Lovely to dri k s delicious IPA on the Riverside Terrace Bar of the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank on beautiful sunny evening, very near restaurants and street food. A great sport for meeting friends.
Mark M
Real nice cafe. Fab views and atmosphere
moragh388
Claimed it closed at 6pm. Perfect, we thought, as we had a dinner booking next door at 6. We arrived at 5.40 and ordered 3 coffees. At 5.45 they unceremoniously threw us out as they were closing. No 5-minute warning, just LEAVE. Hadn't even been able to start the coffee as it was too hot. Other customers received the same treatment. If you close at 5.45, say you close at 5.45. Don't lie and say you close at 6.
Mark Mahoney
Real nice cafe. Fab views and atmosphere
E9477VYjanec
I wanted a snack before the concert I had come to see, and ordered a ham hock and cheese toastie. I really wish I hadn't. It was made with the cheapest white bread there is - so glutinous that it stuck to my teeth. The toastie was barely half full, with dry shredded pieces of ham, and cheese I could barely taste. It cost £6, and I felt cheated that I had paid that much for what was effectively two slices of white toast. The tables were dirty, and full of other people's abandoned meals. I love the Royal Festival Hall, and often go to concerts there. But I won't ever eat again at the Riverside Cafe. Shame ... the cafe overlooks the river, and could be glorious. What a missed opportunity.
P H
Nice service, vegan roll should be in the cake section due to it being a sweet potato wrapped in pastry.Vegetarian options: Super sweet vegan roll, not at all savoury or to my taste.
Naz Gupta
This cafe and members bar upstairs are terrible.Service ‘computer says no’ attitude.Members area very little food available despite the small food menu, most items unavailable. And even with members discount it’s expensive. Lots of other places for food and drink nearby. These 2 areas really let the Southbank Centre Festival Hall down badly.
FoxBird123
On family trip out to London we stopped for lunch, the food was good but the people serving were so unpleasant it spoilt experience. The lady that served me said about 2 words despite me having a question, she looked fed up and off putting, another lady was the same too. Shame, would not go back. :(
Kat C
On family trip out to London we stopped for lunch, the food was good but the people serving were so unpleasant it spoilt experience. The lady that served me said about 2 words despite me having a question, she looked fed up and off putting, another lady was the same too. Shame, would not go back. :(
Social Bunny
Fantastic location near the river inside the iconic Royal Festival Hall arts complex. Sadly this cafe and bar operation is confused at best and chaotic. Poor service and no obvious management in control.
Completely disorganised, no one knew where to queue to order or wait even though they had a ticketing system. More people taking orders that making the food and drinks.Waited ages for a decaf latte that was mostly foam and cold.They only had full fat milk.Will not be returning, ever.
AJazzFan100
Great location for all day refreshments. Also a bar at the back.Organisation and service seem to be neglected.Lovely view over the river and a good place to rendezvous.
Soho Entertainment
Enjoyable space with views over the river . Can get very busy when there is a concert on. Good daytime meeting place. Café facing the river and bar on the other side facing inwards.
Carolyn Coleman
The location and environment, within the famous Southbank centre are just great. Nice ambiance. Great views. However, I was dismayed that the Cheese Ploughman's sandwich that we bought was perhpas the worst example of its kind that I have ever had the misfortune to consume. We chose Cheese Ploughmans because it is normally a safe bet, but on this occasion, absolutely terrible.
BaconRollMan
Up in town for a family day out we were looking for somewhere that wasn't till crowded. Came across the Riverside Terrace cafe and wished we hadn't. Stood in line and waited almost ten minute while the server made someone a coffee at snail's pace. Good choices were extremely limited, ie non-existent. There were a few small sandwiches and wraps, but one of our party complained that the bread was stale. The pizza slices looked interesting, but when I bit into mine I realised there was no pizza made, just bread, and it was stale. All that for a £6 slice! The two serving staff appeared not to have the benefit of the power of speech, which made the experience more unpleasant. I'd rather be ripped off at one of the tourist burger stalks than eat this muck again. Drinks are served from a kiosk out on the terrace. Much better and the ale was lovely, but not cheap.
Lovely to dri k s delicious IPA on the Riverside Terrace Bar of the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank on beautiful sunny evening, very near restaurants and street food. A great sport for meeting friends.
Real nice cafe. Fab views and atmosphere
Claimed it closed at 6pm. Perfect, we thought, as we had a dinner booking next door at 6. We arrived at 5.40 and ordered 3 coffees. At 5.45 they unceremoniously threw us out as they were closing. No 5-minute warning, just LEAVE. Hadn't even been able to start the coffee as it was too hot. Other customers received the same treatment. If you close at 5.45, say you close at 5.45. Don't lie and say you close at 6.
Real nice cafe. Fab views and atmosphere
I wanted a snack before the concert I had come to see, and ordered a ham hock and cheese toastie. I really wish I hadn't. It was made with the cheapest white bread there is - so glutinous that it stuck to my teeth. The toastie was barely half full, with dry shredded pieces of ham, and cheese I could barely taste. It cost £6, and I felt cheated that I had paid that much for what was effectively two slices of white toast. The tables were dirty, and full of other people's abandoned meals. I love the Royal Festival Hall, and often go to concerts there. But I won't ever eat again at the Riverside Cafe. Shame ... the cafe overlooks the river, and could be glorious. What a missed opportunity.
Nice service, vegan roll should be in the cake section due to it being a sweet potato wrapped in pastry.Vegetarian options: Super sweet vegan roll, not at all savoury or to my taste.
This cafe and members bar upstairs are terrible.Service ‘computer says no’ attitude.Members area very little food available despite the small food menu, most items unavailable. And even with members discount it’s expensive. Lots of other places for food and drink nearby. These 2 areas really let the Southbank Centre Festival Hall down badly.
On family trip out to London we stopped for lunch, the food was good but the people serving were so unpleasant it spoilt experience. The lady that served me said about 2 words despite me having a question, she looked fed up and off putting, another lady was the same too. Shame, would not go back. :(
On family trip out to London we stopped for lunch, the food was good but the people serving were so unpleasant it spoilt experience. The lady that served me said about 2 words despite me having a question, she looked fed up and off putting, another lady was the same too. Shame, would not go back. :(
Fantastic location near the river inside the iconic Royal Festival Hall arts complex. Sadly this cafe and bar operation is confused at best and chaotic. Poor service and no obvious management in control.
Restaurantji Recommends
Completely disorganised, no one knew where to queue to order or wait even though they had a ticketing system. More people taking orders that making the food and drinks.Waited ages for a decaf latte that was mostly foam and cold.They only had full fat milk.Will not be returning, ever.
Great location for all day refreshments. Also a bar at the back.Organisation and service seem to be neglected.Lovely view over the river and a good place to rendezvous.
Enjoyable space with views over the river . Can get very busy when there is a concert on. Good daytime meeting place. Café facing the river and bar on the other side facing inwards.
The location and environment, within the famous Southbank centre are just great. Nice ambiance. Great views. However, I was dismayed that the Cheese Ploughman's sandwich that we bought was perhpas the worst example of its kind that I have ever had the misfortune to consume. We chose Cheese Ploughmans because it is normally a safe bet, but on this occasion, absolutely terrible.
Up in town for a family day out we were looking for somewhere that wasn't till crowded. Came across the Riverside Terrace cafe and wished we hadn't. Stood in line and waited almost ten minute while the server made someone a coffee at snail's pace. Good choices were extremely limited, ie non-existent. There were a few small sandwiches and wraps, but one of our party complained that the bread was stale. The pizza slices looked interesting, but when I bit into mine I realised there was no pizza made, just bread, and it was stale. All that for a £6 slice! The two serving staff appeared not to have the benefit of the power of speech, which made the experience more unpleasant. I'd rather be ripped off at one of the tourist burger stalks than eat this muck again. Drinks are served from a kiosk out on the terrace. Much better and the ale was lovely, but not cheap.