Nestled in the heart of Leeds City Centre, Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar has garnered rave reviews for its delightful dining experience. Diners frequently praise the restaurant for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and attentive service, often highlighting staff members like Davide and Mario for their exceptional hospitality.
The menu showcases authentic Italian cuisine, with customers applauding the masterful execution of dishes like linguine with prawns, cooked to perfect al dente, and indulgent tiramisu that melts in your mouth. The cocktails also stand out, offering unique flavors that enhance the overall dining experience.
While some guests note that prices are slightly higher than typical chain restaurants, many agree that the quality of the food and the attentive service justify the cost. The cozy yet vibrant setting makes for an inviting atmosphere, suitable for both intimate dinners and social gatherings. Overall, Riva Blu is a gem in Leeds, boasting culinary artistry and impeccable service, promising to leave every guest smiling and eager to return.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair accessible entrance
Has wheelchair accessible restroom
Has wheelchair accessible seating
No wheelchair accessible parking lot
Service options
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves food
Has free water refills
Serves hard liquor
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar onsite
Has restroom
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upscale
Crowd
Family-friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Reservations required
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Photos
Reviews For Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Leeds City Centre
Charleigh Mather
Jun 30,2025
Me and my partner come here as often as we can. We absolutely love this place. It’s so friendly and amazing food. Our drinks are always lovely too. Never disappointed whenever we come. Leave with a smile on our faces! Our server today was davide, always made sure we were good and happy. I left some of my pasta and he offered to swap it for something else as he thought I didn’t like it. But I did, I loved it all. Thank you! We will be back I’m sure!
Laura Chymera
Jun 22,2025
I've eaten here twice, once when it was a very busy lunch service and the 2nd time when it was quiet and both times were so lovely - especially the food and the staff. They helped me up the steps with a pram when I was on my own and took my order within ten minutes. In what felt like less than another ten minutes my food came and it was stunning. The best Italian food I've tasted outside of Italy. The staff were warm and friendly - especially Mario! Speedy but not pushy and also gave me a free limoncello at the end of the meal! I do think it's a little on the pricey side but I would happily pay it all again because it's always a lovely experience
Iryna M
Jun 17,2025
Had lunch at this wonderful restaurant for the first time, and I loved everything about it: the excellent location, the beautiful and cozy interior, the pleasant color scheme of the furniture, and, of course, the delicious food! The chef masterfully prepared linguine with prawns al dente, which paired perfectly with the sauce featuring hints of chili and tomatoes. The tiramisu was incredibly delicate, with airy creamy layers that melted in my mouth, bringing pure delight. I especially want to highlight Davido’s work—his professionalism, attentiveness, charm, and warm manner of interacting with guests created a feeling of complete comfort in the restaurant. Thank you! Excellent food and atmosphere—I highly recommend it!
chris cooper
May 21,2025
What a great place, I love using Google maps to find places to eat, always manage to find some real nice places too. The food is amazing, portion controll is spot on, hardest part of the visit was making the choice, looks like we'll have to go back and try some more dishes. I'd definalty book as the restaurant was pretty full and Saturday, service was quick but not rushed, even had time to help with food choice. Aurora was our waitress, sorry if it's spelt wrong , we enjoyed our night and thank you to all the staff and kitchen.
Tara Sanders
May 18,2025
Beautiful food, amazing and different cocktails, lovely friendly staff who are really accommodating (my friend has 1 of his arms in a sling snd the staff cut his pizza for him to make it easier to eat!), slightly pricey compared to your standard chains but well worth the money, calm atmosphere but also with a bit of a buzz. Would definitely recommend this place to other friends and family.
Lauren Renzi
Apr 18,2025
Amazing food and even better service! Aurora looked after us, she was such a good hostess. Made the meal so special and she provided a lot of knowledge. I have a severe allergy and she made sure I was aware of the allergen list. Could not recommend more!
Aly
Mar 27,2025
Riva Blue in Leeds offers an authentic Italian dining experience with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We started with a variety of delightful starters, each bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. The risotto was creamy and perfectly cooked, with a rich, savory taste that left us wanting more. The gnocchi was light and tender, paired with a delicious sauce that complemented it beautifully. The service was attentive and friendly, making the overall experience memorable. Whether you're after a casual meal or a special occasion, Riva Blue is an excellent choice for a genuine taste of Italy in the heart of Leeds.
Angie Williams
Mar 14,2025
Loved this new Italian place and definitely want to be back! The arancini was delicious, the rigatoni was perfectly al dente! The truffle risotto was to die for! The service was splendid. Had a great time here everything was delicious.
Reviews For Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Leeds City Centre