The Ivy Café Richmond

As a legendary celeb-magnet, The Ivy’s watchword has always been exclusivity, but this elegant chain of grown-up neighbourhood cafés manages to capture some of original’s seductive charms without seeming derivative. All the telltale signs are here, from the spot-on service and decadent food to the ‘see and be seen’ thrills, while each branch brings echoes of The Ivy look to its lavish ‘café’ setting: counter seating lit by vintage table lamps, art-deco hints from bevelled mirrors, geometric flooring etc. Just about everything on the pitch-perfect menu screams ‘eat me’ and it’s all brilliantly executed – from scallops atop truffled mash or crispy duck salad to shepherd’s pie, fishcakes and no-frills steak with béarnaise sauce. For a spectacular finale, order the chocolate bombe, which the waiter dramatically defuses with hot salted-caramel sauce. If there’s one other thing that The Ivy group does well, it’s showmanship.

The Ivy Café Richmond offers a little respite of luxury within the charming suburbs of Greater London. The area surrounding the Ivy café is well served by plenty of local attractions and things to do, making it a great stopping off point for locals and tourists. The stunning royal park, one of London’s eight, is a big draw to the area, encompassing the beautiful Isabella plantation and home to red and fallow deer. Kew Gardens is also not too far, for a wonderful day out away from the buzz of London city, with its sweeping vistas of charming landscaped gardens and diverse range of flora. Sports fans will want to stop by for a pint or a hearty meal after an intense game day at Twickenham Stadium, as will ardent theatre fans wanting to fuel up before taking in a play at the local performance centre.  Richmond is a buzzing area with lots of great attractions, plus a great variety of shops and cinemas – making the Ivy Café a no brainer when it comes to deciding where to eat.

The interiors are reminiscent of a proper grand café vibe with plush furnishings and extravagant décor in true Ivy style. While the inside is just as impressive as the rest of the Ivy cache, the menu is similarly as grand with the signature brasserie classics of steaks, shepherd’s pies, and more. The luxurious menu never fails to impress with truffle infused dishes such as the arancini and wild mushrooms. Yellowfin tuna carpaccio and lobster risotto are also scrumptious highlights while heartier mains of sole meuniere and lobster linguine do well to satisfy punters. The Ivy Café Richmond is a splendid option for spending a morning, afternoon, or dinner in luxury – with great service and highly lauded dishes made from the finest ingredients.