How to spend a day in Richmond

The Antipodea café is a laidback Aussie pitstop for refuelling with hearty international favs such as toasts, egg-based brekkie dishes, pizzas and burgers, accompanied by freshly brewed hot coffee, refreshing smoothies and more. If you happen to pass by later in the evening, you might be surprised to see that this all-day brasserie has turned into a vibrant dinner and drinking spot.

Kiss the Hippo is an award-winning coffee company that prides itself on its innovative techniques and approaches, sourcing ethically produced coffee beans and introducing various sustainability initiatives. They export London's first carbon-neutral coffee around the world – you can order it from their website, or get it at one of their cafés around the city, including this cosy contemporary spot in Richmond. While here, you can also treat yourself to a pastry.

These two sibling cafés share a couple of key characteristics: a fully vegetarian and vegan menu, and splendid views of the River Thames meandering away at their doorstep. Both offer salads, cakes, pastries, soups and other plant-based fare to be enjoyed in their spectacular outdoor areas, as well as fresh juices, organic wines, beers and fairtrade coffee and tea.

This is the big one and likely the main reason most venture to Richmond in the first place. London's largest park is a vast National Nature Reserve that's famed for its wildlife – herds of deer roaming freely through the mists on a cool morning is an unforgettable sight that's made its way onto many a postcard. Even if the deer elude you, however, marvellous green spaces where you can enjoy various park-related activities await.

The magnificent Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew are the repository for a collection of flowers, trees and other flora from around the world, displayed in gorgeous outside gardens with paths weaving through among the trees. The Princess of Wales Conservatory, meanwhile, hosts ten computer-controlled climate zones and a series of incredible micro ecosystems. Kew Gardens also host topical exhibitions, with the festive light trail a particular highlight.

Add a competitive edge to your strolling through beautiful landscapes at the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club next to Kew Gardens. This elite members' club features two 18-hole courses on its beautiful grounds, along with a clubhouse, a golf shop and a practice area. It's open to non-members at select times.

Despite being located in a garden centre, the Petersham Nurseries Teahouse is regularly touted as one of the most charming cafés in the entire city. Especially in full spring bloom or hot summer sun, the seasonal delicacies served in the lush setting will soon have you forgetting London's urban sprawl is just a tube stop or two away. Book the afternoon tea in the glasshouse for a quintessentially British experience.

Having quite literally landed here only recently, this renovated Daisy Green Collection barge is a water-top dining destination with splendid views of the river – the latter are especially magnificent come sunset. In sunny weather, you can soak up the rays while lounging about the deck and pontoon, nibbling on freshly baked pizzas and barbecue delicacies such as tomahawk steak, and sipping on a range of drinks.

Rick Stein is a renowned British chef who has cooked for the Royal Family, among others, and is widely considered to be one of the country's top authorities on seafood. The menu at his riverside sanctuary on the outskirts of Richmond celebrates the best of Cornish seafood delicacies with signature dishes such as Dover sole and lobster thermidor, accompanied by uninterrupted views of the Thames and fine wines. Best of all, the restaurant offers an affordable two- or three-course set menu on weekdays. 

Not to be confused with Rick Stein's seafood bastion further down the river, Stein's in Richmond nonetheless shares a couple of very appealing aspects of that establishment – a riverside location and splendid view. Instead of a seafood restaurant, however, it's a proper Bavarian biergarten with wooden trestle tables on a large outdoor terrace, plates of wursts, schnitzels and pretzels on the table, and heavy steins of Munich lager in hand.

After more than a century, acclaimed seafood restaurant Scott's in Mayfair finally took the plunge in 2022 and expanded. Its Richmond site spans two floors, with a ground-floor dining room dominated by a marble-topped champagne and oyster bar. A sophisticated bar and restaurant area can be found upstairs, while a large outdoor terrace provides al fresco dining with a view. Just like its Mayfair counterpart, this is a luxurious destination for indulging in delicacies from the deep.

An offshoot of the famous Gelateria Danieli down the road, Danieli on the Green is a chocolaterie with a mouth-watering assortment of both local and international chocolates. In addition to the changing selection of handmade chocolate truffles, they offer seasonal treats, novelties, drinking chocolate and other chocolatey delights. Vegan chocolate is available as well, and whatever you buy can be gift-wrapped beautifully.

If you're looking for some new reading material to enjoy while lounging about Richmond Park, on the ride back home across London, or as a gift for someone, pop into The Open Book. First opened in 1987, this independent store stocks books on all sorts of topics and with all sorts of themes, with the deceptively small shopfront hiding shelves stretching far to the back. You might even find a few intriguing rarities here, for example a signed first edition of Kate Bush's song book.

Behind its timeless red shopfront in Richmond, Pandemonium stocks thousands of traditional toys and games for children of all ages. The colourful shelves are stacked high with all sorts of imaginative and inspiring treasures, from popular brands to off-beat board games and science experiments. The shop also features its own playroom, which customers are free to use when it's not being used for workshops, classes or other events.

Overflowing with fab personality and elaborate, flamboyant decor that's sure to brighten up your Insta-feed, Richmond's Rock & Rose is an award-winning bar and restaurant that's a popular choice for laidback meals and special occasions. The menu has something for everybody, pulling together favourites from all over the world and offering a dedicated plant-based menu as well. Meanwhile, the cocktails complement the venue when it comes to eye-popping vibrancy and the intense flavours to match.

Combining a cheerful, vibrant pub atmosphere with an elegant restaurant and an outdoor terrace, The Watermans is an award-winning venue in Richmond that caters to folks from all walks of life. You can enjoy regularly changing all-day menu in the dining area with white tablecloths and classical portraits on the walls, then head to the bar for a post-dinner tipple. In addition to locally brewed beer and various spirits and cocktails, The Watermans stocks quite a few bottles of Italian and French wine.

With a varied array of affordable drinks, all sorts of bar snacks and heftier bites to feast on, a sunny terrace and a welcoming, sociable atmosphere, Richmond's Pitcher & Piano by the river has all its bases covered. During the week, you can take advantage of deals on lunch and prosecco, with cheap shots and bottomless brunch kicking in on weekends. The menu is a highlights reel of comforting dishes from around the world, for example, burgers, fish ‘n' chips, and tacos.

Al Boccon Di'vino doesn't have a menu. Instead, you get multiple generous courses of authentic Italian fare, similar to being at an Italian wedding. Fresh pasta, imported Italian meats and cheeses, Venetian desserts and other classics are accompanied by fine Italian vintages. The in-demand restaurant has a traditional, intimate setting, with pans hanging on the wall and a friendly staff making you feel welcome.

Chez Lindsay is a local French eatery, cosy yet sophisticated. The menu places an emphasis on galettes, savoury buckwheat crepes that are considered a Breton speciality. Other Breton recipes and French staples are available as well, for example onion soup or ratatouille, along with French cider and fine vintages. The authentic restaurant also offers private dining facilities.

At Diba, surrounded by stone walls, decorative murals and hanging lights, you can explore the flavourful intricacies of Persian cooking at your leisure. The menus at this welcoming eatery are based on family recipes and include traditional breads, pickles, salads, wraps and falafel, as well as plenty of grilled meat and seafood. You can wash it all down with cocktails, beer and wines from around the globe.