The best restaurants in Richmond

The Dysart is just another feather in Petersham’s cap of spectacular restaurants, offering a menu made from locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce. As well as some properly good food (further verified by it’s Michelin star), you can also enjoy unbeaten views over Richmond Park.

This charming French bistro on the corner of Kew Road won a Bib Gourmand shortly after opening for its high-quality cooking and affordably priced menus - including a daily-changing set lunch for around the 20 quid mark. Dishes are ultra seasonal, simply prepared and, crucially, free from pretension.

Tucked away on a side road, this independent neighbourhood bar and restaurant has an appealing rustic-chic vibe with light green and white walls, exposed brick and ceilings, and a sleek bar. Food-wise, the comprehensive menu includes everything from breakfast and all-day brunch on the weekends to sharing plates, mains, and Sunday roasts. If you can, nab a spot on its gorgeous terrace that’s a sun-trap by day, and a twinkling oasis by night.

The Ivy brings its lavish interiors to Richmond high street, from opulent patterned banquettes to mirrored pillars and trailing foliage. If there’s one other thing that The Ivy group does well, it’s showmanship, and that goes for the all-day café-style menus too. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch, light snacks, afternoon tea, cocktails, weekend brunch and dinner, The Ivy Café Richmond promises a good time.

Fancy brunch on a boat? Part of the Aussie restaurant group Daisy Green Collection, this stationary barge on the Thames turns out Instagrammable all-day menus served beneath pastel pink parasols. Brunch is its signature, but lunch, dinner and cocktails on the terrace are all popular, too. 

Richmond Vault Beer Cellar and Restaurant is a labyrinth of cosy areas, so whether you’re just looking for a pint and something to nibble on or a full sit-down meal, you can. Located in a basement beneath two Georgian buildings in the centre of Richmond, this cool spot caters to children as well as to adults, with a variety of different cuisines. From pizza and burgers to seafood, salads and sharing boards, there’s something for everyone here.

The Richmond outpost of London’s original sourdough pizza chain is definitely one of its coolest, situated in an old police station. Beautiful wooden accents and exposed brick make the interior as cosy as can be, while the pizzas are as dependable as rain on a Bank Holiday weekend. Specials change according to the season and include meat, vegetarian and vegan options.

This genuinely friendly family-run Italian is popular with locals and visitors alike on account of its authentic food and charming service. Bacco may have all the visual trappings of a contemporary Italian restaurant, but at its heart is an old-fashioned trattoria so diners can expect classic pastas and simple antipasti as well as more expensive dishes come evening. It’s also handy for theatre-goers.

Scott’s in Richmond is the west London sister of major seafood authority Scott’s Mayfair. And, not to be outdone, brings its own advantage of a riverside location. Expect extravagance, splendour and all of the brand’s signature dishes, from tiered seafood platters to OTT desserts. 

Brindisa’s convivial atmosphere and relaxed, sharing style make it popular with groups, but you could just as easily pop by for an early evening aperitivo and a light bite with a friend. This Richmond restaurant boasts a plumb location overlooking the river, with a conservatory-style dining area where you can make the most of those views.

Vivek Singh brings his vibrant Indian street food restaurant to Richmond, directly opposite the main station. The interiors are bright, loud and colourful – just like the menu. Tuck into chaats, ‘Bazaar’ plates and house sides, washed down with one of its signature spice-heavy cocktails.

This not-to-be-sniffed-at French chain offers reliable cooking for a price that won’t break the bank. All-day menus range from indulgent breakfasts to pre-theatre dining and special occasions, and all major dietaries are catered for, too. A great option for your back pocket!

Nestled inside boutique hotel Bingham Riverhouse, Riverhouse Restaurant is run by head chef Vanessa Marx who heroes consciously sourced produce and foraged ingredients on her menus. Grab a window seat to enjoy views of the Thames while you dine, from artichoke and charred leek gnocchi to West country lamb rump with salsa verde and rosemary jus.

This neighbourhood favourite in South West London has opened a third site in Richmond (hot on the tail of Barnes and Putney) serving its signature long-ferment dough pizzas topped with seasonal British ingredients. Crispy hits include the Cheeky Pineapple (pineapple jam, Cobble Lane pepperoni, jalapeños) and the Manjamo 3.0 (nduja, jalapeño jam, red onion) and come in 12" or 18" sizes.

This stylish country-house hotel would be worth a visit for the views alone, but as it happens, the food is as pretty as the outlook. The menu blends classics with more modern concepts, led by head chef Sergio Martins Abreu, but whichever you go for, you can bet it’ll be gorgeously-presented.

So long as you ignore the stone-age website, cluttered interior, and the fact that you’re not allowed to choose what you eat, you’re in for a great time at this eccentric Italian trattoria. In Italian, Al Boccon di'vino translates as 'a divine mouthful' and this is what the team here aspires to deliver with all of their food and wine. Simply leave the ordering to chef-proprietor Riccardo.

This stylish, independent Italian restaurant is a favourite of well-heeled locals for suppers and celebrations on account of its seasonal fare and excellent wine list. Each week, the head chef and his team pick the best ingredients to create traditional Italian favourites, from pasta and pizza to meat and fish dishes, so you can be sure of a hearty meal whatever the occasion.

Prices are high at this remote café/teahouse/shop, but it’s a unique spot worth visiting at least once. Many of the ingredients used in the seasonal Italian dishes are sourced from the beautiful walled garden of Petersham House, so seasonality and freshness are guaranteed. Set within the elegant glasshouse, brimming with bougainvillea and fragrant jasmine, it’s a place for lunch on the slow.

Gaucho Richmond has got to be one of the Argentinian steakhouse's most beautiful locations, with panoramic views of Richmond Bridge and Petersham Meadows. Pull up a seat in its glass-panelled dining room and tuck into high-quality steaks, indulgent sides and expertly made cocktails. 

This refurbished restaurant inside the Richmond Hill Hotel is made up of a series of exquisitely designed Art Deco spaces and a wealth of seasonal menus that celebrates local produce and heritage. From tacos and tequila on its alfresco terrace, to global favourites from the a la carte, there's plenty to discover here. 

Freshly made pasta, modern spritzes and convivial dining are what Noci is all about. Perched just a stone’s throw from the river on Richmond Hill, this is the group’s fourth London opening, offers locals an uplifting collection of Italian-inspired sharing plates and indulgent pasta. Don’t skip the ‘Tirami-chou’ for dessert.

Authentic Breton-based cooking and a friendly, relaxed setting is what diners can expect at this compact neighbourhood restaurant in Richmond. Precise cooking rather than an innovative menu is what keeps this all-day bistro buzzing, so while you might find the idea of de volaille à la Normande or galettes a little predictable, you’ll be astounded by the quality once you taste them.