RIVA - Cape Town | Diningcity.co.za

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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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"Authentic Italian seafood restaurant "

10.0 Cuisine 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10

I love this place. Food is excellent and service amazing.

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Naz at 16 October 2021

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"Seafood done in Italian style to perfection!"

10.0 Cuisine 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10

Seafood done in Italian style to perfection! ❤️ Highly recommended if you love Italian cuisine and Seafood, then this is the place to go! We had 5 course meal tonight and everything was delish! Freshly made pasta and tasty seafood combined with friendly service and cosy atmosphere. Will definitely be visiting again 😋

Shirley Leung at 16 October 2021

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9.0 Cuisine 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10

Wonderful evening with attentive chefs and waitrons

Mark R at 16 October 2021

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8.3 Cuisine 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8

Excellent service from the chefs - the fish carpaccio was the best I had and my market fish dish was extraordinary ! The fish balls were somewhat salty … the collection of Italian wines is worth sampling too

Patrice Rassou at 16 October 2021

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10.0 Cuisine 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10

High recommend this fine dining experience!

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Melissa at 16 October 2021

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Map All restaurant deals in Cape Town

24/4 Napier St, De Waterkant 8001 Cape Town

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

1. Do I need to pay upfront?

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.

2. How do I know if my reservation is confirmed?

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.

3. I follow a special diet. Can the restaurant accommodate that?

Yes, restaurants always take dietary preferences into consideration.

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

4. Are drinks included in the menu price?

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.

5. How can I change my reservation?

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.

6. How can I cancel my 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.

7. Is cancellation free?

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.

8. Until when can I cancel my reservation?

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.

9. What is Restaurant Week South Africa?

During Restaurant Week South Africa, you can indulge in a fabulous 3-course dinner at over 140 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.