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Riva Restaurant

Dublin’s Dockland development has proven a magnet for eclectic eateries, with the southside Hanover Quay becoming something of a restaurant walkway.

The waterside location is unrivalled in Dublin, tucked away from the traffic, yet with uninterrupted views of the Grand Canal Dock and flanked by handsome apartments.

Riva, the latest venture from Dieter Bergman (former owner of the popular Il Primo), has maximised on the location, with a generous terrace packed with continental style café furniture.

Vast plate glass windows wrap around the restaurant, allowing diners enjoy the views, no matter what the weather. (We love the thoughtful stack of soft blankets, ready to pass out to al fresco diners braving the elements.)

The menu is pan-European, with heavy Italian leanings, and offers a vast range of dishes, from light salads to comforting casseroles and seafood to roasted joints.

The vegetarian antipasti starter is large enough to share, its delicious Portobello mushrooms being especially good. A creative risotto section is followed by pasta dishes, all made with excellent homemade pasta, while carnivores have plenty of choice, including steak and chips, lambs liver or maybe duck confit. A plat du jour offers a different daily special, perhaps coq au vin or duck cassoulet.

Riva was quite new as the guide went to press, and the menu, despite using good ingredients, may benefit from some fine-tuning.

On the other hand Staff are enthusiastic, commendably well versed in the menu and attentive; the service is excellent, suiting the relaxed décor and continental food.

Wine is a big deal here, with a room-length bar stylishly stacked with display bottles. The prices range hugely, so you can drink modestly or splurge on an old world name.

It’s a relaxing space for lunch or dinner, and an equally good choice for a date or with a larger group.

Seats 120; children welcome (high chair); air conditioning; wheelchair friendly; reservations recommended. Open daily, 12-11pm (to 9pm Sun); house wine from €18. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

On Hanover Quay