The River Cafe in Hammersmith and Fulham - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

We were so pleased with Cheyann’s service today. She was very nice and took great care of us. Thank you for a wonderful experience; we look forward to visiting again. Anna and Mario.

This is the best restaurant for Consistent Great food in London ! By far ! The flavours of produce of the Mediterranean are alive and abundant.

This place is eye wateringly expensive. The food is glorious, but the service should be much better for the price.

Came for lunch and we were very much looking forward to it based on how far in advance we had to book and the reputation/general hype around the place. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with the shabby interiors, poor service and terrible value for money. More than happy to splash out on a nice meal but not when you’re paying £33 for 5 overcooked ravioli and £59 for a tough piece of fish. The ingredients seemed fresh and some of the flavours were well balanced but every dish was executed poorly (lemon zest in the tart made it grainy and not an enjoyable experience) so for the prices they’re charged it’s just not worth it. Staff seemed indifferent to our presence which made the 12.5% service charge even harder to swallow. Although this seems standard in London these days and who’s going to ask for it to be removed at a place like this? I would save your money and go a few paces further down the river to Sam’s Riverside - a much nicer experience all round!!

Very delicious food and lovely service. I've come here for lunch a couple of times and always enjoyed myself. The food is top-notch and of great quality. I always opt for the fish dishes, and they never disappoint.

Incredibly disappointed by the entrance hostess (orange silk top, brunette with a bun) On the 3rd of September 2024. No smile, no welcome, no warmth. When I asked to sit outside, I was told that it was fully booked - clearly loads of space. The problem is - I booked outside as well. Very snooty behaviour which I have not see here before. Shame.

Everything we had was delicious, some of it was outstanding - particularly impressed by the way they make simple ingredients like a fig or tomato really stand out. Being sat back-to-back with other people means it’s easy to overhear conversations and it’s a great place for people-watching. Is this the place to come to for an intimate dinner? Probably not. Is it amazing value for money? Probably also not. But the atmosphere of comfort and unpretentiousness, together with some truly special food means you want to come back to again and again.

Great food, impeccable service, beautiful ambiance. Simple yet generous and tasty crab dish, pasta seemed like it was made by la Nona in Italy, the grouse met our expectations. Did I say service? Because everyone there seem to care.

Overall disappointing and far below the standards of years gone by. The food was fine but unexceptional, and not deserving of a Michelin star (or the £60 price for a main). The service was average…bread didn’t come when we asked for it, the wine took a long time to arrive, and no-one checked up on us etc. Summer pudding was no more than a plate of berries with some soggy bread amongst it. Best bit was the setting.

Pricier than I imagined: £100 for a starter and a main . Dover sole I have been served better previously. Fabulous atmosphere in the summer

Amazing! I love to give 5 stars reviews because it means I found a place I would recommend. Food was very tasty; as a starters I would 100% recommend the Crab, the Pizzetta, and the Prosciutto with Cantaloupe melon, you can tell all the dishes have quality ingredients. Then the mains I liked the most were the Dover Sole wood-roasted with a salted anchovy —it melted in my mouth—, the Summer Risotto, and the chargrilled Longhorn Beef Rib-Eye, but if none of that is to your taste I would suggest the Tagliarini with Dorset Blue Lobster, incredible as well. Everyone was super friendly and professional and the owner is such a nice lady. We felt very welcomed!

We visited River Cafe for dinner with our family, and our impressions were mixed. The food was outstanding: every dish was exquisite and delicious, with no doubt that the kitchen here is top-notch. However, the prices seemed too high, especially considering the restaurant is quite far from central London. If you're willing to spend a significant amount on dinner and don’t mind the trip to the outskirts of the city, River Cafe won’t disappoint. But if you value a balance between price and convenience, it might be worth considering other options.

The food was undercooked and it took forever to have it back served the right way. It helped that the place is beautiful and the day weather-wise could not have been better. Quite attentive staff, regardless.

The best restaurant in London by a mile. Utter perfection in every aspect

For a restaurant of this reputation and with the prices they charge, I expected an exceptional experience. Unfortunately, it fell short. We were seated outside next to storage units with a view of covered plastic chairs—not the most appealing setting. While the interior is beautiful, they should really focus on enhancing the outdoor area, especially since that’s where most people choose to sit during the summer. The service was good—not Michelin-level compared to others I’ve been too, but decent for an average restaurant. Honestly, I’d say it’s on par with Gaucho. However, the food was disappointing. The lobster was overcooked, rubbery, and a bit cold. The presentation was lackluster, as if the food was simply thrown onto the plate. I have a feeling this place was amazing in the 90s, but now, it’s just not worth it. Save your money and go to LPM instead.

Food was good but I think pricing is rather punchy compared to other similar and well known establishments

Incredibly expensive for what it is. Better to go to Locando rather than this.

My partner and I eat here maybe 4 times a year and always host a family meal in the summer . Our meal on Tuesday was so middling I’m still appalled that we spent so much for such poor food . Whilst the weather wasn’t great and they can’t control that , they could at least have overhead heaters that work . Our’s didn’t and there are just so many blankets you want to have during dinner . The food was not good . My melon was so overripe it practically was a smoothy annd the ham that came with it fairly insignificant the monkfish was not fresh and covered in sauce probably to hide the fact that it wasn’t fresh, the pasta nice but not worth the price . I usually order the lemon tart but this time tried the summer pudding which was so tart it was unpleasant . Once in awhile I realise a restaurant can have an off night but at these prices the RC can’t .

We eat here around 4-5 times a year and always have a family dinner in the summer . Our meal this time was extremely disappointing . The weather wasn’t good which isn’t their fault but for goodness sake could they at least insure the overhead heaters are working ? - our’s wasn’t despite asking numerous times for it to be relit . The monkfish was not very good and over coated in sauce perhaps to hide it wasn’t very good , the pasta fairly bland and the summer pudding was so sharp it was inedible . I am aware that restaurants from time to time have a bad night but at these prices this restaurant can’t afford to . Certainly not up to its usual standard , I wonder if Stanley Tucci who was having a big private dinner inside had as poor a meal ?

We went few times in the past and have good memories, and then this year ventured again in late August - as rightly put by another reviewer - trading on past glory indeed! Tables overcrammed, too many for the allowed space for sure. Crazy prices - starters fora min £35 and mains from £65, shocking even for London (pasta - around £35). Starters were bland (we had carpaccio, squid and buffalo mozzarella - ok but nothing special and certainly did not justify the price). Mains were better (fish, ravioli and girolles risotto) but again not garnishes is a special/imaginative way. Dessert was flawless (lemon tart and strawberry + almond tart). The service was efficient but our waitress was rather dull and not interested in serving us, just delivering plates; same for the sommelier. I felt like it was not worth the money and I agree with others - a culinary disappointment. They do not deserve to keep the Michelin star. Read less

The River cafe has become a mid rate pretentious canteen for decedent business lunches! That's all.

Iconic for many reasons- it’s pricey but excellent portions and delicious food. Lovely space especially when the weather is nice. Worth a visit (or several)!

We had high expectations but were ultimately let down, particularly when you spend over £300 for a meal for two (no drinks) you expect a lot more. Portion size was good (maybe too big) but the quality was poor, an inverse ratio to what I was expecting, would have favoured quality and flavour over a big portion. The service at the table was good, but we arrived a little early and were left at the bar with other guest with no bar service… The atmosphere was pretty good, but the decor is very basic and you feel a little like you are on your garden patio, certainly not a fine dining experience.

Both the restaurant and new walk-in cafe are quite nice. Booking has been easy at the restaurant recently and the side cafe hasn’t been over-crowded, I hope it stays that way. Of course, the chocolate cake at the restaurant is mint, and the caramel gelato at the cafe is leng. The lemon tart is bussin, as well

I had hopes for an enjoyable evening at The River Cafe, but left disappointed by my experience for a number of reasons. I was visiting London in late July 2024 to celebrate a milestone birthday with my family. My spouse chose The River Cafe for my birthday dinner based on its positive reputation. The evening started well enough, but as soon as our food and drink orders were placed, service at our table fell noticeably. I observed at least one A-list entertainer among the patrons at a nearby table who was showered all evening with fantastic service from the staff. I observed the chef and the owner spending significant time conversing with other people I recognized from the silver screen. My party, however, felt rushed and insignificant. I asked to speak with the owner when she had a minute to spare, but was told she was too busy. I could see her at that moment just a few tables away speaking with other more fashionable guests. I fear, but do not know, whether our racial diversity or my spouse's physical disability played a part in the decision to disregard us. All I wanted was for my young daughter to meet a successful business owner and hear a few words of inspiration. It seems that unless you have a deep IMDB profile, there is no attention to be given by the owner. After paying a bill of over $1000 for four people, my highlight was a short riverside stroll on the public access nearby. The only food that stands out from that evening is the Chocolate Nemesis dessert. That was excellent. I cannot recall what else we ordered because it was not that memorable. This is a place to be seen and rub shoulders. The food and wine are decent, but not spectacular. The premium paid here is for snob appeal and networking opportunities in the entertainment industry. If you do not meet the narrow criteria of patrons this establishment seeks to serve well, you can find better food and service elsewhere. If you are fortunate enough to be in the narrow social class this restaurant seeks to serve, I suggest sending a message with your wallet by supporting other more deserving restaurants that treat all people with respect.

Honestly, this place does not deserve a Michelin star. I am Italian and there are so many places in Italy where you can eat better food than here. The quality of the food is modest, the atmosphere of the place not so great and we are talking about dishes that are significantly overpriced. I do not recommend it.

Value for money absolutely ridicolous. Main dish starting from 60£ and quality is not enough

Unfortunately very overrated and extortionate prices. Paid £135 for two v small portions of pasta, 2 glasses of wine, 1 small cheese plate and sparkling water. How can they justify £36 for 5 ravioli for a primi? Went for an anniversary dinner and wished we'd chosen elsewhere. Was here 20 years ago and has changed beyond belief. Very sad...

As always outstanding food. The service was so enjoyable and efficient thanks to Bella. She was smiling, accommodating. and perfect.

The amount of food is very small, and the taste is average and not distinctive. There are restaurants in London that are much tastier... I do not think about returning to them.

Did you know the River Cafe has a cafe? Situated right by the river there’s seating inside or out. Outside is gorgeous on a sunny day, surrounded by flowers. A peaceful stop along the Thames.

A nice place but very pricey for what you get in my opinion, £45 for a thigh of roast chicken with vegetables is a lot and no potatoes so felt under nourished! The price for 3 men without drinks, as only drank water was £368... Not rushing back in a hurry but lovely atmosphere and friendly staff although you'd expect that for the money. Thanks

Very good food and a wonderful ambience. It is expensive, but worth it.

Amazing food good service and a nice atmosphere

So we are seasoned travellers who enjoy the experiences of dining at restaurants all around the world, primarily US, Europe, UK, and Australia, and have been doing so for 20+ years We rate our experiences against set criteria to give us a relativity between different cuisines/locations/etc I made a booking at The famous River Cafe, for a late lunch this past week Unfortunately the experience was as bad as we’ve had ever anywhere Food was underwhelming, from undercooked and sloppy two cheese pizza, two mains that were just so so ( one at £85 mind you), no availability of sides, even salad was not really an option, so they provided (for £14) a small plate of simple rocket leaves, but highlight was excellent strawberry almond tart As for service, it did not exist 3 requests for water, 2 for my coke, likewise for ice cubes, and this after a 20 minute wait for our table, some of the staff ( not all I must stress) adopted a somewhat “ entitled” manner, which didn’t contribute to the experience when added to the service failings Overall seriously disappointing and not worth the 5 hour round trip we took to saviour the delights of The River Cafe

Incredibly overpriced for small portions and mundane dishes. Service is not up to standards.

Disappointing Service at The River Cafe I recently visited The River Cafe for the first time, hoping to get acquainted with the place before booking a dinner reservation for my husband and me. The setting is undeniably charming, with a lovely atmosphere and tasteful interior design, enhanced by its picturesque location by the river. There was even a vernissage in the annex that added to the ambiance. Unfortunately, my experience was marred by exceptionally poor service. I ordered a double espresso and planned to stay for lunch. From the moment I sat down, the waitress paid no attention to me. I had to ask for both the menu and the drink menu myself. After receiving my espresso, she never returned to check on me or offer water, forcing me to drink from my own bottle. I was dressed in casual sportswear after a stroll by the river. After waiting a long time (almost 1 hour) without any further assistance, I decided to leave. I stood up to get someone’s attention to pay for my espresso, and after waiting for about 10 minutes, the manager, Tom, finally approached me. He was apologetic and did not charge me for the coffee, offering something to take away instead. I appreciated his gesture, but by then, the damage was done. I had high expectations for The River Cafe, given its reputation and the beautiful setting. Sadly, the lack of attentive service left me very disappointed. While I may give the restaurant a second chance based on the positive reviews I've heard, this initial visit has certainly dampened my enthusiasm.

Food was delicious We sat inside, to be honest, the atmosphere was like a cafeteria, I didn't love it, unfortunately the service was not great because it was very busy.

I’m burning my river cafe cookbook first edition .. appalling service and sexist service especially regarding wine .. apparently if a women orders wine the male gets to try it Sad and disappointed by the experience . Dated interior with ripped seats

1 star Michelin Italian restaurant. Came here for lunch on Saturday. Busy and big restaurant. We ordered four dishes to share for both of us. We felt they were all ok. Nothing outstanding. The calf liver wasn’t outstanding too. Risotto was quite bland and look boring. I ate better food in Italy without Michelin. Staff were friendly and there were many of them. This restaurant feels more like an upmarket/overpriced restaurant rather than Michelin starred restaurant. I feel there is slight lack of attention to the dining experience. I feel restaurants in London cannot compete on world stage. I would score 6/10 however on google 4/5.

A very busy and popular restaurant. They pack a lot of diners into the space and limit your table to two hours. The food was good, and quite decent portions. However it wasn't as good as I'd expect from a Michelin starred restaurant. Also the dishes were quite pricey. The service wasn't very attentive. We had a mix of servers and a few times we had to flag someone down to ask where our dishes were.

great food , but at a price amazing location

Eye wateringly expensive. £35 for a vegetarian plate of pasta with no taste and the quantity didn’t even cover the plate. Not even offered bread with it! Expensive wine. The place was packed so presumably others see, taste or experience something here that passed me by.

Horrible food very small portions not testing over cooked pasta

The fact this place has a michelin star says more about michelin, I guess, than the restaurant. The food was mediocre at best, and at least one of the dishes was shockingly bad. Starters: crab (had better at touristy Greek taverns for 1/10 of the price) mozarella (worse than getting it from a shop). Mains: monkfish (someome had emptied a bag of salt on it, first time EVER I consider something unedible at a restaurant, ANY restaurant I've ever been to.) The waitress that served us was rude (slapping the bill on the table without saying a word etc and bear in mind we didn't complain or mention any of the above whilst there), slow, and was wearing a dirty apron. And this place has the audacity to charge £28 for starters and £48 for mains. Would be hilarious if it weren't tragic. But I guess it is a stark reminder of how terrible the food culture in this country is, and specifically in London.

SO SO execution of rather bland tasting food. A trendy boring English version of Italian food. Never had food in Italy like. this.so over hyped and seriously overpriced especially the wine. POOR !AVOID? Food, 2 courses not worth more than 50 pounds opposed to over 120 pounds per person we were actually charged! 2. Date may 24 Friends of mine who work in the city. Said it is a total waste of money and the food is tasteless.

They wouldn’t seat me until I ordered. Very strange, turned me away when I said I was there for drinks and maybe a snack. Would hate to think It was racial.

Very nice food selection, which all tasted amazing! Service was fantastic and atmosphere was great.

We have been loyal guests of the River Cafe for several years, often choosing it for our special celebrations. However, our latest visit left us somewhat perplexed and disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the food was acceptable, but it just didn't carry the same spark it used to have. The dishes, while good, felt somewhat routine and lacked the excitement we've come to expect here. Additionally, the prices seemed steep considering the overall experience. Coming here used to be a highlight for us, something we eagerly looked forward to, but this time it left us questioning what has changed. The restaurant, which once felt special and unique, now seems to have lost a bit of its charm. As much as we would love to continue cherishing this place as a spot for our memorable occasions, we are left wondering about the future and whether it can regain its former glory. We truly hope River Cafe finds its way back to what it once was.

Beautiful setting along the River Thames, atmosphere lively and modern, friendly and attentive service, and the food is just spectacular. They are even kid friendly for lunch on a Saturday! Pricey, but worth it for an occasion.

This is our 4th time at River Cafe and the food still stands out is very special, but the service overall has suffered. I do hold River Cafe to a higher standard as it holds a Michelin Star and prices to match. Would say this is a one off but don’t rest on your laurels or your regulars will stray!

The most disappointing and overpriced dinner I ever had in my life! I'm sorry but the food ok, nothing special, and cannot justify the price. Can't figure out how this restaurant got a michlen star!

I really wanted to like this place, but there were a few aspects that brought my rating downwards. Food wise, the quality was on par with most London restaurants, but the price was quite high. For a plate of pasta, it was between £30-40. We decided to go with scallops and veal instead. Both were delicious, but the scallop starter only had 2 scallops. We were expecting more. Nonetheless, the quality was pretty good and we didn't leave hungry. The chocolate cake was absolutely divine with the clotted cream on the side. Service was generally quite average. For Google to mark this as a fine dining restaurant, I think it's a bit of an overstatement. It is a nice restaurant, but not fine dining. The service on the way in/out was great, though. The hostess was very friendly, and they were very open and apologetic towards the issues of the atmosphere (described below). My only issue with the service was when we called to inform the restaurant we would be 10-15 minutes late (and acknowledged we needed to return the table), they couldn't find our reservation for a very long time. When they finally found it, they said we needed to return the table by 1:40. Our booking for 2 people was at 12, and our confirmation email said we had the table reserved until 2pm. I was quite disappointed by the miscommunication here. Although this was again overshadowed by the very friendly hostess. The atmosphere earlier in the day (on a Sunday for lunch) was calm, but towards 1-2pm, it got very crowded. The tables are very close to one another. When a new group came in behind us, they started shoving their chairs and pushing me into my table. Not giving me any heads up or asking if I could move over. I actually saw them come in and pushed my chair in a few inches so they could get in. They seemed to be an older group, and I wanted to be polite in providing them room to get to their seats. Instead of politely moving around me, they pushed my chair more into my table and set their chairs up against mine. For the last 15 minutes of our meal, they kept pushing my chair. When I tried getting out to leave, I couldn't move my chair at all (they had inched their way such that I had no room to get out), so I fell backwards, causing my chair to almost lift the lady in the chair behind me. The behaviour of other customers is not the fault of the restaurant at all, but this restaurant attracts an older crowd who didn't seem to have any interest in being polite to other customers. I flagged this with the hostess, and she was very apologetic. I appreciate her sympathy, but I hope the restaurant will improve by spacing out their tables more as they had several empty tables and enough room to give at least a few inches between chairs. Overall, I sadly didn't have the best experience between the food portion to price ratio, and specifically other customers.

I am Italian (born and raised there) and could tell with confidence that the food is not at all worth it.

Excellent vibe and very lovely authentic Italian cuisine. Good wine list. Very busy and popular. A great spot for lunch if you're in Hammersmith or Fulham, and it's on the river for a nice walk afterwards.

Simply a wonderful experience. Food amazing and atmosphere fantastic.

This place is the best everything inc locacations !! Go to this place with your best friend and family for special day . All the staff are very friendly ,good vibes! The food was divine !! Worth it try with your special friends for wonderful memories !

food was delicious, the atmosphere was incredible and the staff were lovely and gave helpful recommendations. i came in a group of 6 and i believe we got the set menu along with drinks which totalled up to near £900. so a bit on the pricy side but if you’re looking for great food, service and atmosphere then it’s completely worth it!

Amazing place to eat, open kitchen and a general great place to be.

Amazing food however it is expensive and the interior is bland.

It was a great- lunch, very busy and generally exceptional service. I was greeted well and the speed of everything was perfect. I had however notated on the booking that I'd be dining with a vegan guest and when it came to ordering there was no explanations given to what was vegan on the menu. They had to ask and the waitress (very sweet but massively put on the spot) after looking through the options on the menu, had to freestyle and suggest the kitchen could come up with 'a medley'. I was having starter, primi and main and when my guest asked what course the medley would be for, they answered, all three. Look, she came, she ate what she was given and we had a nice time but for the standard and prices of the river cafe, you'd expect it to be a little more thought through, especially as it said on the booking there was a vegan attending. The staff were good though and my food delicious.

Really amazing atmosphere and lovely food.

One of the best place in London

I am a local resident and wanted to treat my friend to lunch, not a memorable experience, the food was average, the waitress removed my guest plate while I was still eating, not sure about the hygiene in having salt and pepper in little dishes ( unless they are fresh for new seating ). On the way out the hostess didn't help me with jacket as I was struggling to put it on and the door was not open for us. I was expecting for ££££ restaurant to have a memorable experience which was not the case, so overrated, do not like to give negative feedback but felt that I had to.

The Good; Great location and real buzz about the place. Great front of house and table outside protected and warm. The Not so good: Expecting to be blown away by tastes and flavours. I wasn’t. It was OK but disappointingly bland and forgettable. In summary underwhelming. 12.5% service added on doesn’t go to front and back of house so take it off and tip directly in cash. Would I recommend to friends? No. Will I return? No.

Food tasted good, and staff are lovely, but so expensive. £37 for a very small pizza.

If you don’t have deep pockets don’t go My pockets are now very shallow But this place is a British institution Great staff Great atmosphere Portions are large Order one course between two And half your spend I’m not joking You will not leave feeling hungry

I have been dining at The River Café after 10 years and I was overall disappointed mainly by 1 dish..Pasta with vongole: dry, salty and sticky. Italian restaurants Must get this right especially premium restaurants. The Risotto was great though. The atmosphere was nice but a bit crouded for me: tables were too close to each others. Service overall was good with friendly and pleasant people but quite casual for this level. I wasn't expecting Ritz or Core service approach off course but not a gastro pub either.

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.

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.

Had been wanting to go for years, finally went last night. Had a table outside, nice and warm underneath the heaters. The waiter was friendly, the water free and the food tasted great. I’m sorry to say it’s very overpriced though. You’re being rushed and while the food is great, the price doesn’t make up for the overall experience. I therefore won’t be going again. There’s other great restaurants in London with food just as good, but better service and pricing.

Brilliant Winter Set Lunch menu they put on once a year, staff are brilliant and kitchen always caters to my gluten, dairy, egg free diet. Perfection!

Loved everything about our visit last year and will be booking again May 2024 for my 40th trip to London

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I just don’t get it. Main courses at £60. Wine at £50+. I know it’s an institution but my god. Distinctly average cooking. Bruschetta was burnt. The liver was supposed to be with artichoke and capers but looked like it had been cooked in squid ink and was pretty disgusting. The ravioli was just thrown together which is fine but don’t charge as much for it then. The head chef needs to move on. He’s been there 20 years and looked disinterested and lazy. They need some fresh blood in there as this place has gone badly stale. The chocolate nemesis tart was good. Service also.

The sweetest Devon crab I have ever tasted is plated up with rainbow chard and aioli, each ingredient so absolutely the best of its kind that it demands to be eaten by itself in slow appreciation. A slice of culatello di Zibello salami, cut so thinly you can see through it, serves as savoury seasoning for the roast veal chop it is draped over. Dessert is often a bowl of cherries that taste as freshly picked as the white peaches that make it into the famous bellinis.

Last visited The River Café 26 years ago and it's not lost its charm, exceptional food and great service

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!

What a disappointment, far below the standard I would expect at £330 for two.. nothing dreadful, but bad value, average ambiance and worth around half or less of what we paid. Average, average, average, even had to tell them the towels were out in the toilet.. that just about sums about the passion and care. Will never go again. Feel ripped off.

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.

The River Cafe absolutely blew us away. It’s expensive, but the portions and drinks are generous and we left absolutely stuffed. Worth every penny and I can’t wait to go back again

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.

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.

Exceptional restaurant. The River Cafe lived up to expectations. The food and drinks are amazing. The service is top notch too.

Given 2* for drinks and service- though rushed, was friendly and attentive. Starter of buffalo mozzarella was so poor. Even the youngest of broad beans, I just want them podded! The mozzarella itself was hard and grainy, for the £ would want creamy, luxurious texture and this was so far from it! Crab pasta was weak! Hardly any crab for volume of pasta, little peppercorns which when burst take over all other flavour. Hubby’s veggie pasta dish was super thick and again, just not what was expected! Main arrived before wine could even be ordered. Aperitif, bread, starter and main all done within 70mins. Not the fine dining experience expected or desired for a special evening, actually ruined an anniversary as we were so looking forward to this! :-( Interior wise- just not very nice at all unless you like 80’s primary colours, cold cheap cafe style. Bizarre that this place is so revered- I just can’t get on board on any level. Sooooo many beautiful Italian restaurants though out London at a fraction of the ££!

Clients enjoyed it, staff very helpful.

Best valentine's with my husband serving up a delicious pre-prepared and beautifully packaged 4 course meal from river cafe. Easy to replace the gnocchi with my gluten free option. The best part was how easy and well timed each course was. It felt like a private dining experience but with my sexy husband as the chef!

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! 😢

Extremely slow service Salty food seemed like a boring fast food restaurant Lots of noise, tables very close together

Food and service was fantastic.

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.

Deserves all the accolades - really lovely food. Overall its 4 and not 5 stars just because of price but to be fair the portions are very generous. So go ahead and treat yourself.....

I have never in my life had a dessert as delicious as the one at The River Café ❤️ The most delicious food and sweet wine. The sommelier was very helpful

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.

"This restaurant is just the best" is what I heard as we were about to leave. Whoever said that has got more money than sense. The restuarant itself is great and the food fantastic, and truly authentic. My girlfriend is from Tuscany and she gave it her nod of approval. However the prices are utterly ridiculous, even by London standards. Primi (starter) are all £30 and above, and Secondi (main) are £60+ For those prices it needs to be better than good, it needs to be faultless. And why I cant fault the food, the overall experience is just simply not worthy of that price tag, and the service wasn't as good as I would expect. Unfortunately it wasn't memorable and I would advise anyone not to go. Go somewhere else and spend your money more wisely. Or join jump on the hype train and keep telling yourself that this restaurant is just the best.

Underwhelming. Completely over hyped restaurant. We won’t be back. Disappointed because we heard so many good things.