Harden's survey result
Summary
“Deserving its success” – Sam Harrison’s “delightful, big and bright” venue has “a lovely setting overlooking Hammersmith Bridge and the river (especially if you are lucky enough to have a window table)” and is “very smart” and “tastefully decorated” by the standards of neighbourhood places (if, on occasion, also “very noisy”). “Sam himself is often around keeping an eye and doing any task necessary”: “you get a warm welcome”, the “well-executed modern British food with a Mediterranean twist” is extremely “reliable” (fish in particular) and “the menu has plenty of variety so if you go regularly you see different items all the time”. “Love it. And the brand-new Brentford venue is terrific too” (see also Sam’s Waterside).
Summary
“Sam’s absolutely nails it, as indeed does Sam Harrison himself when he’s front of house” at this brilliantly successful venue, whose “fabulous” Riverside location – “with ideal views of Hammersmith Bridge” – invites many comparisons with the River Café just down the towpath. In fairness, “culinary comparisons with The River Caff are rather overblown”: “Sam’s is much better value, but it’s different”: the posh brasserie fare is “not aiming to be in the same league” and rates somewhere between “well-presented-and-delicious” and “tasty-if-unspectacular”. The food is really “part of an overall package” which combines unusually “glamorous, sophisticated and comfortable” decor in a “bright and light interior” with “excellent, friendly and very efficient service”, to create a supremely “convivial” experience that’s “not cheap, but excellent value”: “I always feel happy when I leave”. (See also Sam’s Waterside and Sam’s Kitchen). Top Tip – “the cocktails here are a massive stand-out”.
Summary
“Sam himself is very much in evidence” at his “glamourous” brasserie, which has an “ideal location on the Thames” – “with a close-up view of Hammersmith Bridge” – and whose popularity is making it “a destination restaurant” for a huge fan club spread across west London. “You could describe it as the perfect local – but it’s smarter than that”, with a “lovely” (and expensively decorated) interior and “super vibe”. “The menu is full of well-crafted crowd- pleasers” and – though not hugely ‘gastro’ – its “seafood orientation” (and “wonderful seafood platters”) makes anything pescatarian a top choice. “Packed to the rafters”, it’s “a great night out”.
Summary
“A superb position by the river” helps set the scene at this “outstanding, modern and really well designed” independent venue by Hammersmith Bridge – part of the revamped Riverside Studios complex – which has “a very buzzy atmosphere inside and lovely terrace outside”. “Sam is a great host” (some regulars recall his Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick) and inspires “prompt and caring” service from his staff who give a “lovely welcome”. “Very well-sourced seafood” is the highlight of a luxurious brasserie menu that “if not quite exceptional, is very good”. “It’s a place of real quality and a genuine alternative to the River Café down the towpath if they’re full or your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far”.
For 34 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 Sam's Riverside?
1 Crisp Walk, London, W6 9DN
Restaurant details
Sam's Riverside Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Having visited several times for dinner this visit was at lunchtime. Food and service was just as good as I have experienced in the evening and has the benefit of a set price menu to make the whole visit better value. Will continue to support this favourite local venue."
"Perfectly acceptable food at perfectly sensible prices in a lovely location with great service. What it says on the tin"
"Wonderful place - feels so comfortable reliable and fun. You know you will have a thoroughly enjoyable and classy evening - in a place with a nice crowd and buzz about it "
"Had an excellent time. Food was truly delicious: Mushroom parfait, followed by Hake and finally Christmas pudding souffle. Excellence from start to finish. Great service and a terrific ambience to boot."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £25.50 | £30.50 |  |
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| Dinner | £25.50 | £30.50 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £16.00 | £64.80 | £7.50 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 13.50% |
1 Crisp Walk, London, W6 9DN
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm |
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