Riva Cucina
| Address: | 800 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710, USA |
| Phone: | +1 510-841-7482 |
| Site: | rivacucina.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | Closed 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 5:30–9:30PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 43
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Eva Tanner
We found this delightful place a few years ago - by sheer accident while visiting an art studio close by..... decided to try lunch and were pleasantly surprised with the atmosphere (outside), friendly service, quality-fresh, creative and tasteful food as well as an acceptable price at the end. We have returned numerous times since than, enjoyed dinners inside and recommend it with great success to friends and neighbors and plan on returning as often as we can.The staff will welcome you and work with induvidual preferences .... We would recommend reservations for dinner as it has been "discovered"!
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A Private User
The pasta and antipasti are great here--although choosing the right offering may be a challenge--and the food combines freshness with a low-key presentation that is perfectly seasoned and without pretentions. The fantastic wine list that the menu provides a great opportunity to create your own fantastic meal, moreover--they do a great job shaping the winelist to go with the meals, and have a great range of excellent italian frizzanti, rossi and bianchi to go with the meal, not to mention desert wines. A great menu to explore!!!
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Bee Gorman
We drove from Tahoe to Berkley for a concert. Sadly the concert was cancelled as we were parking the car. Lucky for us a reviewer directed us to this gem of a restaurant we would never have found on our own. The antipasto misto was wonderful, followed by a simply delicious pasta. We were delighted to discover a great white wine on the wine list that we had enjoyed while in Sardegna. Simply put the meal, staff and wine made us forget our disappointment and we had an enjoyable evening. Well be back next time in town.
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Christopher
In all honesty, I dont see what people are saying about the food being so good here. I thought it was quite bland. I had the gnocchi and it was pretty good minus the shredded beef. That beef ruined it. Should have been by itself in either a parmigiana or Gorgonzola sauce. I tried the bolognese and it had a lot of potential. Lastly, my coke was completely flat. The 3 stars are for the ambiance of the restaurant and the friendly staff.
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Adam Z.
This has become my go-to neighborhood Italian restaurant. Ive tried most of their pasta dishes and a few of their meat dishes (like Osso Buco and short ribs) and Ive never been disappointed. Make a reservation on OpenTable before you go - they often have some available even if youre making it for the same day; otherwise you might have to wait a while for a table to open up or sit at their bar, which is somewhat small and crowded.
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Ryan Nelson
I rarely eat out FYI but we had dinner for two here on my birthday. Its the kind of place you can dress casual, or elegant and feel welcome. Im not a food critic, but the short ribs were fall-off-the-bone and incredible tasting. She had a pasta sausage bowl that was delicious too. No one asked me how my meal is just after filling my mouth either! -Service was great.
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Beau Vandeweghe
Went in to Riva Cucina for Valentines Day and it was fantastic! Great food, good service (taking in account how busy it was on Valentines). The restaurant is very hidden but it adds to the experience. Today, its hard to find a great place that doesn’t break the bank. Amazing food, beautiful restaurant, and great prices!
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Benson Wong
This is an such an amazing place! Food is great, ambiance is warming, staff is amazing! Depending on the night of the week, reservations are recommended. All the food here is high quality and delicious! Its a well hidden gem well worth going if youre in the area. Highly recommend.
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Laura Manenti
Nice atmosphere. I ordered a seafood risotto. Full of flavour: plenty of crab, squid, prawns. Probably a bit overcooked, but Im from Milan and as such a sever judge on risotto. I also took asparagus. Tender, juicy, perfectly cooked. I spent a total of $28. Not bad at all.
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A Private User
I had a great experience, the staff was great but I feel like the portions were not fair for the price of food. Yes, I understand that it is fresh pasta, I just spent the summer in Sicily but to charge $15 for a simple meat sauce....Buccis is better.
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Jesse Mitchell
We usually go to eat at this place every other week. Love their Branzino fish with potatoes on side and Excellent house made pastas with notable wine list . Lots of good Italian wines on the list . Great and friendly service in the cozy setting .
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Ted Giraldin
Simply one of the best Italian fine dining restaurants in the Bay Area! It would be worth a drive from any county that touches the bay and even beyond. If I drove in from Sacramento or Fresno and ate here, the trip would be worth it!
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Richard Hintz
Summary based on 1 dinner: -better than average food, even for mid range Berkeley restaurants. Corso comes to mind as a comparable. -ok prices -helpful friendly service -easy parking! -quiet (yay!), but a bit too dark in the evening
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A Private User
We had a superb dinner at Riva Cucina. The staff was very friendly and professional, they made excellent recommendations for food and wine. Very comfortable chairs, plenty of space, and the food is excellent.
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Henry Geldman
Best gnocchi I have ever had really perfect very soft and supple paired well with bison meatballs, which were firm and flavourful. Anti pasta was very well balanced. Had a lovely time.
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Steve Visconti
The most traditional and best Italian in the east bay, maybe in the bay area. staff is awsome, the owner chef is from italy. He is shy, but ask to meet him if you like it.
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Jonathan Yim
Great service! Amazing food. I had the pulled pork pasta and it was divine. The staff are also very friendly. Some of the best food Ive had in the Bay area!
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Michael Bandstra
Good food, friendly servers, relatively quick service. My wife and I really enjoyed the Manicardi Lambrusco, which is a red sparkling wine.
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Marco Biagini
Excellent and TRUE northern italian cuisine. Massi the cook owner is a true professional. A place where Italians go eat. That says it all..
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Basil Falcone
Terrible food, over cooked, dry and no flavor, not Italian food, weird Americanized Italian food go to olive garden instead
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Christine Käser-Chen
Awesome food! Reminds me of my Italian trip a couple of weeks ago! The olive oil dip for bread is just sooo authentic!
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A Private User
This restaurant is a little out of the way, but its well worth it. Weve always had great meals and friendly service.
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Christine cook
As organic as possible. Crust is crisp and blending of ingredients is tasteful and tasty! Never lets you down.
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A Private User
The food was fantastic, good portions and very authentic the pasta dishes were amazing. We will be back.
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Rick Murray
Loved it, just popped in and sat at the bar. Salmon and ravioli dinners were both great.
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A Private User
one of my favorite restaurants in Bay area. great food, wine and friendly staff.
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Daniel Romine
Great food. Portion sizes smaller than your typical restaurant in the US.
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A Private User
soft setting, i liked the service and the meal of course was excellent.
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Maksim Bushuyev
Excellent service. Excellent meal. Would come back again.
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A Private User
the restaurant has great cakes. Wish it wasnt that dark
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Chung-Hay Luk
Nice ambience, amazing pasta entrees, average desserts
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Rafael Santander
Delicious food and great service! Love! Love! Love!
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mary b
Pleasant ambiance, adequate service, mediocre food.
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Chris Greacen
A neighborhood treasure. Great food, casual room.
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Mitchell Evan
Our go-to favorite in the East Bay, full stop
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A Private User
Super small restaurant - make reservations!
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Charles Carlson
Comfy Italian food - I keep coming back.
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Benoit Vialle
Good but not great Panino con pollo
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pedro paz
Last outdoor seating is at 730pm
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Enes Ceric
So simple but yet so great food.
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Andres Munera
Great food and quiet atmosphere.
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Dave Trendler
Delicious, cozy, friendly.
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Traci Jennings
Favorite Italian food
