Riva Barnes is an intimate northern Italian restaurant at 169 Church Road, where it has built a remarkably loyal following since opening in 1990. Chef Andreas Riva created a deliberately understated neighbourhood dining room in which the food and personal service remain the main attraction. Lunch and dinner are served from Tuesday to Sunday, with reservations strongly recommended for the compact space.
The menu follows the seasons rather than relying on a fixed catalogue of familiar crowd pleasers. Antipasti can include delicate fried vegetables, regional cured meat, seafood and simple preparations that allow carefully sourced ingredients to lead. Pasta, ravioli, gnocchi and risotto provide the natural transition into the deeper flavours of the main courses.
Spaghetti with clams, osso buco, sea bass and veal saltimbocca illustrate the restaurant's traditional Italian range. Suckling pig, seasonal fish and other daily dishes may appear according to supply, accompanied by vegetables prepared with similar restraint. The cooking favours clear sauces, patient technique and the confidence to leave strong ingredients recognisable on the plate.
Italian wine is selected to support the regional character of the food, while classic desserts and coffee complete an unhurried meal. Long serving staff and an old fashioned sense of hospitality give regular guests a strong feeling of continuity. Riva's lasting appeal comes from serious cooking delivered without theatre in a quietly distinctive corner of Barnes.
Address: 169 Church Road, Barnes, London SW13 9HR, United Kingdom
Riva Barnes Menu
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STARTERS
Zuppa del Giorno
Home-made soup of the day with Italian bread.
Minestrone {v}
Traditional vegetable broth served with Italian bread.
GAMBERETTI
Tiger prawns sauteed with cherry tomatoes, garlic and fresh chilli
PRIMI PASTA {v}
A small plate from our selection of pasta.
ARANCINI
Homemade risotto rice balls stuffed with Bolognese and salsiccia, rolled in breadcrumbs and lightly fried, served with a spicy Napoli dip.
BURRATA, CHERRY TOMATOES & PESTO
PASTA
Tagliatelle Bolognese
Our classic tomato and minced beef sauce.
SPAGHETTI CARBONARA
Crispy pancetta, onions and garlic tossed in egg and grana padano.
PENNE INDIANAPOLI
Chicken strips and mushrooms in a Napoli and cream sauce with a hint of curry.
Penne Tropea {s}
N’duja, Italian sausage, onions and fresh chillies cooked in a Napoli sauce and topped with caramelised onions.
Linguine Gamberoni
Tiger prawns with cherry tomatoes and broccoli sauteed in olive oil with fresh chilli, onion and garlic.
Linguine Marinara
Chef’s selection of seafood and shellfish cooked in a Napoli sauce.
Tagliatelle Manzo
Beef strips and mushrooms cooked with onions, garlic and cherry tomatoes in a cream sauce.
RAVIOLI VODKA
Spinach and ricotta pasta parcels cooked in a Napoli and cream sauce, with a splash of vodka and topped with rocket and grana padano shavings.
Ravioli Gamberoni
Spinach and ricotta pasta parcels cooked in s king prawn bisque
RISOTTO
RISOTTO BROCCOLETTI {v}
Risotto rice, broccoli, peas and cherry tomatoes cooked with onion, garlic and white wine.
Risotto Gamberetti
Risotto rice with tiger prawns and asparagus cooked in a saffron cream
PIZZA
MARGHERITA {v}
SCOZZESE
Tomato sugo, mozzarella, haggis, chicken pieces and white onion.
PARMA
Tomato sugo, mozzarella, parma ham, rocket and grana padano shavings.
CARNE
Tomato sugo, mozzarella, cajun chicken, pepperoni, Italian sausage and bacon.
CREATE YOUR OWN
Peppers | Onions | Sun Blush Tomatoes | Olives | Mushroom | Rocket | Sweetcorn | Artichoke | Pineapple | Jalepenos | Fresh Chillies Chicken | Spicy Sausage | Ham | Salami | Pancetta | Goats Cheese | Pepperoni | Haggis | Parma Ham | Chilli Con Carne | Cajun Chicken | Beef Strips | Bacon
MAINS
POLLO HAGGIS
Grilled breast of chicken topped with haggis, melted mozzarella and peppercorn sauce, served with skinny fries and salad
SALSICCIA DI POLLO
Grilled escalope of veal simply served with a wedge of lemon and chef’s selection of vegetables and potatoes
SALMONE ALLA GRIGLIA
Grilled fillet of salmon with king prawns and a garlic butter sauce, served with chef’s selection of vegetables and potatoes.
Pollo alla milanese
Chicken lightly fried in breadcrumbs topped with grilled goats cheese and caramalised onions.
BURGERS & SALADS
Burger Scozzese
Grilled beef burger topped with haggis and onion rings, served with a whisky cream sauce.
RIVA
Grilled beef burger topped with pancetta, mozzarella cheese and sautéed onions.
POLLO E CAPRA
Grilled fillet of chicken, medallion of goats cheese, mixed leaf salad and caramelised onions.
MANZO
Beef strips, crispy Parma ham, burrata cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on a bed of rocket leaves with a balsamic vinaigrette.
SIDES
Garlic bread
Garlic bread with Cheese
Mixed salad
Tomato and onion salad
SALT & CHILLI FRIES
SKINNY FRIES
Parmesan, black pepper and truffle oil chips
ONION RINGS
SAUCES
mushroom | peppercorn
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in London
- Margherita pizza Typical in London: £12.00 £14.95
- Carbonara Typical in London: £14.95 £14.95
- Spaghetti bolognese Typical in London: £14.50 £15.50
- Chicken parmigiana Typical in London: £15.90 £19.95
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