River CaFE

Ruth Rogers, Rose Gray. Designed in partnership with Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners the River Cafe was refurbished following a fire in 2008. The refurbished restaurant how has a private dinning room and a cocktail bar.

The River Café, one of London's most celebrated restaurants, re-opened its doors on 6 October 2008 after a £2 million redesign, which brought new focus and vibrancy to the famous riverside restaurant, whilst thoughtfully retaining the original elegance and character of the space.

Commissioned by co-owners Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray, Stuart Forbes Associates (SFA) re-designed the space with a new open kitchen, private dining room and cocktail bar.

Central to the design solution is the completely open kitchen, which created a dynamic relationship between the chefs, the kitchen and the public. Other significant additions include a glass enclosed cheese room based on a classic Italian design, as well as a new pastry kitchen. Behind the scenes, the bathrooms were re-planned and reconstructed with fluorescent primary colours and significantly increased space and staff rooms were modified to maximise space.

The new, neon, wood burning oven dominates the dining room and kitchen while the new reception desk and 'pass', constructed in vivid yellow Corian and dramatically top-lit, also adds drama to the space. The bar, was also adapted and enhanced with a new back-lit bottle display, providing a dramatic focal point and space for pre-dinner guests.

Since the re-launch in September 2008, the restaurant has enjoyed the acclaim of food critics and architectural press across the globe and continues to be one of the world’s most influential food establishments.

Ruth Rogers, Rose Gray. The open kitchen of the River Cafe allows the guests to see the cooking process. The stainless steel work tops are simple and show the off the engine of the restaurant just as it would be at home.
The toilet doors. Mens blue, Womens pink.
Ruth Rogers, Rose Gray. The restaurant has views onto the garden of Thames Wharf. In the summer all the doors open and the restaurant spreads out into the courtyard with views over the river Thames towards Hammersmith bridge.
Ruth Rogers, Rose Gray. The cocktail bar and the reception to the restaurant. Bar stools, bar, mirror wall. elegantly simple design.
Ruth Rogers, Rose Gray. .The engine of the restaurant. The kitchen is open to the restaurant allowing the drama of food creation to be watched by all. a huge wood burning stove faces the covers.
Ruthie Rogers choosing the freshest ingredients for the River Café. a chef bringing in the ingredients to the restaurant.

Ruthie Rogers choosing the freshest ingredients for the River Café. a chef bringing in the ingredients to the restaurant.

The huge wood burning stove in the River Cafe. Freshly baked bread by the chefs.

The huge wood burning stove in the River Cafe. Freshly baked bread by the chefs.

Team effort. The restaurant prep is done alongside the main space. Chefs cooking in the open kitchen of the river cafe.

Team effort. The restaurant prep is done alongside the main space. Chefs cooking in the open kitchen of the river cafe.