Riverside Dining in Richmond: A Summer Evening Aboard Peggy Jean
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Summer has finally arrived in earnest, and this last week, London has been basking in it. Pavements are packed, every pub garden is at capacity, and even the tiniest outdoor café tables are in hot demand. It feels like the whole city is spilling onto the streets, eager to soak up every golden drop of sunshine. For me, though, when the weather turns warm, it’s water I’m drawn to – sea, lake or river, I’ll take any excuse to be near it. And living in the city, it’s the Thames that calls. Which is how I found myself heading to Richmond one balmy evening, to dine aboard Peggy Jean, a beautifully restored former Oxford college barge that now floats serenely at Richmond Riverside.
Part of the ever-growing Daisy Green collection, Peggy Jean is one of several delightfully idiosyncratic venues from the Aussie-born restaurant group that’s made it their mission to inject a bit of Bondi spirit into London life. What started as a single coffee van near Liverpool Street has blossomed into a lively portfolio of 18 locations across the capital, each one bringing bold, sunshine-filled flavours and a laid-back charm that feels effortlessly cool. From a floating barge designed by Sir Peter Blake near Paddington to riverside hideaways like this one in Richmond, Daisy Green’s alfresco spots are made for long, lazy summer evenings and casual dining with a touch of flair.
Peggy Jean is as pretty as a picture, painted in soft cream with accents of turquoise that gleam in the evening light. Moored just beside Richmond Bridge, she’s surrounded by bobbing boats, drifting kayakers, curious ducks and the occasional honking goose. You reach her via an arched metal-framed boardwalk, laced with greenery. Below deck, there’s a cosy indoor dining area, but if the weather plays nice, as it did on the evening we visited, you’ll want to head straight for the upper deck. Here, marble-topped tables shaded by canopies offer front-row seats to river life. It’s the perfect perch to sip something cold, watch the sun melt into the water, and feel, just for a moment, like you’re a million miles from the city.
It seemed only fitting to kick off the evening with cocktails. My Daisy Margarita – El Rayo tequila, agave and lime- was bright, zesty, and just the right side of sharp. Meanwhile, my companion opted for a Spicy Mandarin Sour, a tequila-laced concoction with Espellette pepper, mandarin confit and citrus that packed a punch but still felt refreshing.
Our starters arrived soon afterwards – bountiful plates made for sharing. The crisp, panko-fried halloumi was golden and crunchy, served on a bed of cool lime and mint yoghurt, dotted with sweet nuggets of pomegranate that added a juicy pop. Alongside came plump Australian banana prawns, bathed in a gently spiced, almost sweet sauce of fermented chilli and lemon.
We paired our meal with a bottle of Gavi del Comune di Gavi “Fossili” 2023 from San Silvestro – a classic white from Italy’s Piedmont region. Fresh and vibrant, it offered zesty citrus, crisp apple and delicate floral notes, with just a hint of spice on the finish. Light enough to sip through the evening, but characterful enough to stand up to the bold flavours on the table, it was a spot-on choice.
By the time our mains arrived, the sun was casting a golden-orange glow over the river, and almost every table had a phone out to capture the scene. I went for the chicken parmigiana – a golden, crispy schnitzel topped with prosciutto, mozzarella and parmesan, served with half a crisp head of baby gem lettuce. Hearty and indulgent, it was comfort food with a summery twist.
My friend chose the tandoori salmon – blushing pink and beautifully charred, it came with avocado salsa, rose harissa yoghurt, fresh herbs and slivers of onion. Portions here are generous, built for healthy appetites, so rest assured you won’t go hungry. I was more than satisfied, though I admit, mine defeated me in the end, delicious as it was.
Finally, just because…it felt only right to try what they call their famous Mars Bar cheesecake. Not quite a cheesecake in the traditional sense, but no less delicious for it. This deconstructed treat came as a large chocolate-coated ball of rich caramel-laced ice cream perched on a crunchy chocolate crumb base, scattered with fresh strawberries. Sweet, nostalgic, and indulgent, it was the perfect finish to a dreamy riverside evening at Peggy Jean
Peggy Jean is one of those places that makes you glad to be in London in the summer. The riverside setting is effortlessly charming, the food is full of bold, generous flavours, and the whole experience feels like a mini holiday without leaving the city. With friendly service, great drinks, and that golden-hour glow over the Thames, it’s the kind of spot you’ll want to return to.
Peggy Jean, The Boat,
Bridge Boathouses,
Riverside,
Richmond
TW9 1TH
https://www.daisygreenfood.com/
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