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The River Café London Reviews
One to give a miss
Cliquey. Service mostly a miss. Food is nice but not nice enough to justify the price. It’s a place for diners who are friends of the owners.
Very underwhelming to be frank.
Everything was well cooked but the portions were tiny with huge price tags. Also the crab pasta I got had zero flavor. It tasted like buttered noodles. The complimentary focaccia is amazing and unlike typical focaccia (save a piece for your pasta sau
Good Vibe especially in the summer
Try to dine at the River cafe 2 to 3 times annually. Prefer the summer months. The food is always of a high standard. Nothing is too much trouble. Staff are very nice.
Disappointing experience
We had been looking forward to this meal. Unfortunately on the whole, we were disappointed. The service was flaky, the seating arrangement was cramped. The veal was excellent. The monkfish was far too spicy although it was not meant to be. It was pra
Listen, This is how it goes in the River Cafe kitchen when
Listen, This is how it goes in the River Cafe kitchen when they're devising the new menu... "Fritto Misto?" "Gotta have it. Italian classic. Simple. Delicious." "It's our bag for sure." "Simple, true. But
Overrated Restaurant
Staying in Mayfair and with a recommendation we caught a cab to the restaurant at Hammersmith which was further than expected. Our table was on the terrace opposite an architects’ office with the River Thames vaguely visible though a hedge. The ser
Left hungry - tiny portions at extortionate prices. Overrated.
Nice food but would've been nice to have a proper portion if spending the insane expense of each meal. I left hungry after given a tiny portion for my main meal - and I just don't think this should be the case in such a restaurant. The pri
Look before you leap
In this internet age it’s odd that you would turn up at the River Cafe and be shocked by the prices (as many reviews I have read seem to be). Yes it’s pricey but we knew that before we booked and ploughed on regardless hoping for a top quality ex
Disappointing, Cliquey and expensive even for this type of venue!
We had been looking forward to coming for a family birthday and expected a real treat but overall it was disappointingly run of the mill and the prices were eye-wateringly expensive. £39 for Asparagus as a starter is an example (it was excellent but
Greta to be in the sun
It is some time since I last eat here. Great to have lunch outside in the sunshine. The food was good and service swift. The prices are such that you are either rich, on expenses, or saving up to eat here.
Lunch outside yesterday at a table for two was quite magical
Lunch here yesterday was quite magical. We sat outside on the terrace at a table for two. Dear Charles took our order himself. Champagne to start. Delicious freshly made foccia. Me: Devon crab; Dover sole with roast peppers, tomatoes, olives, capers:
Absurdly priced
The food and service were both great. But great in the same way many other iconic London restaurants are great without making you feel like a fool for paying for £40 starters and £70 main courses for lunch. It’s a shame - it’s a great restaur
Not recommended, especially if you know what good Italian food is.
What an excellent example of what good advertising can do and this restauarnt is consistently booked out! However, the truth of the matter is that it is an overhyped venue where people go to be seen. If you are looking for a great italian meal and fi
Great meal/ bad seats
Very high quality meal. Open kitchen concept is not great if you’re sitting by the kitchen with waiters bumping your chair and people hustling and bustling behind you. I was completely overstimulated. The menu was in a difficult to read font, with
So, the food was fine, so was the service.
That was... until the cheese plate came and there were actual MAGGOTS in the soft cheese. The servers were immediately apologetic and comped our meal. The manager told us that this had never happened before, but still -- one incident where one eats m
Food was great and service was wonderful.
Looking out over the river was perfect. Nice quiet place to eat with friends
This has got to be one of our most favourite eateries
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 co
This iconic London eatery is situated in a somewhat
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 se
The food is fine but the service and ambience are just
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 com
Attentive staff, local, fresh ingredients in a peaceful
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 perfec
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!!
The restaurant is beautiful! The food was very good and
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.
Still amazing 25th years later..
We were there for a 50th birthday celebration. Saturday lunch. Very busy, lovely day. First went over 25 years ago. Still a fabulous experience. Some of the reviewers on here need to give their heads a wobble..this is a wonderful restaurant on every
Overpriced for what you get
The food was nice enough, but I have to say that I was disappointed in terms of value for money. I started with tagliatini vongole which had 8 clams, of which 4 were closed - not good enough for £35 and a disappointing lack of attention to detail at
A security
Always safe to come back here, excellent and well-prepared food, top Selvapiana Italian oil, important wine list, and one of the most professional services that exist
Winter Menu Wow
We were a party of four who had a late lunch on the winter set menu offer. The food was exceptional and the service was great. Whilst the Al la carte is very expensive this is clearly because of the quality of ingredients, the army of young chefs the
The food was amazing and the presentation was magnificent.
The service was impeccable and spot on. The ambience was very relaxing and lively
Good food but a little over priced
We went here for my wife’s birthday, with our friends. The food we had was great, well cooked, fresh and tasty. I just think is was overpriced for what we had. £60 for a mains plate, £75 for a bottle of wine. I couldn’t justify coming here a
Worth a visit
Worth a visit. Such an iconic restaurant that everyone must go to. The food is splendid and delicious. The restaurant is beautiful and the service is amazing.
Cheaper to fly to Italy and eat aithentic Italian food
Completely disappointing....I'm British and have lived in Italy for over 15 years and the claim of eating delicious Italian food in London is untrue. Far too expensive for poor quality food, lack of warmth from staff and a main course of pigeon that
Trading on past glories.
We have been visiting The River Cafe to celebrate special family occasions for several decades. We visited again last week to celebrate a 30th birthday. Sadly we all agreed that the magic of the place has gone. The tables are rammed too close togethe
As Much an Experience as a Meal
Upfront, The River Cafe is an expensive restaurant but we were looking for a high-end place with an interesting menu that would treat us to new flavors and tastes. We were not disappointed. The menu offered a variety of dishes as starters, as first c
Very disappointing
This was without doubt the most disappointing Michelin star experience we have ever had. The food has elements which are very good but certainly not exceptional. The clam risotto, has a very good depth of flavour from the base stock, but is very stin
Down stream
My appetiser was 10/10. I had a delicious home-made pasta with small pieces of rabbit and crispy pancetta. It really was fantastic. That was the best part of my whole River Café experience, and the only element that shone. I had wanted to visit thi
Don’t go!
The most overhyped and overpriced place serving average food…to many people crammed in a small space and blimey charging for a simple asparagus dish with béchamel sauce for £40…OUTRAGES!
What they said
Hilarious to go through the headlines of former reviews here that just confirm our experience. We were really looking forward to the visit but it was just not good unfortunately. Food was lacking taste and presentation (fresh chili had no kick, too m
Mugged
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 wi
Exceptional restaurant
Exceptional restaurant. The River Cafe lived up to expectations. The food and drinks are amazing. The service is top notch too.
Taste Buds left wanting!!!
Underwhelming, very over priced - and over hyped - I was expecting flavours and sadly disappointed, family shared the same view, far better london restaurants at much better value … I enjoy my food and am adventurist… very disappointed! 2 Stars!
Don’t believe the hype
Underwhelming and over priced - plenty of far better, more interesting and much better value options for Italian food in London. Don’t believe the hype.
Absolutely wonderful
I have always wanted to visit here and never had a chance We got that chance yesterday, a very rainy Thursday afternoon and the restaurant was packed and the vibe was electrifying. I loved everything from start to finish. We had the set menu and e
Disappointed
Underwhelming. Completely over hyped restaurant. We won’t be back. Disappointed because we heard so many good things.
Great service, great food.
We had a lovely meal for two as a late Valentine's day dinner. It is obviously on the more expensive side, but you are paying for very attentive service and very good food. We opted for a pasta course and a main, which I'd recommend doing if you don'
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
Very good still after all these years! Service is attentive
Very good still after all these years! Service is attentive without being crowded. Menu pays homage to the classics while being creative on its own merits. Food is consistently good without being outstanding. Good wine list of Italian labels with pri
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
The food was of an impressive standard! We were
The food was of an impressive standard! We were particularly impressed with the veal shin as a main course and the almond tart as a dessert. The wood-fired lobster was perfectly executed and equally delicious. The pasta, however, fell slightly short
so so good.
it was our last meal of the trip and the perfect sendoff. the menu changes daily and the ambiance is perfection. i had pasta with a parmesan sauce and asparagus. the focaccia served before the meal was *chef's kiss.* We split the lemon tart and s gel
An iconic experience, but one that we wish had been
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
Never disappoints
River Cafe never fails with exceptional food, drink and service every time. Excellent produce always perfectly prepared and delightful staff (including the lovely valet team).
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If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to The River Café London at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the The River Café London page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
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1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* FamousStation67, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's $200 bid.
* FamousStation67 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to FamousStation67 for any questions Peter may have as FamousStation67 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* FamousStation67 now uses their connections at The River Café London to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If FamousStation67 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, FamousStation67 receives the $200 reward which is credited to FamousStation67's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at The River Café London!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
