In Riva is the first venture by Philadelphia-born chef Arthur Cavaliere who has combined the similarities of his two favorite cities—Naples and Philadelphia—to deliver an unparalleled culinary experience. Sticking with the Italian translation of its name, In Riva is located "along the banks" of the Schuylkill River in East Falls.
In Riva is a Southern Italian inspired restaurant with urban flair, specializing in Napoletana style pizza, house-made pasta and contemporary antipasti. In Riva also offers an eclectic array of new and old world wines, Italian craft beers and racy specialty cocktails.
"Have been coming here since it opened and am never disappointed. Always evolving and delicious. Staff is friendly and knowledgable about the menu and changes. So happy it is East Falls !!!!! The price fixe is definitely worth the money, a great way to try the menu."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, neighborhood gem
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"The fresh pea soup and the beet panzanella salad were outstanding. My husband licked his plate(not literally) of his escarole Caesar salad. We loved our server, too. The pizza was grilled and good. Parking can be a problem, but it's worth it. Go and enjoy."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Went for the first time and really enjoy the meat/cheese plate, fresh, good bread and honey. Salad was a lover dressed by tasty. The pizza is the main reason we came and it did not disappoint."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Rarely do I dine out and find everything exemplary from start to finish. Something along the way is always just so-so. Not this meal. The antipast ( we split 3 amongst the 4 of us), the salads and all 3 yummy pizzas. All great. Even the bloody Mary's were chile-infused and off the charts good. Great place."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, kid-friendly
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"We love this place, visit often and have brought several large groups of friends with us. They agree and have done the same. Not your typical pizza joint but rather an upscale approach to pizza and pasta and reminiscent of a trattoria in Italy."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Went as a group for lunch on a beautiful sunny afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed dining on the deck overlooking Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River. There were 6 of us and 6 out of 6 raved about the food. The waitress was very friendly and accommodated our request for a birthday candle on one of the dessert for our friend. Great place ...will definitely be returning."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2008
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"I love the place. Can't give it five stars on ambience because its noisy and its more of a bar/bistro atmosphere, which I like, but its not a romantic little hideaway. Nor is it trying to be one.
All of the food was not only delicious and inventive, it was just beautiful. The quality, color and presentation on the plate were just delightful to see. We enjoyed everything that landed on out table. Wine and beer menus were fun to peruse. Server was cheerful, prompt, and sweet."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Food is great, staff is gracious, view is wonderful. I recommend it to all my friends."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Wow! We got outdoor seating on one of the hot nights this spring. The food was great, but the portions were teensy. We just kept ordering more and more since everything was 3 bites."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2009
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"This was our first visit (of many, hopefully) for my fiancé and I. Not your average pizza joint by any stretch of the means. The waitstaff was very friendly, attentive, and helpful with the menu. The food was top notch. I would highly recommend the olive oil potatoes as a first course. They were to die for. It was a little chilly to dine outside, but I am sure this is a great place to dine al fresco in the summer months while taking in views of the river. Thanks, In Riva. Hope to see you again soon. Caio!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Went here this past Friday at recommendation of friends and it was Lent so wanted some vegetarian choices. We had an excellent waitress and excellent service!!!! I love when I'm getting low on water she was right there to fill my cup! We had the gnocchi and pizza to share and must say the best pizza ever! Look forward to going back in warmer weather and outside seating!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"The menu was very good and the food was tasty, but not absolutely outstanding.(Perhaps I unfairly was expecting more after reading Craig LeBan's review) Service was excellent and the ambiance was pleasant. There were not many people when we were there for lunch, so I don't know how noisy it might be when crowded. I would go back there again if I were in the area, but I wouldn't go far out of my way to dine there. Readers of this review should note that only a pizza and appetizer were sampled on this occasion - a very small sample on which to base a review!"
Dined on 03/27/2013
2008
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"We went for the small plates and shared with all at the table. Fun way to go. We took a few risks I.e. the octopus plate. Most of us were delighted with the taste. Meatballs and ribs were favorites for all, as was the arugula salad. The pizza course was very tasty and just enough. Did not feel stuffed, so we had dessert. Fried donuts were light and airy. We had a Tuscan red wine we were surprised to find. Cannot say enough good things about the service!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, scenic view
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"Have been here before for lunch. This was my first dinner here. Wife and I had chose the tasting menu with the wine pairings. It was all very good and more than enough food. Had we ordered off the menu, we would definitely not have ordered as much as we received via the tasting menu. The food choices they made were delicious and the wine pairings were very tasty and spot on. If I were to make any suggestion, it would be to vary their selections. As example, the two dishes they brought for first course were both tomato based, and the two main courses both were sausage based. Overall, very good and certainly on the list of spots to which we will return."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view, hot spot
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"We ordered a salad, meatballs, octopus and pizza....everything was delicious except too salty. Couldn't talk because it was very noisy. It think in the summer seating outdoors will be much better. Nice menu and great service. I would definitely try it again but order differently...desserts looked delicious!!!!!"
Dined on 03/19/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, hot spot
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"I went there for lunch with my husband on a weekday hence it was a little quiet. There are making improvements to their patio so we will definitely go back there during summer for their drink specials. Food was good - just a little salty for our taste but we would give it another shot. Service was very good."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
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"This is a wonderful tapas restaurant. We enjoyed an appetizer (fried octopus), the 3 pastas (rock shrimp, butternut squash and the short rib gnocchi), and a gelato. All were wonderful. The server was very knowlegable about the menu and did not steer us wrong."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Saturday nite is not a fair night to evaluate a restaurant for service but the food should always be good and this was just fair. The pizza was limp and overladen with sauce. The caprese salad was good but the fried artichokes although hot were not crispy. Definitely should have had the pasta instead of the pizza.Had to be better. Bar service was extremely slow although they were very busy and the place was packed."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2011
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"Creative combinations and each dish unique and flavorful. Mommy's meatballs are absolutely delicious with a terrific red sauce. Challenging menu for a lactose intolerant diner, as most Italian/pizza venues, but the chef was accommodating. Delicious, delicate pastas. Next time, a pizza from the wood fireplace."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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"In Riva was fantastic. I had some kind of ravioli stuffed with butternut squash- oh my gosh! Heaven on earth. All of the plates we ordered were superb. The desserts all sounded amazing and the ones we ordered were melt in your mouth delicious. Note: this is a tapas (spelling?)/ family style resturant which means that the plates are small- you order several selections and load a bit of each onto your plate. The servers were exceptional- never was an empty plate on out table for more than a moment. Our server took the time tonexplain the Menue and was very helpful with answering our questions. The resturant was nosy- probably not a great place for a romantic date. It looked like they had a great outdoor pati for summer dining."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, scenic view
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"I had been to In Riva once before and this experience was vastly different; on visit one, the food was great but service so-so. This time the service was great but the food so-so. Everything was very salty--from the salad to the gnocchi--and the pizza sauce was super sweet. The food was also pretty expensive for the portion size (OK) and the quality. Their outdoor deck is lovely, as is the outdoor bar, and with such a good wine and drink list, we'll likely go back for drinks, but not a meal."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2005
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list
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"We've been twice now, and will return. Both times our server was Valerie, who is terrific, and provides great guidance on ordering. We haven't yet had pasta, but the two pizzas we've tried were excellent - the Romana and the Pepperoni. The first time we had the kale Caesar, and it was overly dressed - drenched, would be an apt description - almost to the point of it being inedible by the time we got toward the last 1/3 of the salad. Otherwise it would have been excellent. This past time, same problem with the beet salad. We mentioned to Valerie, who said she'd pass the comment along. we'll order dressing on the side next time. Can also recommend pork ribs and fried artichokes. We'll definitely return."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"Every time I am here I am extremely pleased with the results. On my last visit, my fiance (proposed afterwards) and I shared the octopus appetizer to try something new, and while she isn't a seafood junkie, she actually liked it. The pizzas are baked in a wood fire oven, so the crust to some might be a little charred, but it actually really makes it that much better. I've probably had half of the pizzas on the menu and I have yet to be disappointed. The mushroom and zucchini pizza is phenomenal. Better yet, you always get your money's worth."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Went for a business lunch. Servers gave us proper privacy by not being too intrusive and allowing us to linger. Food was really good, and be aware. They are apparently not shy about using garlic! Will be going back soon."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2008
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"Met a client/partner for lunch. the pizzas were tasty and creative, though a bit overdone on the bottom (charred black). Saw great promise and will definitely go back - probably when it is warm out, so I can enjoy the outdoor seating."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2008
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for lunch
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"Our new favorite place for pizza. Also great appetizers. Interesting wine list. Our first time there. Looks like it will be great to sit outside in warm weather."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, hot spot
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"For families with kids/teens this probably works but it did not appeal to us. They took what was before a pleasant space and made it way too industrial. The rough unfinished concrete wall where we were seated was a turn off. I had visions of things crawling out of it. Pizza was ok but not outstanding. The inflexibility in adding other toppings seemed odd. Its Pizza! The remainder of the menu was not overly appealing. A bit too eclectic. Not sure what they are trying to be."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly
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"Great small plates, crispy thin crust, non-American style pizzas with just enough chew in the crust."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2001
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, scenic view, hot spot
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"This was my first time going and I really enjoyed the food and appreciated the knowledge, attentiveness and thoughtfulness of the server. My sister who went with me was there for the second time in a week because she enjoyed the food and service so much. I'll definitely go back. The arugula salad, wings, pork ribs, and pizzas were all hits at our table."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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