So you are alone for a meal, nervous but hungry. You are overseas? Museum munchies might be your solution. Increasingly museums are visitor friendly: seating areas, outdoor spaces, free wifi and affordable restaurants. Dining in a museum is the next thing to dining at home.
Some museums have famous chefs and fancy prices. The Fondation Louis Vuitton outside of Paris boosts a restaurant called appropriately Le Frank. The founding chef has a Michelin star so expect prices to be high, reservations needed. Another famous chef museum restaurant is at MOMA in New York City. The Modern has 2 Michelin stars and a common table for up to 4 sharing. Be prepared for a set menu and $$$$$.
Some museum restaurants are gorgeous or have spectacular views. In Rome, dine at the Modern Art Museum in the Caffe delle Arte. Located in a 19c villa, the museum’s cafe has hearty Roman food served inside or on the terrace. Another Roman museum restaurant, overlooked by tourists is MAXXI, the Zaha Hadid 21st century masterpiece. I walked from Central Rome for 3 miles through lovely neighborhoods. Once in the museum, be prepared: the floors and walls slant, and the restaurant is a zero calorie one.
Most have art on the walls and free wifi. The Royal Academy in London has a basement casual buffet and a Chef Famous José Pizarro dining room. The Orsay in Paris is similar with what I call the Clock Restaurant under the old railway station clock. The line moves fast and a good lunch will run $25. I had a delicious Caesar salad; my companion had the pasta.
Most museum restaurants have menus to read before you commit.
Some have common tables or at least places to sit if you eat your own food. Tate Modern is one of those, with free chairs you drag onto a Thames view terrace. The food court of the Louvre is just that: a food court of French and other street food at great prices. See below for Louvre upmarket restaurant.
If called a cafe it should be reasonable. Examples are Rijksmuseum Cafe in a covered courtyard, Kunsthistorisches Museum Cafe in Vienna, the less pricey part of the London Wallace Gallery restaurant (there are 2 sides to the courtyard).
In London do not miss the Victoria and Albert art deco cafe (above), the first commercial work of famous Liberty designer William Morris and possibly the first museum restaurant anywhere. There are several rooms, walk through all of them.
In Lisbon, try the cafe at the Gulbenkian Museum. In National and Contemporary Museums in Tokyo have restaurants; on our trip you’ll see Cherry Blossoms there. In Bangkok you can dine at the Jim Thompson Museum/Store.
Now don’t get me started on museum shopping. Travel Tips to save money from award winning The Women’s Travel Group, small group tours for women.
