River Cafe

The River Cafe at Thames Wharf on Rainville Road in Hammersmith W6 is one of the most influential restaurants in Britain. Founded in 1987 by Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers in a converted warehouse by the Thames, it transformed how Britain understood Italian cooking. Both Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall trained here. The food is simple, pure and seasonal Italian cooking driven by the best ingredients — roasted whole fish, handmade pasta, wood-roasted meats — with a wine list that introduced Italians to an era of British diners. Michelin-starred throughout its history, the River Cafe continues under Ruth Rogers' leadership following Rose Gray's death in 2010.

Available for dine-in at Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, Hammersmith W6. Phone 020 7386 4200. Book well ahead.