Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham is a italian restaurant in Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. Rated 4.5 stars from 1997 Google reviews. Known for staff attentiveness & personalisation and fresh, well-executed italian food. Best for solo dining and family meals. Price range: €€.
Rankings updated May 2026

Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham
Across 1,989 Google reviews, 87% gave four or five stars.
Quick Verdict
Riva Blu delivers assured Italian cooking and genuinely attentive service in a cosy, romantic room—ideal for solo diners, families, and special occasions alike.
You want Italian comfort food with staff who remember your name and allergies, in a room that feels both upscale and genuinely welcoming.
About Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham
Riva Blu sits in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter as a neighbourhood Italian where the rhythm feels intentional—quiet enough for a solo carbonara and wine, warm enough for families celebrating birthdays. The menu spans bruschetta and fresh pasta to pizza and meatballs, with thoughtful allergies handling and a kids' menu that keeps younger diners engaged. Staff—Khalid, Maddie, Tamara, Christian among them—move with attentiveness without hovering, remembering details and personalising each visit. The wine list and cocktail program anchor an upscale-casual room that reads romantic without pretence. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options sit naturally alongside classics. Brunch and lunch reservations fill quickly; dinner is best booked ahead. The reward app sweetens repeat visits, and the Venti Menu offers strong value for set-course dining.
Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham earns its romantic reputation through both atmosphere and a serious wines and cocktails — the kind of place where a dinner for two tends to extend well past dessert.
What Stands Out
Staff attentiveness & personalisation
Multiple recent reviews highlight named staff (Khalid, Maddie, Tamara, Christian, Piyush) for being attentive, helpful, and making meals feel special—from allergy management to birthday celebrations.
Fresh, well-executed Italian food
Diners praise carbonara, bruschetta ('the best ever'), meatballs, pizza, and fish as delicious and fresh; one solo diner noted 'delicious carbonara' as part of a memorable quiet moment.
Wine list & cocktails
GBP highlights include Great wine list and Great cocktails; reviews mention 'nice selection of wines and cocktails' and bartenders crafting drinks 'to absolute perfection'.
In Their Own Words
Review highlights surfaced by Google, in the language they were written
“Lovely food, fab service and a nice selection of wines and cocktails.”“Waited for drinks for over 20 mins and an hour in between starter and main.”“Nice ambiance, delicious food, good prices and the staff is very professional.”Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
Common Questions
How consistently good is Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham?
Across 1,989 Google reviews, 87% of visitors gave four or five stars — placing Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham among Jewellery Quarter's most reliably rated italian restaurants.
Is Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham good for a date night?
Yes — Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham is rated as a Romantic setting by its regulars on Google, with a strong wine list and cocktail programme. Reservations are recommended, particularly for evenings.
Do you need to book Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended for lunch and dinner — Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham is a popular choice in Jewellery Quarter and tends to fill quickly, particularly at weekends.
Does Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham have outdoor seating?
Yes — Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham offers outdoor seating, which pairs well with its romantic atmosphere. Outdoor tables are popular during warmer months so arriving early or booking ahead helps.
Frequently Asked Questions about Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham
Yes. One recent diner described coming alone for carbonara and wine as 'a small pause in the middle of the day' with 'very kind, unobtrusive service.' Solo dining is listed as a popular use case.
Absolutely. The venue is family-friendly with a dedicated kids' menu, high chairs, and multiple recent reviews praising how children enjoy the pizza and menu variety. Staff are welcoming to families.
Reservations are strongly recommended for lunch and dinner, especially weekends and special occasions. Brunch also fills quickly. The venue accepts reservations and popular times book ahead.
Riva Blu offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices. Staff are attentive to allergies—one reviewer noted the server 'didn't make it awkward or uncomfortable' when noting dietary needs.
Paid street parking is available in the Jewellery Quarter. The restaurant is also close to the station and nearby bars, making it accessible by public transport.
The wine list and cocktail program are highlights. Reviews praise 'a nice selection of wines and cocktails' and bartenders who craft drinks 'to absolute perfection.' Great wine list and Great cocktails are GBP highlights.
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Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
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