River Café

It should go without saying, but be sure to ask for a seat on the terrace at this icon of London's Italian restaurant scene. The on-view kitchen with its wood-fired oven dominates the stylish and buzzing riverside room and the menu bursts with authentic Italian flavours which make one’s mouth water in anticipation. The honest, hearty dishes have a rustic Italian simplicity, relying as they do on the quality of their ingredients, whether that be clams, crab or wild sea bass. Arguably the best Italian wine list in London is the icing on the cake.

Distinctive Details

• A defining London Italian address on Thames Wharf, with a terrace that is a prime seat in fine weather.
• The open kitchen and wood-fired oven sit at the centre of the room, keeping the cooking visible.
• The restaurant is widely noted for an exceptional Italian-focused wine list.

Signature Ingredients

• Clams: treated with rustic restraint, letting the ingredient carry the dish.
• Crab: used for clean, sweet richness in starters and pasta-style preparations.
• Wild sea bass: a frequent centrepiece, cooked simply to keep the flavour intact.
• Italian olive oil and seasonal produce: the structural fat and the daily rhythm of the menu.

Menu Summary

• Ingredient-driven Italian cooking in a riverside dining room at Thames Wharf, with an on-view kitchen and wood-fired oven.
• A daily-changing menu built around straightforward, high-quality dishes, with fish and shellfish often taking centre stage.
• Standout ingredients regularly include clams, crab, and wild sea bass, backed by one of London’s deepest Italian wine lists.