How is the waiting time rated at The River Cafe?

The waiting time at The River Cafe is rated 8.8/10 by TheFork users.

How is the service rated at The River Cafe?

The service at The River Cafe is rated 9/10 by TheFork users.

How is the quality of the cuisine rated at The River Cafe?

The quality of the food at The River Cafe is rated 9/10 by TheFork users.

How is the noise level rated at The River Cafe?

The noise level at The River Cafe is rated 6.1/10 by TheFork users.

How is the atmoshpere rated at The River Cafe?

The atmosphere at The River Cafe is rated 8.9/10 by TheFork users.

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Reviews - The River Cafe

Name: The River Cafe
Address: Thames Wharf, London, W6 9HA, United Kingdom
Price range: £98 (Prices have been provided by the restaurant)
Rating: 9

Reviews

9
of 10

Excellent

105 reviews

Ambience

8.9

Food

9.0

Service

9.0

Real experiences from real diners
Ratings and reviews can only be left by guests who have booked with TheFork.

How do we calculate ratings?

Yael B. • 3 reviews
4 March 2025
10/10
Amazing
Paul W. • 1 review
25 January 2025
7.5/10
First up the food was amazing. We've always been tempted to try the River Cafe. I'm glad we took the plunge and had a meal there. But never again. It's not that it's bad, just noisy, very crowded and expensive. It was fun, we can say we did it, but not for us.
David H. • 1 review
16 January 2025
2.5/10
Arrived about 7 minutes before 12 Not offered a seat just. Left standing in Reception with no explanation ( I heard )waiter pleasant and most helpful But all my guests found. Him very difficult to Understand Afterwaiting 10'miins he explained he could not advise on the Wine( ( further delay )wine waiter arrived and most helpful We had lunch menu pre booked i ordered Rabbit when it arrived Words fail Me so small and over cooked impossible to Cut and very dry Suggested to our pleasant waiter I would be happy to talk to the Head Waiter The only response was There was a credit given We were very pleased Having driven up From West. Sussex to visit Having. Heard so much About the Venue
Jennifer J. • 1 review
24 September 2024
10/10
We loved dining outdoors under toasty heaters on a chilly early fall night. And we loved the food even more! Pappardelle with girolles and that bloody delicious grouse! Not to mention a memorable flourless chocolate cake. Wish we had a restaurant as good as yours in New York. Our River Cafe is very good. Yours is great!
Carlos D. • 1 review
30 September 2024
10/10
1000
geraldine m. • 1 review
26 September 2024
9.5/10
The service couldn’t have been better, from the reception desk all the way to having someone call a cab for us. People were providing excellent service. Food was Exceptional the sauce on the veal chops with the accents of olives was outstanding as most of the desserts we tried, and the prosciutto and artichoke hearts was our favorite appetizer
Douglas C. • 4 reviews
4 September 2024
6.5/10
I have been coming to the wonderful River Cafe for decades and even held my son’s wedding party there a few years ago. I only make these comments because of my respect for the place. I recommend that you have a good look at your meat provider because it’s just not good enough on the evidence of yesterday evening. I ordered grouse. It was overcooked (grouse should never be overcooked) but that’s not the main point. It was clearly an old bird. I could hardly get a knife into it. Roast grouse must only be young birds - old birds are for stews. I returned it (the dear staff were helpful but didn’t know what I was talking about but could see it was inedible!). So I ordered in its place the beef, which my wife had ordered. Looked fine but itoo tough and not very tasty for both of us. To spend hundreds of £ and get that is definitely disappointing. I cannot remember the last time I complained about food in a restaurant which makes it all even more disappointing for me in a favourite place.
Lana S. • 3 reviews
28 August 2024
10/10
Always a pleasure to dine somewhere where people care about the food they serve and the service they give. Thank you
ANTHONY B. • 2 reviews
19 August 2024
6/10
If the servers were trained, maybe the service would improve.
Ketso G. • 3 reviews
9 August 2024
9.5/10
A fabulous eating experience in a beautiful setting. Sitting outside on the terrace is the place to be. The menu is varied and interesting, best to get many starters to share, and choose from the extensive wine list. The mains and deserts don’t disappoint. End the evening with a little whiskey and enjoy the ambience
Sara R. • 1 review
13 July 2024
5/10
My experience was pretty disappointing. My pasta was very bland and was unevenly cooked (some pieces were crunchy and some overcooked). I realized later it was missing pancetta. Our server was nice but smelled strongly on BO, ruining my appetite.
pierpaolo r. • 1 review
29 June 2024
6.5/10
The food
Julia M. • 1 review
29 June 2024
10/10
Perfect outdoor setting this time of year. Service was excellent all around. Enjoyed the ragu pasta, branzini and the almond gelato the most (recommend ordering this on its own or with the chocolate nemesis). Lobster pasta had a less than stellar taste and buffalo mozzarella is only okay. Excellent selection of wines by the glass (extensive list by the bottle as well) and a knowledgable, engaging sommelier. A wonderful experience over all for our second visit. We came in March and the vibe was equally fantastic but quite different, a bustling upscale spot for indoor dining that time.
Rosalind C. • 1 review
18 May 2024
10/10
First time at River Cafe Superb food Amazing service
Penny N. • 1 review
22 April 2024
9/10
A wonderful restaurant. The food was out of this world and the staff were brilliant. Our only criticism is that it was very noisy - perhaps the tables are a bit too close together. We should have sat outside, but it was cold
Tony M. • 2 reviews
23 March 2024
9.5/10
Great food. Expensive wine.
Fiona S. • 1 review
12 March 2024
10/10
Perfect for a special occasion the food was wonderful and the staff were very attentive.
Shailendra A. • 1 review
11 March 2024
9.5/10
As usual, a wonderful experience. From Ruth welcoming us , to delectable food, excellent wines and to top it all, The River Café got a Michelin star the same day! We were part of the photos and celebrations!
Helen D. • 8 reviews
22 February 2024
10/10
We have been coming to the river cafe since the early 1990s and it is still exceptional. It is pricey but we never begrudge them. The quality of the dishes are delicious (not your run of the mill choices) without being precious. The wines by the glass are very good. I also especially appreciate all of the women working/training there.
Laurence C. • 1 review
13 February 2024
7/10
Very good food, average service, outrageous price
Tahani T. • 3 reviews
20 November 2023
10/10
Everything about the restaurant was superb and our waitress, Chelsea, made it all the more enjoyable with her spot-on recommendations and charm! Will absolutely be returning! x
Ellie L. • 1 review
21 October 2023
7.5/10
The quality of service is fantastic, however, the price point for the food is on average £20 p/dish too high. It's stupid money for what you get.
Ale B. • 1 review
30 August 2023
9/10
It became very noisy despite us being outside wondering why they do jot use the extra space by the river we used few weeks ago and it made the experience much more relaxed z the waiters may be the summer ones cause they were tight in the small outside space and seems very stresses as the volume and the quantities came rolling.,, we were there 7-9 and I wander how they survived after
Emma B. • 1 review
11 August 2023
10/10
Sensational
Hitesh S. • 4 reviews
27 April 2023
10/10
Vibrant ambience with casual but classy feel … enjoyed the food and experience
Claire S. • 1 review
21 January 2023
4/10
I had booked for a celebration a table inside the restaurant.and it was a confirmed . However, when we arrived we were told there us no inside table available. We could take it or leave it! People had come from locations outside from London. Some of my guests were elderly. It was impossible for the host of the party to find a different solution. The food- was disappointing - one dish was raw chunks of cold lamb.. I was a regular customer when Rose was alive. I am extremely disappointed to find myself in the situation I described above. I am therefore cancelling my forward booking today. What are the T&C in the event if the restaurant not fulfilling its obligations? The customer has to provide Credit Card information so that the restaurant can charge a penalty in a no show situation. Who is going to pay the penalty - if there is a penalty clause for River Caffe fulfilling its obligation - see contract and acceptance -?
Rosemary R. • 1 review
16 December 2022
9/10
The food was wonderful and service was excellent. The only disappointment was that we were seated at the edge of the dining area next to the bar/reception area and a very draughty window (on a freezing cold evening).
Neil R. • 2 reviews
10 December 2022
10/10
Great restaurant did not like the first bottle of wine changed without any issue... Great food a lively ambience and great location by the river
Chris A. • 2 reviews
11 November 2022
10/10
One of the best if not the best meals we have ever had . Food spectacular . Service excellent . Relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere . Perfect.
Stefan R. • 45 reviews
27 September 2022
10/10
As good as it gets, a perfect if expensive experiece.
Rob T. • 1 review
6 August 2022
10/10
I love this place. Perfect in every way.
Andrew P. • 1 review
2 June 2022
5/10
Honestly just OK. Most of us enjoyed the meal, but there were a couple of items (monkfish main, gelato dessert) that were not very good at all. The waitress was new & didn't really know what she was doing. We had kids with us & felt like we were stuck in the corner as an afterthought. Expected a little better for almost 500 pounds.
Louise S. • 1 review
30 May 2022
9/10
Just as fabulous as always, great food, lovely atmosphere even on a Monday evening. The lobster spaghetti was excellent and the Chocolate Nemesis just true to its reputation!