Chihuly Garden and Glass | Credit: James Walsh/Flickr
Around the world museums are upping the ante by offering a full experience to their visitors—one that includes a dining experience that is as carefully curated as its collections. Click through these ten opportunities to indulge all your senses at great museums.
The M. Wells Dinette at MoMA PS1, Queens, New York
Revisit MoMA PS1's former life as a schoolhouse in their homage to the cafeteria, the M. Wells Dinette. Hugue Dufour and Sarah Obraitis of the celebrated M. Wells Diner and Steakhouse bring a rotating menu of delicacies to complement the contemporary art offerings of the Museum of Modern Art's Queens outpost.
Untitled and Studio Cafe at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City
The Whitney Museum of American Art has two options for hungry visitors, both with gorgeous full views of the Hudson River and the High Line, and terraces to take it all in from. Untitled is a seasonal American restaurant, serving Executive Chef Suzanne Cupps’s bright, artful cooking in a convivial setting. Studio Cafe serves coffee, pastries, and seasonal salads, sandwiches, and soups to hungry visitors looking to refuel before exploring more of the museum's stunning collection.
RIJKS at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
RIJKS considers itself a continuation of the Rijksmuseum, carrying on their legacy of quality, authenticity, and uniqueness, all translated into the kitchen, the chefs, the interior and the location. As the Rijksmuseum tells the story of the Netherlands, the restaurant echoes this, showing influences from foreign countries near and far: "RIJKS® is the Rijksmuseum on your plate."
Collections Café at Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle
Appropriately housed in a glass greenhouse, Collections Café provides ample views of the surrounding Chihuly Garden and Glass, not to mention the nearby Space Needle. From the menu offerings to the craft beer and Washington wines, Collections is a true celebration of the Northwest. The café itself houses some of Dale Chihuly's personal collections, from beach glass to vintage objects drawing inspiration from Chihuly’s iconic Boathouse on Seattle’s Lake Union, where Chihuly created his visionary works in glass.
Robert at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York City
With iconic views of Columbus Circle and Central Park, the Museum of Arts and Design's Robert has upscale dining atop the museum's stunning modern building. Chef Gonzalo Colin offers signature cocktails and a menu that "celebrates design, beauty, and culinary delights," all with a sunset view.
Nerua at the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
Taking its name from the Nervión River, which runs beside the Guggenheim Bilbao, Nerua keeps their menu seasonal and inspired by nature. As innovative as the Frank Gehry building it calls home and the masterpieces housed inside it, Nerua "is a space designed for a gastronomic and cultural experience."
The Morgan Dining Room at the Morgan Library & Museum, New York City
The Morgan Library & Museum began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), one of the preeminent collectors and cultural benefactors in the United States. Now home to an impressive collection of important manuscripts, old master drawings and other treasures, visitors have the opportunity to relive the past by dining in the original Morgan family dining room. Drawing inspiration from early-twentieth-century New York City cuisine, The Morgan Dining Room offers the luxury and elegance of a bygone era.
Ray's and Stark Bar at LACMA, Los Angeles
Located behind Chris Burden’s iconic Urban Light installation on Wilshire Boulevard, Ray’s and Stark Bar is an urban culinary oasis surrounded by some of the most celebrated artwork in the world. Serving seasonal fare and favorites from their wood-burning oven, including Neapolitan-style pizza, outdoor diners enjoy the unique ambiance provided by this favorite work of art.
The Source by Wolfgang Puck at the Newseum, Washington, DC
Wolfgang Puck's first fine dining restaurant in the nation’s capital, The Source has three-levels of Asian-inspired dining inside the Newseum. With its casual and fine dining menus offering a range of choices, The Source has garnered multiple awards, including ranking third in Washington Magazine's "Top 100 Restaurants."
Otium at The Broad, Los Angeles
With an open kitchen merging indoor and outdoor spaces, Otium is designed with a casual, welcoming atmosphere at its core. Modern yet rustic decor is both a cozy contrast to its downtown LA setting, and feels a right at home, set amongst the 100-year-old olive trees planted in The Broad’s adjacent plaza. Cooking with wood fire and sustainable ingredients grown in the garden of the restaurant’s mezzanine, Chef Timothy Hollingsworth brings highly eclectic, vibrant and seasonal flavors to museum visitors and Angelenos alike.
Chandra Noyes
Chandra Noyes is the former Managing Editor for Art & Object.
