Cafe Riva sits right on the clifftop at Boscombe Overcliff Drive in Southbourne, with a run of glass frontage that opens onto panoramic views of the English Channel, out towards the Isle of Wight's Needles and across to the Purbecks and Swanage on a clear day. It's one of the best-placed spots on this stretch of coast for a coffee with a view.
The food
Breakfast runs from 9am, with a build-your-own "Pick 'N' Mix" option alongside eggs Benedict, eggs Florentine and all-day breakfast staples. Lunch takes over from noon with fish and chips, burgers, panini and jacket potatoes, and there's a well-stocked bar running from fresh juice through to champagne. Pastries and traybakes are baked on site each day, and a separate Dough Box service adds pizza to the menu from Tuesday to Sunday. As with any café, dishes and prices move with the seasons, so it's worth checking the current menu on the website before heading over.
Beyond the café
Cafe Riva is as much a family day out as it is a place to eat. An 18-hole mini golf course sits on site, a seasonal ice cream kiosk and outdoor bar ("The Shack") run through the summer, and there's live music at weekends when the weather allows. Dogs are genuinely welcome too, right down to puppachinos and doggy ice cream on the terrace. The venue also takes private bookings for events of up to around 70 guests, with a licensed bar running until 1am.
Good to know
Cafe Riva opens daily from 9am and closes only on Christmas Day, though exact hours can vary seasonally, best to check ahead, particularly for evenings or event days. Being clifftop, it gets the weather along with the view, so outdoor seating is very much a fair-weather bonus rather than a guarantee.
It's a natural pairing with a walk along the Southbourne clifftop or down to the beach, see our things to do guide for more of the coastline nearby, and it sits alongside plenty of other options in our wider food & drink guide.