Riverside Restaurant in Rochdale

Seen this dippy on tour trail lead us to the cafe for lunch after a bit pricey but over all just enough to satisfy our appetite long wait to be served perhaps ? Still enjoyed the day

I went with a party for a Christmas meal. The food was excellent and well presented. The service was very good and the young students were very professional, smart and polite. This was my third Christmas meal within a week and I can say it beat the other restaurants by a mile, including Nutters. Well done!

What a fab place. Excellent food and excellent value. The idea is brilliant - students heading it up BUT with total professionalism! Staff brilliant, full of character. Keep it up. Would highly recommend business or social meal.

Took a friend that hadn’t been before and she was over welled with everything as I was, from the polite friendly service to the excellent food. Thank you to everyone involved.

This wasn’t my first visit and once again the meal was superb. I went with friends and we could not fault the meal,service or price.The lamb was delicious and beautifully presented.The young staff were so smart,polite and attentive, a credit to the college. Next visit already booked.

Absolutely excellent restaurant. The food was delicious and presented beautifully. The staff could not have been more professional. The ambiance was good and the surroundings are stylish. All in all a high end restaurant at a very reasonable price. You would not know you were in a college. Highly recommended.

The restaurant is stylish, the staff were friendly and the meal was the best we have had in quite while. With a good selection of starters, mains and desserts. Portions were of a good size. The food was well presented and looked and tasted fantastic. Can't wait to try again soon.

£11 for three courses bottle of Chiraz £15 . £37 total for two persons. Excellent value ,great food, polite and quick service. Have been to special lunch events, always sellouts but normal lunch time very few customers. Anyone not been don’t realise what a lovely place for a meal.

We visited after my husbands graduation the food was lovely and the service was excellent. I would definitely go again.

We cannot find fault with the food, wine or service, I cannot understand why this restaurant is not busier, we have visited three times and each time everything has been top class, of course fast food consumers would not appreciate the super menus and service, but if you like good food and customer service you really should pay a visit, you are sure to go back again, we look forward to our next treat here. Very good value at chip shop prices.

We have lived in Rochdale for forty years and can't believe we have never been here before we went for eveing meal can't believe it only cost fifteen pound each for three courses and then we went a week later and had lunch again three courses for elven pounds each the food on both occasions was delicious the young staff were very helpful this is a training collage we have had food that cost three times that much and didn't tast as good as there's well done to the chefs and staff

First time visited here, party of 8 for lunch. Can’t fault anything. Lovely presentation, some had 3 course (Nouvelle cuisine) some had Light bites (massive). Every one of us enjoyed very tasty meals. The staff were lovely, couldn’t do enough for us, thank you from us all. Highly recommended.

I would just like to say the quality of food served in the Riverside last night was excellent. I had fillet steak which was cooked to perfection. If you haven't been before I strongly urge you to try it and it is definitely value for money.

This was absolutely brilliant. Three courses of the most delicious food for £15. Anywhere else food of this quality would cost at least twice as much. The menu comprises just three options for each course but for me that is a good thing as the chef can concentrate on high quality, fresh ingredients and their preparation. The service was excellent and friendly. This was our first visit here but we have already booked our next visit. Would highly recommend a visit - you most definitely will not be disappointed.

Lovely modern restaurant with welcoming staff excellent choice of wines and menu to rival The Wagon at Birtle, The Bird (Nutters bistro) and The Eagle and Child Ramsbottom some of my favourite local restaurants. Liz Sumpter

We have with two friends had an excellent dinner three excellent course menu the food was fine dining standard the trainee staff do an excellent job the tutors are obviously doing a good job front of house staff although young are learning their trade all in all we had a good meal good wine all at a at low cost we shall certainly return thank you to trainers and trainee's

Our first visit to the college restaurant. The food was top class, the students were friendly and professional and the ambience and service was excellent, We have already booked our next visit.

We visited on a Thursday night as part of a large party. I am not quite sure what we expected but we were more than pleasantly surprised with what we found. The food was superb, all cooked well and the presentation was excellent. I had a steak which was really tasty and cooked to perfection. I had a desert of chocolate mouse, panna cotta and meringue - I can honestly say it was one of the nicest deserts I have ever tasted. The students should be every proud of themselves. The staff waiting on were courteous, helpful and accommodating. Nothing was too much trouble. There were a couple of hiccups but only to be expected whilst they are learning and nothing that detracted from our lovely evening at Riverside. We will definitely return and will bring friends to sample your lovely food. Well done to all.

Ha sido, no voy a menudo suficiente.

Visited the Riverside for the first time this week. Lunch was three courses for £10, not your 'slap on the plate' lunch, but more like fine dining. I had Haddock Balls, Guinea Fowl and Chocolate Torte, my OH had Asparagus Soup, Guinea Fowl and Opera...

El menú era divina y nuestro grupo de seis tenía una noche verdaderamente magnífico. . . ! El chef es un genio, sirve un menú de cinco platos que la gracia de un restaurante de final en el centro de Manchester y funcionaba de maravilla....

Un menú temático. 5 campos por 25 libras - a un precio razonable. Sopa/black pudding? Cebada/algo? Delicioso postre/cordero/sabroso. Necesidad de tratar de no ser demasiado rápido para placas claro (garantizar acabados). Buen ambiente ambiente/. Lo recomiendo.

very good meal & very reasonable price, I had pressed duck confit & pear pickle, roast chicken, kale, parsnip in a delicious sauce, cheeseboard. My wife had smoked salmon pate, slow cooked beef, potato mash & veggies, chocolate & baileys mousse dessert. The young staff were very polite & served well. Highly recommend a visit, far better than pub meals!

Six family members enjoyed the themed 5 course menu at £25 per head. All the food was imaginatively presented, bordering on 'cheffy' but not too minimal. The service was excellent, if a little room for finesse, but these are catering students, so allowances must be made. Overall a most agreeable experience.

What is this place doing, get your marketing students onto this! Totally amazing food, excellent staff, great facilities and free parking- so why is it not bursting at the seams? 3 course lunch for 10 pounds and what an exquisite explosion of culinary delight it was, from the starters through to the final mouthful of dessert, a party was going on in my mouth, Get yourself over their for fine dining without the remortgage.

Weren't able to get in for lunch and it's fully booked for Christmas lunches so had a lovely coffee and mince pie instead. Joanne was the perfect host. Ended up leaving with a mini Christmas cake too!

Visited on 8 December in a party of 4. I am basing this as accurately as I possibly can. Food is threadbare, ridiculously small quantities served on huge plates. Nicely finished, although I tend to go out to eat.Hardly the students fault, the food (what there was of it) was well cooked. They are obviously acting upon instructions.My friends main course of cheese tart had to be seen to be believed. She is not a big eater but was very disappointed with the portion size. It would have looked ok as a snack for supper.The restaurant is devoid of any atmosphere whatsoever.I attended this college in the early 80s when the restaurant was on the top floor. It served good food at reasonable prices and you went to support the students.I suspect it is now being marketed at the high end. Trouble is, there a many restaurant pubs that offer far better value.This really needs to be addressed. Particularly at £25 per head.

Visited with a group of colleagues for a Christmas dinner after work.Food was so very good and service was faultless. We all had different dishes from the evening menu and all thoroughly enjoyed it.I had the soup to start, followed by salmon, then the vegetarian option for the main and the most delicious trio of dessert. Mince pies were then served with tea or coffee. Such good value. If you are in Rochdale you must visit.

Another great meal from the students and training team at this restaurant. Brilliant value. But more importantly great to see the students in action, learning how to serve customers and build their confidence. Everybody should try it - you won't be disappointed

Came as part of a party of three for lunch and was impressed from the welcome and entrance area right through to the ladies toilets, which have little extras for customer use.The food is outstanding at any price and our bottle of prosecco was well chilled.Food arrived promptly from an imaginative menu, warm food on warm plates, beautifully presented, with exceptionally delicately cooked fish.Apparently the chefs will sometimes put something not on the menu on a plate and I suggest this great kindness is done with the ingredient on a side dish, as there could be an issue with personal preference or food allergy.Staff are cheery, well trained and attentive, though I saw a waitress put her thumbs on the drinking edges of a coffee cup to steady it and also noticed that her nails had polish that was very badly chipped. The dessert menu was hand written with so many spelling errors that we could hardly make some of it out - perhaps it was meant to be read out to us and the waitress was nervous? I encourage students to believe that it is a most endearing experience to be fed and served by someone learning and that customers will feel nothing but pride and support.I could have wept at the earnest efforts of all staff to make customers' experience pleasant and will return whenever I can, especially with visitors who I want to impress with what the college has to offer.

Visited Riverside today at Rochdale College for lunch with a friend. Three courses for £10 is marvellous value, but the quality for this price from these young people was amazing. Each course was delicious, wonderfully presented and served quickly and efficiently by a team of young staff who all displayed pride in their work.The restaurant is modern, bright and airey and are well spaced. There is really nothing not to like and I'll definitely return soon.

This is possibly one of Rochdale's best kept secrets, and to be absolutely selfish, we should keep this little gem all to ourselves.Our first time there (party of 3) and highly impressed with the service, quality, presentation, flavour and decor. The staff are learning their career in hospitality and are naturally nervous to begin with, but despite the nerves they all carried off their duties exceptionally well. Three courses for a tenner, you cant go wrong! We each had a different starter and were really pleased with them. However, we all decided on the Plaice main and this was stunning! The fish melted in the mouth and the accompanying vegetables were cooked to perfection. The desserts were equally well prepared and presented.You may experience a brief session where other trainee staff are observing something new for the first time but you need to remember this is being run in a college and is a minor inconvenience when you receive such high quality food.We will be back for a Dinner soon.My only suggestion is to give the waiting staff some sort of identity. Either get them to introduce themselves at the start or provide them with a badge. We only found out our excellent waiter's name was Simon at the end of the meal! I'm sure being addressed by their own name will help nurture their confidence.

We have been on many occasions to this restaurant where the food and service is of the highest quality. This is a restaurant run by the college, although you would not know this given the quality of the surroundings, food and service. The young people deserve your support. The food is outstanding. We went for celebrations and were not disappointed. The gourmet nights are fine dinning with full selection of drinks and at a really low price! Thank you to all the team . Debra

We have visited the restaurant on a number occasion having lunches and evening meals. The menu, presentation and service has always met our expectations.

I had a wonderful 3 course lunch. The food was fantastic. The service was exemplary and as for unbelievable price. £10 seems like value to me!

Don't be under any misconceptions about the Riverside, this restaurant might be staffed by the college's catering students but the standard of service and quality of the food is second to none. We thoroughly enjoyed our three course lunch and are looking forward to returning for an evening meal. I don't know another place where you can eat this well for £10. Well worth a visit, you won't be disappointed.

Love coming here for a lovely lunch three course meal for ten pounds can't beat that all the food seems to be very good quality don't be fooled by thinking because it's students cooking and serving it's going to be rubbish it's some of the best service I have ever experience all the staff are very professional you'd never know they where students learning.Would recommend to anyone a lovely hidden gem.

Visited the college today for lunch. I started with salmon whilst my friend had the rice. We both then had lamb shank with mash and vegetables and then an outstanding blackcurrant mouse for dessert. ...all for £10 each. The food was outstanding. It was perfectly cooked and the presentation was excellent.The staff were attentive and very polite.What a lovely lunchtime experience.I have been for lunch on many occasions and today's menu certainly beat the rest....well done to you all. We shall return.

We visited at lunchtime and the food was imaginative and well cooked. The young staff were attentive and friendly. We'll definitely be trying the 5-course evening taster menu!

We visited tonight for the very first time....What have we been missing? All 5 of our courses were exceptionally good as was the excellent service. Our waitress for the evening was Kay/Kate (apologies for my poor memory) who was a delightful young lady with a naturally friendly manner, a huge smile and a professional attitude. I felt that no matter what we may have requested she would have delivered. Our whole evening was amazing value and very pleasant . Well done! We will certainly be back.P.S. The shortbread biscuit served with dessert was to die for, compliments to the chef!

The food and service at the college was excellent.Considering this is a training college, there was very little waiting time in between courses, and the waiting staff were courteous and professional.I would definitely recommend to others.

I visited the Riverside Restaurant for the first time and enjoyed a Christmas lunch with a couple of colleagues. The food was well presented and very scrumptious, the house wine was lovely and the service from the team was excellent. I would highly recommend this venue to others and I will most definitely be returning very soon. The team should be very proud of themselves and so should their teachers, mentors & trainers. I enjoyed a lovely warm bread roll, the duck terrine to start, loin of cod for main and a cream and berry dessert - fantastic!

Went with friends to this restaurant for the Christmas lunch, which was great value for £15 for three courses. From our arrival to departure we were treated with great professionalism and friendliness. The food was delicious and very attractively served, and the tables are well spaced out so that you are not bothered by conversation at other tables. A special mention to Christopher who looked after us very well. We were all so impressed that we have decided to visit again in January. Thanks to all both front of house and in the kitchen - excellent service!

My daughter and I have just had the 5 course Christmas meal and it was gorgeous. This is a training college for young chefs and front of house is also part of there training. The décor, food and service was brilliant.

Absolutely love coming here the food is tasty and served so well and there are halal options too. They have lunch options as well as now booking for the evenings . Definitely worth every penny

The restaurant is part of Hopwood Hall College in the centre of Rochdale beside the River Roach. It is located on the ground floor and is open some evenings during the week and at lunchtimes. (I don't think that it is open at weekend). The food was lovely and the restaurant is modern and stylish in white/black/grey. For £20 we had a great 5 course meal and the wines etc are reasonably priced. Some of the 'staff' are trainee chefs at the college with their tutors supervising them and it is very friendly. They also offer themed nights such as Burns Night and Italian nights. If you go at night park in the disabled parking area immediately behind the building as other car park areas get locked up. The entrance is on the side next to the river. Worth a visit as it is great value for money.

We have been regularly enjoying the riverside restaurant for the last three years and it only continues to improve and exceed my expectations each time. The theme nights are amazing and we have had exceptionally good meals each time. Although small, the restaurant is attractive with lovely modern classy decor. The menu is often a 'set menu' for the themed nights but on other weeks has a couple of choices to choose from. My favourite is the silver side steak which is delectable and we return often as it is cooked to perfection by the very talented chefs. A lovely touch is the silver service makes us feel special and is of a good standard. We will be attending many times in the upcoming year and look forward to future theme nights. thank you so much for always accommodating my special food allergies it is lovely to not feel like a nuisance when I eat out.

Very pleasant lunch at fantastic value. The staff are trainees at the college some with special needs, however the service was excellent and all the staff went the extra mile.

I visited the restaurant last night with two friends. We was all very disappointed as we have been there previously when it was on the top floor and it had always been really good value for money.The food was very well presented , but the menu was very sparse and the set menu not good . If you don't like pork there isn't much other choice and the prices are the same as top quality restaurants not a training restaurant. It was no wonder there was only 6 people, when previously it was always hard to get a table. sorry we will not be returning...

I went to the Rivderside Christmas 2014 and also 2013 and on both occasions the food was fantastic. The staff though only learning were very helpful and the venue is fab! Would highly recommend.

Pictures speak for themselves the restaurant is beautiful, really smart with a relaxed atmosphere. I really enjoyed my visit here and will return to dine again. The food is prepared by students that are studying for their qualifications in catering, don't let that put you off though as the food was great! All great chefs have to learn how to cook somewhere and the students are supervised by professionals. Prices are very fair, the ladies running the show are really friendly too.

Just got back from lunch at riverside and was very impressed from as soon as I walked in to leaving. I went with my partner and our 2 children. It was a set menu and had a good variety. I'm chose dishes I haven't tried before and was very impressed with how they where presented served and tasted. Portion sizes where just right amount. I found the desert to be my best dish out of the three it was very rich and tasted divine. It has made a very good first impression and we will be back very soon. The price was fantastic £10 for 3 courses and there is a choice of 3 to chose from. Our waiter said we could order fish and chips for our eldest she is only 2, was very impressed with that to. It was just the right amount of food for her. Wasn't overly busy but a nice atmosphere and staff well presents and smiley. The bathrooms where very nice and kept clean. A star to all staff and students

This was our first time at this college based training facility, we were really impressed with the three course lunch and all for £10.00. The quality and presentation were equal to other more expensive eateries we have frequented. The bread was home baked and all three courses were a pleasant experience. Our waiter Tom made us feel as if we were in The Midland Hotel and we wish him well for the future. The lady who is one of their tutors checked with everyone if they were happy with their lunch afterwards. Perhaps some of the local restaurants could learn a thing or two if they visited.The loos were spic and span (always a good benchmark) they were both disabled facilities to cater for all. There is a vast free car park at the rear of the college which was a bonus for us to save the treck from the town centre.Yes we hope to visit again for the finale dinner in June. Oh yes, and all the team we saw were fresh looking, smart and pleasant. Well done!

A little gem of a find! and one that you really must visit if you go to Rochdale, we went here last night for one of there themed gourmet evenings and we had a wonderful time. You must remember that this is a training restaurant so don't expect michelin starred food and service but what you do get is enthusiasm a willingness to learn and an insight into the chefs of tomorrow. We had a four course meal for £25 and whilst there were some imperfections, every single dish had great flavour, good presentation and was served on time. We will certainly be going back to try their lunch time menu which at £10 for a 3 course lunch is not be sneezed at. Well done guys! keep up the good work and we will look forward to the grand finale night, we can't wait to see how you have all progressed.

The food and service was excellent, could ask for any better. Well Done, the restaurant is a credit to all involved.

Went for lunch with a couple of friends yesterday and was so shocked with how cheap it is excellent variety would of been happy paying double what we did would highly recommend visiting this place. The students were very attentive and welcoming better service than other places I've been well done to you all

This is a restaurant run as part of the training for students at Rochdale College. I went as a member of a big group for lunch yesterday and I was delighted with the improvement in the quality of the meal. It was well cooked and well presented. The 1st years serving were doing a good job particularly in view of the fact that they had only just started their course. We had 3 courses for £10 so it was excellent value and there was a good choice. The dining room is modern and attractive.However it is not good to see on our way in the young would be chefs congregating in the smelly smoking area of the car park in their kitchen rig outs. I kept thinking I hope they remember to wash their hands

Thursday evening my wife and I had the pleasure of dining at the new Rochdale College Riverside Restaurant. This is a fantastic brand new training facility operated by catering students under the guidance and supervision of the training staff. It is a credit to the college and everyone concerned.The facility is situated on the ground floor level, has first class parking together with a good number of disabled spaces and ramp access for wheelchairs. The interior decor is modern and very well appointed and has some 60 covers or so. Far superior to many so called "high end" establishments in and around the area.The front of house staff, although young, were very well dressed and greeted diners both warmly and professionally. There are tables for 2,3,4,6 and 8 expertly laid with quality crockery,cutlery and glassware. Seating is stylish and comfortable.The quality of the food and the presentation of each course, by the students, was to a very high standard, the service of both food and wine expertly delivered with smiles and enthusiasm.It was hard to believe that these guys and gals were students in training. Yet here they were at 8.30 in the evening, in their own time, conjuring up and presenting dishes that many "top dollar" eateries in the area would be envious of.We thank the students and staff for treating us to a truly gourmet night out and look forward to our next visit.

second trip in as many weeks and both times it has been amazing! the food is delectable and of the highest standard the presentation is fabulous, I will be back again with more friends and will spread the word x

The new restaurant at Hopwood College is very modern and creates a pleasant dining experience. There is ample car parking.The first year students waiting on are very attentive and the food cooked, we were told by the second years, was delicious.. Three courses for £10, what excellent value for money. We had slow braised lamb for our main course which was beautifully cooked and well presented.Try it and you won't be disappointed. Well done to the students.

I have eaten at the Riverside on 3 occasions and it has improved with each visit. The surroundings are lovely and the food excellent. Well done to staff and students, I sincerely hope it continues to do well.

We have visited this restaurant several times. It is staffed in the kitchens and restaurant by college catering course students under supervision by qualified managers. It is simply an amazingly good experience in all regards.A modern decor restaurant with service levels, food quality and value that a lot of other restaurants I know around Rochdale and Manchester could do well to emulate!The front of house student staff are attentive and keen to give of their best. Occasionally their confidence is tested in what may be a new experience for the younger ones, but they always win through! I cannot say how good it is to see students being so motivated and delivering a great service and good food in such a way. We offer our gratitude and congratulations to everyone there at this superb restaurant. Go visit them, you will not be disappointed!

My Parents and I had our lunch here today to celebrate my Mum's birthday. The service was very good and the food was excellent and well worth the money.

Got to say the food here is brilliant. Really nice and it's the type of eatery rochdale has been crying out for. Got to say well done and keep it up to the students and lecturers

It was extremely heartwarming to visit this training restaurant at Hopwood Hall College. The young students were delightful albeit slightly lacking confidence. That will come very quickly if customers give them the praise they deserve. We enjoyed the Gourmet menu on Friday priced at £15 for four courses. £6 supplement for steak. The restaurant itself is light and modern. The cutlery on the table was perfectly arranged. The students performing waiting on service were very attentive yet unobtrusive. Next to the food. Truly amazing. I could have eaten it all again. Steaks were perfectly cooked to requirement. The ravioli containing wild mushrooms was excellent, managing to get the thickness just right. I nervously ordered halibut in a mussel sauce. I say nervously as I have only had them once before. Although good then in Belgium I know they can be tough and chewy if overcooked. Tonight they were melt in the mouth. The creamy sauce was absolutely divine! We like to eat at very good quality restaurants so usually go into Manchester. We can truly say that the students matched them so we will definitely be returning.WELL DONE And THANKYOU!

This restaurant has recently reopened after refurbishment. Have now been a couple of times for lunch and it has been fabulous The first time had the three course set lunch which was lovely and very reasonably priced £10. The second time for a bar snack the best club sandwich I've ever had!!! And the triple fried chips were a delight. The students are learning on their feet but they are so nice and so keen to get it right you don't notice highly recommend

We visited the restaurant last Friday. The Riverside is the brand new training restaurant for Hopwood Hall College. Apart from the manager everyone else is learning their trade. They all swop jobs so one of our waiters is training to be a chef. The food was well cooked & well presented. I had a steak medium & it was unlike some steaks I've had. Service was great, a bit like being on a cruise when the waiters appear to be everywhere. There was a slight crisis with the crème anglaise or custard to you & me as one of our friends likes plenty, however crisis averted the waiter must have seen the look of disappointment on her face & a larger jug arrived without asking. So finally the kids were great, the food was delicious & reasonably priced @ £15.00 per person. Sadly only open during term time.