Derek T.

You would not beReve that such an amazing French cafe could be found in Riverside but here we are, at Cafe Le Reve. First thing you should know is that you HAVE to make a reservation to dine here, almost no exceptions at all. So call ahead of time (even if it's day of) and see if you can snag a spot. Couldn't think of a better place to treat my girlfriend out without breaking the bank (but don't tell her that). Anyway, onto the food and drink: I opted for a hazelnut cappuccino and phew, it was amazing, not too sweet, but still rich, and gave me my caffeine fix for the day. The Brioche french toast was so good, you don't need to ask for syrup. It was so sweet as is and honestly the cheaper, smaller, portion is more than enough for brunch. It was so subtly sweet and yummy I inhaled it pretty quick. The Egg and brie croissant sandwich was amazing too, namely because the egg is so fluffy, the brie is melted so wonderfully, and the croissant is unlike any croissant I've had before. The croissant is bun shaped! It's simple but works so well. Our favorite was the Steak Benedict though cause who wouldn't want filet mignon on eggs benedict with a croissant bun instead of english muffin? Yeah. The filet mignon was cooked so tenderly, the entire benedict just, phew, can't describe how much I couldn't stop eating despite being so full. The pave potatoes and tomato provencal are a nice, flavorful side to offset all that protein you're taking in. So you think we've had enough? Wrong. The cook made a creme brulee that was to die for. My girlfriend and I had to compete and eat as much as we could before it was all gone. Best part is that the creme brulee was originally a birthday item for a different party but they decided to kindly gift it to us anyway. Anyway, I've rambled enough, but this place is definitely a must try cause the food is amazing, service is precious, and the overall vibes are just so cute and cozy. If you eat here, be sure to just soak in the atmosphere and eat at a steady pace, no one is rushing anybody, not even the wait staff.

Trinh T.

Food: I tried the sliders, and I liked that there were three different types to try. The beef slider was definitely the best, while the vegan one was still good but my least favorite of the three. My friend had an omelette with fries on the side (sides are a dollar extra), and both were tasty. Nothing mind-blowing, but everything was enjoyable and fresh. Service: The service was great! They are really friendly and attentive. One thing I appreciated was how they explained menu items that weren't listed but were available to order, which was super helpful. We didn't have a reservation, but since we came early, they seated us right away because there were open tables. Ambiance: The restaurant was clean, small, and had a nice interior. It wasn't overly fancy or overdone, just cozy and welcoming. It was perfect for a casual meal.

Ariana C.

If I could do 4.5 stars on Yelp, I probably would because I'm so conflicted! Cafe Le Reve is undoubtedly my favorite brunch in the Riverside/Moreno Valley area, BUT the prices are steep. I am obsessed with the truffle fries and everything we've eaten has been perfectly cooked--from eggs to omelettes to hollandaise... The cafe is tiny! I love the flavors here (and have been here several times to try different dishes), but have found it hard to comeback because of prices.

Confy S.

La Mer Choice of crab cake or smoked salmon with poached egg(s) & hollandaise sauce on toasted croissant. Fresh Pastry Board Almond, chocolate, plain croissants, muffin, butter & jam. I ordered the Benedict, one of each of above. Both were perfectly delicious and needed no other seasoning or sauce. All the pastries were fresh! This place is by reservation only as space is limited. All staff were attentive both over the phone and in person.

Laniea D.

If you're looking for a true French experience! I highly recommend Café Le Reve in Riverside! The food is fresh and delicious and this family owned restaurant always makes you feel at home

Kenneth N.

You cannot find many restaurants that offer this sort of experience around here. It's the chef and his wife and daughter along with a small staff who serve and cook the food to about six tables. So you have to have a reservation because it's always in demand. The food is fresh and all French. I can't say that it actually reminded me of being in France, but the brunch was good.

Jeremy S.

A delicious French breakfast spot in the Mission Grove area. I was really impressed with their croque madame and their brioche French toast in particular. The food is fresh, very well done, and full of flavors. Service was good but one thing to note is that reservations are usually required. Restaurant is a bit small but was clean and nicely decorated. Can't wait to try more of their menu!

Karina O.

Food was delicious, honestly one of the best breakfast omelets I've had in a while. As well as the service, they were very attentive and friendly. Ambience was very pleasant, will definitely be coming back to try other things from their menu.

LaVaun J.

This is a very small café and reservations are required. 9 of us came to celebrate a birthday for dinner. The owners, Ludovic and Tammi along with their employees, Alexia and Santos, were our servers and chefs. They were extremely personable and it felt more like we were at a home. The food was very good as well. Our family had a great time. In addition to what you see in these photos, we also had and a chicken dish that was delicious.

visit My wife and I recently moved into the area and were so excited to try Café Le Rêve for breakfast. We brought our dog and were happy to see they were very accommodating to let us sit outside. The servers were wonderful -- genuinely kind, friendly, and attentive -- and that's the main reason this review isn't lower. The staff truly made us feel welcome. Unfortunately, the food experience didn't match the service. We ordered the Steak Frites, the Filet Mignon Benedict, and the Brioche French Toast to share. The flavor of the rosemary garlic butter on the steak was great, but both of our steaks came out completely cold -- so cold, in fact, that the butter didn't even melt. We both ordered medium-rare, but the steaks were closer to medium when served. We politely sent them back, assuming new ones would be made. However, the same steaks were returned to us -- only reheated. Sadly, they were still barely warm and now cooked to a medium-well. My wife's Benedict had lost most of its sauce, and the bread underneath wasn't even re-toasted. For a dish priced around $38, it felt disappointing to receive reheated food that was still cold. We completely understand that mistakes happen, and cooking steak can be tricky -- but serving food at the right temperature is something that can definitely be controlled. Despite this, we do plan to give Café Le Rêve another try, because the staff were truly wonderful, and we love supporting local spots near our new home. Hopefully next time the kitchen execution matches the excellent service. Also, to add to the review they forgot about the brioche French toast and brought it at the end and never apologized or anything. But I know they forgot, we got the bill after we finished eating but haven't received our, French toast:( I think the most important thing with any customer and any job is to always be 100% transparent.

Wendy B.

Le Rève translated means "The Dream," and indeed it is. First, it was their dream...to open their own authentic French cafe. And they did, two years ago, in May 2021. Secondly, it was my own dream to find a delightful French bistro with great food and equally delightful owners. Tah dah. My dream was realized. Perhaps we should now call it "Café La Réalité"? Prepare yourself for an un-rushed, friendly, gastronomic experience here. French chanson music such as this, https://youtu.be/NilqH1UjR6Y in the background is the final touch that will tease you into wondering if you have been teleported to France. We were unaware that they strongly advertise as "RESERVATIONS ONLY". So we innocently drove 30 miles only to gasp when we saw the shocking signage. The good news was... we got very lucky this day, and one table for two was open. And they welcomed us with open arms. Also, for you newbies, be forewarned. They have only 6 tables inside and can only accommodate around 18 people at any given time. However, once the weather warms up, there will be more outdoor seating available. Café Le Rêve is run by 3 people. Ludovic (Ludo), the chef, is Corsican and has a delightful French accent. His very American wife, Tammy, and daughter, Alexia, are the ones who "manage" the front, with one caveat. It appears Ludovic loves to escape the kitchen, take over the hospitality role, and chat with his adoring customers whenever possible. He is undeterred, and his good-hearted, understanding wife gives him some lattitude, within reason. But back in the kitchen, he swiftly goes to work to produce very fine meals with alacrity. A talented and self-declared passionate chef, Ludo has many years of cheffing. His wife mentioned he had worked at the Mission Inn and also UCR as a chef, but I suspect there is more. He originally started as a pastry chef, hence still makes his own pastries and mouth watering desserts. The delicate croissant rolls used for his Benedicts, sandwiches, and burgers are his, too. La Mer, a crab cake Benedict, was my choice. I found it unusual that you could order either a one - or two-Benedict breakfast. The price is split exactly in half if you choose the smaller portion. The made-to-order hollandaise is perfect, the poached egg(s) perfectly runny, the crab cake(s) generous, fresh, and clean tasting, without bulky fillers. And yes, it is real crab meat. I chose the Tomato Provençal as my side, two lightly baked tomatoes with a butter and herbed, crisp bread crumb topping. Our other choice was this morning's steak special, a huge, thick NY steak, cooked to a perfect rare/med. rare temperature. The grilled flavor was outstanding, but unfortunately, this NY steak was not the most tender one. However, it came with a large cube of their famous Cafe Pave potatoes, a layered, baked, potato dish with gruyere, cream, and a secret ingredient, (similar to a potato au gratin) that was simply wonderful. Not to be missed! Great coffee, btw. It is a French roasted coffee bean. This first experience was so delightful that it has compelled me to return. I am looking forward to trying more on his menu, particularly his French onion soup and quiche du jour. His breakfast crêpe, also a Spéciale du Jour that Sunday morning, looked extraordinary, comparable in size to a humongous burrito, but with that incomparable French flair. Sometimes, they do a Friday or Saturday night dinner. Have them add your email address to their list, and they will notify you when and what is on their special menu for that evening.

Cynthia B.

A quaint family run cafe with a lovely brunch menu! We're not from Riverside and just walked in hoping to get a table even though the sign on the door said "Reservations only". Luckily they were able to accommodate our party of 3. The service was friendly and attentive. Our food was hot and delicious! A very nice first visit! Our advice, plan ahead & call for a reservation to enjoy this beautiful little restaurant.

MEL L.

French owner and chef. Food and service was exquisite ! The entire staff was so helpful and kind. I asked about dairy free options and the chef came out to ask who had the allergy. It is my 1 year old daughter who he made a dairy free chia pudding for with fresh berries and some fresh melon on the side. I had the ratatouille fritada with potato pave, so savory ! My son's brioche French toast was the best we've had. Their meals are offered in half orders and full orders if you are between to plates. All of our meals were delicious and we will definitely be back! On top of all of this they said my daughter's meal was on the house (: so sweet ! One thing to note is you should request reservations on weekends. Especially with a large party as this is a small location.