Riverview Cafe

Decent coffee. Tasty little baked goods. You can get a sandwich and they’ll put it on the panini press for you. I’m not sure anything’s amazing, but it’s good and the space is cozy. I’ve always had lovely service here. My toddler is constantly trying to get behind the counter. Apparently she desperately wants a barista job and staff is extremely patient.
There’s a play space for kids with buckets of toys. Therefore, surprise surprise, there are lots of kids here. Shocking no?! If you are kid adverse, might want to go elsewhere. Or at least go into the little library area where the kids usually stay out of.
The play area is not on the level of Sovereign Grounds, but I think especially good for the smaller babes.
You can get a glass of wine on this side too. They usually have a couple bottles open. And they’re usually decent wines. Expect to pay around $ 7 a glass.
Overall, this is a great little cozy place. Some of those little laptop tables that fit by the couches might be a good way to get the laptop people into the library area. That would be my only suggestion.

Been here twice– coffee is ok, relaxed, good space. Has a good selection of food and the toy section is wonderful.
Came here to work– wireless was out and described as spotty by someone here–
Coffee house– coffee, wireless, place to pee, food in that order of importance — no wireless is a fail

I recently met a friend here to catch up, and talk shop. She lives in the neighborhood, and I’m a little bummed she never told me about this place sooner!
I read the Unilocal reviews ahead of time, and knew I was in the right place by the pack of children someone had assembled in front of the door. Not being kid people, we sat on the other side of the room from the play area. From that distance, I didn’t find the noise distracting. If anything, it does help keep the coffee shop from getting too much of a «quiet library» vibe. I like a little buzz (ha!) going on at a coffee shop, to keep it from feeling too stuffy. My friend and I were able to talk for two hours straight, and unlike at other quieter coffee shops, I never felt like our conversation was being broadcast across the room. Some folks were chatting, and some solo folks were working on laptops. It was a good mix.
I got food and coffee, and both were tasty. The ambiance of the place is great – exactly what I’m looking for in a coffee shop. Lots of plants, lots of color, lots of artwork, big windows to let in natural light, some cushy places to sit, and a cozy warm yellow glow from the light bulbs.
I will definitely be back!

Apparently parents think kid friendly means kids rule. If you want a break from your own kids this is not necessarily the place.

The quiche is excellent. The coffee on the other hand, is mediocre. An independent shop running a traditional espresso machine ought to take more pride in the way their latte and cappuccino comes out, and I know I can get the same thing from Caribou or Starbucks. I go to places like this expecting a bit more in the way of craftsmanship, and so I cannot help but feel slightly discouraged upon tasting under-​extracted espresso and scalded milk. The rampaging horde of younglings is another issue I want to address; it seems this place is a haven for parents who don’t know how to restrain their spawn. That would be fine if I were reviewing a daycare center, but this is a café where people expect a peaceful environment in which to read or work. I don’t want to sound too negative, so I’ll say it again: the food’s good, and the drip coffee/​cold press is fine, just avoid the espresso. I’m certain not everyone is as averse to children as I am, so that may not be an issue for you.

Relaxed atmosphere. Tasty coffee. Variety of options, including Thai Coffee and Italian Soda.
Wonderful theater across the street and wine bar next door. Live music.
Good place to do homework during nonbusy times. Like it a lot!

We stopped in for a quick cup of coffee before a movie. The coffee was very fresh as flavorful as you get. The big winner was the Chai. My daughter ordered it instead of coffee and she just about melted! I kind of had purchase envy. The muffins were fresh and moist, especially the blueberry, which my son had the last of.

I’ve only been here once and just to grab some tea but the food and drink seemed overpriced for the quality. I would prefer Fireroast Café.

Great coffe shop in a great neighborhood! The baristas are knowledge, curious and welcoming. Always a treat to come here. One of Longfellows finest. The baked goods make a tasty snack if you are on the mood. This place also is a fantastic spot to sit down and be productive with a laptop.
The best time to come here is before or after a movie. If your in the mood for a drink, one of the best wine bars around is connected.

Another morning walk for coffee that ends with why do I bother. Surly barista displaying thinly veiled loathing for only ok coffee.
The seating area is filled with children running around while parents coo about how adorable they are. Leaving me to feel as if I’m in one of circles of hell Dante wrote about.

The Riverview Café gets 4 stars because it’s close to where I live, has beautiful windows bringing in lots of light, and is a local independent business. I love to work on my computer or just read here, and although there are often a bunch of kids playing in the (great) play space, it becomes background noise to me and is personally preferable to a very quiet coffee shop.
The main reason they don’t get 5 stars from me is their tea selection. To be sure, Harney & Sons is certainly higher quality bag tea than some other options. Yet with a growing number of coffee and tea shops around town that offer high quality and often organic loose leaf tea, I find myself more and more tempted to get to those other shops. I also would love for them to raise the quality of their pastry and food options — more diversity, and more local and organic options would be awesome.
I’ll still visit and recommend Riverview Café, and I’m often really productive when I work there — I just wish they would make a few of these kinds of changes.

Had their salted nutty caramel latte and it was great. The barista was very nice and accommodated my request for a not so sweet latte. She opted for sugar-​free hazelnut and held back a full shot of the salted caramel; it was great. The café also has a variety of flavor shots categorizes as «sugar-​free, fruits, regulars». What I didn’t get was why mint was under the fruit category but I didn’t mind. Great coffee place overall and it’s right next to my favorite wine bar and theatre.

Okay café with limited pastry/​meal selections. I had a tea, which was good. The café was full of children and people studying.

I stop in for sandwiches roughly once a week. The tuna can be a little soggy, but it is delicious, so I don’t care.
My favorite is the Riverview Special: Turkey, Salami, Pepperjack Cheese and Chipotle Mayo on super-​chewy chibatta type bread. SO GOOD!
The desserts are great, also. Just tried the blueberry bread. Yum!

Sweet li’l coffee shop — don’t forget to check the schedule for music — was at the wine bar next door last friday and they had a pretty good jazz group playing and went to the café last night for open mic night — there were quite a few really good singers and such in the group.
If you are looking for a chill night out — go grab a cuppa joe — or tea — or nutella hot chocolate and kick back and listen to some very tallented people!
They have music 4 nights a week here so.. ..

A place for adult yuppies… not in a bad way, if that makes sense? Not sure what I mean? I think this place caters to people who make (and/​or have partners who make) a decent living, probably lean politically to the left and also are in the midst of raising young children. I get this vibe from the side room brightly painted with an aquarium scene and filled with an assortment of toys for toddlers and children, along with the couple of women chatting in the main room, one holding a baby. Additionally, the local art on the wall and free wifi in the place, also somehow makes me — the 20something without that maternal instinct kicking in — feel comfortable. While I don’t think I’d love this place if more children were present, I enjoyed the time I spent chatting with my dad over coffee.
Another cool/​interesting note, this place is the same as Riverview Wine Bar. Sadly, that part was closed when I got there, but it compels me to make another stop there on my next trip to the neighborhood.

I came here this morning, an early Saturday morning, and it was a quiet, peaceful place to enjoy a cup of coffee. Then the little kids came and it became so loud that I can’t hear myself think.
If I had kids, I would love this place! They have a great little play room, with lots of things to play with. The entire place is very open and welcoming. But, since I don’t have kids and they’d all really rather be outside playing than waiting for their parents to have a nice cup of coffee, they’re kind of loud and all the toys are too.
I will return on a week day during the school year and see if I like this place more. Or at least sit at the other side of the shop or better yet, outside. The coffee was worth coming back for. But, without kids, this place is not my thing on a Saturday morning.

Nice atmosphere… until the kids start screaming.
I get it. Riverview wants to be family friendly and wants parents to come in and feel comfortable bringing their kids. There is a playspace for kids here and probably a go-​to for parents who want to meet up.
But if you’re coming here for a place to study or read think twice. It can get LOUD at times. Which is sad because they have a nook and small library that could be great for reading books. The nursery area is disconnected from the otherwise comfortable and well lit atmosphere of the rest of the shop and classy winebar next door.
The coffee is standard fare, no Bullrun or Angry Catfish. They do have a killer thai coffee though, i recommend that. And their sandwiches are tasty.

Love this place. Very LOCAL scene. Friendly staff and Great food! Very cool

Such a great place to go to after seeing a movie at the Riverview Theater!
A beautiful, mild, and recent late summer eve, on the patio. I tried their pear cider and really enjoyed it. Pale gold in color with a light flavor and effervescence. Clean taste, kind of sparkling wine-​like.
Friends each had a wine flight that they were very pleased with.
Shared a pizza with pesto on it. Thin, crisp, cracker-​like crust. Tasty.
Enjoyed the company and service of our waitress.
I look forward to returning to this place.