Automatic 20% service fee once you spend over $40 -- for a to-go coffee shop. The employee added the fee and immediately walked away, so there wasn't even a chance to ask about it. No real greeting, regulars were served ahead of us while we were already in line, and the food and drinks were completely mid. The bread looked good but super overpriced! And that's coming from someone that lives in SF. $58 for 3 drinks, two paninis, and a pastry with surprise fees and mediocre service is wild. If you're in the area, you're better off driving 10 minutes to Guerneville for better coffee and a business that actually values customers. read more

Go Figure : ( Sent my 3 fam members here to get coffee. Order: 2 regular coffee + 1 matcha + 2 breakfast sandwich + 1 day-old pastry ______ **$$$ 59.00 $$$** - Seriously, with $9 service charge Enough Said read more

Stopped here on my way through down. Service was very rude and they charged $6 for a cappuccino which is crazy. Cappuccino wasn't even good

Came by here and really enjoyed all the food we sampled. The highlight was definitely the ginger peach bread which was very flavorful and unique. Their muffins and breads all have nice texture and flavor, and are warmed up so you can enjoy them right away. The one big complaint I had was that was the service charge. We came in with a group of six people and were planning on ordering one at a time and paying for our own items, but the employee said that it would be easier for her to do one group order. After taking everyone's order which came out to over $100, she informed us that "the system" automatically charges a 20% service fee for orders over $40. I thought it was a bit deceptive/intentional to not inform us of the service fee beforehand. Not only did it create more work for us to figure out who ordered what, but we also ended up paying more! read more

OMG!!! Delicious gluten free Irish Soda Bread!! Who knew?!?!? Other yummy GF items as well as all the also yummy looking gluteus stuff!! Coffee is also delicious and staff is super sweet! read more

Great breakfast sandwiches and amazing sweets to get your day going stopped by when I came out to Monte Rio for work and was well worth the stop would come again read more

Bia Cafe - Great bread and sweets - Cafes Near Me - Monte Rio, California

This place has potential. Unfortunately, they didn't honor the sandwich/coffee/fruit combo pricing as shown on the chalkboard (just erase it to avoid false advertising). Then proceeded to add 20% surcharge since our order now exceeded $40. Price gouging at its finest. read more

BEST SMOKED SALMON CHOWDER ever! Then great coffee, delicious breads (apple, chocolate cherry, banana, pumpkin, etc etc!) Sandwiches are amazing on their ciabatta bread. Plus really cool owner and staff! It's really lovely to sit at their tables or outside and enjoy the view of the golf green and redwood trees as well. read more

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Nice spot along River road. Great if you're just stopping in or if you're hanging out in the area

My husband and I traveled through this town over our Christmas break. The sandwiches were okay, but the baked goods were cold, and I asked twice if mine could be microwaved but I guess I wasn't heard because I was ignored. We were told that an automatic tip is applied to sales over $40. We could have ordered separately to avoid such? Kind of ridiculous that you must tip even if service is not great?! Doesn't that destroy the concept of a tip being extra gratitude for exceptional service? We don't travel through Guerneville often, but if we do, we wouldn't go back. UPDATE: I have no idea how to directly answer the business owner's reply, so I will just update my review - I seek no refund. I simply am trying to educate any future Yelpers that if they go to this cafe, be wary of the tip attached policy of any bill $40 or more. I also wish to express that requiring a tip of those spending $40 or more makes visiting your cafe uncomfortable as well as confusing. I do not understand why you pressure the very guests who actually buy more in your cafe, and maybe you could reflect on how that put this customer feeling yucky. This awkward experience stayed with me even two weeks after visiting your establishment, so I felt motivated to share my thoughts. I enjoy tipping, and enjoy sharing positive reviews of places where service and food brought joy, but being forced to tip is not a tip but just an extra charge in an already difficult economy, and the required charge of a "tip" ruins the joy of thanking someone for their heartfelt, warm service. I'm just reflecting on the social pressure of forcing someone to tip rather than it being a choice; these are thoughts to ponder - best of luck. ANOTHER UPDATE: I've received two private messages from the owner with underhanded insults about me not understanding tipping. And the owner decided to follow me on Yelp. Note the additional underhanded insults in the owner's update. Wow - Guess customers are not welcomed in expressing disappointment with their establishment. read more

Delicious breads warmed to perfection. Super friendly and very nice staff. The assortment of fresh breads to choose from keeps me coming back time and time again. read more

Bia Cafe - Fresh baked breads, pastries and lots of others deliciously made food. - Cafes Near Me - Monte Rio, California

I was so fortunate to stay near Bia and try their incredible chocolate chocolate cake which was so good I had it twice. That's not a typo--it's just super chocolatey! Bia is a proper café with friendly staff and a wide range of coffees, teas and more importantly utterly delicious cakes and baked goods. They do panini and quiches too. Lots of seating inside and out (it's dog-friendly, like most places around the Russian River), plus you even get to chat with the amazing owner who greets everyone with warmth and regales you with fascinating tales. There really is a massive range of all sorts of baked yumminess, including their chocolate chocolate cake (see photo). I should have asked the owner if they knew how to make bara brith, being a fellow Celt. Bet it would be lush. Next time! read more

Bia Cafe - Chocolate chocolate cake - Cafes Near Me - Monte Rio, California

Great service, great bread/tea options (so many), and such a cute space! Would stop by again next time we're in town.

Excellent place for a quick sandwich and coffee! Very homey feel, management/owner was very talkative and friendly. Service was great!

I used to write a lot of reviews in the early days of Yelp, before they took the free labor of reviews and used it to squeeze money out of merchants, but not so much these days. But I have to make an exception for Bia Cafe! They are awesome!! Friendly staff, great coffee and service and seriously the best gluten free pastries I've ever had. Gluten free breads, soda breads, muffins, scones. Incredible. Not to be missed read more

Bia Cafe - Gluten free soda bread - Cafes Near Me - Monte Rio, California

Blackberry orange bread was seriously delicious. Fun quirky ambience and friendly people. We'll keep coming back to try all the flavors!

Super friendly staff, home town vibes, great selection, and AMAZING food! I would have taken a photo of the food but we ate it too fast. Will be back for sure! read more

Such a warm and inviting place, everything was delicious and the owners were super friendly. Cute little spot, would definitely recommend!

One of the best mochas I've ever had! They have a large selection of breads and the pumpkin chocolate one was quite tasty with big chunks of chocolate and a nice spice flavor (not too much pumpkin specifically). read more

Best coffee in the area. Owner is a hoot! Love this place. Serious, there are a few shops you can go to, this one is worth returning to again and again. read more

So lucky to find this! We just stopped to enjoyed a breakfast sandwich (heavenly!) and ordered a loaf of Irish Soda bread as an afterthought. Clearly a very accomplished team of bakers elevating loaves to the remarkable! The Soda bread was beautiful. Rasins and Currants a perfect addition, they explained that the slices can be frozen and then str8 into the toaster. They were not exaggerating- its awesome! Don't miss this place. I have no connection to the staff or bakery, just a traveler passing on an amazing find. read more

Bia Cafe - Irish Soda Bread, world class example. - Cafes Near Me - Monte Rio, California

Wow! There was another review on here that mentioned the owner sending them a private message and they weren't kidding. Miss Kari the owner private messaged and "lit" me up! See below: Kari K. I have since talked to my employees since reading your review and you were offered time and again at the counter to be reimbursed. Shame on you! I will Be reporting your Yelp to the powers that be!! Kari Kemp, owner In the first place I never said the employee refused to give me a reimbursement. I said it should have been done so without making a scene about how to do it, if they could do it, etc. The MAIN problem was the business practice of putting a 15% tip on any order over $40 and the only way you know is if you read through your WHOLE menu to the bottom left. Who does that? Why didn't your staff let me know when they rang me up? Why wasn't your staff trained in how to reverse a charge without having to call across the store to find out? 15% for an order you place at the counter and pick-up at the counter. Now you have shown your true self "behind closed doors". What would make you think sending me a threatening private message was going to make things better for you? Am I supposed to be afraid of the "powers that be" comment? I have zero problem talking to yelp and as can be seen by my account I am overwhelmingly positive so you go for it! So, in your public response you are so professional and then you get nasty and threatening by direct message. Not classy, not professional. read more

Delicious! Everything they bake here is amazing, my favorite though is the Elvis bread (who can say no to bacon?!) get there early as it sells out quick lol! Great coffees made perfectly and very kind staff make this one of my favorite morning stops in the beautiful redwoods. They also have a wonderful place to sit outside that is so comfortable, and nice to people watch or just enjoy the breeze. read more

Very helpful and friendly. Yea latte was great. Nice addition to golf course options.

Delicious food and good coffee. Esp. worth checking out on your way to a day on the coast.

The woman who works here was incredibly rude to me, seemingly because I wore a mask into her business. And the banana bread was stale to top it off! read more

Sooo many gluten free options!! Right next to Northwoods golf course and really nice people. The quality of the coffee and baked goods were impressive and he great to have this fantastic option in West County. read more

I came in during a cold morning bike ride to warm up my toes and to get a coffee. It was pretty empty (early) so I brought my bike inside out of habit (I live in Oakland, don't want to leave that out unattended) and a woman inside yelled from across the place to leave it outside. Weird start but that's fine, not everyone likes bikes inside their place. I ended up spending the next half hour being completely charmed by that same woman with story after hilarious story, and by awesome banter between the whole staff. Everyone was a sweetheart with a great sense of humor, coffee was good and I wish I got myself a pastry. Thanks Kari! read more

Cute shop supporting local artists. Owners are personable and friendly. Irish soda breads are really good! Must try several! Great way to start the day. read more

A great place for awesome soda bread, baked goods and coffee. The owners great, quite a conversationalist, and the views of the golf course in the redwoods beautiful. read more

Amazing place for gluten free. Especially their Irish Bread! Great sandwiches and paninis. Three tables -- mostly takeout clients. Huge selection of teas and coffees. (See picture of menu with teas in foreground) We shall be back often... read more

Bia Cafe - Menu and selection of teas... - Cafes Near Me - Monte Rio, California

Amazing coffee and pastries. Only wish they were open longer hours. Great place to relax in the morning after a walk.

Charming little coffee shop and bakery. The owner and her staff make you instantly feel welcome. The frittata and baked goods were fantastic. read more

This cafe is just fantastic! The atmosphere is wonderful and the food is soooo delicious! I recommend this cafe to anyone! read more

Bia Cafe - This cafe is just fantastic! The atmosphere is wonderful and the food is soooo delicious! I recommend this cafe to anyone! - Cafes Near Me - Monte Rio, California

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I'm not a big coffee drinker so I can't speak for that, but the breads and panini's are top notch. Best in town!

I was so excited to try this place as everything on the menu sounds amazing and I'll give them that flavors are good BUT every thing we ordered (5 items) tasted like it had been baked several days ago. So disappointing. Maybe just an off day but not sure how all 5 items could taste so stale. read more

This place was such a pleasant surprise!! The owner was very friendly and hospitable and made us feel right at home. We had the breakfast sandwich which hit the spot as well as the bread pudding- very good!! I recommend read more

Delicious blueberry muffins. Can't wait to go back and try other things. Super friendly people working.

Stopped in to grab some coffees and gluten free pastries to take over to my cousin's place, for a visit. The lattes were excellent! Creamy, smooth and delicious. The gluten free pastries were not that great (hence 4 stars instead of 5). The blackberry scones were very dry and somewhat salty. The muffins were better, but still quite dry. That being said, the staff were sweet and helpful and the atmosphere was reminiscent of a great old.coffee house- comfortable, relaxed and welcoming. For sure give them a try, and if you can eat regular pastries, I'd love to know if they're good read more

Walked into this wonderful Russian River gem to smells of freshly baked foods and coffee...it had been over a year. The owner, Kari, greeted us and remembered us even though so much time had passed! My kids LOVE the fresh made to order breakfast sandwiches. I love a great cup of coffee and their brown bread. read more