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Booked 2 times by The River Café London customers.
Ranked #8 in London's Best Restaurants.
The River Café London Tripadvisor Reviews
Latest Reviews On Tripadvisor
49 Reviews
0 Replys |
Still amazing 25th years later..
We were there for a 50th birthday celebration. Saturday lunch. Very busy, lovely day. First went over 25 years ago. Still a fabulous experience. Some of the reviewers on here need to give their heads a wobble..this is a wonderful restaurant on every level. From reception to the tables to the service and the food .. all really great. We had the chili squid, the parma ham and the crab to start and then the rabbit ragu and the clam pasta dishes for main and the lemon almond and polenta cake to share for pudding. Every single dish and bite was so great. Not 2 star Michelin great but about the best fresh bistro type food you could imagine. This place is all about simple food with really great quality fresh ingredients. Service was cheerful and faultless. It's not cheap but don't whine about that when you arrive. You know it's not a budget meal so enjoy it as a special occasion or don't come. Lots of complaints about the tables being too close together, I'd completely disagree, I thought it made it even more buzzy. Would go again in a heartbeat .. if I could get a table!
Be the first to ReplyOverpriced for what you get
The food was nice enough, but I have to say that I was disappointed in terms of value for money. I started with tagliatini vongole which had 8 clams, of which 4 were closed - not good enough for £35 and a disappointing lack of attention to detail at the pass. My main was sole; nice, but small and overpriced. Desserts were the highlight of the meal and really delicious, although no effort was made on presentation or accompaniments. I was really disappointed at the lack of attention to the dining experience: at £150 a head it’s disappointing to have cheap paper table cloths, dated decor, overcrowded table placement unchecked toilets and no genuine engagement from who I presume were the senior staff. The place was full, on a Tuesday night, but I feel it’s banking on its existing reputation. I wouldn’t return.
Be the first to ReplyA security
Always safe to come back here, excellent and well-prepared food, top Selvapiana Italian oil, important wine list, and one of the most professional services that exist
Be the first to ReplyWinter Menu Wow
We were a party of four who had a late lunch on the winter set menu offer. The food was exceptional and the service was great. Whilst the Al la carte is very expensive this is clearly because of the quality of ingredients, the army of young chefs they have and the very well staffed front of house. I would absolutely return and pay full price particularly for a special occasion. This really is an iconic restaurant.
Be the first to ReplyGood food but a little over priced
We went here for my wife’s birthday, with our friends. The food we had was great, well cooked, fresh and tasty. I just think is was overpriced for what we had. £60 for a mains plate, £75 for a bottle of wine. I couldn’t justify coming here again.
Be the first to ReplyWorth a visit
Worth a visit. Such an iconic restaurant that everyone must go to. The food is splendid and delicious. The restaurant is beautiful and the service is amazing.
Be the first to ReplyCheaper to fly to Italy and eat aithentic Italian food
Completely disappointing....I'm British and have lived in Italy for over 15 years and the claim of eating delicious Italian food in London is untrue. Far too expensive for poor quality food, lack of warmth from staff and a main course of pigeon that could have eaten in the colli euganei for a third of the price, which would have tasted much better. I will never return nor recommend.
Be the first to ReplyTrading on past glories.
We have been visiting The River Cafe to celebrate special family occasions for several decades. We visited again last week to celebrate a 30th birthday. Sadly we all agreed that the magic of the place has gone. The tables are rammed too close together and the food was mediocre. The decor, which used to seem new and fresh now seems tired and in need of an upgrade. Finally the prices are stratospherically high. We will find another restaurant for our next family celebration.
Be the first to ReplyAs Much an Experience as a Meal
Upfront, The River Cafe is an expensive restaurant but we were looking for a high-end place with an interesting menu that would treat us to new flavors and tastes. We were not disappointed. The menu offered a variety of dishes as starters, as first courses, as main entrées and desserts. We ordered ravioli and scallops among our first dishes, they were fabulous. Our main dishes were rockfish, dover sole, and steak. These were also delicious. The atmosphere is classy and the service is top notch. You may even catch a glimpse of a celebrity. English singer-songwriter and actress Lily Allen was in the house while we dined. Paul McCartney and Elton John have dined here, too.
Be the first to ReplyVery disappointing
This was without doubt the most disappointing Michelin star experience we have ever had. The food has elements which are very good but certainly not exceptional. The clam risotto, has a very good depth of flavour from the base stock, but is very stingy on the shellfish element and is simply dumped like a flat pancake on a plate, with no attention to presentation. The grilled squid, is very tender but lacks flavour, accompanied by a well seasoned wild rocket salad. The longhorn beef, has a lovely salt crust on the three pieces on the plate but the meat itself lacks depth of flavour. The restaurant is very shoulder to shoulder with other patrons, and feels more like a diner than high end food. The carpet was also in need of a good vacuum in places (at the start of a lunchtime service). The staff were pleasant but again not to the same level of service as many other Michelin star restaurants we have eaten in. It is very expensive for the product that is being offered. I don’t mind paying for high quality food but this was really very disappointing sadly, particularly as we had travelled over two hours just to visit here. There are much better value Michelin star restaurants in London, serving higher standards of food and providing a much better overall dining experience.
Be the first to ReplyDown stream
My appetiser was 10/10. I had a delicious home-made pasta with small pieces of rabbit and crispy pancetta. It really was fantastic. That was the best part of my whole River Café experience, and the only element that shone. I had wanted to visit this well-renowned, reputable establishment for some time, and my overall feeling is one of disappointment. We had a great evening but quite simply, at this price bracket (and lower), you can do much better elsewhere. My main course was a large and firm piece of monkfish, but the sauce was bitter and not hugely enjoyable, whilst the side accompaniment was unidentifiable and forgettable, but pleasant. Dessert was competent, but the choices rather basic and uninspiring and totally unexciting. A slice of almond cake, a slice of chocolate torte. No creative thought or pizzazz. In recent times where baking has taken centre stage, the options were dull as ditchwater. Service was amiable, but again nothing special. If you are looking for a slow celebration, be aware that our starters were presented moments after ordering. We did ask for the pace to be slowed right down for our main course, and to give credit to the restaurant, they did respect this and brought our main dishes when we wanted them. The venue is bright and buzzy. At this price point, my expectations exceeded the reality of paper tablecloths and a lack of plush. Expect dining hall rather than sophisticated and cosy. Also, only two individual cubicles in the men’s toilets was impractical for the number of patrons. Overall, this river ebbs and flows. I wouldn’t return.
Be the first to ReplyDon’t go!
The most overhyped and overpriced place serving average food…to many people crammed in a small space and blimey charging for a simple asparagus dish with béchamel sauce for £40…OUTRAGES!
Be the first to ReplyWhat they said
Hilarious to go through the headlines of former reviews here that just confirm our experience. We were really looking forward to the visit but it was just not good unfortunately. Food was lacking taste and presentation (fresh chili had no kick, too much squid for a primi, meat looked grey, beans had no taste, pasta/secondi sauce too heavy, bread too salty, etc etc). Staff was very friendly but robot-like, didn’t show any interest in how we felt whatsoever. And not to mention the prices you pay for all. Take 50% off and it would be ok-ish - but we would still be disappointed. Totally getting the concept of home-made, basic Italian food made with fresh ingredients, but Italy would be a very sad place if that’s what’s being eaten there all day.
Be the first to ReplyMugged
Overall a disappointment. The food was average and the prices were astronomical! Rushed service, extremely outdated decor (felt like I was in a jamiriquai music video), dishes lacking finesse. The crab and artichoke starter was so unnecessary sour with lemon. Clearly a trigger happy chef with the dressing! Turbot main was well cooked but for 60 pound it ought to be. Tiramisu was leaking a pool of coffee on my plate. Saviordi biscuits probably were soaked for way too long when they prepped it, Very sloppy. As a chef travelling from another country to here I was very let down. Clearly it's just living off it's name. Sad to see, wouldn't be in a rush to go again or torecommend it. Far better options out there.
Be the first to ReplyExceptional restaurant
Exceptional restaurant. The River Cafe lived up to expectations. The food and drinks are amazing. The service is top notch too.
Be the first to ReplyTaste Buds left wanting!!!
Underwhelming, very over priced - and over hyped - I was expecting flavours and sadly disappointed, family shared the same view, far better london restaurants at much better value … I enjoy my food and am adventurist… very disappointed! 2 Stars! 😢
Be the first to ReplyDon’t believe the hype
Underwhelming and over priced - plenty of far better, more interesting and much better value options for Italian food in London. Don’t believe the hype.
Be the first to ReplyAbsolutely wonderful
I have always wanted to visit here and never had a chance We got that chance yesterday, a very rainy Thursday afternoon and the restaurant was packed and the vibe was electrifying. I loved everything from start to finish. We had the set menu and every course was perfect. I loved the lack of contrived, pretentious food. Amazing flavours to everything. Staff were all so attentive and professional. A totally 5 star plus experience for us. I hope we are lucky enough to visit again one day. Many many thanks for a lunch to remember.
Be the first to ReplyDisappointed
Underwhelming. Completely over hyped restaurant. We won’t be back. Disappointed because we heard so many good things.
Be the first to ReplyGreat service, great food.
We had a lovely meal for two as a late Valentine's day dinner. It is obviously on the more expensive side, but you are paying for very attentive service and very good food. We opted for a pasta course and a main, which I'd recommend doing if you don't want to do all 4 courses (antipasti, primi, secondi, dessert). The pasta course is unbelievable. Wine starts at around £50 but we were able to get a nice bottle for £52 and when pub wine is £30 nowadays it felt more than reasonable. Would love to go back for the lunch set menu.
Be the first to ReplyNever disappoints
River Cafe never fails with exceptional food, drink and service every time. Excellent produce always perfectly prepared and delightful staff (including the lovely valet team).
Be the first to ReplyDisappointed, overrated & overpriced
We had been looking forward to our dinner, the reputation built up over the years excited us!! We arrived on time, regrettably we booked a table outside, convinced when we booked the outside area was protected, enclosed & heated! On arrival we tried to check our coats, reception suggested we keep them as area was cold, negative start before we sat down! Booked table for 4, table shown to us was set for 4 but only had 3 chairs, poor show for this pricey overrated joint! Best part of meal was the focaccia. We each ordered a starter, 2xAperagus-bitter, i x crab very small portions for £35, i x pasta, overpriced too, probably. Mains Pigeon-Tough, tasty. 2x Veal, served cold, was supposed to slow cooked for hours?? i l complained, they took the dish away and replaced with same Luke warm portion, no improvement. For over £100 for 2 courses each not good enough!! By this time we'd had enough, paid the bill and left. Polite and kind waiter advised they did not charge for one of the veal portions. Obviously they realised the food was definitely not up to scratch! London has many wonderful restaurants, serving amazing. This one misses the boat by a mile, exists due to their celebrity clients only! Sadly we wont be back
Be the first to ReplyHOW did they get a Michelin Star?
My husband and I were very excited to try The River Cafe. Our daughters had given us a generous gift voucher because it was my Birthday and they knew we had already booked our reservation. We had a booking for 18:30. We were informed from the time we booked that we would be seated outdoors....no issue for us. We arrived early at about 18:05. The hostess informed us that the dining area wasn't open but offered us the bar where we might order a beverage. We sat at the bar for at least 20 minutes. We were never even acknowledged much less offered a drink. Once our table was ready I expressed my frustration with the situation and wasw met with all kinds of "Oh Im so sorry......"We were seated outside and our candles were never lit. The food was certainly not exceptional. The lady seated next to us was offered a refund for her main (steak) as it was "sinewy". The sommelier was excellent and our waitress was OK.
Be the first to ReplyDisappointed and underwhelmed
We've been meaning to dine at the River Cafe for more than 20 years and we finally got around to it this week. We went for the Winter Set Lunch menu which offered a reasonable array of choices. However, when the main (primi and secondi) dishes came they were a tad on the small side. I could have accepted this had the food tasted as good as it looked but it did not. For a start they were lukewarm rather than hot. The dishes lacked the robustness I was expecting in fact I would describe them as insipid with the overriding flavour of salt. The dolci were excellent but, that's not really enough to save an entire menu. I was extremely disappointed and, I am struggling see how they have a one star Michelin rating because compared to other one stars the River Cafe is way off the mark.
Be the first to ReplyLunch
Booked a lunch for a special treat with my wife - didn’t qualify for set lunch menu so was easily £60 a head more expensive. Our issue wasn’t financial more that we were rushed through starter and main and at £35-£40 an item it was unnecessary. Wine also rushed through so we had to ask for a pause after mains to try to enjoy the experience. I also moved seat as our waiter clearly being trained on the job was either permanently hovering over me or being animatedly advised at a volume louder than our table conversation. Mains were crashed down on our table with my wife’s crashed down with the server leaning over me. Fast serving, unwarranted rapid wine top ups, leaning and talking over us are small yet unprofessional things which you don’t expect to spoil your experience when paying high prices at an infamous venue. We visited last 3 years ago in the evening and had far better more experienced staff. A real disappointment given our expectations and prior excitement. I doubt we will visit again for a while but appreciate dining experience is usually only as good as the staff and service. So disappointing.
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