What’s on the Summer Menu at River Cottage

One of our guests once said that the best thing about the seasons is that they change, and we couldn’t agree more. At River Cottage, each new season offers a chance to reimagine our menus, work closely with the land, and celebrate what’s growing now. In summer, the kitchen truly comes alive. From sun-ripened tomatoes to herbs picked moments before service, it’s a season of abundance, flavour, and real joy at the table.

So, what’s cooking this summer? While our dishes change daily, here’s a taste of what you might find during one of our summer dining experiences.

Summer in Full Swing

The gardens are bursting into life, thanks to the careful stewardship of Connor, our Land Manager. Connor previously led the River Cottage kitchen, so his understanding of what we need on the plate makes this a proper partnership between field and fork. The result? A menu rooted in what’s thriving just outside the kitchen door.

It’s a real privilege to use our own soft herbs, picked just moments before they’re plated. The contrast with a supermarket packet flown in from miles away is enormous. Simple summer combinations, like our homegrown tomatoes with fresh basil, are hard to beat. Add in peas and beans so fresh they’re almost sweet enough to eat for dessert, and it’s easy to see why this time of year is so exciting for the kitchen team.

A Chef’s Favourite Summer Ingredients

Our chefs are especially excited this summer. They’ve got their fingers firmly crossed for the melons and aubergines Connor has planted. It’s a bit of a gamble with the weather, but if it pays off, the results will be incredible.

And then there are the gooseberries. Hugely versatile and often overlooked, they’re a firm favourite in the kitchen. You’ll see them in both sweet and savoury dishes, from sharp relishes for barbecued meats to bright, tangy puddings that capture the spirit of the season.

Eggs from our own hens are also making a welcome return, adding richness to the café’s kedgeree, custards, and more. With ingredients this good, there’s no need to overcomplicate things.

The Summer Dining Experience

Summer transforms River Cottage into a dream dining destination. Longer evenings mean relaxed feasts in the open air, and wandering the garden before a meal becomes part of the experience. With everything in full bloom, from the kitchen garden to the wild hedgerows, it’s a feast for all the senses.

Guests are treated not just to food, but to a connection with the land, the ingredients, and the story behind every dish. It’s eating in harmony with the season, in the place where it all begins.

A True Taste of Summer

As always at River Cottage, what’s on the menu depends on what’s thriving in the fields and gardens that day. But you can count on a dining experience rooted in the very best of the season, whether that’s tomatoes still warm from the sun or herbs clipped straight into the pan.

Our team wouldn’t have it any other way.