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SquareMeal Review of Sam's Riverside

Silver Award

Sam Harrison is west London restaurant royalty, having operated the much-missed Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick for 10 years. He’s back with this terrific brasserie-style restaurant which works hard to earn the loyalty of locals while possessing a corking river view and terrace which makes it a London-wide destination for the summer months, though the twinkling sight of Hammersmith Bridge is an atmospheric focal point whatever the time of year.

It’s a beautifully designed space, with big windows illuminating the room with natural light by day and super-flattering lighting casting everything in a golden glow come the evening. Statement floral displays and toffee-leather and petrol-blue velvet seating look as smart as the setting. But with Harrison on the floor for most services, the people here are as important as the place, and the friendly young staff are as warm as the lighting.

Legendary modern British pioneer Rowley Leigh is the culinary director and the kitchen does a mostly good job of executing his comfortingly familiar Anglo-French ideas. Pick of the bunch for us was a meaty tentacle of grilled octopus, crisped up with charring and accompanied by an excellent punchy saffron aioli.

To follow, steak and kidney came on dripping toast that acted as a sponge to absorb the meaty juices and was nose-to-tail eating of the most enjoyable order, though it’s not all so gutsy: sirloin with béarnaise and chips had all the flavour of bone-in cooking while diver-caught scallop ceviche was light, clean and prettily presented in the shell.

Only a starter of over-salted clams with braised trotter and white beans failed to pass muster, though Queen of Puddings ended things on a high note in the way that only a confection of custard, jam and meringue can.

Pre-theatre menus cater to the adjacent Riverside Studios and there are set-lunch and Sunday roast menus too, but you don’t have to eat here: the bar rustled up one of the best gin martinis we’d had in a long time, as chilly as the river flowing past in the night.     

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Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisine
British, Vegetarian friendly
Ambience
Fun, Lively, Romantic
Awards
SquareMeal London Top 100
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch, Sunday roast
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating, Waterside
Special Features
Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating
Food Hygiene Rating 5 for Sam

About

Restaurateur Sam Harrison is the brains behind Sam’s Riverside, a stylish riverside restaurant and bar serving modern British food in Hammersmith. As the name suggests, Sam’s Riverside overlooks the Thames and boasts impressive views of Hammersmith Bridge, while the bright dining room features large windows, splashes of marble and an open kitchen. Open daily, the menu delivers seasonal British dishes, albeit with a lean towards oysters, shellfish and seafood.

The space features a standalone bar which serves its own menu of snacks and light bites, alongside beers, wines and cocktails. If you are just looking for a few quick and casual plates, you can choose from the likes of Parmesan churros, crab on toast, or crispy pork cheeks with sriracha mayo.

Those who are settling in for the evening though can dine from the restaurant’s à la carte. On the menu, you can expect to find fresh oysters and seafood platters, alongside a selection of classic starters, mains and desserts. Starters might include Shetland mussels with n’duja, parsley and grilled sourdough; asparagus with a fried egg and parmesan crisps; or scallops with pea purée, crispy bacon and morels. While for the main course, keep an eye out for the likes of Sam's cheeseburger and chips, or Cornish hake with sorrel beurre blanc, roast fennel, mussels and samphire. 

To round off your meal, you can choose a sweet from Sam’s rather tempting selection of desserts. Traditional offerings include apple tarte tatin served alongside calvados ice cream, as well as a lemon soufflé with pistachio ice cream. Sam’s Riverside is also home to a summer-ready outdoor dining area, while the chic private dining room can seat up to 18 guests.

This isn’t owner Sam Harrison’s first foray into the restaurant world. He previously owned Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick and Harrison’s in Balham before selling them to the Foxlow group in 2015.

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FAQs

Does it offer a set menu?

Yes, there is a great-value set menu available Monday to Friday lunch, and Monday to Thursday dinner (until 6:30pm).

Is there a Sunday roast?

Yes.

This venue also offers

Sam's Riverside
Private Group Dining

Sam's Riverside

Sam's Riverside
Christmas Parties

Sam's Riverside

Details

Get directions to Sam's Riverside Get directions to Sam's Riverside
Location
1 Crisp Walk, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DN

020 8237 1020 020 8237 1020

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-14:45
Tue 12:00-14:45
Wed 12:00-14:45
Thu 12:00-14:45
Fri 12:00-14:45
Sat 12:00-15:30
Sun 12:00-16:00
Dinner
Mon 17:00-21:45
Tue 17:00-21:45
Wed 17:00-21:45
Thu 17:00-21:45
Fri 17:00-21:45
Sat 17:00-21:45
Sun Closed

Reviews

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18 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Kenneth George Allan M

25 May 2026   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
End of the Seadon

First class meal and service for our pre last Fulham game of the season . Just what the dkctor ordered

Amanda H

27 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

This is the most fun buzzy restaurant in London in a wonderful position overlooking Hammersmith bridge 

The food is always delicious and interesting - the wines excellent and the staff so helpful and friendly 

really hope Sam's Riverside wins

 

Debbie H

27 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Sam's is a lovely, riverside neighbourhood restaurant that adds a touch of glamour to dining out. A beautiful dining room with views of the river and an excellent front of house team who are always welcoming and make you feel as if nothing is too much trouble. 

The food is delicious - the monkfish curry on my December 2022 visit was spot on and I love their legendary Parmesan churros and crab toasts.  They also have excellent wines and cocktails.  When there, I never want to leave but when I eventually do, I drift out in a happy, contented daze. 

Anon

08 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Excellent food, great staff very friendly and great service.

Amanda H

08 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

As a local Fulham Resident this is our 'Go To' Restaurant 

it's always buzzy and fun and the food really delicious 

the Staff are all young and helpful and overlooking the river and Hammersmith Bridge is really special 

Sam Harrison

08 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

I may be biased :)

Jo A

05 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Beautiful setting and top-notch food. Always have a fab dinner!

jessica H

02 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Really love the vibe of this restaurant and the metal framework windows are beautiful.  The mild mushroom veloute is incredible!

Zanni S

24 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Old style glamour from a new development restaurant.  Sam's delivers excellent seafood, vegeatarian and meat courses that keep even fussy guests happy.  The perfect in house martinis served in vintage style glasses set one up for the evening ahead.  Friendly, knowledgeable staff.  Ask for a table near the front to watch the sky darken over Hammersmith Bridge and understand why the locals are fighting so hard to keep it.

Richard E

28 September 2021  
Food & Drink 3
Service 5
Atmosphere 4
Value 4
Where's the grouse?

I really REALLY wanted to like this restaurant.  Damn, I was prepared to fall in love with the place following Squaremeal's very own Ben McCormack writing in glowing terms about this being one of the best places in London to get grouse.  I read the article and booked immediately, the five week wait being worth it for the anticpipation of that most glorious of birds of the phasianidae family.

Alas, our fabulous waiter was somewhat confused: "I've been here from the start and we've never had grouse on the menu".  Ah. Well nevermind, the menu is still a thing of great joy, and anywhere that has Lynch Barge blanc AND gives 30% off the food for members of Trade (if you aren't a member; join), can't be all bad.

And it's not all bad.  The situation, overlooking a car free (still) Hammersmith Bridge is a joy, even on a wet September night; the staff (all chummy and "mate") are a breath of fresh air in a post-covid atmosphere, where perspex screens still pervade; and starters were gorgeous: a crispy egg with peas (sort of a meatless scotch egg) and crevettes (big prawns, de-legged but, as our chummy waiter warned, having to be pealed by your brave correspondent) were just what was needed.  But, and it is alas a but the size of Ms Lopez's; the lobster.  Oh dear.  For a dish that's half a knicker short of a Turing it needs to be perfect. The lobster and crab roll shows that the kitchen knows how to cook lobster.  It needs a short, hot bath.  It has to hold its form.  It's a sweet piece of meat.  It needs to be treated with delicacy.  My poor creature had been left to boli/broil for way too long.  It was dry and overdone.  Easy to do: I've done it at home, but I wasn't at home.  I was paying a lot of hard earned for this and I wanted so much for it to be what it could be.  Around us, those with the sole, hake etc looked to have a perfect dish.

So will I, as our new bezzie wanted to know, be back?  Yes, I will.  There's too much to like here not to.  I'll just not be able to get a grouse, and will have to pass on the lobster I'm afraid.

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