café in a wonderful location, at the top of a ‘zig zag’ to the beach, or you can use the cliff lift in high season. They do tea, coffee and cakes, ice creams etc. They are licensed too. Plenty of seating and parasols outside (but they don’t seem to clean them!).
If you can’t take wheat, they do a limited range of gluten free things from Honeybuns. They also run a mini golf/​crazy golf. Parking for a couple of cars.

On a Birthday trip to Bournemouth I just had a need for some cake. Me and my partner went out on a recce for some.
We traveled many miles that evening with no luck but finally came across Café Riva.
this is a small one level building with low lights, candles, and other fancy lamps. Very atmospheric. They sell snacks, specialty teas, coffee’s, alcoholic drinks and… Lovely Cakes!
We couldn’t believe the selection they had. The selection had a french feel about it, I couldn’t decide which to get so had two! My partner had a pint of cider and a cake.
This place is lovely and really must be visited.
Parking is on road and you may have a short walk.