RIVA CUCINA is a Berkeley neighborhood restaurant that celebrates the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna, the Northern Italian region that Chef Massimiliano Boldrini calls home. Starting with sustainably sourced ingredients from Bay Area farms and waters, Riva has become known for handmade fresh pastas, braised meats, and seasonal dishes that are ever-changing.
Hideaway destination serves up Northern Italian cuisine in a modern-rustic venue with patio seating. Based on 256 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.5 stars. Price $$
✔️ Curbside pickup ✔️ Delivery ✔️ No dine-in
Address:
800 Heinz Ave #19, Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (510) 841-7482
Website: http://www.rivacucina.com/
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 4–8 PM |
| Saturday | 4–8 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 4–8 PM |
Menu
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Photo Gallery
Reviews
Valerie Gubitosi
Sauce as good as my mom’s! I haven’t tasted food this fresh, authentic, and flavourful in a long whle! What a gem of a restaurant! I had the Bolognese sauce over a gluten-free pasta. To-die-for! It was full of flavour, without being heavy or salty. The anti-pasta was large enough to feed the three of us, and the cocktail selection, bountiful! A perfect, cozy ambience and the lovely staff will keep us coming back for more!
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Karume Richards
Ordered the branzino w/arugula and roasted potatoes, it was flavorful and delicious. The woman ordered the bolognese and said it was very good. Atmosphere was very nice and upscale. For drinks, ordered an old fashioned, it was one of the best I’ve had. The woman ordered a margarita and it was also well made w/a hint of heat. Our server/waitress was great!
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Kevin Espinet
The listing does say “take-out only”, but the pictures and other reviews in the Google listing suggest an actual restaurant. It looks like they’re still in COVID hysteria mode. This listing is false advertising because they don’t offer the atmosphere they claim to and that’s disingenuous.
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C W
Location was kinda hard to find. We originally went to the back of the restaurant. LOL.
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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 I’m from Milan and as such a sever judge on risotto.
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Melissa N
I have not dined-in yet as they were pick up only when I ordered. The pick up service was excellent and easy! The intoxicating smells from the food filled my car’s atmosphere instantly. I went from 0-100 in terms of hunger. Absolutely delicious! Prices more than fair. Honestly, a great hidden, random treat for myself.
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Chetan Thaker
The experience at Riva Cucina was fantastic. The service was very attentive and relatively quick. The menu was small but definitely had the variety and tasted good for the tastebuds even for an Indian. We had a great experience and the waiters took good care of us there.
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Peishih Liang
We got a couple paninis and a bowl of soup to share. Everything was delicious. The panini bread doesn’t cut my gum like some do, it’s nice and soft with a just enough crunch. The portion is a little small for me, I felt like I could eat more (but probably shouldn’t?) after finishing everything. Price is reasonable and the staff was friendly. Will come back again to try their pasta next time.
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Justin Snider
Great for the area, really good Italian food. Sit at the bar and talk to them about wine. Jake was very knowledgeable and fun to talk to. Kind of a hidden place, wasn’t very busy on a Thursday when we went. Local owners with local ingredients which is always good. I’ll come back and would definitely recommend.
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Andrew Jaru
Simple, well-crafted Italian flavors in an upscale setting. The wait staff are really kind and cheerful, while the interior is nicely decorated. You can see into the kitchen from the dining area, but it adds to the experience. Food was tasty, with the flavors being just right. The bread is really tasty, especially when dipped in olive oil.
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