Harden's says
After extensive refurbishment, the food offering at the National Gallery relaunched in Spring 2022 with a cafe (Muriel's Kitchen) and this restaurant, both run by South Kensington brunch spot Muriel's Kitchen.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“The National Gallery’s posh eating option” has “a very good location” on the corner of the building and is unusually “stylish” and “well-spaced” for an arts-venue destination. Launched three years ago, its reputation is building. True, the food can be no better than “safe”; the experience can struggle with the “poorly organised” service of arts-venue operations; and at night, it can “struggle to attract enough people, despite the fine room”. Most reports agree, though, that it is a “great option for lunch when you’re visiting the Gallery, or just need a bite in the otherwise rather touristy and chain-ridden Trafalgar Square area and – being open Thursday-Saturday evenings – very handy pre-theatre”. Top Tip – “A great place for coffee and cake. The atmosphere is delightful and it’s well worth a visit”.
Summary
Establishing itself in the National Gallery’s “classy” – but previously habitually mediocre – dining room, off Trafalgar Square, this two-year-old is a “stylish, light and airy” spot, serving “reliably good brasserie-style fare” (“we stayed for hours and never felt pressured to leave, which is a bonus in London”). Top Tip – “the evening openings (Thursday-Saturday) are an excellent pre-theatre option in an area dominated by indifferent chains”; a single course with a glass of wine costs under £20.
Summary
It’s “nice to find a good restaurant in a museum”, and the National Gallery’s latest, year-old incumbent within its atmospheric ground floor dining room has provided a step-up just in time to compete with the revamped culinary offerings at the NPG next door. The snazzily updated interior by architects Red Deer makes a great setting for a “beautiful afternoon tea”, and there’s an opulent bar for stronger drinks.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £28.00 | £35.00 |  |
|
 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £13.50 | £23.00 | £7.95 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.50 |
| Service | 12.00% |
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Opening hours
| Monday | 11 am‑6 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am‑6 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am‑6 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am‑11 pm |
| Friday | 11 am‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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