With so many fascinating museums to explore in London, planning a lunch break into your itinerary isn’t often a high priority. Make scheduling much easier (and more delicious) by visiting one of these top museum cafés.
From the famous V&A Café, where the setting is an attraction, to the restaurant at Tate Modern, where unbelievable panoramas come for free, here’s our pick of the best places to refuel during a museum day in London.
V&A Café
Dining and culture collide at the V&A Café, a stunning setting guaranteed to make you rethink your preconceptions of museum eateries.
Three magnificent ‘refreshment rooms’ (named Gamble, Morris and Poynter after their designers) tempt guests with freshly baked goods and grand Victorian interiors: intricate ceilings, towering columns, globe chandeliers and stained glass windows.
V&A Café, located at the Victoria and Albert Museum, also has a beautiful garden courtyard, a concealed oasis in the museum’s middle.
Portrait Restaurant and Bar
After gazing at historic paintings in the National Portrait Gallery, bring your mind back to the modern day at the Portrait Restaurant and Bar. The contemporary eatery overlooks Trafalgar Square and serves up some of the city’s best views.
Pick a window seat and tick off sights like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, The London Eye and Nelson’s Column as you dine on British and European flavours. The restaurant is open all day, so whether you’re looking for a light breakfast or lunch, an indulgent afternoon tea, or dinner with a view, there’s something for everyone at any time.
Tate Modern Restaurant
A highlight of the Southbank regarding contemporary culture, the Tate Modern is high on the bucket list of most culture vultures in London. Tate Modern Restaurant is the museum’s riverside bistro.
From its seventh-floor location, the eatery offers Instagrammable views of the city and many of its most iconic sights, starting with St Paul’s Cathedral, which lies directly over the water.
If you can drag your gaze away from the windows, you’ll discover a menu of seasonal British cuisine complemented by the specially commissioned artwork that lines the restaurant walls.
Great Court Restaurant
Refined yet casual, Great Court Restaurant makes our list of leading museums, restaurants and cafés in London due to its captivating setting and creative culinary offerings.
Located under a striking Foster and Partners glass roof, the eatery serves seasonal lunches, afternoon tea, and dinner on Fridays only. In addition to the normal menu, there’s a special menu themed around the museum’s current exhibits.
The Keeper’s House
The Keeper’s House at The Royal Academy is almost as important as the museum that houses it. The restaurant-café-cocktail bar-garden is known for its ever-changing collections of artworks, many of which are available.
As you dine, gaze at works by Royal Academicians and pieces by emerging and established names in the contemporary art world. Depending on their mood, guests can choose between six characterful spaces, including a casual café, an intimate lounge, a cocktail bar, a garden, a formal dining space and a member club.
Walk off a leisurely lunch at one of these museum cafés in London with one of our London Walking Tours, or sit back and enjoy a city tour from the comfort of our luxury coaches.
