Lady’s 8 Best Museum Cafes in London

Today I want to bring you A Lady in London’s guide to the 8 best museum cafes in London. These cafes range in style from historic to modern, and each one has something unique about it. If you love going to museums in London, you’ll enjoy visiting these cafes when you do.

Museum Cafes in London

When I first moved to London, I was obsessed with the city’s museums. Some of the best museums in the world are here, and locals and visitors are overwhelmed with options for even the most niche of interests.

From big museums to small museums in London, eye-catching museums to secret museums in London, there’s no shortage of them to visit.

But one thing I discovered only after my first trips to see some of the city’s top collections is that in addition to amazing art, artifacts, and objects, there are some great restaurants and and museum cafes in London.

1. V&A Cafe

The V&A has always been my favorite museum in London, and when I discovered the historic V&A Cafe I fell even more in love with it.

The intricate designs on the central columns, sparkling globe chandeliers, and beautiful stained-glass windows are enough to lure me away from even the best exhibitions (and the V&A has some of the best in London!).

2. Serpentine Sackler Gallery Restaurant

I’m a fan of anything designed by architect Zaha Hadid, and The Magazine restaurant at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery is firmly on my list of the best museum cafes in London.

The curves on the roof first drew me in through sheer curiosity, and the space itself wins me over every time. The food is good, too, and I’ve enjoyed many a lunch here.

3. Royal Academy Restaurant

I went to the Royal Academy on Piccadilly a million times before I ever knew The Keeper’s House restaurant existed.

But the intimate space with its soothing green walls and classical casts is a great place for a peaceful lunch away from the bustle of central London.

The service can be spotty, but the overall experience is usually good. The Keeper’s Garden opens up in the warmer months, too.

4. Burgh House & Hampstead Museum Cafe

Up in Hampstead, most people walk right by Burgh House without realizing it’s a museum. But the unassuming building is fronted by a gorgeous garden full of secluded little tables and chairs.

The Buttery Cafe is the perfect place for weekend breakfast or a cup of tea in the afternoon. I used to live right down the street, and I popped over to read a book on sunny days whenever I had the chance.

This loveliest of Hampstead museums is truly home to one of the best museum cafes in London.

5. Kenwood House Cafe

Not far from Burgh House, Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath has a great museum cafe by its lush sprawling lawns.

The food is cafeteria-style and can be a bit uninspiring, but the cafe is the perfect place to relax over a cuppa after a long walk through one of London’s biggest and most beautiful parks. The outdoor area is particularly nice.

Keep an eye out for local celebrities while you’re at this museum cafe, too. You’ll often spot one among the crowds.

6. Tate Britain Restaurant

Tate Britain often takes a back seat to its modern counterpart across the Thames, but its restaurant certainly doesn’t.

The Rex Whistler Restaurant has good food and one of the most impressive wine lists of any museum cafe in London (and many of the city’s restaurants, too).

It’s also housed in a great space with tables surrounded by a specially commissioned mural from 1927 entitled The Expedition in Pursuit of Rare Meats.

It recounts the journey of a group of seven people who set out in search of exotic game, and is fitting for a museum cafe in London.

7. National Gallery Cafe

I don’t know how I managed to visit the National Gallery so many times without even realizing it had a restaurant, but I finally discovered Ochre, and I’m glad I did.

This loveliest of museum cafes in London has a modern feel with contemporary decor and tall windows that let lots of natural light through. A pre-museum meal here is a great way to start a day of gallery-going.

8. British Museum Cafe

Most people know the British Museum for antiquities, but the restaurant in the stunning Great Court is another reason to visit.

Even if it’s just to take a break after a long morning of exploring the Egyptian treasures or marveling at the Rosetta Stone, the restaurant is an ideal place to soak up the atmosphere of the museum and admire Norman Foster’s amazing architecture.

Best Museum Cafes in London

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best museum cafes in London. If you want more inspiration, you can take a look at my London museums itinerary. Happy visiting!

How about you? What do you think are the best museum cafes in London?

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