Cafe Riviera is a blend of the old and the new in NYC. It's a traditional style European cafe which opens right out onto the sidewalk, has glassware hanging upside-down from racks attached to the ceiling and features a staff conversing almost entirely in Polish. When my girlfriend and I arrived at Cafe Riviera, however, there was no doubt we were in NYC -- the tables were populated not with the Polish grandmothers a previous reviewer described, but with Greenpoint hipsters. That's fine, though, because the food is delicious. My girlfriend and I both got danishes, mine strawberry and hers blueberry. As one would hope, the pastries were flaky and the cheese-filling was rich and creamy. Best of all, the fresh berries on top added a note of tartness. I would highly recommend the danish pastries, although those with modest appetites or health considerations should be aware they are very large. We also ordered coffee and a coffee-flavored French macaroon. The former was fine; the latter was delectable. Never having eaten a French macaroon before, I didn't have anything with which to compare it. But my girlfriend, a macaroon aficionado, seemed to really enjoy it. The most important detail for me was that this whole meal came out to roughly $5, which is remarkable considering the amount of food we received. So kudos to Cafe Riviera for a nice atmosphere, affordable pricing and a delightful array of pastry options which are perfect for those seeking to indulge their sweet tooth for breakfast. read more

Cafe Riviera - Strawberry danish - Bakeries Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The pastries are VERY reasonable priced and the coffee was also cheap in terms of New York bakeries. However, I got a tasteless decaf coffee in a paper cup to go which did not have two let alone one sugar as I asked but the pastries were good. However, I am very concerned as the café did not respond to a poster who submits their washing techniques may be questionable. Once they address this, I will gladly modify my review to the original read more

The prices here are really reasonable for greenpoint The pastry's are always fresh and delicious . On weekends usually a line but the efficient staff keeps it moving . Space is however cramped . read more

This is not a children friendly place! The owner which is an older blond lady is incredibly rude!!! I was just there with my 4 year old son who was excited to get a cookie and was just curiously looking around. As we were leaving the owner said "they finally left". Obviously little children bother her so much that she can't wait for them to leave. Spend your money elsewhere parents! read more

Great cappuccinos and delectable poppyseed cakes. The cashier lady was also very friendly. read more

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Really good pastry , very delicious wouldn't be disappointed and very good prices !!!!

Probably the best bakery in Greenpoint. It's great that you have the option to buy some of the baked goods by the pound. It's good for my weight. I can have a little sliver of goodness that costs about a quarter. Amazing! The coffee hits the spot, too. It's strong, and they always steam the milk for you. read more

Oh, Riviera. This place is magical. It's the kind of spot you would be delighted to find while walking the cobblestone streets of Krakow... except it's in Greenpoint. It feels sweet and old-fashioned in the best way, and on weekend mornings it's bustling with multi-generational Polish families chatting over lattes and beautifully assembled pastries. I am a sucker for viennoiseries and cream-filled delights of all kinds, but they need to be done perfectly in order to be good. This place nails it. Their eclairs are huge, filled with cream that tastes fresh, real and not too sweet (a rare, rare thing). Their fruit tarts strike the perfect balance between sweet and tart, creamy and buttery. Those layered cream things - I'm partial to black forest and raspberry - are absolutely decadent. If you want something less elaborate, their apple cake and danishes (humble as they may look) are comforting and delicious. I haven't had their coffee or macarons yet, but I look forward to the day I do. Run, don't walk! read more

Amazing polish bakery! Peach tart is outta this world and the coffee is excellent! Mostly Polish, but they do speak good English. read more

Cafe Riviera - The best peach tarts. - Bakeries Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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What an absolute dogshow. First I was given the wrong apple cake, then asked for smaller than a $20 bill, THEN 50 cents in change rather than them providing it -- beggars can't be choosers, folks. That said, the 1/2lb apple cake ($5/lb) was very moist and delicious. read more

Cafe Riviera - Bakeries Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Magical. Everything is delicious but the pistachio macaroons? Cathartic. Can be crowded. But worth getting a table to eat and drink coffee. Will definitely clear your mind. read more

Old world charm in Brooklyn. Nobody in the joint speaks very good English. Perfect. You'll think you're in 19th Century central Europe.

I was so looking forward to coming to this place... so I went this past Sunday first the vibe is very POLISH I guess if you aren't Polish you stand out and I felt that I was given the once over.... well anyway.... I got the lemon raspberry cake not at all what I was expecting I was looking forward to a very homemade rich European old world cake I was met with artificial flavor and neon pink.... also the cappuccino pastry the same very artificial and too much aroma.... Now what I was impressed with was the raspberry tart..... AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING I will be back only for this.... and I might try other Danish/tart I will stay away from cakes and pastries all together.... read more

I have been coming here for few years too and lately this place has changed for worse. I bought 2 poppy seed rolls for Christmas and they were not good, sour and seemed to be not too fresh!!! Service here used to be way better and girls were more concerned about customers. To add more we bought the third poppy seed roll for new year's eve thinking this time it is impossible to be wrong about this special product - and we were wrong again!!! Too bad!!! And it is a shame for this place to sell this poor quality products!!! I think I will have to find better place for my pastries and cakes. The direction this location is going is way below my expectations!!! read more

Best polish bakery around. Drove all the way from NJ to buy their famous macaroons and different variety of sugar cookies!! Delicious!!!

In this cheery bakery softly glowing from the light emitted from distinctly Eastern European upside-side-down-rose-shaped light fixtures against pale sunshine yellow walls, I imagined myself at a neighborhood cafe in Warsaw, at least the Warsaw of my imagination. This is the meeting place of Polish grandmothers with thinly painted on arched eyebrows and heavily lined eyes as they sip on lattes, nibble on tasty cakes, and chatter away. Sometimes they bring their grandchildren with them for ice cream sundaes. My companion suggested cheesecake to which I acquiesced with a shrug, imagining a slight variation on the usual American cheesecake. What happened instead was revolutionary. A thick layer of ricotta topped with a much thinner layer of baked, diced apples mixed with the occasional golden raisin. A delicious balance of savory cheese with cooked fruit, the entire concoction was set off with a light sprinkling of shredded coconut. Revolution. In my mouth. Leftovers currently in my fridge. Our other selections were more conventional but tasty. A cheese turnover, neither too greasy nor excessively sweet. The poppy seed rolls were actually made with thick layers of poppy seeds not at all dominated by the dough, as is often the case in other places. The savory croissants are recommended just as a balance to all the sweet pastries. If not extraordinary, they're still well executed versions of traditional pairings wrapped in an appealingly flaky, buttery croissant. The coffee was good, just not particularly memorable. I did discover, much to my delight, that it's normal here to offer a sprinkling of cinnamon on a latte. Next to the oil painting of the Pope and the television silently blasting Polish news, there's a glass case of deliciously colorful looking macarons. We were too stuffed to get around to them, but they seemed to be a crowd favorite. If you can find a table amidst the bustle, stay here for a while as you nibble, and enjoy the company. Don't forget to gaze at all the other things you wish you had also ordered in the display case. The bottom third of the case under all the danishes is full of delicately cut cookies. read more

We just aet some desserts and macaroons here. Absolutely worth the money and the trip. Some dessert are between $3/$4 dollars . The macaroons are $1 and super delicious. Definitely coming back for more. read more

Cafe Riviera - Macaroons - Bakeries Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Simply amazing!! I can't find this quality and price anywhere . Try their caramel cake, napoleon, and chocolate mouse. Those are fantastic. read more

I've been coming to riviera for years and they have amazing Polish pastries that are baked the way that Polish pastries are traditionally baked. I agree that some of the pastries have an acquired taste, so order something you think you might like! If you got a regular hot coffee and complain that it's bitter...pls go to a nearby hipster cafe in greenpoint and get the same shit and pay twice as much for it. This cafe has local Polish people hanging about which almost makes me feel as if I'm in a little cafe in Poland! Not to mention, they have $1 macaroons and amazing peach tarts!!! read more

This place is fantastic and the cashiers/servers are nice to you even if you can't speak Polish. It's like walking into a legitimate European bakery in the middle of Greenpoint, which makes sense because the neighborhood and its shops are still legitimately Polish. I lived in Hungary for a year and the items in this bakery rival almost anything i ever had there. The fruit danishes are excellent. The croissants are awesome. The cakes and tarts are tasty and a lot of effort goes into their preparation and presentation. The apple cheesecake is really nice, toasted coconut on top. It is not American cheesecake though so don't go in there expecting that. It's good, it's just different. A little less rich and thus probably better for you than it's American counterpart. The coffee is cheap and they prepare it with a little steamed milk. Get fat for cheap! read more

THE BEST FRESHEST MOST DELICIOUS BABKA -- a traditional polish bread that's slightly sweet. Friendly staff SUPER affordable! Like everything is half the cost of other places. Great pastries. And so far the BEST CRISPIEST TASTIEST macaroons I've ever tried in the US. Seriously. read more

Seconding the other reviewer - definitely the best chocolate croissant I've ever had. I'm glad I stopped going here every morning before work because I'd probably have gained a million pounds. The waitstaff are a little curt when things are busy but the only time I've noticed it is when I only had a twenty on me and they didn't have enough change and got a little irritated by my "large bills" and I felt like some rich asshole waltzing in to the cute neighborhood shop to buy my delightfully working-class breakfast. It's not my fault the ATM won't spit out tens! Anyway, the chocolate croissants and 50 cent coffees are more important than a slightly embarrassing incident regarding bill denominations (make a note to keep some ones on you) so I still love this place. read more

I was born and raised in Poland, and I approve this bakery! LOL Seriously, I've been in this country for 30 years, and haven't been able to find pastries as good as theirs anywhere else in the US. So far, I've tried: poppy seed roll (OMG!), cheese Danish, apple/coconut topped cheesecake, raspberry chocolate mousse cake, and Napoleon, and they were all SOOOO GOOD! On my first visit, I also had a cup of coffee, and even this was super delicious! I cannot recommend this place enough! Yum! read more

Stopped by based on yelps great reviews here. Ordered two small cakes. My cheesecake was so crumbly and dry.. it must be an old cheesecake.. disappointed with the desserts here. read more

We come here for years . Great apple and poppy seed and cheese cake only most of time I have to squeeze between people and little tables I wish they would make more roomy place read more

Cafe Riviera is the best bakery in New York, hands down. The cashiers are friendly, the treats are delicious, and everything is so reasonably priced. A small coffee and a giant strawberry danish for $3? I'm forever a loyal customer. Dzienkuje bardzo, Cafe Riviera!!! read more

Everything here is delicious and reasonably priced. Plus, they froth the milk even when you order regular coffee (less than $2 a cup). My favorite thing is the passionfruit macaroon - tangy and full of flavor! read more

So far the BEST and delicious pastries and breads you can find in GREENPOINT!!! The different variety of croissants, black out cakes, assorted Danishes, Cheesecakes with fruit toppings...Sesame Roll..Fruit Tarts.. Tthe French Macaroons are my favorite...I use to get it for a lot less but now the prices went up...after it became hot commodity ..move over Cup Cakes!!!..all over Manhattan...I always try to get assorted ones..Now the prices are $13.00 per pound which comes up to more or less 24 -pcs . like $.55cents each...which is still cheap compared to the ones in the city which comes out to $1.50 -1.95 each!! The latte's are excellent and prepared with steamed milk. If you are in Greenpoint..and have a craving for sweets... .try it..I'm sure you'll get hooked!! Guaranteed!! A cozy patisserie and the staff are friendly... read more

I used loved this place, and they lost a customer, I don't know what is going on with them recently. I used to buy little fruit filled tarts, they used to be filled with 100% fruit now it's 90% pudding 10% fruit for $4 a piece ?! They conveniently forget to put stuff in your bag, I'm not taking a 30min drive back to pick up my stuff. They don't use the register to add purchases they try to add it in their heads and clearly need to take a math class because they overcharged me $12 !! They really are trying to rip their customers off. Watch out what you buy and make sure you add your purchases! read more

I've only been to Cafe Riviera one time, but I will definitely be back! I ordered a ham & cheese croissant and a coffee. The coffee was really good, but the ham & cheese croissant was amazing!! Probably one of the best I've tasted! I went just after opening, so the croissant was still warm. The best part was that it was only $3!! Where in Greenpoint can you get delicious coffee and a ham & cheese croissant for $3?? I only wish they opened a bit earlier, although it might be a good thing or I'd be there every day! The only other thing is that they only accept cash, which I rarely carry. read more

A GREAT CROISSANT. Definitely the best place to get a pastry in Greenpoint. Try the chocolate, the plain, or the raspberry-- filled with delicious jam! Some of their other pastry desserts look too rich for me (I'm not a big cream and custard fan...) but this place is perfect for breakfast. Paris, by way of Poland, complete with attitude. read more

Their cappuccino is great, and so are their fruit tarts. The girls behind the counters are polite and thank you when you tip them (which rarely happens in the hipster coffee shops in the neighborhood). I'll be coming to this place more and more often. read more

Today I got a vanilla cake with fruit which spous to be they "HIT". The worse cake ever!!!! Maybe cuz it was so old ! Discusting! read more

Amazing European style bakery. At affordable prices!! Yum, yum, yum! Love their Black Forest cake and tiramisu!!! Plus yummy macaroons!

Awesome little Bakery/coffee shop! I stop by every time I'm in NYC. Like most of the bakeries in the area, they sell out quickly before noon, so I always try to get there early to get what I'm looking for. read more

Cafe Riviera - Bakeries Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

see images posted by me: no.1 choice sweetness is just right image shown is a quarter pound sold by weight high recommend! no more unsatisfying desserts due to sweetness. read more

Ok, don't order f'ing wedding cakes from this place, that's not what anywhere in Greenpoint is for. Go here for ridiculous b'fast food and coffee that is priced the way coffee in the First World should be: $1 per cup. Oh, and don't hang around in the shop, that's strictly For Polish Only. Take your goods to-go. read more

Dropped by Café Riviera after sweating buckets of ball sweat. Man, it is hot in the BK! Ordered the black forest cake ($3) and it was tasty. Café Riviera has a great selection of pastries and drinks...they do have limited seating and are not handicap friendly. Not many places along Manhattan Ave are though. read more

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Brings back childhood memories, best poppy seed cake ever, good coffee and super friendly service too

This cafe is tiny and often crowded with people buzzing around the 5 or 6 tables and ordering babka for the in-laws after Sunday church service. The vibe is very cool, very Eastrn European and in the summer they throw open the whole front window area. The women that work this cafe have got their game down. You can always tell when there is a new person behind the counter because the pacing will get off and the line starts extending out the door. (more on the line tactics below). The baked goods range from excellent to bland but all come in giant sizes. The chocolate croissant is as big as your head and is flaky, tasty and chocolicious. The cheese danish is not too sweet and chock full o cheese. The cinnamon roll falls short on flavor but the dough factor will keep you feeling Stay-Puft all morning long. God, please try the apple cake (you can pick your own size out of the giant slab they have made). They call it apple cake but the real name should be "Cheesecake You Shall Gorge On". Their other pig-out worthy item is the very fancy Strawberry Eclair, dusted with a fine coating of powdered sugar and loaded with fresh berries. Coffee is decent enough (sometimes is too bitter) but second to the pastries. I hope I don't offend anyone but it was here I learned that SOME people in Greenpoint try to cut in line! (not only at the Riv, but everywhere). It was very surreal. When I am not being body checked against the counter I found people of all ages and genders attempting to step right in front of me. I wish I knew kung-fu. read more