Back in the eighties, there was a revolutionary advertising campaign for a new cafe at the V&A. Posters went up all over London with the strapline, "An ace caff, with quite a nice museum attached." Since then, the food and drink side of things at London's museums and galleries has become big business.
However, not all of those gorgeously situated cafes and restaurants are actually worth your while. If you want to weed out the tourist traps from the genuinely good places to go, you'll need our guide. Here's our pick of the artsy eating spots that are actually worth going to, where the food is every bit as good as the art it's alongside.
The Portrait Restaurant by Richard Corrigan
Trafalgar Square- National Portrait Gallery, 2 St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE
Richard Corrigan’s rooftop spot at the National Portrait Gallery is that rare beast, a restaurant boasting amazing views where the food is also really good. Once you’ve perused the Holbeins downstairs, head on up to this airy space where the menus change regularly with the seasons. We also reckon it’s a great date spot for a martini and some excellent bar snacks.
Also see: We’re fond of the cocktails and light bites at subterranean bar Larry’s on the lower ground floor of the gallery.
What's on: Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World
E5 Storehouse at V&A Storehouse East
Stratford - East Storehouse, V&A, Parkes St, London E20 3AX
The furthest east outpost of E5 Bakehouse is their new opening at the revolutionary V&A Storehouse in Stratford. If you’re after a morning pastry before you tackle the collections here or a post-browse salad, this is the place to come. They’re also open late at the weekends with a wine and cheese offering in conjunction with Provisions.
What's on: Perfectly timed for Halloween, you should check out their tarot card collection.
Pollini at Ladbroke Hall
Notting Hill- 79 Barlby Rd, London W10 6AZ
West London locals won’t thank us for telling the rest of you about this rather lovely restaurant inside the Ladbroke Hall arts space. Chef Emanuele Pollini has a Michelin-starred background in Italy. Here in London, he’s serving up a classic Italian menu, informed by the seasons. There’s a gorgeous garden for alfresco dining and the children’s menu here may feature the best kid’s pasta in town.
What's on: Rust Never Sleeps furniture and sculpture exhibition by Rick Owens Furniture
The Garden Museum Cafe
Lambeth - 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB
Even if you’re not horticulturally-minded, the presence of this charming cafe should be enough to lure any foodie Londoners to The Garden Museum. In charge of the kitchen is chef Myles Donaldson (ex-Noble Rot and St John Bread & Wine), whose monthly changing menu marries European influences with seasonal British produce. The garden space is a real hidden gem in the summer.
What's on: Rory McEwan botanical paintings exhibition
Bar Giorgio
Trafalgar Square - National Gallery, London WC2N 5DN
The arrival of one of London’s best-known Italian chefs at the National Gallery fully invigorated the food and drink offering here. Right now, the chef’s main restaurant is closed for repairs (it’s reopening at the end of October), but you can swing by Bar Giorgio for proper Italian coffee and maritozzi buns. They also do cocktails in the evening, and there’s an aperitivo hour on Fridays.
What's on: Radical Harmony - a collection of Helene Kröller-Müller's Neo-Impressionists
Jose Pizarro at the RA
Piccadilly - Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD
Jose has two restaurants at the Royal Academy, the more casual Poster Bar and his full-blown restaurant, which also vies for the title of most attractive dining room in London. There can’t be many more beautiful places to enjoy some top-tier tapas and a glass of chilled fino in London than this. The adjacent art is obviously an added bonus.
What's on: The largest exhibition of Kerry James Marshall paintings outside the US.
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
