Works of art in some of the best museums are no longer limited to what’s installed in the galleries—now they are also found in the once-marginalized museum restaurant, where master chefs and talented mixologists prove their creations can be every bit as evocative as famous paintings or sculptures. The following six restaurants allow patrons to pair the best of two refined worlds—fine art and fine food—in one memorable outing.
The Wallace Restaurant | The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London
A covered courtyard at London’s Wallace Collection gallery contains one of the city’s hidden gems, The Wallace Restaurant. Enhanced by sculptures and lush landscaping, it is the perfect place to enjoy a proper English afternoon tea complete with scones, sandwiches, and even champagne.
CHISWICK at The Gallery | Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, Sydney
An intimate setting and dramatic harbor views help make CHISWICK at The Gallery an ideal location for a delicious lunch. While a commitment to local agriculture and seasonal produce results in dishes that are fresh and innovative, the drinks menu includes an eclectic selection of wines, cocktails, and house-made sodas.
FRANK Restaurant | Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto
The Art Gallery of Ontario’s FRANK Restaurant is a work of art in its own right. Designed by Frank Gehry and featuring an installation by Frank Stella, the Renée Bellefeuille-helmed restaurant serves inspired fusions of Latin, North African, Sri Lankan, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Tapas as well as cheese and charcuterie are on offer during popular “Cinq-à-Sept” happy hours.
Saul | Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, New York
Chef Saul Bolton spent 14 years building a dedicated clientele list for his eponymous restaurant in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill neighborhood before setting his sights on the Brooklyn Museum. His Michelin-starred establishment’s diverse menu includes dishes like white bean soup with wild mushrooms, aged ribeye, and Hudson Valley foie gras with quince, walnut, and prunes. Specialty cocktails are carefully crafted by mixologist Dan Carlson.
The Restaurant | The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles
Offering stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains, The Restaurant is located in the Getty Center, the Richard Meier-designed campus that also includes the Getty Museum as well as a garden and research institute. Lunch selections range from Maine lobster toast to mushroom ravioli, sea scallops with celeriac risotto, and flat iron steak with seaweed mashed potatoes. On Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer, The Restaurant offers a “Tasting on the Terrace” menu designed to be enjoyed outside while the sun sets.
Robert | The Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, New York
The Robert restaurant at the top of the Museum of Arts and Design serves up a truly remarkable dining experience via impressive menu offerings, colorful décor, and unmatched Central Park views. Fluorescent oranges and purples create an invigorating setting for enjoying dishes from Executive Chef Luisa Fernandes such as white asparagus avocado mousse or tiger shrimp stew. The cocktail list is composed of traditional offerings plus original creations such as the Smoky Rita, a blend of Lagavulin whiskey, Herradura Silver tequila, Campari, and grapefruit and lime juices.
Read more about these distinctive dining options at museums around the world in the Christie’s International Real Estate Luxury Defined blog.
