River Café
Redesigning a Culinary Landmark
Client Ruthie Rogers & Rose Gray
Location Hammersmith, London, UK
Year 2006 – 2022
Services Architecture, Interior Architecture & Design
As lead architects for the £2 million refurbishment of The River Café our task was to reimagine one of London’s most iconic restaurants following a devastating kitchen fire. Our design brought renewed energy and clarity to the celebrated riverside space, while thoughtfully preserving the original character and understated elegance.
OVERVIEW
At the core of our architectural solution is a completely open kitchen, one of the first of its kind, designed to create a theatrical, fluid connection between chefs and diners. We introduced a new private dining room, cocktail bar, and a glass-enclosed cheese room inspired by classic Italian form, alongside a dedicated pastry kitchen and reconfigured staff areas to maximise efficiency.
Bold, expressive elements, such as the neon wood-burning oven, a vivid yellow Corian reception desk and pass, and a back-lit bottle display at the bar, add vibrancy and visual drama, enhancing both functionality and atmosphere throughout the restaurant.
Since reopening in 2008, The River Café has continued to receive international acclaim from food critics and the architectural press alike, reaffirming its status as one of the world’s most influential culinary institutions, with a refreshed architectural identity to match.
