5 NYC museum restaurants to try
New York is home to some of the best museums in the world, and many of these cultural institutions serve world-class cuisine alongside world-class art. These museum restaurants have enlisted the expertise of top chefs and renowned architects, so after exploring the galleries, you can look forward to an exquisite meal in a beautifully designed space. Here are five NYC museum restaurants to visit for the ultimate art and fine dining experience.
The Wright at the Guggenheim
Architect Andre Kikoski won the 2010 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant Design for his work on the Wright at the Guggenheim. The interior is marked by a dazzling curvilinear wall made of walnut and layered with illuminated fiber-optics. Open for lunch and brunch, the restaurant serves a mix of seasonal fare with dishes such as seared Skuna Bay salmon with fried green tomatoes, chanterelle mushrooms, and sweet corn veloute, and challah French toast with local berries and whipped peach mascarpone.
The Modern at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
This Michelin-starred restaurant serves contemporary, superbly plated dishes dreamed up by Executive Chef Abram Bissell. Enjoy seasonal creations such as roasted honey nut squash with black truffle sauce and candied hazelnuts, or crispy Long Island duck with roasted carrots and pearl barley. The Modern’s award-winning wine list boasts 3,000 selections from around the world! End your meal with a delectable dessert by Pastry Chef Jiho Kim.
Robert at the Museum of Arts and Design
Located at the top of the Museum of Arts and Design, Robert offers sweeping views of Central Park and Broadway. The vibe is classic modernism with attention to detail in every feature – just check out the chairs with lucite backs and plush purple cushions. Chef Gonzalo Colin serves up a spirited menu with highlights like branzino with smashed Yukon potatoes and roasted tomato sauce, and risotto butternut squash with sun-dried cranberries and parmesan. It’s hard to pass on Robert’s cocktail list with inventive drink names like Smoky Rita and Mad Manhattan.
The Norm at the Brooklyn Museum
Saul Bolton helms the kitchen at The Norm. The Michelin-starred chef has rolled out a fusion-style menu to celebrate the international cultures that define Brooklyn. Conceived by designer Anda Andrei, the dark, rich interior is lined with the paintings from the museum’s collection, evoking an austere beauty. Travel the globe and sample dishes like cassava latkes, tonkotsu-style ramen, and Rustichella orecchiette pasta.
Café Sabarsky at the Neue Galerie
Step back in time to turn of the century Vienna when cafés served as the intellectual meeting places for artists, writers, and poets. Café Sabarsky is bedecked with period pieces by legendary designers Josef Hoffman, Adolf Loos, and Otto Wagner. Rooted in German/Austrian cuisine, savory dishes include creamed spaetzle with wild mushrooms, peas, carrots, and tarragon, and roasted bratwurst with Riesling sauerkraut and potatoes. Dessert is a must – we suggest the classic Viennese dark chocolate cake apricot confiture or the raspberry yogurt cake with coffee. For the quintessential cultural experience, check out the Cabaret at Café Sabarsky, a series that includes dinner accompanied with music performances of German and Austrian music from the 1890s to 1930s.
Guggenheim Museum photo by
Also, Lauren’s favorite exhibits at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and 7 Things to Know About the Frick Collection. Plus, find some of Manhattan’s best spots to eat on this NYC restaurant blog.
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Tracy Kaler says
Hi Anita,
These are fine dining restaurants, so yes, they are upscale. Some of the museums of casual cafes, which would be more affordable and appropriate for a quick bite rather than an evening out.