Riverside East, a unique and dynamic destination for dining and events, will open its doors on 17 May. Boasting an inclusive and exciting programme of activities and activations whilst collaborating with local and independent businesses, the soon-to-be-opened venue is set to be one of the places to be this summer.
Located in the heart of the leafy Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Riverside East’s 300-cover Café will cater to 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 by 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 produced by Allpress Espresso, a speciality coffee roaster, 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 and Halloumi Slice.
The venue’s ethos focuses on being plant-forward, low-waste, low-carbon and hyper-seasonal and continues through plates such as Smoked Trout with Hashbrowns, Beetroot Salad with Goat Curd and Smoked Almonds and Wild Mushroom and Lentil Burgers 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, which will be serving tubs of scrumptious flavours. Alongside the café, guests can enjoy The Terrace, an ideal spot for summer drinks 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. A curated wine list highlighting low-intervention grapes and a variety of cocktails will also be available.
The Yard, a 1,000-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 appear 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 offer a programme of events for all: locals, families, foodies, and students.
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.
Riverside East will be fitted out using sustainable materials and practices, further supporting its sustainability ethos. 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 where seasonal herbs will be 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.
Address: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 5 Thornton St, London E20 2AD.
For more information and a detailed overview of what’s on offer at Riverside East, visit www.riverside-east.co.uk.