The Europe Hotel & Resort

As a huge fan of Hotel Europe and, in particular, Riva Restaurant, I’ve felt for a long time that I should finally put into words just how much this place means to me. After so many visits over the years, Riva has become far more than just a restaurant. It has become one of those places you return to not only because of the food, but because of how it makes you feel. I remember when this space was still the Spa Café, and seeing what it has been transformed into today is something really special. Riva has become my go-to restaurant, without question, and I would go as far as saying that it stands alongside some of the very best restaurants in Ireland. For me, it is without doubt the best Mediterranean restaurant in Co. Kerry. I also have to mention the people who have made Riva what it is. I still miss Roberto. He was not simply a manager; he was one of those rare people who made you feel genuinely welcome. His kindness, professionalism and integrity were obvious from the moment you walked through the door. He had a way of making you feel so sincerely welcomed that you were already looking forward to coming back before you had even left. I still miss seeing him there to this day. And then there is Danielle, who is there now. With buckets of experience, a fantastic sense of humour and a genuinely warm personality, he is absolutely outstanding. I honestly wish I could see Roberto and Danielle under the same roof, because between them they represent so much of what makes hospitality truly special. And, of course, there is the food — which is ultimately what makes Riva. Max deserves enormous credit for creating Riva into what it is today. There is real passion and character in the food, and you can taste the thought and dedication behind it. It is a restaurant that has earned its place among the very best in the county. And I simply have to mention Sam. I have eaten pizza in many places, including Italy and even parts of Sicily, and I can honestly say that Sam makes pizza that stands up against anything I have eaten there. That is quite a statement, but I genuinely mean it. What makes Riva special to me is that it is not just about one person, one dish or one evening. It is the combination of the food, the atmosphere, the people and all those little moments that make you want to return. Some restaurants feed you. Some restaurants impress you. And then there are places like Riva, which somehow become part of your memories. Thank you to Max, Sam, Danielle, Roberto and everyone behind the scenes who has played a part in making Riva what it is. After all these years, I’m still coming back — and I think that says more than any review ever could.

After a beautiful holiday in Kerry, RiVA at The Europe Hotel was without doubt my favourite restaurant. We were shown to our table by the delightful and wonderfully chatty Danielle, and then enjoyed a pizza that was simply to die for—I told our waiter I had never tasted such an amazing pizza base and joked that the chef must be Italian! Lo and behold, Chef Max came out to meet us shortly afterwards, and we had a lovely chat about his home and his time in Ireland. To our surprise, he then sent pizza chef Sam out with some dough for us to take back to our self-catering apartment. We tried to recreate the pizza later in the week and, although it was gorgeous, it was still missing the special “Max touch”! A truly memorable experience with delicious food and such warm, thoughtful service. We are already looking forward to returning again!

Great experience today. We had a lovely meal in the Brasserie. Food was excellent and there was a nice atmosphere throughout the restaurant and the hotel. The views are amazing. All the staff we met were so nice and helpful, a special mention for Paulo and also our server Alina who was excellent.

We stated at The Europe for four days/nights. There really is something for just about everyone here. The beds are some of the best I have slept in. We had a room with a lovely view of Lough Lein and the adjacent mountains. Each morning we had breakfast at the aptly named Panorama restaurant. The complimentary breakfast buffet is amazing. We had dinner one night at Riva and the food was sensational. This is a perfect place to stay to take in all of the splendor that this part of Ireland has to offer. Throughout our stay we encountered numerous staff members. They were all wonderful. We have nothing but fond memories from our stay.

My husband and I have stayed at some very wonderful hotels throughout the years and I have to say this has to be in the top five. Every attention to detail was given and not only is it a beautiful property, but the staff is outstanding. The view is amazing and the amenities are top-notch. We went to the spa, which I highly recommend. We enjoyed the brassiere restaurant and Riva which had lovely options on the menu and great service. Their signature restaurant is the panorama where you have breakfast every morning and that is a lovely spread. Neither of us were impressed by the food at the panorama for dinner however, so if you’re debating whether or not to go to that one, I would op for something different.