River's End Cafe
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Breakfast, Lunch
20 Reviews for River's End Cafe
Fun place to head to for breakfast, lunch, or early dinner. It sits pretty much on the sandy beach, nothing fancy about this joint. Plastic chairs and tables for dinning, and the bathrooms are those of the beach attendees - so not the cleanest. But, their food is good and they have a few twist on the usual menu items. Serve mimosas and bloody mary's too. Great place when you do not want to be cooped up inside eating, and want to smell the ocean while eating a decent meal. Bring cash for the parkng. Pets are welcome. A short wait for a table is usual.
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As mentioned in other reviews, The River's End Cafe is at the end of a bike path and what a great way to end the first stretch of a Sunday ride with friends.
Yes, we had to wait a while for a table but we didn't care. It was a beautiful California day and we had a great waterfront view until we were seated. The patio dining area is not as nice as Belmont Brewing Company but a lot more relaxed and the food is a hell of a lot better. Most of all, the service is much friendlier and inviting.
I had the Veggie Omelette which was cooked perfectly, not runny at all and topped with fresh avocado. The potatoes were also delicious and not under cooked nor burnt, just right! One of my fiends always gets the Chilequilas (sp?) and raves about them. Must try those next time.
If you're out on a bike ride and getting hungry, do yourself a favor and take the path to River's End. You won't be disappointed.
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Be prepared to wait. We got there before 9am on Sunday, and it took 15 minutes just from the time we sat down to the time they took our food order. From there it was another 40 minutes before we got our food. We weren't the only ones waiting. They were turning people away even with open tables because the wait for food was so long.
Food was just ok, I got the shrimp and crab omelette. I enjoyed it. My wife and son got the pancakes which were too dry and inedible. Even drowned in syrup they couldn't eat them. Disappointed with the quality of food considering how long it took for them to cook it.
As mentioned before the cafe is at the end of a bike path, so maybe those who finish up their ride are more inclined to sit and relax for long periods of time, but I was actually starting my ride from the cafe so it just took too long. I was actually worried my 2 hour parking ticket wouldn't be long enough.
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My mom discovered this place at the end of the bike path that's near our house, and I'm so glad she did. It is such a tiny restaurant, I doubt many people know about it. But they sure should. It's this little shack (affectionately), right on the beach, and I don't think I've been anywhere quite like it before, especially not five minutes from my house.
It's a perfect breakfast spot, and their omelets are something to write home about. As I remember, the portions are large. I have a really fond memory of my mom taking me there the morning before my AP Euro history test in my junior year of high school. It was so enjoyable to have a good meal like that and relax before heading over to the pyramid to take the exam. I don't know why, I'll just always remember that as such a good day. Definitely because of the River's End.
It's such a quiet, comfortable place, it feels like it should be in a movie, or anywhere besides the Long/Seal Beach border. In the summer I like to go to the beach right by the restaurant, because it's as though no one knows about it yet.
The River's End Cafe is a little oasis for cyclist who come to the end of the bike path. It gives cyclist a spot to rest, enjoy the ocean view with a cup of coffee. The River's End Cafe is a nice spot to settle back and catch the sunset. The spot itself provides you with a nice beach and ocean view, but the place itself is rather neglected and lacks good management and food. I came here for dinner and had the fish taco platter and a margarita. The meal was bland and my margarita tasted like lemon-lime Kool-Aid. Yuck! My sweetie and I thought the food here was rather mediocre and pricey. This place has so much potential to be a great restaurant with the right care and good management. If they removed the cheap lawn chairs, killed the mediocre food, and removed the lifeless dining room decorum, The River's End would be a great restaurant.
Warning: Guy's on First Dates: Don't bring a date here. This is not a nice restaurant for first dates. The ocean view may be nice, but resist, go inland for a good meal. You will be happier.
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Had a Costa Rica flashback sitting inside River's End Cafe. You can almost taste the ocean as soon as you walk into the small joint. Funny thing was, as we walked toward the restaurant, the actual restaurant building looks exactly like same as the adjacent beach restrooms, which of course, are really grimy, like any other beach bathroom. It would do you well to not have to use the restroom while at River's End -- or learn to hold it.
Sat in plastic tables and chairs with a wide view of the gorgeous pink and blue hued ocean sunset. That was enough to make me crave a Bloody Mary, which was fairly decent, right amount of zesty tomato-ness and the sangria was OK, nice fruity flavors, if a bit too carbonated.
The ceviche was my favorite offering of the night. Fresh chunks of halibut tossed in lime juice sat in little cups of perfectly crispy tostada shells.
Everything else was OK. I'm on a rare kick for steak, so I got the bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Alas, it was too tough on the outside and the center was an unappealing purplish gray that was room temperature. For the first time EVER, I discovered that not all things taste good with bacon. It overpowered the steak.
If I did come back, I'd stick to the California-style Mexican offerings.
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Sit outside, that's all I have to say. Not to worry if it gets cold, there's blankets inside for you to use. Relax and enjoy a nice breakfast. I'm not a cyclist nor do I want to be. This place is full of the spandex weekend warriors, but that's ok because the cafe is right on the beach and it's very relaxing. I have never been to River's End for anything other than breakfast and I have to say the breakfast is very good. I did have one bad experience, but that had to do with the company I was with, hmmm. Oh well. River's End is a great place to grab some breakfast.
On my wife's and I weekly Friday date day went here for late breakfast. The location is on the edge of the sand however the beach is very deep so you aren't super close to the water. Parking is $3 and on the day we stopped by the lot was pretty empty but will likely be different in the summer when school is out.
We had a pitcher of sangria to start while we looked over the menu. The sangria was served in a good sized pitcher with wedges of lime and slices of oranges. However they placed the ice in the pitcher and it made the weak sangria even weaker by the meals end though we did feel relaxed by the time we left (yeah we are alcohol wimps).
My wife had the crab and shrimp omelet while I had the fish tacos. Both meals were good potions and came with a nice amount of tasty seafood. The fish in the tacos was seasoned nicely so not to overpower the fish but still give it a little bite.
The place itself isn't fancy at all and to us that was part of its charm. It is just a great place for a low key meal at the beach. While the view isn't the best with tankers instead of sail boats it is a great spot to just relax in the sun and have a nice meal.
This place is perfect; beer, burgers, chilequilas, fish n chips, all right on the beach at the river in Seal. It's not a quick meal. Go there to relax after surfing or stand up water boarding which is what I do.
This is O.C.'s answer to Paradise Cove in Malibu, but you can surf at this beach.
If you are lucky you will get there on a day when "Classic" is playing music on their piano truck in the parking lot.
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Okay, what is there not to like? Southern California sun, Southern California sand, terrifically attentive waiters and waitstaff, good basic food, and sensible prices. Not to mention the occasional wedding taking place about 100 feet down the beach from your vantage point. I even bought a mug!
Really, this place is perfect for a lingering breakfast on a weekend; bring sun block if you expect to take your time while sitting in the sun.
Parking in the lot may be a challenge, especially when the change is given in dollar coins (Vegas without the neon), but that is the only hassle with the entire place. On my last visit, the busboys were so friendly and continually attentive that they were generously tipped with the change from the parking lot.
Nothing too incredibly original on the menu, but if I want Malibu, I'll schlep there - this place has good coffee, great omelettes, and perhaps the best view around. A great place to meet those friends you can only get together with on rare occasions - you'll all stay around since no one will be in a hurry to leave.
They give you a blanket to keep you warm when it's coolish/freezing (haa) outside. We got eggs/bacon, etc. and a pitcher of Sangria (I have some lush friends...I'm a lush too...haha) and it was great!
You obviously can't beat the view when you are sitting ON the sand looking right at the water. The atmosphere is outstanding...great mellow people on the great mellow beach with their not so mellow dogs sometimes...but what can you do?
Remember yer money for parking.
I heart River's End Cafe.
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I've been here a couple of times and it is a standard place food-wise. It can get pretty packed here during peak breakfast/brunch hours. Food is fine, the view is cool because it is right on the sand. The key feature of this place is really for the cyclists...."River's End" is a perfect name because it is at the end of the riverbed (LA's version of a river at least...) which has a cycling trail so it is very ideal for and end of a workout meal.
try the fish tacos. they are delicious. the location is nice, too. it's right on the beach.
We had a really nice breakfast here today. After doing some breakfast hunts within Seal Beach/Huntington area, we decided to have breakfast here and hit the nearby Farmer's Market in Long Beach on a Sunday morning.
The place was right smack on the beach by the breakwaters. Pay parking is $3 for 2 hrs, and don't forget to bring cash for pay parking. We got there at 10 and there was no wait at all. They have a patio and indoor seating but it was a cool, foggy day and I love fog so we sat by the patio.
For breakfast, I had the eggs benedict for $8.75 and my bf had the Chilaquiles for $8.50. The eggs benedict (poached egg, ham on an english muffin and topped with hollandaise sauce) was perfect. It also came with a side of potatoes, and a slice of melon. The chilaquiles are fresh corn tortillas mixed with egg and cheese, with a side of black beans and spanish rice and a slice of fruit as well. Everything tasted fresh. The wait staff is very attentive and really friendly. Servings are not overwhelmingly huge that would make you feel sick afterwards.
Our bill came to $23 including the tip..not bad.
Be sure to check the farmer's market on marine dr and 2nd street afterwards for some fresh fruity dessert.
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When a friend mentioned that she was coming to Long Beach and this would be her first trip to see the Pacific Ocean, Rivers End Cafe was one of the the places I thought of to show her Southern CA at it's coolest. I've been to River's End for breakfast a few times now and they have never failed to please me. And it's very cool that dogs can come and sit with you outside. Sitting there, drinking some nice coffee, and staring at the beach is my idea of heaven on earth. I has the bacon/avacado omlett and it was wonderful.
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I've been here twice now!
I think I'm making it my Saturday morning ritual. A bike ride from my house to Seal Beach, with breakfast at the end (or middle? I still have to bike back...) at the River's End Cafe!
Cool little spot. They have great breakfast food and the weather is perfect if you get there around 10:30am'ish...
There's a lot of bikers who make this route and the place fills up fast.
The prices aren't bad, and the food is good.
So far, I've had their French Toast, and today I tried the Chicken Omelet...
Friendly people and same goes with the crowd. I love the dogs everywhere and everyone is totally chill.
Good way to start a Saturday Morning!
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I just had breakfast at one of the most beautiful little spots in Southern California. In fact, it is the epitome of what breakfast in SoCal should be. Relaxed, palm trees swaying, outdoors on the beach, friendly service, good food--I don't know what more one could want.
Located at the end of the San Gabriel River in Seal Beach, it is right on the sand, complemented with a clean ocean breeze.
I had Mike's Favorite: pastrami, scrambled eggs and onions topped with Muenster cheese, complete with delicious country potatoes and english muffin. Muenster cheese on eggs is one of my favorite things on the breakfast planet so I couldn't turn this down. It was great! Another bonus was the Pico Pica on the table with the ketchup. Great hot sauce to go with great potatoes. Their sangria and bloody mary were just OK but their service was friendly and efficient. Although it took a while for someone to acknowledge us ("sit anywhere you like") at the 'Please wait to be seated' sign, the rest of the meal was fantastic.
Parking is a bit of a drag. There was plenty of room in the lot but Seal Beach charges $2 to use it. You have to park, walk over to the payment machine, pay, return to your car to put the ticket on your dash. I know that really is not much of a hassle but feels like one before breakfast. After dining here one is so relaxed that walking a few extra steps, or down to Main Street and the pier, seems like a treat. I think they said that if you bring in the bottom of the parking stub they refund $1 off your meal, but I wasn't really listening so I'm not sure.
I have only been here for breakfast but their lunch and dinner menus look great as well.
Also, I don't know if this a regular occurrence there, but a guy pulled up in the parking lot with a baby grand piano in the back of his beat up truck and started playing music and singing. And he was good! I mean, how often do you go out to eat and when you go back to your car you find out that the music that you've been listening to throughout the meal was actually being played from the back of a pick-up in the parking lot. How cool
I'll be back. Next time for a sunset.
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This place should really be renamed Biker's End, as it finds itself a the end of the San Gabriel bike path. As for the biker's you will find many of them, in their stretchy synthetic gear getting their carb on.
A friend of ours took us here promising good food at the end of a bicycle jaunt. What we found was a cool beach patio, textbook california casual. I ordered a fiesta omellete which had spicy ground beef, tomatoes, green onions, mushrooms and Jack cheese topped with sour cream. YUM. The homestyle potatoes were crunchy and crispy, just the way I like them. I felt no guilt loading up, as I knew I still had to peddle myself home!
Everyone else I was with really enjoyed their dishes and enjoyed the beachside atmoshphere.
PRO: Great live music playing while we were there. Two musicians playing from the back (yes the back) of their pickup truck. If that doesn't make you do a double take I don't know what will. I was instantly drawn to them. I had a conversation with the piano guy. Apparently, he tunes pianos for LBUSD. Nice guys, who apparently get hassled by the cops from time to time. I hope their still there when we go back!
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now here is a great so. cal beach cafe'. on the sand, good food, good service, good prices. i would eat here again and again.
i love this place! it's a great destination for a bike ride from long beach. the chilaquiles are great, they're made with green sauce (tomatillos)!! I went for dinner recently and everything on the menu looked kind heavy (lot of enchiladas). My enchiladas were really good and not just smothered in cheese like most places. The wait staff is super friendly and top notch. You can't beat the setting. The only negative is that there's not enough shade on sunny, hot days, but you can always eat inside. There's usually a good wait on weekends.
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