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The River Café London Reviews from The Last Year
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 level. From reception to the tables to the service and the food .. all really great. We had the chili squid, the parma ham and the crab to start and then the rabbit ragu and the clam pasta dishes for main and the lemon almond and polenta cake to share for pudding. Every single dish and bite was so great. Not 2 star Michelin great but about the best fresh bistro type food you could imagine. This place is all about simple food with really great quality fresh ingredients. Service was cheerful and faultless. It's not cheap but don't whine about that when you arrive. You know it's not a budget meal so enjoy it as a special occasion or don't come. Lots of complaints about the tables being too close together, I'd completely disagree, I thought it made it even more buzzy. Would go again in a heartbeat .. if I could get a table!
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 the pass. My main was sole; nice, but small and overpriced. Desserts were the highlight of the meal and really delicious, although no effort was made on presentation or accompaniments. I was really disappointed at the lack of attention to the dining experience: at £150 a head it’s disappointing to have cheap paper table cloths, dated decor, overcrowded table placement unchecked toilets and no genuine engagement from who I presume were the senior staff. The place was full, on a Tuesday night, but I feel it’s banking on its existing reputation. I wouldn’t return.
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 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.
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 again.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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
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 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.
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't want to do all 4 courses (antipasti, primi, secondi, dessert). The pasta course is unbelievable. Wine starts at around £50 but we were able to get a nice bottle for £52 and when pub wine is £30 nowadays it felt more than reasonable. Would love to go back for the lunch set menu.
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.
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 prices that are not outlandish. Solid performer that meets expectations.
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
London's Best Restaurants that are most frequently booked by customers of The River Café London
Booked 2 times by The River Café London customers.
Ranked #21 in London's Best Restaurants.
Best PostsGreat Service - amazing dinner!!
Read about the site in NYT and bought a reservation at Mother Wolf in LA 2 days later. Worked great and the food was amazing!!!
Last Reply by 👻 @AssuringPrice78 (08/08/2023 7:25 am)
16 Thumbs Up
2 Replys, 1 commentWorked perfectly!
Got the reservation (that I couldn't get anywhere else) and was able to entertain a group of friends at the infamous Bern's Steakhouse.
Last Reply by 👻 @DiscriminatingPoison48 (08/08/2023 12:14 pm)13 Thumbs Up3 Replys, 0 commentsGot into Nobu Malibu
Wonderful! My parents are visiting and we have wanted to go to Nobu Malibu for years. I tried getting a reservation myself but it was next to impossible. So glad I was able to buy a reservation on appointment trader for a decent price!
Last Reply by 👻 @ConstantFold59 (10/20/2023 5:50 pm)6 Thumbs Up1 Reply, 0 commentsVery easy
Was very hesitant going into this experience but am glad to say that it worked out very well ! will definitely use appointment trader in the future
Last Reply by 👻 @FineCrush77 (07/29/2023 8:52 pm)8 Thumbs Up3 Replys, 0 commentsFabulous Lunch
I was veeeeeerry skeptical that this would work, particularly at a restaurant as hard to get into as Nobu Malibu, and it was perfect! We had lunch outside on the patio and it was fabulous!
Last Reply by 👻 @GainfulEdge65 (03/19/2024 2:48 am)5 Thumbs Up1 Reply, 0 commentsGreat reviewer team
Just wanted to take a second to shout out the reviewer team. Even though they probably review hundreds of listings and bids a day, they still take the time to leave great comments and respond relatively quickly. Thanks!
Last Reply by 👻 @IngenuousButton32 (06/02/2023 11:01 am)6 Thumbs Up1 Reply, 0 commentsIncredible
I got a reservation to Don Angie, which I've been trying to book for weeks! I am very happy with this service.
Last Reply by 👻 @FineCrush77 (07/29/2023 8:51 pm)6 Thumbs Up2 Replys, 0 commentsBest platform out there!
Super simple, easy, and fast to secure reservations for hard-to-get restaurants and locations!
2 Thumbs UpThis app is life changing
This app has opened my world up to so many wonderful new experiences I would never have the chance to have without access to this awesome app! 10/10!
Last Reply by 👻 @GrippingAttraction64 (08/11/2023 5:43 am)4 Thumbs Up2 Replys, 0 commentsWorked perfectly
Was a little nervous at first but was pleased to see that the booking went through flawlessly.
Highly recommended.
3 Thumbs UpSuccess on Short Notice
Was able to snag an indoor table at Don Angie through an absolutely seamless worry-free process.
Worked perfectly, thank you!
This is a crazy holiday season in NYC and I was very pleasantly surprised to see that AppointmentTrader works! Will be using again!
Worked flawlessly!
Worked so well! I was a bit nervous, but everything went very smoothly. purchased the reservation, and got into the restaurant seamlessly.
Last Reply by 👻 @CelebratedStreet63 (03/15/2023 7:29 pm)16 Thumbs Up5 Replys, 3 commentsLove this app!
So glad I came across this app :)
Last Reply by 🥩 @DecadentRoof69 (01/30/2023 5:54 pm)8 Thumbs Up2 Replys, 0 commentsQuick table in Miami
I didn’t have my hopes high as it was a party of 4. In 24 hours I had a carbone reservation available! I was very happy as my family really wanted to come here
Last Reply by 🥩 @DecadentRoof69 (01/30/2023 5:54 pm)7 Thumbs Up1 Reply, 1 commentPrime time, great meal
So easy and had a prime time which I can never seem to get on normal res apps. So worth it
Last Reply by 🤠 @DeliberateScale19 (02/01/2023 9:42 pm)3 Thumbs Up1 Reply, 0 commentsGot impossible NYC res
instead of waiting weeks I got my 4 charles reservation instantly
Last Reply by 🥩 @FamousStation67 (01/10/2023 10:55 pm)3 Thumbs Up1 Reply, 0 commentsWorked perfectly to get into Carbone. So delighted
perfect
Last Reply by 😎 @MaternalRecord73 (01/22/2023 6:32 pm)3 Thumbs Up1 Reply, 0 commentsWorked well, got me into a restaurant with no availability
I was skeptical, and I still don't really know how they managed to find this hard-to-find reservation, but it was a win-win from my point of view, and I'll use this service again.
Last Reply by 👻 @AuthoritativeUmbrella71 (12/01/2022 12:40 pm)10 Thumbs Up3 Replys, 1 commentLast minute reservation for Delilah Las Vegas
Got a last minute reservation, dinner for 2 at Delilah Las Vegas: super impressed! The process was simple, transaction seamless. We had an amazing time! Couldn’t be happier! 😍
Last Reply by 👻 @AuthoritativeUmbrella71 (12/01/2022 12:41 pm)8 Thumbs Up3 Replys, 2 commentsIt works!
Ok at this point I've attended a reservation purchased on AT by a friend and sold a reservation personally. Both worked pretty smoothly, nothing sketchy about it. A few areas for improvement including a way to more directly communicate between buyers and sellers, but the app always seems to be in development. AT customer support is really(!) responsive and helpful too if you have questions!
Last Reply by 👻 @ZestfulSeed54 (11/29/2022 12:45 pm)5 Thumbs Up2 Replys, 0 commentsMoney transfer
As a seller, I like the fact i have the ability now to transfer money out of my AT account and into a bank account. Makes getting the money much easier then the process before.
Last Reply by 💯 @BraveHand53 (11/28/2022 7:49 am)6 Thumbs Up1 Reply, 0 commentsLove this app
Got to go to places otherwise unreachable
1 Thumbs UpEasy Access
Very easy to get into one of the hardest restaurants to reserve in New York.
Last Reply by 👻 @EnjoyableJelly34 (11/14/2022 12:34 pm)5 Thumbs Up2 Replys, 0 commentsWhose name will my reservation be under when I arrive at the venue?
It can be under your name or a name you choose! Some reservation offers already include the AppointmentTrader Transfer Service which will transfer the reservation in to your name. If its not included you can add it on after buying the reservation for a small fee. One thing on that though: As many reservations become available at last minute, taking a reservation in someone else name is quick and great for privacy. Most reservations on AT are listed with a virtual phone number, so all you need to do is present the phone number at the hostess stand and you are good to go!
Best answer by 🥷🏻 @ColorfulRod45 (07/09/2021 8:17 pm)1 Thumbs Up1 Answer, 0 commentsPayouts Blocked Because of Sell Through Rate
Does anyone know how AT plans to handle cases where a seller is quitting the platform but has a sell through rate <25%? The error message I got said to fill more bids or find other ways to increase the rate.
Is AT really going to block sellers from withdrawing their money? Especially revenue made before the sell through rate was introduced??
Last Answer by 👻 @FetchingWatch40 (07/03/2024 11:00 pm)4 Thumbs Up2 Answers, 2 commentsTune into NBC News - Top Story Tonight 7:40p ET
Let’s go. Get more people placing bids!
Best answer by 👻 @GiddySoup13 (05/02/2024 7:28 pm)3 Thumbs Up1 Answer, 3 commentsI will give you 50% of ALL of my PROFITS if you teach me how to make profits?
LOL. Thank you The New Yorker.
Best answer by 🍑 @BraveCloth47 (04/26/2024 2:58 pm)3 Thumbs Up3 Answers, 3 commentsAppointment
Transferring reservations is not supported in AT. Why not just use the name in the AT screenshot?
Best answer by 👻 @CopiousMotion64 (11/19/2023 1:39 pm)2 Thumbs Up2 Answers, 5 commentsBuyers interested in Bern's Steakhouse: PLEASE READ
Same goes for 4 Charles and I Sodi
Best answer by 😺 @ChattyChain37 (09/08/2023 5:38 pm)6 Thumbs Up1 Answer, 1 commentPrepaid Reservation Fee
Agreed. Ultimately not addressing this month after month is clearly resulting in a drop in certain venue’s rankings & sales.
Best answer by 🥩 @FamousStation67 (07/06/2023 6:51 pm)4 Thumbs Up2 Answers, 7 commentsCongrats on 3 mil
🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🧨🧨🧨 now on to 30 mill!
Best answer by 🦩 @FluffyStar64 (06/01/2023 9:28 am)5 Thumbs Up4 Answers, 4 commentsNeed to cancel a bid, not getting a response… how do I do it?
Click on "Take off the Market Option" in your portfolio
Best answer by 👻 @HandsomeCollar14 (06/29/2022 11:31 am)4 Thumbs Up6 Answers, 3 commentsWorking on your bid?
Your bid has been “matched” with a reservation. From the time a reservation has been located, the seller of the reservation must connect with moderator to give transfer information for reservation. If the seller;however, does NOT respond to reservation transfer, then your bid is reprocessed and returns to the first step, which is connecting your request to a reservation.
Best answer by 👻 @EvocativeFold67 (10/02/2021 7:37 pm)3 Thumbs Up12 Answers, 1 commentProcess after bid is accepted.
Hey @EvocativeFold67, welcome
to appointmenttrader! Once the reservation is in your portfolio, you definitely own the timeslot, the review team would not have approved the trade if the reservation wasn't confirmed - so you are going :-) Judging from your post you bid today and are going tomorrow - don't worry as long as you initiated the name transfer, you are good - the transfer service has to work with the opening hours of the reservation team of the respective venue. You will likely see the transfer confirmation a couple hours before your reservation time.
Best answer by 🥷🏻 @ColorfulRod45 (09/18/2021 1:07 am)3 Thumbs Up1 Answer, 2 commentsWhere do the Reservations on AppointmentTrader come from?
Mostly from people who don't need their reservations or appointments any longer. AT has no relationship with places listed and acts as a platform connecting buyers and sellers making sure that listed reservations are real and that privacy is not compromised when transacting.
Best answer by 🦩 @FluffyStar64 (07/13/2021 9:05 pm)3 Thumbs Up12 Answers, 2 commentsWhat happens if my bid expires unanswered?
Hey @FluffyStar64, thanks for the question! When you place your bid the amount gets transferred in a deposit account, the second you either cancel your bid or a few minutes after the bid expires the funds are moved back into your main account from where you can refund it to your payment method or use for other transactions.
Best answer by 🥷🏻 @ColorfulRod45 (07/08/2021 9:28 pm)2 Thumbs Up4 Answers, 4 commentsThe River Café London User Reviews & Question Forums
The River Café London Yelp Reviews |
Latest Reviews On Yelp
By 👻 @Oliver T. (04/03/2024 3:00 am)
The River Café London Tripadvisor Reviews |
Latest Reviews On Tripadvisor
By 👻 @NormaStit (04/14/2024 3:00 am)
AppointmentTrader Platform Reviews |
Reviews from real people using AT!
By 👻 @ConfirmableFace16 (08/01/2024 9:48 pm)
Restaurant Transfers FAQ |
Questions around how AppointmentTrader works for Restaurant Reservations
10 questions By 🦚🇫🇷 @ChoiceBird42 (04/15/2024 11:46 am)
AppointmentTrader FAQ |
Questions and Answers around the platform.
1,030 questions By 👻 @AuthoritativeWay35 (08/01/2024 7:57 pm)