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Riva Cucina, Berkeley, CA

Riva Cucina

4.4
4.4
1105 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
800 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710

About this restaurant

  • Romantic
  • Innovative
  • Good for special occasions
Our Emilia-Romagna inspired menu offers a selection of organic foods from nearby farms and waters, as well as a few of our favorite products from Italy. We’ve created a place for guests to gather and relax with good food and good company.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Massimiliano Boldrini
  • Catering
    Please contact Jennifer Boldrini for catering inquiries at jennifer@rivacucina.com.
  • Private party facilities
    We have a private dining space that holds up to 22 people. The entire restaurant is also available for private events of parties up to 58.
  • Neighborhood
    Berkeley
  • Cross street
    7th Street
  • Parking details
    We have ample on-street parking for dinner service. For lunch, we recommend you parking in the designated Riva Cucina spots in the north end of the 2910 Seventh Street parking lot.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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What 1,105 people are saying

Riva Cucina reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4
4.4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 2.3Value

NoiseModerate

1,099 Reviews
  1. Everyday

    Wilmington67 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 14, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Thisis one of our go to places to eat and they never fail to meet our expectations.

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  2. robinb

    San Francisco9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 12, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Pleasant ambiance , tables far enough apart that you can enjoy the conversation with your party, tasty food snd no corkage comes Wednesday’s .

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  3. Emc1

    Central Coast30 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 7, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Varied and healthy menu. Everything we ate was delicious. Friendly and attentive staff. Room between tables. Perfect lighting.

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  4. ROSAM

    San Francisco5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 4, 2020

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Riva Cucina was my go to place, it has been reviewed now several times, it's crowded, make a reservation....My salad with pancetta was ok, except the pancetta was way too overdone, couldn't chew, my porcetta was good...friend got seafood risotto, was meh! This was a nice neighborhood place, now it seems food is suffering and lacking. Server was terrific!

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  5. PegF VIP

    San Francisco63 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on February 29, 2020

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Everything was excellent, but the entrees were disappointing. The ambiance and service were superb. We started with 2 signature cocktails and the scallops, which were both excellent. The beet salad was good, but lacked an ingredient that pulled them all together... perhaps balsamic?? And I remembered the bread and olive oil in to be outstanding, but the bread was toasted instead of fresh... think this may have changed from before??? I ordered the seafood risotto, which was disappointing. The seafood was diced small and while the shrimp came out good, the rest was just ok. It was tomato based, but not very flavorful. My husband got the osso Buco,which was tender, but served over spinach instead of the roasted veggies. Again, just not very flavorful. We loved this place last time we came. Perhaps the chef changed? We may try one more time.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service

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  7. DavidG

    San Francisco9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food here was off the charts. We were a group of 7 and shared everything and I have to say the risotto and the pastas were some of the best we have ever had!!! And the service was fantastic. Definitely will be back, and soon.

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  8. Ricardo VIP

    San Francisco23 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love Riva Cucina. The food is excellent, and authentically Italian. We and our friends totally enjoyed our dinner, and will return!

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  9. risermon

    San Francisco16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 22, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Good quality and well prepared meal! The fritto misto was light and crisp, and the petrale sole entree was fresh, well prepared and tasty over a nice creamy polenta. I also liked the cappuccino panna cotta, although it wasn't the typical panna cotta in a little pot with a hard outer shell, it was still very tasty. My wife enjoyed her seafood risotto very much and I liked the seafood broth in the sauce.

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  10. Yansome

    San Francisco6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on February 16, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The candle-lit romantic atmosphere was nice, but the lack of lighting made the menus a bit difficult to read. The food was very good and moderately priced, and the service professional and competent. We ordered the crepes, lamb shank and petrale sole. The "crepes" resembled an omelette and were a bit eggier and cheesier than we preferred. The petrale sole was a bit mushy and lacking in seasoning, but the moist and tender fall off the bone lamb shank was excellent and the highlight of the meal. The lemon almond cake for dessert was also delicious, but the cappuccinos we ordered arrived lukewarm at the table. Though there is room for improvement, overall we enjoyed the food and ambience of this charming little restaurant.

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FAQs

Riva Cucina offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (510) 841-7482.

Riva Cucina is rated 4.4 stars by 1105 OpenTable diners.

Riva Cucina does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Google Map for Riva Cucina

800 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710

Additional information

  • Cross street
    7th Street
  • Neighborhood
    Berkeley
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    We have ample on-street parking for dinner service. For lunch, we recommend you parking in the designated Riva Cucina spots in the north end of the 2910 Seventh Street parking lot.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Massimiliano Boldrini
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Please contact Jennifer Boldrini for catering inquiries at jennifer@rivacucina.com.
  • Private party facilities
    We have a private dining space that holds up to 22 people. The entire restaurant is also available for private events of parties up to 58.
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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