Richmond Restaurant Guide

“A really romantic setting with stunning views over the river” – this boutique hotel dining room in Richmond features “delicious, refined dining” from chef Steven Edwards (owner of Brighton’s etch and a former winner of MasterChef: The Professionals) from Thursday dinner to Sunday lunch. It’s “pricey, but a great treat!”. A simpler menu is available for the dining room and verandah Monday-Wednesday.

“A real boon in Richmond”, run by exotically named founder Sudden Alberts, also behind Atithi in Twickenham. With its “delicious” Indian cuisine (“we particularly like the vegetarian side dishes”) and “prompt and perfect” service (“nothing is too much to make the customers happy”) it’s proclaimed something of a “hidden gem” by all who comment on it.

2019 Review: “A vegan surprise” not far from Richmond Bridge – this “fantastic”, simple, little café has a “lovely atmosphere” and provides food that’s “all healthy and cooked on-site” – “tasty and you feel good!”

For a relatively “cheap ’n’ cheerful” meal in the posh ‘burb of Richmond that’s a little different, this characterful café-restaurant near Richmond Bridge brings a little Breton style to a meal, with its galettes (savoury and sweet) and ciders. One or two tables have a river view too.

2021 Review: “An excellently seasoned burger” is typical of the “big portions of rather tasty” food at this popular, “friendly and pleasantly appointed”, all-day modern bistro in Richmond. There are also (less commented-on) branches in Kew, Putney and Notting Hill.

2021 Review: “Always a surprise” – you get what you’re given (there’s no menu choice) at chef Riccardo Grigolo’s set-price Venetian feast in Richmond: an unqualified delight, with multiple courses of “amazing, delicious food” and “excellent service”, creating “an atmosphere rarely found elsewhere”.

This “lovely little Japanese restaurant with a very decent range” is a “very welcome option in Richmond”. Run by a Korean family, it has provided “sterling service” for 17 years.

2021 Review: “When all you want is an old-school burger”, these US-based arrivals of recent years really “hit the spot” – you can “build your own”, with “tons of accessories”; plus “seriously addictive fries”, “thick milkshakes”, and “more soda flavours than is reasonable”. “The eat-in experience is as depressing as McDonald’s”, though, in fact perhaps more so – “some branches have a strangely gloomy ambience” – but fans feel that “if you don’t mind 1980s-rock, a trip can still be surprisingly fun”.

“A bit clichéd, but never lets us down”, say fans of the sub-sub brand of this famous brasserie chain, who “have no idea why its reviews are so bad”. For too many reporters, though, these outlets represent “a failing imitation of a classic that is itself rather variable”, with a “disappointing. expensive, mundane menu and inattentive service”. The best bet? “Stick to breakfast and enjoy the surroundings”.

This smart Italian in St Margaret’s (owned and run by English chef Tom Rowlandson) wins consistently good ratings across the board, and has a solid following from nearby and beyond. It’s also handy for those making a full day out of the rugby just up the road at Twickers.

“A lovely pub on Water Lane leading down to the Thames: now more of a restaurant than a pub” – a smart refit now lends a brasserie vibe to the dining room at this traditional boozer, off Richmond’s picturesque waterfront. The makeover – in late 2019 – was by the Ram Pub Co, which is part of Youngs. Few reports as yet on the rather posh-for-a-pub menu (they serve a selection of oysters, for example), but early feedback says it’s “the food is good, especially the fish”, and for a comfy yet relaxed get-together you could do much worse than a trip here.

Stunning views across Petersham Meadows to the Thames are the highlight of any meal in the dining room of this rather stately Richmond hotel, built in 1865. The cooking is generally competent, if some would say “overpriced”, but has its fans: “we love it for family get-togethers”, while “afternoon tea here is perfect for catching up with friends”.

“Simply top for coffee” (“not cheap but the best I’ve had in a while”) say fans of this “stylish” Scandi-vibe Fitzrovia outlet, which opened in 2019, a year after the original set up shop in Richmond. As well as the sustainably sourced brews, workshops (and all the kit available by mail), there is a small selection of light snacks (eggs, cinnamon rolls, cakes).

2019 Review: This ‘Food and Fuel’ gastroboozer with a Victorian bar remains a local staple for its “nice friendly ambience” and – amongst other things – “great steak, every time!” Stop Press: The Duke was acquired by Brunning & Price in August 2018, so perhaps change is afoot.

The Gladwin family (owners of Shed, Rabbit, Nutbourne, Sussex) are opening their fifth venture in late 2021, supplied by the family farm and vineyard in Sussex: a new bar/restaurant just off Richmond’s high street on a site that was once GBK. We are promised ‘distinct countryside luxe-style, serving modern farm-to-fork food in an atmospheric, sprawling space overlooking the Richmond riverside’.

The tapas bar operated by this Spanish food importer greets arrivals at the main entrance to Borough Market – and “on a bustling summer day, sitting outside with a glass of simple red, a table full of tapas on the go, chatting convivially with friends, it’s great – just what one would expect”. The newer branches around town match the quality, and can be a little easier to nab a table. The group is scheduled to open its sixth site in Richmond – the first located in the suburbs – in late 2021 (it will be on the striking riverside site that was formerly Jackson & Rye (RIP) complete with 150 covers and a 60-seat outside terrace).

Post-pandemic, Richmond is the new mecca for restaurant openings and Richard Caring, never a man to miss a trend, has secured a site that was previously a branch of vodka bar brand Revolution for his expansion within the Caprice Group of Mayfair’s famous fish veteran, Scott’s. Apparently the new opening will borrow from the ethos of Sexy Fish. Sounds overpriced and good looking… so should go down a storm in Richmond!

Launched at Harvey Nichols in October 2021 (see also), this sibling in Richmond is the second in the group that offers a dine-in or takeaway option; it appears to be unconnected with the famous Southall veteran.