Our curated edit of the city's best new restaurants in museums and galleries in London.

Portrait Restaurant at The National Portrait Gallery

A hidden gem of a dining experience located on the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery in London - which has been closed since June 2020 for refurbishment. The reopening of the National Portrait Gallery also sees the return of the Portrait Restaurant with chef and restauranteur Richard Corrigan. Housed on the top floor with views of the London skyline, its interiors featuring sculptures from the gallery’s collection, while Corrigan’s menus focuses on seasonal ingredients from the British Isles. The chef plans to reintroduce forgotten classics to diners, while the bar focuses on vibrant wines and classic cocktails to enjoy alongside an all-day snack menu. Dishes include tomato scarpinocc, a twist on the classic vol-au-vent; and options from a seafood counter such as clam ceviche, pickled ginger and prawn cocktail.

Corner at Tate Modern 

An all-day café and evening bar, opening onto an outdoor summer terrace opening out onto the Southbank. Designed by Holland Harvey, the space has been stripped back and opened up, with bespoke furniture from Goldfinger and tabletops created by Spared reusing Tate Coffee grounds. By day, Corner offers salads, sandwiches, treats and snacks, all prepared in the kitchens at Tate Modern - working with suppliers at the front line of sustainable and regenerative farming. Come evening, the space serves a menu of charcuterie, cheeses, and light dishes alongside cocktails, beers and wines, all sourced from independent British producers and makers. On the menu are dishes such as fried cauliflower with ginger and soy, chipotle corn ribs, meatballs with hot pepper sauce, and fried new potatoes with chimichurri and sour cream.

La Gamba on South Bank

A riverside tapas restaurant at the Southbank Centre, overlooking the Thames in Royal Festival Hall. Created by the team from the famous Applebee’s Fish in Borough Market, La Gamba is a breezy Spanish tapas and wine restaurant that looks onto the Queen’s Walk at Southbank Centre. The restaurant is the first permanent South Bank venue for the Applebee brothers who have hosted several summer pop-ups by the river over the years. The menu takes its inspiration from the north-western Galician region of Spain and of course there are some great seafood dishes sourced from top-notch local independent suppliers. Stand-out dishes on the menu include the gambas al ajillo, traditional Galician-style octopus, light and crispy cod tempura, and a trio of tortilla. 

Lasdun at The National Theatre

A seafood-led British brasserie restaurant from the team behind critically acclaimed Hackney Public House, The Marksman’s. Named after the National Theatre’s architect, Denys Lasdun, this restaurant takes inspiration from the modernist design and the rich, diverse culinary history of London, with a menu reminiscent of an old English grill room. With seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the very best produce Britain has to offer through a classic yet contemporary lens. In a nod to the riverside setting, British seafood features at the forefront of the menu and there's a marble Oyster counter, with a fine selection of seafood whilst London cured smoked salmon and smoked eel will be on display in a bespoke fridge. Some of the Marksman’s signature classics are sure to be on offer, including seasonal pies to share, buns and a take on the famous Brown Butter & Honey tart. Grilled chops, baked whole fish and classic sides also feature. Pictured.

Forza Wine at the National Theatre

Forza Wine, South London's favourite rooftop venue, is opening a second site (this September) housed in the north-west terrace of the famous Brutalist London landmark. Expect a 'sort of Italian’ inspired snack menu (cauliflower fritti with aioli, mozzarella with figs & hazelnuts, pancetta potato cakes & pickled cabbage) alongside an accessible natural wine list and regularly changing seasonal house cocktails. The space is accessible year round with the outdoor terrace covered when necessary. The interior features a split of banquette seating and high-top tables making it perfect for a quick lunch, pre-theatre dinner and post-theatre drinks. 

José Pizarro at the RA

The acclaimed Spanish chef has opened his first restaurant in the heart of Mayfair, bringing together his two biggest loves – food and art. On the ground floor is the Poster Bar by José - an informal, drop-in venue with an all-day menu of tapas and drinks, whilst upstairs José Pizarro at the RA is a seated restaurant, located in the beautiful Dorfman Senate Room (located on the first floor of Burlington Gardens), with the same relaxed style and an all-day menu centred around simple, authentic Spanish cuisine. Dine on some of his most popular and much-loved tapas dishes - such as jamón ibérico, strawberry gazpacho and black ink croquetas. The perfect lunch or afternoon drink spot for art and food lovers alike.

Ladbroke Hall

Ladbroke Hall is a new London space for design and creativity housed in a 1903 Grade II-listed building in London’s Notting Hill. Presented as ‘a new stage for creativity’, the location is an immersive destination for contemporary art, design, culture and food including a restaurant designed by Vincenzo De Cotiis, photographic studios, a hidden garden and an events space. The restaurant has been entrusted to chef Emanuele Pollini with a site-specific artwork by Christopher Le Brun. Three Michelin-starred chef Pollini comes to London having trained up under top Spanish chef Martín Berasategui, followed by working in Milan and Moscow for Michelin-starred chef Carlo Cracco. Opening September. 

Ideal For

Art of dining