Harden's survey result
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”.
Summary
“A wonderful addition to this part of London” – Sam Harrison’s “sparkling” recent arrival (it opened in late 2019) is a real “class act”. “Beautifully designed” for somewhere outside the centre of town, it sits at the back of the newly revamped Riverside Studios, with Hammersmith Bridge in the background and a cute covered terrace to the side. The deluxe brasserie fare is “carefully sourced” and “intelligently cooked” but it’s the all-round experience created, not least, by the unusually “genuine and warm welcome” that seals the “fun atmosphere”, and which makes it “a great choice for a special night out”. “It just puts a smile on my face...”
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 Sam's Riverside?
1 Crisp Walk, London, W6 9DN
Restaurant details
Sam's Riverside Restaurant Diner Reviews
"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."
"Have now visited this restaurant several times and the standards are always exceptionally high with excellent food served with a very friendly attentive service by all members of staff. The restaurant also has an extremely pleasant ambience with warm lighting and pleasant buzz from the conversation of other diners. "
"Well executed modern British food with a Mediterranean twist in a very smart dining room looking over the river. Lovely staff and a terrace with river views that is well worth aiming for in summer."
"Splendid lunch with interesting items, great friendly service"
"This was a visit to celebrate a birthday and we could not have picked a more delightful venue. The welcome and service from all the staff was extremely good and the surroundings so long as you are near the river side windows are great. Food was all presented very well and of very good standard. Excellent value all round."
"Not as good as usual"
"A favourite place - much better value than river cafe although different. Feels glamorous and sophisticated and comfortable "
"A great meal at a very good restaurant- service was exceptional "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £25.50 | £30.50 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £14.00 | £34.00 | £8.00 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
1 Crisp Walk, London, W6 9DN
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm |
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