RIVA

Italian
9,2 (33 reviews)
100% recommended

RIVA

Italian
9,2 (33 reviews)
100% recommended

What 33 people say about RIVA

9.2 Based on 33 reviews. 100% of the guests recommend this restaurant.
Food
Service
Atmosphere
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10.0 Cuisine 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10

Absolutely fantastic experience! Blown away by the exceptional service and tasty authentic Italian prepared meals. I can't wait to visit RIVA again!

Arlene Mains at 11 October 2021

"Date night"
9.3 Cuisine 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10

First time at Riva and we'll definitely be back. As regular Cape Town restaurant goers we don't know how we've missed this place before . Lovely ambience, good service and we enjoyed the restaurant week menu. Loved the fish carpaccio, fresh pasta and tiramisu.

Frank at 09 October 2021
Verified

10.0 Cuisine 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10

The restaurant week special is delicious! Super friendly chefs, too.

Gemma Oberth at 08 October 2021
Verified

8.7 Cuisine 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9

great evening

Frederik Rademan at 06 October 2021
Verified

"Lovely evening "
10.0 Cuisine 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10

Excellent food, great service.

Kate Webb at 06 October 2021
Verified

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About RIVA

Cuisine: Italian

Childhood friends Nicoló Rovarini and Federico Rocca grew up on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Italy. Their resulting love of seafood is now being translated for a South African audience in De Waterkant.

Food

If you’re expecting Italian classics, think again. Kick off with a carpaccio (the fish changes daily), sliced and served with coconut flakes, olive oil and kiwi fruit. It’s an unusual pairing, and the flavours don’t quite meld. Saldanha Bay mussels – marinated in olive oil until wonderfully tender – served on a crispy fried piece of polenta, are a safer bet. Pasta is made in-house, and the bronze drawn spaghetti, served with cherry tomatoes and clams is perfectly al dente. Squid ink gnocchi with prawns comes laced with vibrant threads of saffron, which lend a unique flavour to the dish. If you’ve space for secondi, there’s the option of a vast platter, a smaller platter of fried hake, calamari and bait fish, or the Abalobi catch of the day. For dessert, there’s a wonderfully chewy, almost creamy lemon sorbet, and a very good tiramisu.

Ambience

The restaurant takes its name from the legendary boat building company, Riva, who make the kind of wood-clad speedboat that James Bond would pilot. The white walls are cleverly decorated with broad blue stripes, a clutch of black-and-white photos and a little boat-themed brick-a-brack. Above, the light bulbs dangle from thick rope. All-in-all, the feeling is of a relaxed seafood trattoria, with lights just dim enough for it to feel romantic.

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Frequently asked questions

At most restaurants, you can make reservations for free and cancel them without any charge. You'll settle the bill when you dine at the restaurant. However, some restaurants may request a small deposit, and they will send a prepayment request via Dineplan to confirm your reservation.

You will receive a confirmation for every reservation within a few minutes at the email address you provided. Haven't received anything? Please check your spam folder.

Yes, restaurants always take dietary preferences into consideration.

You can specify your dietary requirements in the comments section of the reservation form.

In most deals, drinks are not included.

However, some restaurants may offer a welcome drink or provide a wine-pairing option, and this will be clearly indicated in the restaurant's menu.

No problem.

If you've created an account with us, you can log in to your account and easily change your reservation.

Don't have an account? Click on the link in the confirmation email of your reservation.

You can cancel your reservation from the confirmation email: Click on 'Manage Reservation' in the email and then click on the 'Cancel Reservation' button. If you have created an account, you can also do this easily by going to 'My Reservations.' You can also contact us via email at info@restaurantweek.co.za.

Yes, you can always cancel for free.

If you have made a prepayment via Dineplan, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your reservation. The amount you paid in advance will be automatically refunded to your account. Refunds through Dineplan should be resolved in communication with the restaurant, and we are not directly involved in this process.

You can cancel your reservation online up to 8 hours in advance, or by phone up to 1 hour before your reservation time. However, we kindly request that you cancel as soon as you know you won't be able to make your reservation.

During Restaurant Week South Africa, you can indulge in a fabulous 3-course dinner at over 150 of the finest restaurants in South Africa, starting at ZAR 295.00 per person. Restaurant Week South Africa is held twice a year, in Autumn and Spring.

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