EAST LONDON’S FRESHEST DINING & SOCIAL SPACE
Opening 17 May
Riverside East, a unique and dynamic destination for dining and events, will open its doors on 17th May. Boasting an inclusive and exciting programme of activities and activations whilst collaborating with local and independent businesses, Riverside East is set to become the place to be this summer.
Located in the heart of the leafy Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Riverside East’s 300-cover Café will cater for all. With a menu designed by Lulu Cox, (formerly of Rochelle Canteen, Bocca di Lupo and St. John), dishes will align with the venue’s overriding principles of sustainability and wellness, supported with low-waste suppliers such as Wildfarmed, and Sitopia, Greenwich’s urban social enterprise farm.
In the morning, visitors can grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee as produced by Allpress Espresso, specialty coffee roasters, alongside delicious grab-and-go options. Choices vary from breakfast pots and toasties to artisan pastries and bites as made by The Snapery Bakery which will use Wildfarmed’s sustainable regenerative flour with options including the Caramelised Onion, Lemon & Halloumi Slice. The ethos of the new venue – focusing on being plant-forward, low-waste, low-carbon and hyper-seasonal – continues through plates such as Smoked Trout with Hashbrowns, Beetroot Salad with Goat Curd and Smoked Almonds and Wild Mushroom and Lentil Burger; by night, the Café will offer dinner options with a variety of delicious flatbreads to choose from. From June, the venue will also be launching the Riverside Weekend Brunch. Heading up the kitchen will be Jamie Duvale, former ex-Head Chef at The Ramsay Group with over 16 years of experience in the industry, who will be bringing his flavour-packed dishes to the menu.
Those looking for a sweet treat will be suitably delighted as Riverside East is partnering with two much-loved local dessert brands; Happy Endings for delicious ice cream sandwiches and Hackney Gelato who will be serving tubs of scrumptious flavours. Alongside the Café, guests can enjoy The Terrace, due to become the perfect summer drinks spot with panoramic views of East London. Using Gozney ovens, a menu of pizza and flatbreads will be available to accompany delicious craft beers from local breweries, alongside a curated wine list highlighting low-intervention grapes and a variety of cocktails.
The Yard, a 1000-cover outdoor area, will be the perfect spot for spending long summer days. A carefully curated collection of London’s best independent street food and artisanal traders will be appearing through rotating pop-ups, as well as playing host to independent markets and outdoor screenings of all the exciting sporting events summer 2024 has to offer.
The venue will be offering a programme of events for all; locals, families, foodies and students, encompassing art, music and sport, working with local businesses wherever possible. A space in collaboration with popular brand Slow Motion Wellness, will also open in the coming months; offering visitors a form of escapism through a variety of classes and a wild sauna. Riverside East will also be flexing its late license; with evenings packed full of back-to-back DJ sets and energetic events, into the night.
To further support the venue’s ethos of sustainability, Riverside East will be fitted out using sustainable materials and practices. The design will feature tables made from recycled and natural woods, lighting from natural straw pendants and greenery threaded through inside and outside. The Terrace will also have a roof garden that will see seasonal herbs planted and sown to be used within the food menu.
The venue will also see a restaurant opening in autumn 2024; more details to follow closer to the time.