Atmosphere review insights for England, United Kingdom, Restaurants

Bad food bad vibes

Incredible and 100% recommended experience. We went in the middle of December and even though it was cold, the atmosphere was cozy and very Christmassy. The service and professionalism of the waiter Cristian made it a perfect night!

Overall a very good experience, though not quite excellent. The food was solid and clearly well prepared, with authentic flavours and generous portions. A few dishes really stood out and tasted fresh and comforting, especially if you’re craving classic Hong Kong–style cooking. Service was polite and efficient, although it felt a little rushed at times and not particularly warm. The atmosphere is casual and lively, which suits the restaurant, but it can get quite noisy and a bit hectic during busy hours. While everything was enjoyable, nothing quite reached that “wow” level that would make it unforgettable. A bit more attention to detail, whether in presentation, service, or consistency across dishes, could easily push this to a 5-star experience. That said, it’s definitely a place I’d return to for a reliable and satisfying meal. Good quality food, fair value for money, and a solid choice for Hong Kong cuisine in London.

About 30 of us went for a staff meal and chose the A & B set menus and C for vegetarian where they shared starters then chose from the menu (the only options). B was £35 (incl. soft drinks), A was £50 incl. "unlimited alcohol" for 2 hours. The food was tasty but basic and not a lot - a platter of meat for 6 people had no lamb shish, only kofte-style and some chicken - the cheaper option - we had to order more bread, which didn't come for some time. I waited 40 minutes between bottles of beer so had 3 in the whole time we were there - every time I asked I was told to "wait" or "it's coming". They also took our payment as we sat down, so there would be no come-back if there were complaints at the end. I'm sure it's nice for pairs or fours but avoid for set menu large group meals.

Absolutely Unacceptable Service - Embarrassing for a “Premium” Restaurant We booked a table for three on 20.02.2026 to celebrate a 50th birthday. The reservation clearly stated the occasion. On arrival, the host even asked whose birthday it was and we confirmed - 50 years. So there is no excuse for what followed. We arrived exactly on time and were still told to wait 15 minutes because they were “preparing the table.” For a high-end restaurant charging these prices, that already shows poor organisation. Drinks service was manipulative from the start. We were asked: “Still or sparkling?” - tap water was never offered. We were charged £5.50 for water, only to later see other tables receiving tap water automatically. We had to request it ourselves. This feels intentionally misleading. We ordered the Chinese New Year set menu at £70 per person. The menu advertised a “Fire Horse - for 2 - £28” cocktail. My friend clearly confirmed it was for two people, not three. Yet we were served TWO cocktails and charged £56 instead of £28. No clarification. No warning. Just quietly doubled on the bill. During the main course, empty plates sat on our table. Out of three finished plates, only one was cleared. This is basic service training - and it simply wasn’t there. Now the most outrageous part: dessert. We paid for THREE set menus. They brought TWO tiny desserts and TWO lottery tickets. When I pointed out that there were three of us, I was told - seriously - that the desserts were “designed to be shared between two people.” If that logic applies, then perhaps we should have only paid for two set menus? After pushing the issue, they brought a third dessert - without apology - saying it was “just for us.” As though correcting their mistake was some kind of favour. And let’s not forget: this was a 50th birthday celebration. A milestone. The restaurant knew. There was zero acknowledgment. No “Happy Birthday.” No small gesture. Nothing. For a place that markets itself as a luxury experience, the lack of hospitality was shocking. To top it off, a 14.5% service charge was automatically added to the bill. For what exactly? Poor clearing, misleading upselling, arguing over desserts, and zero birthday recognition? Our final bill: £284.25 for three people. Nearly £300 for chaotic service, questionable billing practices, and no attention to detail. This is not premium dining. This is style over substance, inflated pricing, and very average - at best - hospitality. Deeply disappointing and absolutely not worth the money.

actually visited once for graduation of my wife in 2015. was extremely hot inside (no airco), took of our suit jackets and immediately got impolite remark (not allowed, all of us had to suffer through meal which was mediocre at best). Nice for the interior but don’t go for food or service.

To say the food was extremely disappointing would really be an understatement when one considers the price. We had eaten at the River Restaurant two years ago, and were blown away with the food quality, we expected to have the same great culinary experience, but sadly, it wasn't to be. It seemed as if we came to a completely different restaurant. Nearly every dish we ordered, the sea food was not fresh; in fact two of us had to send dishes back because of that. I had the fish and chips and the fish was very watery and batter so hard, as to be almost in penetrable. For 29.50 it was a complete let down. I’m wondering if Gordon Ramsey had eaten here himself in the last two years, if so, I can’t imagine him allowing this terrible quality of food to be served. Our server though was amazing. I felt bad as she was even embarrassed when she saw the dishes we sent back. The place itself is beautiful and atmosphere charming, but those factors alone can't make up for the bad quality food. Needless to say we came away with bad tastes in our mouths, in more ways than one!

Review rating: 2.0

The restaurant had a lovely vibe initially. The decor was welcoming and appealing and the greeting staff seemed nice. We were escorted downstairs to a large dining space and sat in a booth. We were alone in the restaurant at the time, when another party arrived the were seated directly next to us in the same corner on the same booth area. The whole restaurant was empty at this point. The waiters kept pestering and asking if we were needing anything. It went past the point of attentive and was more annoying. The waiters also kept changing, each time it was a different person asking. This really ruined the whole vibe of the meal. The food was okay, nothing spectacular however. It was okay for our evening, but for the price it cost I would not return for that.

Review rating: 2.0

Bad food bad vibes

Signal: 0.1%

Incredible and 100% recommended experience. We went in the middle of December and even though it was cold, the atmosphere was cozy and very Christmassy. The service and professionalism of the waiter Cristian made it a perfect night!

Signal: 0.1%

Overall a very good experience, though not quite excellent. The food was solid and clearly well prepared, with authentic flavours and generous portions. A few dishes really stood out and tasted fresh and comforting, especially if you’re craving classic Hong Kong–style cooking. Service was polite and efficient, although it felt a little rushed at times and not particularly warm. The atmosphere is casual and lively, which suits the restaurant, but it can get quite noisy and a bit hectic during busy hours. While everything was enjoyable, nothing quite reached that “wow” level that would make it unforgettable. A bit more attention to detail, whether in presentation, service, or consistency across dishes, could easily push this to a 5-star experience. That said, it’s definitely a place I’d return to for a reliable and satisfying meal. Good quality food, fair value for money, and a solid choice for Hong Kong cuisine in London.

Signal: 0.1%