Harden's survey result
Summary
“Really special cooking” – “simple, seasonal northern Italian dishes with excellent daily specials” – has won a star-studded following amongst food writers for Andreas Riva’s Barnes fixture of over 30 years standing (Fay Maschler, Nigella Lawson and the late AA Gill have all cited it as a favourite). The uninitiated sometimes find its attractions pass them by and even fans admit that the “ambience, while OK, could do with a bit of a spruce up”. “This is such an iconic restaurant” for its fan club though that all is easily forgiven – “I keep coming back year in year out and the quality of the food has not diminished and speaks for itself. Looking forward to our next meal already!”
Summary
With the closure of Hammersmith Bridge, this Barnes stalwart of over 30 years’ standing is no longer an easy Uber ride away for much of the fooderati (it’s oft-cited by celeb chefs and the foodie in-crowd as a go-to Italian). Perhaps that’s why feedback on it post-pandemic is very much more limited and more local than it was in times gone by. Devotees, though, still say it’s an “old favourite”, with “the same dependable Northern Italian cooking… What more can one ask?”
Summary
A foodie mecca for more than 30 years, Andreas Riva’s understated northern Italian specialist in Barnes “feels like a second home” to its uber-loyal fan club. “The focus is on depth of flavour that’s true to their roots, not Instagrammability” – with a “wide choice of specials using ultra-fresh ingredients”. “We simply love it – as good as the best in Italy (although the closure of Hammersmith Bridge makes it difficult to get there!)” In past times, there have been gripes from some reporters that a visit can feel like a regulars’ party to which they were not invited, but this year there was nothing but praise for the “polite and easy going” staff.
Summary
Loyal regulars (who include numerous fooderati celebs) totally ‘get’ Andreas Riva’s “understated” stalwart, in a row of Barnes shopfronts: a celebrated (to those in-the-know) favourite, where “professional and accomplished staff” deliver “simple”, “seasonal and classic” northern Italian dishes, which are “perfectly prepared” and “exquisite tasting”: they say it’s “an authentic experience, without any airs”. Even fans admit the interior is “squashed” and “dowdy”, however, and that prices are very “hefty”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Riva?
169 Church Rd, London, SW13 9HR
Restaurant details
Riva Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Serious, and seriously delicious, food, served in a space which while simple helps to focus attention on what matters (no music, thank goodness). Specials of punterelle, gnocchi and suckling pig, and the calves liver and red onions from the menu, together with a dessert of tiramisu, were all faultless. Wines by the glass - a Pinot Bianco and a Tuscan Sangiovese - matched beautifully and were modestly-priced. The service was delightful: efficient, and warm and friendly. Our first visit: what a find!"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
169 Church Rd, London, SW13 9HR
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12:15pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:15pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12:15pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12:15pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12:15pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12:15pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
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