Last Updated on June 12, 2026
Riverside dining in a heatwave
4.3 out of 5.0 starsIt’s summer in the city, and in West London, one of the best places to be is by the river. The pubs are overflowing, and the Thames is buzzing with life, but where do you go when you want to dine alfresco with a front row seat with a water view? Sam’s Riverside, of course.
My favourite west London brasserie sits right beside Hammersmith Bridge on the banks of the River Thames, steps away from Riverside Studios.
Sam’s Riverside was first opened in 2019 by Sam Harrison and Fanny Stocker. Since then, it has earned 2 AA Rosettes, recognition in the Harden’s Best UK Restaurants Guide, and a place in the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland.
I’ve visited this elegant, contemporary brasserie several times over the years, but it was my first experience on their terrace. Arriving in the middle of a heatwave, there was no place I’d rather be. Over the course of the evening, we watched the sunset and the skies turn orange.
Fanny welcomed us with frozen, spicy Coconut Margaritas, made with Ocho Blanco tequila, coconut syrup, habanero tincture, and fresh lime, served in icy, pale-pink glasses of gorgeousness with just the right kick to set the tone for the evening.
You can’t possibly visit Sam’s without trying their signature savoury churros – they’re fabulously light and fluffy, sprinkled with Parmesan, and make the perfect nibble while you browse the menu. Enjoy them alongside some Dorset crab toasts – crunchy tidbits piled high with creamy white crab meat, which are so delicate and delicious I could happily eat them on repeat.
This summer, Sam’s is partnering with Pommery Champagne, adding a touch of glamour to the terrace and creating the perfect pairing for seafood and sunshine. The terrace dining also includes Sam’s full à la carte menu, which ranges from Sam’s celebrated burger and chips to risotto primavera, courgette and stracciatella ravioli, crab and Gruyère soufflé, sea bass, Cornish lamb rump, and Hereford aged ribeye.
We enjoyed a chilled bottle of Pommery Brut Royal, which comprises the classic Champagne trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Crisp and lively, with notes of peach and lemon. Other options include Brut Royal Rosé and the Louis Pommery England Brut.
If you really want a taste of summer, pair your Pommery with Sam’s Deluxe Fruit De Mer for the ultimate treat. A magnificent seafood platter arrived for us to share. The Carlington & Jersey oysters were superb, and they slipped down a treat with champagne. The crevettes were served with a Marie Rosé sauce, and the Scottish langoustines with lemon mayonnaise, both incredibly fresh and meaty. There’s something exciting about indulging in active food, no matter how messy it gets.
The slices of silky sea bream ceviche were bright and citrussy, and the smoked salmon was delicate. Another tasty mouthful was the thinly sliced tuna tataki, with a rich flavour and an umami kick. But the highlight of this platter was the dressed Dorset crab, which was astonishingly good – served in a shell, brimming with luscious, sweet and briny white and brown meat.
My mother used to try to impress at dinner parties with her soufflés, but I think even she would have been bowled over by the lemon & elderflower soufflé, light-as-cloud and topped with a brown-butter crumble; it was pure magic. Another nod to the 1970s was the Amalfi lemon sorbet served in an iced lemon shell: very nostalgic and a perfect, refreshing dessert for a balmy evening by the river.
And the finale – black coffee served with coffee macarons, sweet, nutty and gently bitter.
Sam’s really does deliver: the food is great, the service excellent, and dining on its riverside terrace, with the added pleasure of Pommery champagne, is pretty darn lovely.
Address: 1 Crisp Walk, London W6 9DN, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 20 8237 1020
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