Art and food have been inexorably linked since bison first appeared in Palaeolithic cave drawings. Now, as lockdowns are lifted and life edges back to normality, those itching for a little cultural nourishment to complement their culinary sustenance may find the following list of restaurants near art galleries something they’ll want to bookmark.
London
National Gallery
Nutshell
This two-storey restaurant is just a five-minute stroll from the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square and virtually opposite the National Portrait Gallery. Family recipes from Iran and specialities from a number of regions feature; the bold dishes are the perfect tonic after taking in the vast scope of the galleries.
Whitechapel Gallery
Townsend
The Whitechapel Gallery opened in 1901 and specialises in the work of contemporary artists. You don’t have far to go if you want to eat, as its small but brightly lit restaurant – which is named after Charles Harrison Townsend, the architect of the original building – is on the ground floor.
England
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Pompette
The University’s museum of art and archaeology was founded in 1683 – and was Britain’s first public museum. Once you’ve taken in as many of its stunning collections as you can manage, head north to Summertown and Pompette, a classic French brasserie, run by an experienced chef and his wife.
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Parker’s Tavern
When it’s time to pull yourself away from the treasures, art and artefacts from around the world that are housed in The Fitzwilliam Museum – which was founded in 1816 – colourful Parker’s Tavern can fortify you with its British brasserie dishes.
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich
Roger Hickman’s
This impressive Norman Foster designed building houses over 1,400 items, including works by Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, Frank Auerbach and Alberto Giacometti. Roger Hickman’s restaurant in the city is personally run and the food, colourful and contemporary.
Tate, Liverpool
LERPWL
Tate Liverpool was opened in 1988 and designed by James Stirling, who transformed a warehouse at the disused Albert Dock. LERPWL is a mere 10 minutes’ walk away, its name being Welsh for ‘Liverpool’ as the brothers who run it have connections to Anglesey. The food is imaginative and satisfying.
Tate, St Ives
Porthmeor Café Bar
Cornwall’s stunning light means that St Ives has always had strong link to artists. The Tate opened in 1993 and then doubled in size in 2017. Just below it is this perfect post-gallery pit-stop. It’s open from breakfast onwards and the Med-inspired sharing plates are the perfect match for the great views.
Turner Contemporary, Margate
Hantverk & Found
JMW Turner was closely connected to Margate, and was a regular visitor, because in his own words “the skies were the loveliest in all Europe”. A couple of minutes back from the Bay is the bohemian Hantverk & Found, where the owner also has a passion for art. As you’d expect, seafood from the Kent coast features.
Whitworth, Manchester
Allotment
A multi-million pound development saw the Whitworth Gallery double in size in 2015. It’s in Whitworth Park and includes works by Barbara Hepworth, William Blake and L. S. Lowry. For something a little different, head to Allotment, a basement restaurant in the city, which serves a vegan menu.
Scotland
Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh
Ondine
The Scottish National Gallery in the heart of Edinburgh boasts masterpieces by Titian, Botticelli, Gainsborough and Constable and also covers the history of Scottish painting. Combine a visit with a trip to Ondine, which celebrates Scottish seafood.
Wales
Art Galleries at the National Museum Cardiff
Park House
Impressionist art and paintings, sculpture, silver and ceramics from Wales feature here in Cardiff.
Park House is located virtually opposite and occupies a Grade I listed building dating from the late 1880s. There’s a French base to the adventurous cooking.
Republic of Ireland
National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
Patrick Guilbaud
This gallery was established in 1854 and its renowned collection of Irish and European art makes it unmissable when visiting Dublin. Treat yourself afterwards to a luxurious and stunningly presented meal at Patrick Guilbaud, a restaurant that has earned its place in Ireland’s culinary history.
This year, the Michelin Guide is published in a digital format only, both on our website (UK and Republic of Ireland) and via the iOS app.
