"The River Café Café is perfect to take someone you’re really really into. The Hammersmith spot has got just as much ‘they have their shit together’ kudos as the OG Italian restaurant, but a much breezier (still elegant) canteen-style set-up. Dinner—think ‘easy to pick at and chat’ options, like charcuterie and bruschetta—should be followed up with after-dinner digestifs on the Thames-side terrace." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley
"Sure, you’ll need to book way ahead at The River Café, and it’ll be pricey. But eating some of London’s best Italian food while overlooking the Thames is, almost, priceless. If you can’t get a booking or want a more casual experience, head next door to sibling canteen, The River Café Café." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna
"The River Café is timeless. When are people not going to want to eat veal taglierini and this legendary chocolate nemesis cake? Or crispy taleggio and potato pizzetta? Especially with the Thames on their left, and someone Bafta-nominated to their right. This richly flavoured (and priced) Hammersmith restaurant was one of the first to make regional Italian food in the city—and it’s still one of the best. You should know about their more casual, next-door, all-day canteen The River Café Café, too." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, daisy meager
"The Verdict: Wildly expensive, but still lives up to its legendary status. The River Café is one of London’s most acclaimed restaurants, for very good reason. It was the first place to really do Italian cooking as it should be done, in a Hammersmith dining room that was modern in the ‘90s and now is unique to itself. The fact it’s on the Thames makes this institution special during summer but it has an aura all year-round. The prices are high, the pizzetta is delicious, and its light-as-a-feather chocolate nemesis cake is one of London’s most famous desserts." - sinead cranna, rianne shlebak, jake missing, heidi lauth beasley
"At The River Café everybody kind of looks like somebody. Maybe it’s the Italian restaurant's legendary reputation. Maybe it’s the unparalleled Thames-side world it’s created for itself. Maybe it’s because Paul McCartney is literally at the table next to you. And is that Stanley Tucci too? During their whole thing, Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson swung by for dinner. Because, it turns out, every kind of celebrity wants to share fritto misto and eat chocolate nemesis cake." - jake missing, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak