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RestaurantsLondonBarnesSW13

survey result

Summary

£92
 ££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“The ever-present staff have been there forever and are delightful”, say devotees of Andreas Riva’s Barnes veteran, which – since it opened in 1990 – has won an incredibly loyal clientele, including a surprising number of A-list regulars and food celebs (including Nigella Lawson and the late AA Gill). Set in a parade of shops at the south of Castelnau, critics note that “the interior is in need of refurbishment” although it has forever been low key and extremely unflashy. Ratings in recent years have been somewhat up-and-down, with regular complaints that its “heyday has long since passed”. That’s not the view of most diners this year, though, who feel its “simple and perfectly cooked northern Italian food” fully lives up to its longstanding renown as one of London’s top destinations for Italian cuisine: “returned here after a long absence and pleasantly surprised by the improvements in quality…”; “still fantastic after many years” and “it’s not unusual to end up sitting on the table next to David Beckham!”

Summary

£88
 ££££
3
Good
4
Very Good
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Serious, and seriously delicious food, served in a simple space that helps to focus attention on what matters” has made Andreas Riva’s Barnes veteran a “staple of Italian food lovers”, oft-cited by top food writers like Nigella Lawson as their favourite destination. It’s boosted by “exceptionally long-serving, loyal staff” who provide regulars in particular with service they acclaim as “delightful, efficient, warm and friendly”. A typical account of a meal might run as follows: “Specials of puntarelle, 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”. As often is the case here though, there is a contrarian viewpoint and it gained ground this year: “We hadn’t been impressed with Riva when we had eaten there many years ago, but thought we’d try it again, after reading several very positive reviews. Our recent visit, however, confirmed our earlier verdict. The menu choice was uninspiring, service indifferent and the venue was run-down and in need of attention. Prices were high and the elderly man who seemed to be in charge ignored diners and sat at a table doing paperwork. We definitely won’t be returning!”

Summary

£82
 ££££
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£79
 ££££
3
Good
4
Very Good
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

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?”

For 35 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

Highchair,Portions
No dress code
35

Riva Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Riva Restaurant in SW13, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Riva restaurant.
George F
A good neighbourhood restaurant. Enjoyable ...
Reviewed 1 months, 17 days ago

"A good neighbourhood restaurant. Enjoyable food served by very friendly staff. Would benefit from a refurb."

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What the Newspaper Critics are saying

Evening Standard

David Ellis added his name to the fan club for Andrea Riva’s longstanding Italian spot, which has since 1990 seduced critics AA Gill and Fay Maschler, warblers Rod Stewart and Bryan Ferry, and gastrocelebs Rick Stein, Stanley Tucci and Simon Hopkinson.  

The lavish greeting is part of the appeal and, noted David, “the clever thing is that newcomers are swiftly enveloped into the fold” – presumably he is talking about himself here.

But it’s not just about the atmosphere: “meals here are symphonies of simplicity”, David said, waxing lyrical over a plate of “astonishingly good langoustines”, some romanesco broccoli, and slices of richly spiced zampone sausages resting on lentils. “I have never eaten a bad mouthful here. Riva is Italian, only without the pizza, very little pasta, and tomato sauce hushed.”

David Ellis - 2026-01-04

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£13.00 £23.50 £8.00 £7.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £44.00
Filter Coffee £4.50
Extras  
Bread £0.00
Service 12.50%
169 Church Rd, London, SW13 9HR
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
Tuesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm
Saturday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm
Sunday12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm

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