Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Manchester in Manchester

Venue and service lovely, but food awful.

Huge thanks to Riva Blu Restaurant, Manchester for an amazing time celebrating our graduation and a close friend's birthday! The food was fantastic, the vibe was bellissimo, and the staff went above and beyond. I can't wait to see Fab and Martha again! I definitely missed meeting Kira, my best friend there... Wishing you all the continued success - you deserve it 😊

Absolute disgusting food and service here . I booked online weeks ago ended up shoved on a bad table so don’t bother booking online we ended up waiting over an hour for mains which never arrived they stated only waited 30 minutes this was much was a lie . I paid for starters but refused to wait any longer dozens of tables still waiting for food in no way does this place look Italian ! Lots of S.E Asian staff . They actually argued with us saying only 20 minutes I said over an hour and still no mains . AVOID. THIS PLACE . No wonder only place available on a Saturday night AND To add to the insult the so called Manager followed us to the door arguing with my lady we had only waited 30 minutes and requested we did not discuss the incident with other customers. What a joke lucky I didn’t slap him! Awful so called customer service ! This place is about as Italian as my uncle Eric from Wigan AVOID ! Plus they hate criticism my partner went in personally to make a complaint face to face with a manager during the day and was spoken to by a older male at the bar who stated he would look into the complaint and call her back days later still waiting for the call 🙄

My son and I went in hoping to have a quick warm-up drink before our ice-skating session. It looked busy as it was a Saturday before Christmas, and we didn't have a reservation. All we wanted was a quick shot of brandy or vodka at the bar. However, the manager was extremely rude and made us feel unwelcome, then turned us away. This was the worst customer service I've experienced in town. People who work in hospitality should be polite as a minimum.

Absolutely delicious, starters, mains, sides deserts all devoured. Not a morsel of food left. The Scollops were delicious. Steak and pasta’s were beautiful. Excellent Singing for my Hubby’s Birthday. chilled relaxed atmosphere.

Recently visited Riva Blu. Overall my experience was positive, but there was room for improvement. Starters and main were excellent. Pizza was especially good! Only gripes were the fact we weren’t offered Parmesan and black pepper when tables around us were. Also the Tiramisu was underwhelming and flavourless. Still worth a visit, surroundings and atmosphere were lovely.

Fabulous experience, great food & customer service was perfect. Fabri is well mannered and taught us a lot about the history in Italy which made us feel even more welcome. Thankyou Fabri and Thankyou Riva Blue

I booked here for me and my friends for my 19th birthday we had a mix of cocktails which were delicious and the food was 10/10 I would like to make a special mention to the server Dan for making the ordering process very smooth and easy! Another special mention to Marta who sorted out our bill and made it very simple because there was a different range of card and cash payments! Great thankyou :))

Fabrizios service was amazing. He was very attentive and gave us such a great experience. Food was delicious and we even got given a birthday treat for the birthdays!

Just dined at Riva Blu this evening, the food was really good, and the service was impressively fast, even though the restaurant was busy. Our waiter, Fabrieio (I hope I spelt his name correctly), made the evening even better with his cheerful attitude and excellent service. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic, making us feel welcome and well taken care of. Riva Blu is a top choice for great Italian food and outstanding service. Highly recommended!

Great food, service by Fabrizio and ambience.

Great service by fabrizio and good food :)

Fabrizio...best waiter I've ever experienced...ever!

Lovely food and Fabrizio was a fantastic waiter.

Fabrico was a really good waiter- great experience!!

Came on a group meal, food was a while coming out to say we all pre-booked but on the whole the food was good...

Phenomenal food and service, I come here regularly and have never had a bad experience. I would highly recommend the arancini starter and the arrabiata pasta.

Marta was lovely, super friendly, she helped us a lot. He made the food very pleasant for us. A 1,000 out of 10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had a fantastic dinner for 12 girls last night, and it was truly a memorable experience! The atmosphere was perfect for Christmas party, providing a calm and festive vibe. Our waiter was exceptional, attentive, and made sure everything went smoothly throughout the evening. The food was absolutely delicious, and we couldn’t have asked for better service. Thank you for making our celebration so special.

Excellent Italian restaurant with authentic food and amazing service. Thank you Marta for making our dinner special and suggesting the Limone dessert

The decoration is magnificent, the cuisine is excellent and the servers Dom and Fab are very welcoming and pleasant We will return on our next trip to Manchester

Nice decoration, good food and very pleasant service, especially Fabrizzio

Beautiful restaurant; excellent, efficient service and delicious food. Thank you to our waitress Sabrina who really looked after us ☺️

The place is lovely and staff/ service excellent. Food is fine but it is not good value for money.

We really enjoyed our time in the RIVA and it’s really nice food and nice Service and Marta she was amazing she advised us about the food and it’s was really great even the sweet was amazing thank you so much for your service Marta. :)

Really enjoyed it here, great atmosphere and the food is excellent. I had carbonara modified with mushrooms instead of bacon and it was wonderful. Marta looked after us so well, we will return!

Great waiter, Great food. Pizza was amazing. Only giving 3 stars because the food took so long for it to come out, and Our friend ordered steak, he wanted it medium rare but had to send it back 2 times to the kitchen. First time it was completely raw and the second time it was overcooked.. its a plus that he didnt have to pay for the food, but its not cozy for him to sit and Eat his food when the rest of us is done eating..

Fabri was a great host and was always there when we needed him.

Such a nice evening with our waiter Fabri. Will be back for a good time and nice food

Such a nice and amazing waiter ! Thank you Marta for the effort u done for me of making possible to eat my favourite pastas even if they weren’t on the menu !

I booked to take my daughter and her friend for lunch last Sunday. The restaurant was empty. It’s a beautiful restaurant and we have been here a few times. But after sitting down and asking for a kids menu, as we had already looked online at what they would eat. I was told that kids meals are only offered to under 9’s. Nowhere on the website does it say this? There was nothing suitable on the menu for the girls, so we ended up having to leave and go elsewhere. (The girls are 11) Very disappointing and embarrassing. I understand they have to make money, but the restaurant was empty and I’m sure the girls would’ve been happy ordering desserts and mocktails which would’ve bumped up the price.

Marta was amazing, so many suggestions. Such a queen, great disposition! Brilliant food and environment too👏🏼

Great food Friendly service all the staff were helpful and polite.

Had an amazing experience at Riva Blu in Manchester, could not fault the food or the service, our server Marta was brilliant and was very helpful.

We had an amazing meal, the food was 10/10, the atmosphere was perfect for date night and the staff were incredible, especially Marta! Highly recommended :)

We only called in for drinks, the negronis are the best you can get, made by the friendliest barman you could find....Aniello, thank you

The food (lasagne) was just ok and not a decent portion. A lasagne at Aldi is better value and tastes better.A very small portion of chips cost £5. Not value for money at all and what seemed to be head waiter was ignorant. Asked for the dessert menu, he just didn't bother and after 10 minutes I just asked for the bill. We'll never go again.

Good food, great service, Sabrina was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.

Wow, what an experience. From the start the waiters and staff are welcoming and so friendly, feels like you’re at home in here. I don’t think I’ve had meatballs so tender before, you actually didn’t even need to chew to eat them. Plus the venue is absolutely stunning.

First time there, food was lovely, would definitely go back

Domenico was great, pizza and as great!!

This was a nice surprise, great food and the staff were superb.

Food excellent. Very good service from Marta.

Marta looked after us so well Amazing food

Godo was amazing! Our waiter, Cristian was wonderful- excellent service. Will definitely visit again and try the pistachio tiramisu next time for dessert!

I shared a moment in this restaurant while looking for an Italian restaurant. I don't regret it. The parmentier was very good, plentiful. Friendly service with an Italian accent and fast (not many customers at 8 p.m.). I recommend.

The food is fantastic. The costumer service is amazing. The environment is wonderful. Sabrina and Marta were great. I recommend!

Great restaurant. Our server was Sabrina who was excellent! Offered help with the menu, very attentive and friendly. Food tasted wonderful but a little mean on the portion of the main spaghetti dish. Loved the atmosphere would definitely go back.

Marta was lovely, she gave us a great service with a beautiful smile!

I had a wonderful fruttes di mare linguine until I got to the last prawn which was rotten on the inside and black. I had food poisoning from it and I hadn’t even touched the t. So I picked up the poisoning from the sauce. I will not be going back

Food was well, carbonara with just 3 small pieces of Bacon no Pancetta, seemed like a kid size. Service is fine. The place is too loud with music blasting, unable to hold a conversation and hear the waiter!

Cold food awful service . Started of whilst seated didn't get to sit before she was chucking menus on table Food awful cold so I asked them to warm it and I was questioned to say it was hot which it wasn't I was actually the one eating it . Food wasn't nice at all gnocci was not fluffy was like rubber .I did say its not my usual and he replied we are a big chain it won't be as good as smaller places . Rude waiter arguing with me when food was inadequate. This place is a definite no for me so save your money and go somewhere else with better quality food and staff .

Top notch service, real italian food. Booked for 6 covers for my birthday. Jenny, the Spanish hostess managed to get us a nice table even though we arrived 15 min late. Food and drinks came out at the speed of light and were genuinely delightful. But specially shout out to Marta our waitress for a friendly, patient and entertaining service. We couldn’t have asked for better! Thank you so much!

Great service and food will definitely go again 👌

We stayed in Manchester for 5 days and ended up here on the first day because of the good reviews. Nothing too much said. The food was so incredibly tasty. We decided to just go here again the next day. It is a very attractive restaurant with very friendly staff. We ended up eating here every day of our stay. The lasagna, tuna pizza, spaghetti carbonara, tomato/mozzarella salad and the zucchini fries. Really too tasty. We would have liked to try many more, but our first choices were so tasty that we stuck with the same dishes😊 We were recognized upon arrival, which also makes you feel welcome. We were particularly helped by Roberta and Martin. They were the friendliest and walked around with a smile. Thank you also to the staff. We would almost go back to Manchester again just for this restaurant.

Food was really tasty and filling (the meatball baciata should not be skipped if you’re visiting for lunch) and the service from Don was also very attentive and friendly.

Great kitchen, very friendly staff, great atmosphere 🤌

Second time at this restaurant and it didn’t disappoint. Staff very attentive, Roberta was fab. Service was amazing and food delicious.

Marta, a very pleasant and attentive Sevillian, attended us.

Went for a Pre Show meal on a Saturday with my family. We had burrata with roasted veggies, mussels and prawn bruschetta to start and it was all fantastic! For our mains we had a pizza which was fresh and delicious, a Lasagne which was one of the best I have had for a while! As well as a clam linguine which was light and didn’t leave us bloated for our evening show. Dessert we had to try the Affogato which did not disappoint and the Zeppola, a Soft choux bun filled with vanilla cream & cherry on top was unbelievably light and a lovely end to the meal! With 2 pints and 2 halves of morretti draft and 2 cokes the cost came to around £160 for three of us which we found very reasonable! The Atmosphere is very pleasant and the music gives a nice vibe whilst not being overpowering or too loud for us to have a conversation. The staff are very attentive, all in all this set us up for a fantastic evening at the arena for our show! Would 100% recommend and return whenever we are back to see something at the AO!

Dined in with few friends and the food was lovely. The ambience amazing. The service was just something else. Super nice and willing to offer the best experience ever. We’ll definitely come back!

Lovely atmosphere, great service and fantastic meatball

Service was amazing Fabrieto was an amazing waiter he was an honour

Amazing service from Chris. Exceptional service and food. Recommended

Such gorgeous food. Warm and friendly staff and great relaxing atmosphere. Will definitely be visiting again

Delicious food and friendly stuff

Javin and joey were absolutely lovely today. Honestly the best of the best. Had the best chat in a while. Would recommend coming here.

Great food. However second visit to this restaurant. The service is slow and the waiters were very arrogant/rude in there approach to us as customers. A member of staff pointed at our table and then walked off. We were given no menu until we were forced to ask 10 mins after being "seated". This was the same on our first visit but wanted to give them a second chance. We were rushed through our meal with the waiter who constantly came over and asked "What do you want?", "Are you ready now?". Will not be using Gino for his restaurants again.

My partner and I love this place it’s never failed us and we go at least once a month the service is excellent everyone is so friendly and welcoming and extremely helpful and the food is always cooked to perfection.

Food was amazing and the customer service was just on point!!!! Shoutout to Dom for being extremely kind and the perfect host🙌🏾

Excellent service from Jenny and great food

Fantastic service, Roberta was great throughout. Food and ambiance was fab! Thank You ☺️

Myself and my daughter dined here on the 22/6. I promised I would leave a review so apologies for the lateness! This meal was the first meal we had enjoyed in a long time. I had the mussels, the parmigiano and very unusual for me a dessert, the rum pudding. Every single bite was absolutely beautiful! The entire meal literally soothed my soul. Thank you so much for such a beautiful dining experience.

Excelent location, nice decoration, kind and eficient service but the best of all is food. One of the best lasagne I' ve eaten. Prices are high but it worth all pounds we paid.

The food and service was wonderful and the restaurant is overall really great. Dom was really welcoming and great. Trully recommend!!

I really loved the service and the food and dessert so much !!!

Dom was our waiter, he is a really good guy let alone his great service. Atmosphere was great and the food was incredible. Thank you guys will for sure come back!

The food was very good. The service (with our server Fabrizio) was also very good. We had a complicated bill split they helped us solve. I would recommend this place to anyone.

Lovely atmosphere excellent food , Marta who served us was excellent friendly helpful ❤️

My husband and I really enjoyed our time here. Food was delicious (they do really good gluten free pizza too), atmosphere lovely and service spot on! Alejandro was fantastic. We really enjoyed our time and prices were also good. We'll be back next time we're in Manchester.

Staff super friendly the food delicious and service excellent

Amazing service, good food, incredible dessert. Totally recommend it. Everyone was so friendly, from hostess to every waiter that came to my table.

We visited after my daughter’s graduation yesterday this is a great restaurant. The food was excellent I had the prawn brochette starter and pork and beef pasta ragu for mains and both were lovely. All the food was excellent and we had no complaints. Service was also brilliant very attentive, never rushed but glasses never empty. The place is very nice it gives a feeling of being outside as it opens into the Corn Exchange without being exposed to the Manchester weather !! We will definitely return. Thanks for making a special day extra special 👍🏻

The tastiest Italian I have ever had!Staff was lovely and so welcoming .there's nothing not to love ❤️ 😋

We got there pretty early so can't really give 5 stars for atmosphere as we were practically the only ones there. The service and food was great however they do need to make it clear when paying the bill that they have added a service charge...... This states 'optional' when you get given the receipt 'after' you have paid.......so asking for the bill do ask if they have added the 'optional' service charge...... I didn't mind paying it but it wasnt made clear when I asked for the bill.

The food here was excellent. It tasted delicious and the service was great.We were celebrating our daughter’s graduation and had the pleasure of having Dom wait on us. He made sure the food came when we wanted it and our glasses never ran dry. He also gave us some Prosecco to celebrate the occasion and nothing was too much trouble for him even offering to take our photo. Thank-you Dom for a lovely experience.

The food is very delicious. We had a great time.

Incredible place, the food is soooo good and the dessert is a must. The fact that they have a baby changing room is a cherry on top! Thank you!

A really excellent family lunch at Riva Blue. First class service throughout our lunch and the food was just as excellent too. Your business is only as good as the staff you employ and manage and Riva Blues staff certainly are first class. Thank you to all the staff and chefs. Grazie mille

amazing service, cristian was our server and was really helpful and lovely! would definitely recommend

Cristian was very helpful and kind, loved his attitude and vibe, super nice guy. will definitely come again :))

Consistently great food and service. Lovely friendly staff

Dom was an amazing waitress today, polite and always checking on us! Great addition to the company

Thank you Jenny for seating us . Jack the Barman is a true gentleman. Tried new summer items on the menu, The BURRATA IN CESTINO was amazing the mozzarella was beautiful n creamy. The PARMIGIANA was Devine with its rich tomato sauce. Well done guys great service from all. Well done Chef amazing food yet again.

Amazing meal and service was fantastic… Fabrizo was a brilliant host!

Dom was a lovely and helpful server :) the food was delicious, would highly recommend the sharing dessert platter

We visited here today for lunch , there were nine of us . The service was excellent , couldn’t fault it , but we were very disappointed in the food ( and yet the reviews are good ??) We sat down at 12.30 and by 1.15 we’d all eaten so there’s no way that was all freshly cooked. I had the ravioli, not a lot for £16 and it wasn’t particularly hot , others at the table had the same thought , one meal went back completely. I’m afraid the overall opinion was one of disappointment, not somewhere we would visit again

Great meal out with the family, food was delicious and all of the waiting staff were helpful and friendly, every single one of them said hello and goodbye as we entered and left. Served by Dom who was great throughout and really looked after us. Would recommend.

Our server was named Dom he was exceptional

Exemplary service in a gorgeous Italian restaurant. Glamorous interior and wonderful food