Riva Cucina

Welcome to Riva Cucina, a charming restaurant in Berkeley, CA, offering a delightful blend of pasta, wine, and Italian cuisine. This gem of a spot not only provides a cozy and classy ambiance but also boasts a range of amenities including delivery, takeout, reservations, and catering options. Additionally, Riva Cucina caters to a variety of dietary needs with its vegan options and inclusive facilities like gender-neutral restrooms.

Upon exploring the menu, you'll find a plethora of mouthwatering dishes that have left patrons raving. Customers like Joyce Z. and Linda W. have praised the delectable crab ravioli, lamb shank, and tantalizing desserts like chocolate torte and blood orange panna cotta. The flavors at Riva Cucina are described as ethereal, ensuring a memorable dining experience.

For those who appreciate a well-curated wine selection, Riva Cucina's full bar and happy hour offer the perfect accompaniment to your meal. Not to mention, the diverse range of dishes, from risotto arancini to squid ink pasta, are sure to please every palate.

Overall, Riva Cucina has established itself as a beloved Italian restaurant, with a loyal following who appreciate the exceptional service and exquisite flavors. Whether you're a local or just passing through, a visit to Riva Cucina promises a culinary journey you won't soon forget.

Riva Cucina Menu

Location

Address: 800 Heinz Ave Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (510) 841-7482

🕓 Work Hours
MON Closed
TUE 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
WED 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
THU 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
FRI 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
SAT 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
SUN Closed

Business info

  • Offers Delivery
    Yes
  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • By Appointment Only
    Yes
  • Reservations
    No
  • Vegan Options
    Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Android Pay
    Yes
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    Yes
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Classy
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Casual Dress
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    Yes
  • Good for Groups
    Yes
  • Good For Kids
    Yes
  • Good for Dinner
    Yes
  • Street Parking, Private Lot Parking
    Yes
  • Full Bar
    Yes
  • Women-owned
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Open to All
    Yes
  • Waiter Service
    No
  • Wi-Fi
    No
  • Happy Hour
    No
  • Smoking
    No
  • TV
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Joyce Z.

    17 September 2023

    A long overdue review as I came here in May for BRW to go. We got 4 BRW prix fixe menu for $40 each for us and my parents and added a lamb shank from their regular menu as well. The mushroom soup was light and flavorful with every sip due to the porcini broth. Since I rarely fry things myself, anytime I see arancini available, I almost always get them and these definitely did not disappoint. Three of us got the crab raviolis which just like the soup was delicious from the first bite to the last. The porchetta was good but personally I preferred those crab raviolis instead. Since my dad loves lamb shanks, we had to order one to try and it was dad approved. For dessert, it was 50/50 chocolate torte and blood orange panna cotta. For chocolate lovers, that torte is decadent and satisfying. For non-chocolate lovers, that panna cotta was a great alternate, but again for me, chocolate was the way to go.

  • Author: Linda W.

    09 July 2023

    Happy Anniversary to us! 58 years! We celebrated with our lovely local Riva Cucina, and have just finished an amazing meal of minetrone, parsley pasta with fungi, brussels sprouts and lamb shank. We purposely bought more than tonight's dinner and so will enjoy more tomorrow including the baby back ribs we just couldn't manage in one night. Flavors ethereal. We thank you, Riva!

  • Author: Dr. David J.

    23 June 2023

    I remember when Riva opened, in 2006 I believe. After my first visit, we became inseparable. There were days i'd go for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. It was also not uncommon for me to pop in for dessert even later in the day (early evening). Jennifer and Massi always made me feel like family and I now live in Chicago, where we have nothing like it. If you are blessed enough to live in the area, please stop by and give them a try. You won't regret it.

  • Author: James K.

    31 March 2023

    I got delivery from Riva for Berkeley Restaurant Week and I thought it was a good deal with good food. I got a couple of the restaurant week "sets" to try a few items with family, and separately added the brussels sprouts and the squid ink pasta. The brussels sprouts was cooked just right - soft enough but still has a crunch, and the flavor was perfect. The squid ink pasta was lovely with the smoked salmon flavor and a nice acidity also from the tomato and a sweetness from the onion. From the two three-courses RW menu - I got the mushroom puree / soup, the risotto arancini, crab ravioli, the porchetta, the panna cotta, and the crostata. I quite liked the mushroom dish - it was scrumptious and I liked that the texture was more broth than cream/thick. The crab ravioli was delicious, and the porchetta had a yummy flavor but was slightly overcooked for me. Overall I enjoyed a lot of the flavors and was glad to try Riva.

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