Rick Stein, Barnes — Restaurant in London

Finally got round to eating at one of Rick Stein's restaurants and for my 71st birthday chose Barnes to treat the family. Having over the years enjoyed Rick's work on the BBC especially the series on Spain I have always believed that eating fish and sea food in England cannot be compared with Spain especially northern Spain and especially Galicia. Thought we would finally give it a shot and see if Rick's brigade could deliver quality fish and sea food.Really happy that our request for a lake view table was acknowledged. We started off proceedings with some sourdough and black green olives padron peppers and some iberico jamon. A good start. Starters next bit disappointed as sardines were not available so after chewing over the options decided on the baked scallops. They were OK but I realise now when we are in Spain we always prefer to to order "zamburinas" small baby scallops rather than scallops.Also if the product is the best it needs to be worked minimally. Today's baked scallops had been overworked and over baked. It would have been better to have pan sautéed the scallops to sear place back in shells and then add the chorizo crumb on the side ( not that I'm looking for a job or anything!). Unfortunately a bit dry and abit rubbery. My son ordered the fish soup which turned out to be a better choice. My daughter ordered the scallop and fish sashimi which looked great on the plate and tasted ultra fresh. Vedgie person had tasty courgette salad. Non alcoholic mojitos all round. CHEERS !! White rioja was ordered for the mains and I had a couple of glasses of Rick's signature Garnache which coincidentally comes from Campo de Borga where my favourite red wine Fagus is manufactured at Coto de Hayas. For the mains my son had a crab burger with the usual trimmings, proved a bit underwhelming. My vedgie wife chose a pesto spaghetti and my daughter ordered a tasty fish curry. I had the pan fried ray with hollandaise on the side which I really really enjoyed. You could say Vigo level.Hipsie cabbage and new potatoes to accompany. At this point we were all getting a bit full but we all managed to squeeze in a dessert. I went for the peanut butter non baked cheesecake we also had arice pudding with pineapple topping 3 scoops of ice cream. WOW !! Overall a thoroughly enjoyable experience and would most probably return and would recommend to others but not too anybody frightened of over inflated prices. It is slightly pricey, and you wonder what percentage of the bill is due to the restaurants location being Barnes and waterside views. In the future will mostly eat fish and seafood in Spain where the the product is respected and garnished minimally. I know Rick is aware of this and maybe is catering for the British palate. Having spent close to £400 for a family of 4 you think it would not be too much to ask that the establishment offered something on the house as they do in most places in Spain having spent a considerable ammount of money. Even something small as digestion shots that most definitely sets the tone for a return visit or a strong recommendation too others. Rick Stein Barnes get on board and do as they do in Spain. "CHUPITOS" all round on the house !!! Muchas Gracias to the entire Barnes Team. Fernando Nieto finally dining at a Rick Stein restaurant visiting from Colliers Wood. PS Purchased on line 2 bottles of the spanish Garnacha and having tasted it in the restaurant reminds me of my favourite garnacha wine Fagus similar in taste with berries tobacco and licorice. This wine deserves a fancier bottle one where you can put your thumb when serving and lose the screw cap and give it a...

We recently visited Rick Stein Barnes after being invited to experience the new Taste of 50 Years menu, and it was an exceptional evening from start to finish.

We began with the Coombeshead Farm sourdough paired with cod brandade, which set the tone with its rustic yet refined flavour. The deep-fried crystal prawns were crisp and light, the Maryland crab cakes carried just the right seasoning, and both the salmon and tuna tartare were fresh and well balanced. The sea bass with beurre blanc (prepared alcohol free) was beautifully cooked and complemented perfectly by the sauce, while the summer risotto was fresh and vibrant.

For the mains, I chose the Indonesian seafood curry, which stood out as one of the highlights of the night. Rich, aromatic, and full of depth, it showcased how seafood can be celebrated in global styles while still holding true to Stein’s legacy. My wife went for the goat’s cheese and thyme soufflé, which was perfectly risen, creamy, and a dish that shows true finesse in execution.

Desserts carried the same high standard. I had the custard tart served with crème fraîche, which was silky and comforting, while my wife enjoyed the chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream, indulgent with its molten centre and a fitting end to her meal.

Our children were also well looked after with dishes tailored to their taste. They had classic fish and chips with haddock, fried to a golden crisp and served with mushy peas and tartare sauce, which they thoroughly enjoyed. They also shared the Dover sole à la meunière, lightly dusted in flour, pan-fried, and finished with beurre noisette, which was an elegant yet family-friendly dish. It was good to see such attention given to the younger diners too.

A special mention must go to Adnana, who provided outstanding service throughout the evening. She made sure that every detail was taken care of, including ensuring all dishes were alcohol free to suit our requirements. Her attentiveness, knowledge of the menu, and warm approach made our experience smooth and enjoyable.

What stood out most was how each dish we tried celebrated different moments from Rick Stein’s five decades in food, yet all felt timeless. There was a sense of consistency and respect for quality ingredients in everything we ate. It was a chance to experience a culinary journey that has been shaped by years of expertise and a genuine love for seafood and flavour.

The restaurant itself had a welcoming atmosphere, with a relaxed yet polished setting that worked perfectly for a family dinner. Even though this was a special menu, the service, presentation, and care taken in each dish felt effortless, as though these classics had always belonged here.

Overall, my family and I had a wonderful time at Rick Stein Barnes. The Taste of 50 Years menu delivered a memorable dining experience that captured the very best of Rick Stein’s legacy. Every course was thoughtfully prepared, service was excellent, and the evening flowed with ease. Whether you are a long-time fan of Rick Stein or looking to explore classic dishes reimagined with care, this menu is well worth...

Restaurant was not at full capacity with empty tables around 8pm Thursday. yet still sat us near the toilets and busy bar corner without a view. We asked to sit elsewhere. The declined. Seems they prefer bookings over walk-ins. We spent over £200 as we were a table of 4. Maybe theyre not interested in providing full hospitality experience unless you have a reservation. Snobby posh vibe

A child-less couple who were sat beside us complained to us for our kids to reduce noise. Because ‘they had a bad day at work’ Our kids were sat down on ipads quietly with low volumes to help other people enjoy their dinner as the other option would be for our kids to be chatting, walking around and moving cutlery as most kids arent statues?! The radio or music was on which we could hear and wanted to turn down but we didn’t ask incase we heard another ‘no’

I did ask our waitress and her manager to move us to another empty table again but for no reason they refused. We were there till 10pm and closing. No reservations came along to those tables either.

Waitress did not know much about the wines, when we asked her she hadnt tasted them but still attempted to sell us the more expensive ones. It took her ages to attend to the tables even with back waiters to hand. She forgot to bring the kids shell-fish tasting dish and got the order wrong with the salads. She gifted the couple next to us with dessert and left us waiting for ketchup and lemon for the kids. She brought one slice of lemon when we are 4 people. Very fake hospitality and seemed away with the fairies. Even stopping us mid ordering to rectify the order for the next table. We left her the change at the end when paying the bill which brought out a smile. We would prefer to remove the service charge here but we never do that when eating out. Instead here is our honest review.

1 star for the thames river view that we didnt see due to our table and one tasty fish dish which is fair to include in this review. Lettuce was mouldy and little served. Avoid as families and maybe try other seafood restaurants. There are plenty good ones in london. I travelled from chelsea and not worth the...