Riva

Reviews

• Nick H.

  star star star star_border star_border 17 May 2026

  Riva serves good food in an unpretentious setting with friendly but unremarkable service.  Unfortunately it is a preferred low-end eating place for the very rich inhabitants of Barnes, so prices are excessively high (for the non-rich).  Most of the other tables were full of perma-tanned people in designer clothes, feeding their Armani-clad children very expensive Spaghetti Bolognese.  2 women were wearing mink coats (in April ?).  Few of the adults were drinking alcohol or eating much; the majority were thin and moved with the assurance that comes from knowing the Kardashians are enjoying their stay on your yacht in the Mediterranean.
  
  The menu was imaginative and thoughtful.  My wife had the gnocchii as a starter, langoustines as a main course, and sorbet for dessert.  I had the frittelle, then beef carpaccio on fennel and gorngonzola on crostini with a fresh pear for pudding.  We washed it down with a bottle of Sassella.  It was all delicioius.  The presentation was OK - plain white plates with 'RIVA' on them, crisp table linen - but I was surprised the cutlery was rather downmarket stainless steel and the glassware looked pretty cheap.  Service was friendly and adequate.  The decor was what you would expect in a middle of the range Italian restaurant in Italy i.e. homely and a bit scruffy.  It is also a small place and when we arrived was full, so that and the presence of several children meant the noise levels were high, making it difficult to hear the waitress explain the day's special dishes (or each other).
  
  If the bill had come in under 100 pounds I would have thought it a good evening, but at a whopping 160 pounds - and as I don't have a yacht in the Med - I thought it was exploitation.  I can recommend it as a good restaurant but only if you are prepared to pay those kind of prices.

• Louise C.

  star star star star_border star_border 11 May 2026

  Although the food was tasty and the service was good, I think the menu is a little overpriced. It is a nice little homely feeling and the staff were pleasant (even getting us in at 9pm with a group of 5) however I didn't walk out feeling overly satisfied with my whole experience.

• Jay D.

  star star star star_border star_border 5 May 2026

  What a wonderful little Italian restaurant in a the very charming village of Barnes. There pastas are lovely and grills delightful. Riva also offers a really nice wine list. Riva is a great, year-round restaurant.