Museum-Housed Restaurants: Our Writers Highlight the Outstanding Dining Experiences in the City
In the heart of London, a gastronomic revolution is underway, as cultural institutions are transforming their spaces into dining destinations.
In May 2022, renowned chef Giorgio Locatelli opened Locatelli on the mezzanine of the National Gallery. The restaurant received two 'forks' from Il Gambero Rosso, an Italian gastronomical guide, showcasing Locatelli's culinary prowess.
At the National Portrait Gallery, Richard Corrigan, best known for Bentley's Oyster Bar, is in charge of Portrait. Dining here offers a unique experience, with a view of Big Ben, Nelson's Column, and the London Eye from four floors up.
Another culinary gem is Seventy Five, located on the second floor of Liberty, a department store that offers a glimpse into fin de siecle London. The restaurant is an ode to the store itself, with floral patterns reminiscent of William Morris fabrics. Joe Holness, previously of Da Terra and Fera at Claridge's, is the head chef.
The Royal Academy is home to a restaurant by José Pizarro, a Spanish chef who received the Order of Isabella the Catholic. Pizarro's restaurant offers dishes like patatas bravas, a popular Spanish tapas.
London's cultural institutions are not just repurposing grand architecture into dining spaces, but they are also celebrating their unique histories. For instance, Spring at Somerset House, which opened more than a decade ago in a space that had been closed to the public for 150 years.
Somerset House is also set to welcome another restaurant this autumn, named Aram, by the renowned Syrian chef Imad Alarnab.
The V&A Museum, the location of the world's first museum restaurant established in 1856, continues to be a hub for culinary innovation.
At the Garden Museum, The Garden Café, under the leadership of Myles Donaldson, formerly of Noble Rot and St John Bread and Wine, offers a dining experience that truly walks the walk with local and seasonal ingredients. The Garden Café offers three faultless courses, with greenery as a theme, and prices that are rare in London restaurants of this quality.
In 2023, London's culinary scene was enriched by the addition of Kolae, a stunning Thai restaurant that quickly established itself in the culinary scene. For 2025 openings, prominent new restaurants such as Chuck's (smash burgers in Fitzrovia), Il Bambini Club (high-end Italian in Shoreditch), and Gordon Ramsay's multi-level restaurant complex in Bishopsgate were planned.
At the Royal Opera House, Angela Hartnett is about to take over the restaurant and terrace bar. Lastly, the National Theatre is currently celebrating two years of Lasdun, an outstanding restaurant on the first floor. Lasdun offers pre-theatre menus that are exceptional compared to most, with dishes like cured Tamworth ham, green beans, and lovage.
These cultural institutions are not just serving food, they are offering a unique dining experience that combines history, architecture, and culinary excellence. Whether you're a food enthusiast or a history buff, London's cultural institutions offer a dining adventure like no other.
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