In July and August, 2026, while staying in Riverside, California, I visited a different coffee house each day; well, most days, 16 in all. The project gave some structure to my visit and I got to drink some delicious coffee. Here is what I found.
My star rating is highly personal. I like coffee houses that succeed in attracting conversation, businesses that build community, places where people gather and talk. Please contact me if you have a comment, especially if a place you love deserves a higher rating.
***** The Daily Brew Coffee House, Bakery, & Roastery
Lincoln Plaza Shopping Center
2955 Van Buren Blvd.
Riverside, CA 92503
At 10am, Friday, July 24, 2026, I found many people seated outside this attractive coffee house, many more seated in the front room, and three seated in the roasting room. Top-notch first impression as a good place to meet and have conversations. One party of ten had three baby strollers. The business world tells us that customers can ask for two out of three — fast, high quality, or inexpensive. Here I found all three. So impressed, I went back on Tuesday, August 4. My first impression did not change. [Note: the photo is not mine. I lost mine.]
* Crave Coffee & Tea
3590 Central Avenue
Riverside, CA 92506
and four other locations
At 10am, Saturday, July 25, 2026, I found maybe six people inside this urban dining locale, with little memorable except a delicious figure-eight cherry and creme-cheese pastry. The Riverside campus of Redlands University is next door, an oddly photogenic building.
* The Coffee Bean and Tea Company
3545 Central Avenue
Riverside, CA 92506
At 10am, Sunday, July 26, 2026, many cars were lined up at the drive-up window to order the coffee. I found it delicious, with a distinctive roasted taste I liked very much. The seating was not attractive, the table I sat at was dirty, and I could not find napkins, cream, or any of the amenities common to most coffee houses. Great place if you do not get out of your car.
** Yum Yum Donuts
3747 Arlington Avenue
Riverside, CA 92506
At 9:30am, Monday, July 27, 2026, I found shaded parking in the parking lot this and other businesses share with Target. Foremost a bakery, with many selections besides donuts, one display case next to another. The coffee was good, too. Four small tables for those who want to dine inside. Constant traffic but not enough that a line formed. One of 40-some locations throughout Southern California.
**** Condron Coffee
3696 Sunnyside Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
At 10am, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, I was happy to see two of the four outside tables occupied. Inside, I found over a dozen other people. This is a place where folks meet and talk, my kind of place, with friendly waitstaff, lots of tables, and good coffee, not to mention their ambitious hours of operation, every day from 6am to 8pm.
**** Lift Coffee Roasters
2060 Chicago Avenue, Unit A-10
Riverside, CA 92507
At 9:30am, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, I wondered if I had made a wrong turn. I was in a light industrial office park, parked in front of Bossi Vans. Sure enough, Lift Coffee Roasters was just across the street. After going in, I still wondered if I was lost, the place was so dark, like a Goth bar, but the quirky atmosphere, friendly staff, good coffee, and fellow drinkers quickly made this place one of my favorites. It helped that a quote from “Alice in Wonderland” was on the wall as I entered.
**** Kraemer’s Koffee Bistro
6734 Brockton Avenue
Riverside, CA 92506
At 11am on Thursday, July 30, 2026, there were many fellow coffee drinkers inside and sitting out in the breezeway. There was one person ahead of me when I ordered but five in line after I had grabbed my coffee and headed outside. This is a place to sit and talk or, like me, write in a journal. “Midtown Riverside” is what the signs outside say. I liked the variety of shops across the street.
*** Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.
1201 University Avenue #109A
Riverside, CA 92507
On Friday, July 31, 2026, I visited one of the four locations of this franchise. It is a huge coffee house, featuring Yemeni coffee, their claim being that coffee was first brewed in Yemen. Lots of university students with their laptops open in front of them. Free copies of the Koran at check-out. Delicious unusual coffee.
*** Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
6247 Day Street, Box Springs
Riverside, CA 92507
It was just after noon when I parked on Monday, August 3, 2026. Most noticeable were the eight cars in the drive-up lane, making me think this small box building in the corner of a shopping center might not welcome sitters inside. I was wrong. Fifteen others were seated. These coffee brewers are doing something right! The small seating area outside was not inviting; it is right next to the line of cars. That said, it did have umbrellas, an amenity I have learned to appreciate during the recent heat wave.
*** Molinas Coffee
3660 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
At 9:15am on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, there were five other customers inside and, because the outside seating faces east and catches the morning sun, no one was sitting outside. I immediately felt at home, encouraged by the server’s welcoming smile as I ordered my de-caf café con leché. After I took a seat by the window, a woman came in with three small dogs which she tied off to a table. That is when I looked around and noticed the very large dog in the corner sleeping peacefully. With dogs at home, I approve!
* Urban Dripp
Mission Square Plaza
3750 University Avenue, #175
Riverside, CA 92501
When I left at 11:00am on Thursday, August 6, 2026, there was no one left inside, making me wonder how they stay in business. I liked the bold pink ambiance, the coffee, and the quick service, but there were only two small tables to sit at inside plus a counter with four tall stools. Outside were six tables with umbrellas and the shade from many trees, at the corner of University and the Mission Square Plaza pedestrian walkway.
***** The Notebook Cafe
3512 9th Street
Riverside, DA 92501
I liked this small place immediately when I visited at 10am on Friday, August 7, 2026. There were seven customers in line, 21 seated, five more outside, and five servers behind the counter. The coffee was good, the place was packed, and I was happy.
* Roast the Dead Coffee
10330 Hole Avenue #4
Riverside, CA 92505
Finding myself on the west side of town, I visited on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Living up to their name, the interior was pitch-black to my eyes after walking in from the bright sunshine at 10am. This is not a place to read or write but is a place for brooding conversation. Their coffee was good, probably a dark roast.
**** Arcade Coffee Roasters
3870 Main Street #101
Riverside, CA 92501
I visited this large, popular coffee shop on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. There is a second location on Chicago Avenue which I hope to visit after my pleasant experience at this downtown Arts District locale. When I arrived at 11am, there was no line, 12 patrons sat inside, and two were sitting outside in the pedestrian esplanade. When I left 40 minutes later, the number of patrons had more than doubled, with nine in line.
*** Coffeecito House
3882 12th Street
Riverside, CA 92501
This two-story coffee house is a community magnet. At 10:30am on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, there were 24 people inside and seven more sitting outside. The owners know their business and how to please customers.
***Back to the Grind
3575 University Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
This large establishment only had three other customers when I arrived at 11am on Monday, August 17, 2026. The lettering in the window says they offer poetry readings, open mic, burlesque lessons, chess nites, live bands and DJs, meditation groups, yoga, and weekly meetings. A flyer down the street said the band “Identity Crisis” would soon play in the basement. Besides craft coffee, the place sells beer, wine, ice cream, and T-shirts. It has a large wall full of books and knick-knacks. I love it that the place is so community oriented but regret that I did not see much community, not at 11am on a Monday.