Rivington Grill

A slice of London comes to the Souk Al Bahar, we took a bite, here's what we thought 34 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

Step into Rivington Grill and you will have the strangest sensation that you have accidentally stumbled through a portal; one that drops you slap-bang in the middle of London.

Everything, from the decor to the charmingly dishevelled manager in foghorn glasses, screams of England’s capital. The restaurant’s philosophy is simple: seasonal British fare, served well and without pomp.

A starter of seared scallops showcases the very best of what the restaurant is capable of. However, the quarrelsome ‘if’ word blocks the mains from an unmarred victory. If the dishes weren’t mildly over-salted or under-cooked, you would scream from the hills about them.

However, the desserts are lovely. Full stop. British expats will be happy to note this is one place they can get a perfectly executed sticky toffee pudding – pliant, gooey, warm and sinful.

The level of service at the restaurant is, thankfully, not what you usually encounter in either London or Dubai: a knowledgable staff member is always a nod away from meeting any request or answering any question. Even with the Burj Dubai glistening a stone’s throw away, Rivington Grill is one of the best escapes in the emirate.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 17 March 2009

• Previous reviews
  • 14 June,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 26 January,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

Posted by: Dean and Kate Biskupovich on 06 Oct ' 09 at 16:39

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• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

My wife and I went for lunch today. First timers and were pleasantly happy with the service, ambience and food. The service was good yet discrete. The ambience was nice as we had a window seat facing the Burj Dubai and Lake. The food was also good. My wife order the set lunch menu, nicely priced at 100AED, for three nice sized portions. I order a la carte. My order was as follows: Starter was the yorkshire pudding salad (interesting and good mixture), rabbit and crawfish pie (another intersting combo yet very tasty). My wife's set menu was a nice salad, chicken and mushroom pie (she says is the best she's had in Dubai) and a strawberry, cream and merengue pudding. All very nice. Price was ok. 375AED for the above plus local water and a glass of white. We would recommend it and return another time. Good job!

Posted by: Tony on 01 Oct ' 09 at 07:38

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The best restaurant in Dubai. I was there 2 weeks ago.Forget about restaurant in hotel with their boring service and trying to sell the furniture as well. You are here in a real restaurant. Food is so good, very friendly waiters who knows what they are talking about. Toffee pudding was a dream.I saw the comment before, please dont come back to this place, they dont need customers like you. You should open in Beirut, you will be so busy. Tony

Posted by: Simon Clough on 22 Sep ' 09 at 14:08

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• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I've dined here almost a dozen times and I think it's one of Dubai's best brasserie style restaurants. However, you've got to be a fan of (and understand) the English classic dishes, otherwise don't bother.
The menu changes weekly and there are also specials every day. Some dishes such as the "Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding Salad" or the "Eton Mess" should never be removed from the menu as they are amazing.

Service is excellent, the staff are friendly and attentive without being too much. The management are also top class, as you'd expect from Caprice.

I think the critics on this board have probably been unlucky or were expecting something different. I'm looking forward to the cooler months as the terrace must have one of the world's most iconic views.

Posted by: Beema Jamal on 22 Sep ' 09 at 12:58

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Rude staff, inefficient service.

Posted by: Mike on 12 Sep ' 09 at 18:42

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Friday night was our first visit to Rivington grill. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Our best dinner in Dubai

Posted by: Daniele on 05 Sep ' 09 at 09:29

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The only busy restaurant in Dubai and I do understand why. Thursday night was so busy, great atmosphere, great food and service. It was my third visit since they opened. Getting better and better. You feel in a proper restaurant, not like in all these boring hotels.

Posted by: Kevin on 04 Sep ' 09 at 06:58

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: sarah on 29 Aug ' 09 at 08:45

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Went to Rivington last thursday night. Great food, great service. My best experience in Dubai. Very good value for money as well

Posted by: Marco on 23 Aug ' 09 at 15:24

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

So many people talk about this Rivington Grill. We decide to go there last thursday night without making booking. The welcome at the reception was very welcoming, they made us feel as if they were waiting for us to come. The restaurant was very bussy and it was a great atmosphere with people enjoying. The waiter was very professional, compare to a lot of restaurant in Dubai. The food was delicious. We enjoyed our evening so much. Now I know why so many people are talking about this place. The only real restaurant in Dubai.

Posted by: Liezle on 20 Aug ' 09 at 07:35

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Visited Rivington for my birthday, and i have only one word...WOW.
From the confirmation of our booking to the goodbye at the door... all spectacular. We all shared the beetroot salad, scallop, steak tartare and dressed crab, and couldnt find a single thing we didnt like. The sirlion was juicy and tender, mixed fish grill a pleasure in every mouthfull. If you a lover of liver the faggots is to die for. And then the moment we all been waiting for...dessert. My Eton mess had a chocolate birthday wish written on the plate, ( simple yet so classy ) with the sticky toffee living up to its reputation. As much as im raving about this place it will be a birthday i will not easily forget. Thank you to the friendly and attentive staff, keep it up!! PS not often you visit a restaurant where staff actualy look happy to be of service to you.

Posted by: lawrence pettifer on 20 Aug ' 09 at 07:16

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Fantastic. Delicious. Cool.
Easily the best restaurant in Dubai, if you like your staff knowedgeable, your food quality and your atmosphere buzzing.
There is a reason these guys are still busy when everywhere else I go is like a morgue - the've got the goods.
A tip: the best seats in the house are at the bar, where you feel like you are part of the action.

Posted by: BrunchMates on 18 Aug ' 09 at 12:02

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Bad service, not attentive and we were only two tables. kitchen was not slow but the food is bad, the steak was tough and I am sure was frozen. My friends Scallops where greasy and smelled awful.
I hate been in an empty restaurant and having waiters talking around you, I had to ask for everything, didn't even offered the wine list, dessert or suggested the special board which i couldnt see because it was right behind me.
would not go back shame it's goot a cool open kitchen

Posted by: Gem on 29 Jun ' 09 at 07:50

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

This restaurant offer's fantastic views of the Burj and water fountain display. The ambience is pleasant as well as the attentive staff who continue the values and service of the London Branch.

The food is immense and every dish is a diffusion of worthiness.

Will return for the 4th time shortly.

Posted by: Stuart K on 23 Jun ' 09 at 08:38

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

What a disappointment!!. After reading all the good reviews, I was excited to take visitors for a meal. I left feeling embarrassed for having suggested it
Most of what we ordered was 'out of stock', The wines were too warm, and the water wasn’t cold. We were billed for a wine we ordered that and was out of stock (as well as the one we did drink.) One of the meals came without the potato side order as stated on the menu.
The service was fair, but I failed to see any brilliance
Had the meals been great, the prices would have been acceptable, but for what one got, it wasn’t worth it.
Average!!

Posted by: Hassan on 19 Jun ' 09 at 07:11

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Ok im back and i can safely say it was wonderful and the food full of taste and fresh ingredients. My hat off to the Chef and thank you for bringing good food to Dubai. My pallette had been sleeping for a long time. Amazing service and welcoming people. I found it a tiny bit pricey but i mean for the food i cant argue. If i can go back everday i would but dont think my credit card can handle!!
1Xdeviled chicken liver starter(superb must try, so tender)
1Xcorn fed chicken (yummy and fresh)
1Xfaggots(taste sensation, gamey and full of bold tastes)
1Xsticky toffee(very average sadly)
1Xmargharita
1Xcider

total: 470 AED

Posted by: Hassan on 18 Jun ' 09 at 12:58

I have heard so much good reviews and read everyone’s that I just had to book a table tonight. Unfortunately I had a stressful week and wanted a table by the window to feel a bit relaxed ,since the hot weather won’t allow for a nice outdoor dinner, but there were none so I have to do with a wall table  . I’m pretty excited, don’t want to put too much high expectations as I’m scared I will be judging it too much.

My review will follow and I hope I’m still as excited .

Bon Appetite everyone.

Posted by: Tasha on 02 Jun ' 09 at 06:13

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Have now been to the Riv Grill a few times and every time the food, ambiance and service has convinced me to return. Highlights have been the crab starter, the butternut squash soup served with a delicious herb scone, the roast chicken and the spicy steak tartare. Make sure you have room for the sinful sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Prices are reasonable by Dubai standards but might seem high if you compare them with brasseries serving similar food in the UK thanks to the exchange rate. Buzzy without being too loud, grown-up without being stuffy and formal. For those of us nostalgic for a taste of London, this is a great stop.

Posted by: Sofia Lopez on 13 May ' 09 at 08:06

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

What an experience! Nice to see that a restaurant in Dubai understands what we need. We were so happy about the whole experience. We went last friday with no booking and the welcome at the reception was great, they made feel us so special. The place was so bussy. Food was excellent, service was amazing. Fish and chip is wow. I feel I was back home in Spain where you can see waiters with a strong personality. I loved the simplicity of the place. Sad to see such a comment below. You simply dont get it. Stay away from this restaurant, they dont need people like you. We will be back for sure.
Well done to all the team.

Posted by: francisca on 12 May ' 09 at 13:23

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

well me and my husband tried this restaurant because of all the good reviews we read here at timeout... we thought that its only an average kind of restaurant and we find it a bit pricy for simple british food,with just small portions, service was just okey for it took awhile to have our drinks , I don't think its good to seat near the kitchen itself for it tend to be hot... plus we thought its a smart casual dress code to come here but seeing other people or tourist in shorts and slippers I don't think there is any dress code in this place... we will be back but not that soon...

Posted by: Mark Appleton on 04 May ' 09 at 15:23

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This should have won best restaurant at your awards. It is not only the best new restaurant, it is also one of the best in the country full stop. And as others have said, the service is a lesson to all other restaurants.

Posted by: Miguel on 30 Mar ' 09 at 20:48

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I ve been many times to Rivington Grill and I can say that it is getting better and better. The food is always nice but I love the service, very professional and discreet. Not pretentious compared to a lot of place in Dubai. You have the feeling you are in London in a top restaurant.
For sure the best in Dubai

Posted by: Khaled on 19 Mar ' 09 at 07:19

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Just great food and great service.
Very nice place. I went with my family and we had a good time.
The best service in Dubai so far

Posted by: Diana on 19 Mar ' 09 at 07:15

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Such a great time at Rivington. Service was amazing and very friendly. I cant understand Mr Jason comments. Please stay away from this place. They do not need poeple like u. Food is delicious and such a great value. Congratulation to all the team and .....see u soon

Posted by: Jason on 18 Mar ' 09 at 22:16

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I can't believe this place has had so much good feedback! I went last night and it was really bad! We ordered the steak tartare to share and had to leave most of it as it had so much mustard in it our mouths were burning! None of the staff asked why we hadn't eaten any of it so I guess this must happen quite alot! Then the main courses arrived, they were average and way overpriced for what you got. Still no check back to see if we were enjoying our meals and there were only two other tables in so it's not like the guys were rushed off their feet! For some reason I still wanted to eat more so I ordered the cheese! Oh dear, Spinneys has a better selection! Left all of that. STILL NO CHECK BACK!! Will not be going back and will not be recommending this place to anyone.

Posted by: kevin robinson on 18 Mar ' 09 at 13:03

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Fantastic restaurant, food is sensational and reminds me of home.

Posted by: expat09 on 16 Mar ' 09 at 10:26

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Try the scallops, the lamb and the sticky toffee pud! wow.
Fish and chips are perfect... a bit expensive but a great restaurant. This is now one of the best of the best in Dubai, much more casual than Verre, but good on that sort of level in terms of food quality and service. Bravo Chef! But hey, get some real wine glasses, please.

Posted by: Nova on 09 Mar ' 09 at 15:09

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Have been to RV 2 weeks in a row. Thought food was really well cooked, had Pea soup w Mussels, piping hot, tasty. Husband had Steak Tartare and it was very fresh, well seasoned. My seafood grill was great, fish, scallops cooked perfectly. Only miss was the salt they sprinkled on our Chocolate Walnut Tart and still charged us for. Expresso machine down so we never got that but despite those little misses we knew we would go back. 2nd time round the Butternut Squash Soup was excellent and the accompanying herb scone was delicious, warm and light! Asparagus on smoked salmon was lovely, poached egg was perfect. My husband had the Fishermans Pie and found it tasty and perhaps too much potatoe on top but still good, spinach cooked perfectly. Service was very good, I agree with others, service is probably most consistent that we have experienced in Dubai. Compared to lots of other places we think RV is well-priced and food is well cooked and comes piping fresh and hot.

Posted by: Deborah on 04 Mar ' 09 at 09:46

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Sorry but I cannot believe the above reviews. Had a starter that was a piece of Mothers Pride bread with some cheesy 'paste' smeared on it - no garnish of any sort, and that was about 9 pounds. My partner had a fish pie that came in the smallest dish and not one tiny piece of garnish to make it look any bigger. Staff very attentive - in fact overly so.
Admittedly the place had just opened so maybe they have their act more together now? l

Posted by: Richard Pope on 18 Feb ' 09 at 08:50

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• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Forget Ramsey and Rhodes etc this is a proper contemporary British restaurant. No waiters saying 'I not know sir....' these guys are trained properly and know everything about the food and what wine is appropriate etc. I found the place by accident and whilst having a glass of wine they let me taste the salt baked sea bass they were testing and when I took clients back the next week they prepared it for us off menu which they had offered to do in advance. Honestly the best restaurant in Dubai...substance and not just style. I would simply ask them what to eat and drink and trust them.....Fish pie, bottle of Sancerre, Eton Mess, cheese, espresso, sitting at the bar....The only London restaurant in Dubai. I love it

Posted by: Sasha on 07 Feb ' 09 at 18:40

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Just amazing. Service was excellent, very friendly. Probably the best in Dubai. Food was great. Excellent value. Great place.

Posted by: KRAM NALLA on 03 Feb ' 09 at 05:48

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Without a doubt, here's a restaurant that knows what it's doing. It is confident in its food and its staff and it's quite unique in that the Rivington is rolling out food WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE !!! I have had the pleasure of several visits and momentum is growing. Dover Sole on a Thursday, Roast beef on a Saturday.........amazing desserts....you'll all have to be careful you dont let the place take you over. Truly excellent value

Posted by: aimee on 02 Feb ' 09 at 11:39

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The first time that i went to rivington grill i was amazed with the food on the menu it was like being back at home.

This has to be one of the best restuarants in dubai, im a frequent customer and i have never heard anybody complain, the food is amazing and the service is fantastic!

This would truly be somewhere that i would take people when they come and visit.
and you know what it's not badly priced either.

Posted by: Trudy on 02 Feb ' 09 at 10:54

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

If you like Ikea youll love the Rivington Grill as most things in it aré from Ikea, salt and pepper pots, hurricane lamps, candles, the service was apaling but the food good, think we just picked a bad night or as we were told it was the waitress's fault, not really fair on her but our meal was comped off completly, we would go back though, great menu, just dont sit too near the kitchen it will make you sweat just watching them and very smelly/smokey, felt sorry for the poor guy on the grill, but if your on desserts though you get to stand around and chill !

Posted by: Jane Head on 27 Jan ' 09 at 14:07

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Since discovering The Rivington Grill I am a frequent customer. I have taken friends there atleast once a week and I have never had anything other than perfect food and perfect service.
The staff and management are the "best of the best" in Dubai.
They should start a training course for all other restaurants to show how to properly train restaurant staff.

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