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• Interesting wine list
• Wheelchair access

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The Restaurant

Reservations

The river cafe will be closed for christmas from 24 december to 2 january inclusive..

Please book online for up to 8 people using the button below. We do not take bookings by email. For more than 8 people, see information in our Events section.

If you cannot find the booking you are looking for, please call our reservations team on 020 7386 4200 .

‍ Lunch Bookings of 1-2 are for 2 hours. Bookings of 3-4 are for 2 hours 15 minutes. Bookings of 5 or more are for 2 hours 30 minutes.

Dinner Bookings of 1-2 are for 2 hours. Bookings of 3-6 are for 2 hours 30 minutes. Bookings of 7-8 are for 3 hours.

All evening bookings are required to vacate the restaurant by 11:30pm.

Reservation Times

Lunch Monday to Sunday: 12pm - 3pm Dinner Monday to Saturday: 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Sunday Lunch

For Sunday Lunch bookings please call the restaurant on 020 7386 4200 .

Private Dining

Information regarding private dining can be found in our Events section.

Winter Set Lunch

The River Cafe's Winter Set Lunch offer is back from Monday 6th January to Thursday 17th April 2025, offered alongside our usual à la carte menu.

Two courses + Dolci £65 and Three courses + Dolci £80. The menu changes daily. Price excludes drinks and service.

The offer is available for up to 6 people for lunch Monday to Thursday at the 12-12:30pm or 2-2:30pm seatings, subject to availability.

Winter Set Lunches must be specifically booked in advance by selecting a Winter Set Lunch table on our website.

‍ View a sample Winter Set Lunch menu.

Sample Winter Set Lunch Menu

Puntarelle alla Romana Prosciutto di Parma with rosemary farinata Calamari ai ferri – chargrilled Squid with fresh red chilli and rocket Mozzarella di Bufala with smashed chickpeas, cicoria, grilled peperoncino and marjoram

Ribollita with November 2023 River Cafe extra virgin olive oil Panzotti di Zucca – Delica pumpkin, buffalo ricotta and sage butter Taglierini – fresh fine pasta with artichokes, thyme and Parmesan

Capesante ai ferri – chargrilled Scottish Scallops with sage, capers, polenta, cime di rapa and slow-cooked tomato Branzino al forno – wild Sea Bass roasted with olives, Vermentino Solosole, marjoram and Florence fennel Coscia d’Agnello ai ferri – chargrilled marinated leg of Lamb with borlotti di Lamon, salsa d’erbe and roast radicchio

Chocolate Nemesis       Lemon Tart Stracciatella Ice Cream

Two Courses + Dolci £65. Three Courses + Dolci £80.

Sample winter menu.

Saturday 25th January - Dinner

Puntarelle alla Romana £29 Carciofi alla Guidea – deep-fried whole Roman artichokes with Amalfi lemon £28 Calamari ai ferri – chargrilled squid with fresh red chilli and rocket £32 Mozzarella di Bufala – marinated in crème fraîche with wood-roasted Violino squash and agretti £29 Mazzancolle al forno – Scottish langoustines split & wood-roasted with parsley and garlic £49 Carpaccio di Manzo – finely sliced beef fillet crusted in thyme & black pepper with rocket and Sardinian winter tomatoes £34 Pizzetta – with radicchio, Speck di Val d’Aosta and rosemary £28

Ribollita – Tuscan bread soup with Swiss chard, borlotti, carrots and Selvapiana extra virgin olive oil £25 Linguine con Granchio – with Devon crab, chilli, parsley and lemon £35 Taglierini al Pomodoro – fresh fine pasta with slow-cooked tomato £28 Panzotti con Salsa di Noce – with Swiss chard, buffalo ricotta and fresh walnut sauce £29 Tagliatelle al Ragu – fresh pasta with veal, rabbit, pancetta & radicchio slow-cooked in Fontodi Chianti Classico £30

Rombo al forno – turbot tranche wood-roasted with wild oregano with potatoes, Cedro lemon, thyme and olives ‘al forno’ £59 Coda di Rospo con Vongole – monkfish & clams roasted in Tercic Ribolla Gialla with capers, anchovies and cima di rape £57 Branzino ai ferri – chargrilled wild sea bass with salsa verde, large leaf rocket and slow-cooked Florence fennel £57 Piccione al forno – whole Anjou pigeon wood-roasted in Isole e Olena Chardonnay with speck, smashed celeriac and watercress £55 Stinco di Vitello – veal shin slow-cooked with its marrow in Aldo Vajra Nebbiolo with tomato & sage on bruschetta with cavolo nero £53 Controfiletto di Manzo ai ferri – chargrilled Longhorn beef sirloin with salsa Etrusca braised Italian spinach and cannellini beans £55

Gelati del River Cafe £12

Roasted Almond Stracciatella Hazelnut Caramel Pear & Grappa Sorbet Affogato with: Grappa Bassano £18 Vin Santo £20 or Espresso £14

Chocolate Nemesis Lemon Tart Prune & Almond Tart Pannacotta with Grappa & Champagne Rhubarb Lemon, Almond & Polenta Cake with Caramelised Blood Oranges Biscotti Misti - Noci e Cioccolato, Mezzalune, Ricciarelli

Formaggi - 3 cheeses £18 or 5 cheeses £30

Robiola Rochetta – goat’s milk, Piemonte Taleggio di Val Brembana – cow’s milk, Lombardia Pecorino di Fossa – sheep’s milk, Umbria Alto But Vecchio – cow's milk, Padola, Veneto Gorgonzola Naturale – blue, cow’s milk, Lombardia

Sample Spring Menu

Wednesday 7th May - Lunch

Prosciutto di San Daniele – with Charentais melon £36 Insalata di Granchio – Devon crab with baby artichokes and parsley £37 Mazzancolle – split & wood-roasted Scottish langoustines with chilli and oregano £49 Mozzarella di Bufala – with lemon & mint, broad beans, black olives and Tarasco cicoria £34

Calamari ai ferri – chargrilled squid with fresh red chilli and rocket £31 Asparagi – English asparagus with anchovy butter & parmesan £31 Vitello Tonnato – thinly sliced roast veal with tuna mayonnaise, salted anchovy, capers, basil and lemon £30

Risi e Bisi - Venetian rice & peas with mint, stock and vermouth £28 Taglierini al Bosco – fresh fine pasta with wild asparagus, hops, herbs and Pecorino £30 Tagliatelle con le Ortiche – fresh nettle pasta with butter & parmesan £28 Spaghetti alle Vongole – with clams, parsley, garlic, chilli and Fracassi Favorita £35 Ravioli – with zucchini & their flowers, buffalo ricotta and mint £28

Rombo al forno – turbot tranche wood-roasted over potatoes with Amalfi lemon and zucchini £59 Branzino al forno – wild sea bass roasted in Terlano Pinot Bianco with Risina beans and Violetta artichokes £57 Coda di Rospo ai ferri – chargrilled Cornish monkfish with anchovy & rosemary sauce, agretti and broad beans sott’olio £57 Piccione al forno – whole Anjou pigeon wood-roasted on bruschetta with Allegrini Valpolicella and green beans ‘in umido’ £53 Costoletta di Vitello al forno – wood-roasted thick-cut veal chop with salsa verde, slow-cooked peas and rocket £54 Controfiletto ai ferri – chargrilled Longhorn beef sirloin with roasted Merinda tomatoes, braised spinach and fresh horseradish £55

Caramel Roasted Almond Stracciatella Hazelnut Strawberry Sorbet Affogato with: Grappa Bassano £18 Vin Santo £20 or Espresso £14

Chocolate Nemesis Lemon Tart Nespole & Almond Tart Pannacotta with Grappa & Raspberries Pressed Chocolate Cake with Zabaglione Ice Cream Ricciarelli, Baci di Dama, Mezzalune

Caprini Freschi – goat’s milk, Piemonte Scimudin - cow & goat's milk, Lombardia Pecorino Marzolio Rosso – pasteurised sheep’s milk, Tuscany Castelrosso – cow’s milk, Piemonte Blucora – blue, cow & goat's milk, Piemonte

Sample Summer Menu

Thursday 25th June - Dinner

Mozzarella di Bufala con Caponata alla Siciliana £28 Calamari ai ferri - chargrilled squid with fresh red chilli and rocket £31 Culatello di Zibello – with Charentais melon or Italian black figs £38 Mazzancolle – poached Scottish Langoustines with aioli and pea salad with basil, mint & fennel herb £49 Carpaccio di Branzino – thinly sliced raw wild Sea Bass with marigold tomatoes, golden oregano and chilli  £32 Antipasto di Verdure – roast red & yellow peppers with anchovy, baked borlotti, Italian spinach and buffalo ricotta crostino £28 Carne Cruda di Vitello - finely chopped Veal rump with squashed tomato bruschetta and Pecorino Gran Riserva  £31

Strozzapreti con Pesto alla Genovese e Fagiolini Verdi £29 Ravioli - stuffed with buffalo ricotta, garden herbs & lemon zest with marjoram butter and Pecorino £29 Risotto - with clams, zucchini flowers and Castello di Neive Lange Arneis £31 Taglierini - with cherry & marigold tomatoes and basil £29

Rombo al forno - Turbot tranche wood-roasted with anchovy, capers and flowering oregano with summer beets and garden rocket £58 Capesante ai ferri - chargrilled Scottish Scallops with zucchini fritti, chilli and mint £54 Branzino al sale - wild Sea Bass baked whole in sea salt with salsa verde and chargrilled verdura mista of aubergines, zucchini & peppers £57 Piccione al forno - whole Anjou Pigeon wood-roasted in San Guido Guidalberto with Tuscan roast potatoes £55 Vitello cotto in bianco - poached Veal shin, pancetta & bay with fresh horseradish, Swiss chard and peas £54 Controfiletto ai ferri – chargrilled Beef sirloin with fresh borlotti, mustard, Sorrento tomatoes and basil £55

Caramel Stracciatella Roasted Almond Hazelnut Strawberry Sorbet Affogato with: Grappa Bassano £18 Vin Santo £20 or Espresso £14

Chocolate Nemesis Lemon Tart Almond Tart with Strawberries Summer Pudding with Valpolicella Pannacotta with Grappa and Raspberries Biscotti Misti - Noce e Cioccolato, Ricciarelli, Baci di Dama

Robiola di Roccaverano – goat’s milk, Piemonte Asiago Pressato – cow’s milk, Veneto Capretta di Toscano – goat’s milk, Toscana Pecorino Sardo Canestrato – sheep’s milk, Sardinia Blu di Bufala – blue, buffalo milk, Lombardia

Sample Autumn Menu

Tuesday 18th November - Lunch

Pizzetta – with potato, Taleggio and thyme £27 Prosciutto di Parma – with radicchio and Parmigiano Reggiano £29 Carne Cruda di Vitello e Manzo – finely chopped veal & beef with black pepper, Pecorino Gran Riserva and rosemary bruschetta £32 Bagna Cauda – puntarelle, carrots, romanesco, celery hearts & Swiss chard with warm anchovy & De Faveri Prosecco sauce £29 Mozzarella di Bufala – with artichoke alla ‘Romana’, mixed roast pumpkin, Risina beans, marjoram & Felsina extra virgin olive oil £29 Calamari ai ferri – chargrilled squid with fresh red chilli & wild rocket £31 Mazzancolle – Scottish langoustines split & wood-roasted with garlic and parsley £49

Panzotti – handmade pasta stuffed with Robiola di Roccaverano with sage butter £29 Risotto Verde – with winter greens and Pecorino Canestrato £28 Malfatti con Fagiano – hand-cut pasta with pheasant slow-cooked in Bussola Valpolicella Classico, fennel herb & pancetta £29 Linguine con Granchio – with Devon crab, parsley, chilli & lemon £35

Branzino ai ferri – wild Sea Bass slashed & stuffed with lemon, thyme & marjoram with olives, red winter leaves & Florence fennel £58 Sogliola al forno – whole Dover Sole wood-roasted with pangrattato, anchovy & lemon zest with Italian spinach £54 Fritto Misto – of Cornish Monkfish, Red Mullet, Scottish Scallops, Anchovy, sage & Violetta artichokes £52 Gallo Cedrone – whole Yorkshire Grouse wood-roasted in Isole e Olena Chianti Classico with potatoes & sage ‘al forno’ and watercress £58 Stinco di Vitello – Veal shin slow-roasted in Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo with risotto bianco & gremolata £53 Coscia d’Agnello ai ferri – chargrilled marinated leg of lamb with chickpeas, cima di rape & fresh horseradish £53

Caramel Roasted Almond Stracciatella Hazelnut Chocolate & Vecchia Romagna Sorbet Affogato with: Grappa Bassano £18 Vin Santo £20 or Espresso £14

Chocolate Nemesis Lemon Tart Pear & Almond Tart Pannacotta with Grappa & Pomegranate Walnut & Amaretto Cake Biscotti Misti - Baci di Dama, Torrone, Noci e Cioccolato

La Tur – sheep & goat’s milk, Piemonte Castellino Caciotta – cow’s milk, Veneto Caprino Stagionato al Caprone – goat’s milk, Sardinia Ragusano – cow's milk, Sicilia Basajo – sheep’s milk, Veneto

River Cafe Gift Boxes.

Sparkling/Champagne

Events & off-site.

River Cafe Events

We have two event spaces at The River Cafe.

Our Private Dining Room can accommodate up to 18 guests, and Sylvia's up to 40.

Images and more information can be found here .

Off-site Events

We can bring the River Cafe experience to you with our off-site events.

To enquire about holding an event at The River Cafe or off-site, please email [email protected] or call 020 7386 4240 .

Opening Hours

Shop the river cafe.

Our cook books, olive oil, drinks, homewares and made-to-order dolci are all available on Shop The River Cafe .

Gift Vouchers

The River Cafe Gift Vouchers are delivered automatically by email to you or your chosen recipient and can include a personal message. You can also specify the delivery date if sending to a recipient.

‍ They are valid for two years, redeemable in the Restaurant, the Cafe, or online on Shop The River Cafe .

The other week, the director Greta Gerwig sat at my table, describing the unique experience of working with Saoirse Ronan — ‘Ruthie, you have to meet her.’ In a way, I feel like I’ve already met Saoirse through the intimacy of her award-winning performances in 'Atonement', 'Lady Bird' and 'Brooklyn', and her forthright interviews.

Now, the three of us are here together at The River Cafe in person — Saoirse, Greta and I. We’re talking about food and cooking, Ireland, Saoirse’s garden, learning to eat spaghetti and much, much more.

Listen to Ruthie’s Table 4 made in partnership with Me+Em.

Our latest cook book - available at Shop The River Cafe

Other Books

Co-founder of The River Cafe 28 January 1939 – 28 February 2010

The River Cafe

Thames Wharf Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA

For general restaurant enquiries: [email protected] +44 (0)20 7386 4200

For events and off-site: [email protected] +44 (0)20 7386 4240

For press: Kitty Alford: [email protected] ‍ For work: [email protected]

Getting to The River Cafe

Tube: Hammersmith Parking: Pay and display in surrounding streets except on Fulham FC home match days Valet Parking: Available in the evenings, Saturday & Sunday lunch Open location in Google Maps ‍

Work For us

We are currently recruiting waiters, bartenders and reception/reservationists.

Please email your CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, London W6 9HA +44 (0)20 7386 4200 | www.rivercafe.co.uk

The River Cafe

What's the vibe?

See all 177

Review Highlights

“ But I went for the whole nine yards with an Agretti dish followed by a sort of ravioli in ball format and chocolate nemesis . ” in 10 reviews

“ tely. The lemon tart was everythi ng a lemon tart should be: sharp, sweet and soft, with pastry that's not too s ” in 5 reviews

“ It is opened by Ruth Rogers and the new renovating is done by Richard Rogers . ” in 3 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Thames Wharf Studio

Rainville Road

London W6 9HA

United Kingdom

Amenities and More

Recommended reviews.

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

This has got to be one of our most favourite eateries anywhere...and it was a birthday treats so - excess was forecast Billecart Rose while we wandered through the menu; carpaccio, trout, lamb, affogato, ice cream, double espressos...oh and a new cookbook...I won't mention the price, but I've only ever paid more once (in Paris at Rostangs main place - and that was a third more and not as good and humourless) This is somewhere you go to like an old familiar armchair...you fit right in, Charles Pullan comes by for occasional chats (my wife adores him as he looked after her all evening when I broke my shoulder and so couldn't be there), you eat and drink your way steadily through, waiters and waitresses unobtrusively pick up, deliver, answer questions...and you have a wonderful meal and the best time ever...until the next time Oh and was that Michael Caine a table away - yup, but why do people, even there, feel the need to interrupt his meal with his friends - how would you like it...? Not sure when the next trip there will be - but there doesn't need to be an excuse! Marvellous

Its been too long since we went here. We were determined to really enjoy our meal and the experience; old hands here, true, but we were just in the mood for being pampered, having a wonderful meal and simply relaxing And so it was; a nice reception outside and the ever wonderful Charles Pullan to take us to our table; a lovely, warm evening, we chose outside. A few minutes in his capable hands and its like you have never been away You ask and everything just happens around you; no stress all evening...and it became pretty busy. The waitresses are experienced, knowledgeable, professional, yet they too are always relaxed and their attention is on you, they listen, they are not distracted; you barely have to raise an eyebrow and someone is there, yet unobtrusive We did not stint: bubbles, a decent couple of glasses of wine, prosciutto, carpaccio, monkfish, sirloin, ice cream, affogato, double espresso, 1 dessert wine - it wasn't cheap, but you just have to indulge from time to time...it was the most expensive meal we have had since Rostang in Paris a few years ago, though that was nearly twice as much and half as good...and too starchy This is just pleasure

Attentive staff, local, fresh ingredients in a peaceful setting are the standouts of this charming indoor/outdoor restaurant. We were greeted by a friendly host who seated us immediately at a quaint table nestled near shrubs along the river, a perfect setting for a warm Summer's day lunch. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, food delivery was nicely paced and every entrée was tasty. Our favorites were the Devon crab and lobster tagliatore pasta. Portion sizes are relatively small, but nonetheless delicious. Go for quality not quantity and the overall experience of a peaceful riverside meal.

See all photos from Dina E. for The River Cafe

Last time we were here was almost 20 years ago. We have no recollection of that visit. We knew of this place through their cookbooks. It is a trek to get here. There is not much to do in the immediate area. You can't actually see the Thames from the restaurant. We were here at noon on a Sunday. It seemed like there were more staff than guests for the first hour. The pizzetta was just OK. The calamari had the best looking rocket (aka arugula) we had ever seen. It was a simple and delicious dish. Gnocchi was made with semolina, not our favorite. The scallops were beautifully plated. As for desserts, we wanted tiramisu but it was unavailable, which was weird since the menu was dated for that day. We settled for roasted almond gelati, which was delicious with espresso. We liked the lemon, almond polenta cake but the blood orange was barely caramelized. It was so tart. Visually, the desserts were not complicated nor did they have complex components. The server was generally nice and attentive. I guess you have to be attractive to be a server here. Why was there a huge digital clock? We liked it, though. We like to keep track of time and didn't want to overstay our welcome. The decor wasn't the best. The plates were too simple. The chairs looked like office chairs. I guess minimalism and bold colors were the theme. It is, of course, worth a trek to eat here. They even had their own store nearby.

See all photos from Sam M. for The River Cafe

Oh yes, The River Cafe truly is as amazing as it is unique. The food and atmosphere are simply wonderful. The service is invisible, yet incredible. The food is the star and it is the best. Go, go, go!!

This iconic London eatery is situated in a somewhat industrial area overlooking the Thames. The two visits I made were both patio dining since they're so booked and I made reservations only a few weeks in advance. Chef Ruth Rodgers focuses on seasonal produce and really letting ingredients shine. I had a number of dishes and all were incredible. For a beautiful view, great service and food, and lively experience I'd recommend this restaurant all day. Chef has a podcast that she records onsite. Listening to her was the reason I went. The experience and food is why I went back and will now visit whenever in London

The restaurant is beautiful! The food was very good and service was very pleasant. The pizza was a bit salty but still very tasty. The Dover Sole was the highlight of the meal.

See all photos from Mi K. for The River Cafe

The food is fine but the service and ambience are just awful. The service is amateur and forgetful and I don't think they could stuff a single extra table in the place. It's impossible not to hear everyone else's conversations (and complaints).

An iconic experience, but one that we wish had been flawless. We trekked out here for dinner a couple nights ago, and while the setting was lovely, the service was less so, and it marred our overall experience. We had their earliest seating at 6:30 but because our waitress was flighty and unengaged, we were there much longer than we wanted to be. Since we weren't starving, we decided to order one dish from each section (OK, we admit we got two desserts). For the antipasti, we started with the mozzarella and caponata...it was incredible and paired perfectly with the complimentary focaccia that they bring out. The cheese was so creamy and it paired wonderfully with the saltiness/brine of the olives. 10/10! For primi, it was the pappardelle with rabbit, and again, nailed it--except that for some reason our pasta came out lukewarm, and not as hot as the sauce, which was odd and a shame. Even still, the rabbit pieces were generous and the tomato-based sauce was the ideal vehicle for the meat. 9/10! There was a LONG gap--an unnecessarily long gap--between courses when our secondi finally arrived. We ordered the branzino, which was lovely and delicate, and had a healthy amount of greens with it. 8.5/10 (there were a couple small bones that we found; our darling waitress was unimpressed when our daughter told her as much). We have saltier palettes and genuinely appreciate when salt is on the table, thank you! Dessert was chocolate nemesis, which is absolutely the most decadent flourless chocolate cake that you will ever have, wow. SO rich and good. We didn't love the toasted almond ice cream, however, because the nut chunks were too big and the consistency wasn't very creamy. While most of the food was 4-5 stars, we're ultimately settling on 3 stars (rounding down from 3.5) because of the service. She was a statuesque woman who was perhaps moonlighting as a waitress, which might explain why she didn't really seem invested in doing a good job. Dishes are expensive--after The Fat Duck, this menu was the steepest in price, so we expected a little bit more attention and care. We will say that we had a lovely meal and a nice time on a beautiful evening with heavenly weather. We're not upset about anything; we just left feeling unfulfilled. Maybe next time, maybe not.

This legendary Italian on The River Thames in The Hammersmith area of London is a force of nature that came on the scene in 1987, and it feels a bit 87 in there, in the best way. The colors of the servers clothes, the aqua blue carpet, the mirrored bar and ceiling, the handwritten menu that changes daily gave me the feeling of the time I went to Maxwell's Plum with my dad when I was young. You feel the specialness of the room. The food is delightful, the staff are a mix of young summer jobbers and old pros, all trained nicely. We booked a noon lunch and it was tremendous.

See all photos from Craig S. for The River Cafe

We had a nice dinner here a few months back in March. It has a great vibe and definitely is a hot spot. If you can eat outside with the weather being nice, I think that would be a great experience. We were inside which was fine but its pretty crowded and noisy (even on a weekday) so if you want a quiet place for a meal, this probably isnt it. The Jasmine cocktail was really nice and had good flavors to it. Our bottle of Amarone paired nicely with veal. We were a little disappointed not to get an explanation of the cheeses so would make sure you ask for that. The Recioto was a great dessert wine too. Overall this is a really nice restaurant thats worth a visit but probably not in a regular rotation

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The River Café

SquareMeal Review of The River Café

Although artisan competition is fierce these days, we side with the fan who reckons that The River Café serves “the best ingredients-driven Italian food in London”. This convivial Hammersmith evergreen (30 years young in 2017), which is rightfully so happy in its skin, is a very slick operation and certainly in the capital’s gastronomic ‘Serie A’, although it gains added kudos by virtue of its entrancing views and seductive riverside terrace (an absolute must-do on balmy days) as well as its decor, which some say is “dated but iconic”.

The rustic glories of Italian regional cuisine are writ large in a seasonal menu that majors on daisy-fresh salads, glossy pasta and specialities from the imposing red log-burning oven: in summer, that might mean poached langoustines with aïoli and pea salad followed by clam risotto dressed with zucchini flowers or wild salmon baked in sea salt; in winter, Tuscan bread soup with Swiss chard could precede whole Anjou pigeon wood-roasted in Chardonnay with speck, smoked celeriac and watercress. Further classics might be turbot with the greenest of beans, lobster risotto or char-grilled calamari with rocket. To conclude, chocolate nemesis is still the go-to option, but fruity tarts, grappa-laced pannacotta and the citrusy almond and polenta cake are also delicious.

Prices are top  lire (a bowl of cherries is £10) , although “exceptional service” is as friendly and engaging as it gets in London. Meanwhile, a list of pedigree Italian wines served at the correct temperatures in the correct glasses makes The River Café is the most well-rounded of treats.

Good to know

Michelin-starred The River Café has long held the status as one of the best Italian restaurants in London, originally opening in 1987 and retaining its iconic reputation pretty much ever since. Located on the banks of the River Thames in Hammersmith, it’s known for its exceptional Italian food, excellent-mannered service and its stunning terrace, which is a must if you’re dining at the restaurant on a balmy day (although you might have to join a waiting list to get a seat). Head chef and founder Ruth Rogers is at the fore of the kitchen and has been for the last 35 years, with The River Café spawning some of the UK’s greatest chefs including Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Theo Randall.  

The interiors are simple, minimalist and a little dated, which is all part of the canteen-style charm that the restaurant was originally built to imitate. Bright colours draw the eye to certain features in the room, such as a bright pink wood-fired oven, while stainless steel finishes bring a slightly industrial, café-like edge to the dining room.  

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and the menu changes with the seasons. Expect rustic Italian fare that’s unfussy yet elegant and made with exceptionally high-quality ingredients. The menu is divided into antipasti, primi, secondi, dolci and gelati. Dishes might include the likes of Carpaccio di Manzo (finely sliced beef fillet crusted in thyme & black pepper with rocket and Sardinian winter tomatoes), Tagliatelle al Ragu (fresh pasta with veal, rabbit, pancetta and radicchio slow-cooked in red wine) and Coda di Rospo con Vongole (monkfish and clams roasted in white wine with capers, anchovies and cima di rape). Dessert span many gelato flavours and classics such as lemon tart or pannacotta with Grappa and Champagne rhubarb.  

The wine list, meanwhile, features varieties from Italy’s many wine-making regions and also includes port, masala and sweet wines.  

What is the menu like?

You can expect antipasti, primi and secondi sections on the menu which include things like Tuscan bean soup, tagliatelle with ragu and bruschetta.

Who owns the restaurant?

Chef Ruth Rogers owns the restaurant.

How many Michelin stars does the restaurant have?

One Michelin star.

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020 7386 4200 020 7386 4200

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Absolutely love this restaurant amazing food,service and ambiance 

Best lamb in London

Beautiful seating area 

The food was incredible. But everything ended on a sour note when we double checked if the staff got the service charge. They didn't - and were very hesitant to tell us as such.

The owner was there ignoring any customer who wasn't a famous actor or disgraced businessman. Sad to think she gets the tips, not the lovely staff who served us.

Jacqueline H

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