Garden Café - Garden Museum

On Monday 14 July the Museum will close at 4pm | Book your visit

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    Garden Café

    The award-winning Garden Café at the Garden Museum serves up a seasonal modern European menu with a focus on fresh, well-sourced ingredients and simple, well-executed dishes.

    On opening in 2018, the Garden Café was judged to be the best museum restaurant in the world, winning the Leading Culture Destinations: Best Restaurant award.

    The café resides in a glass and bronze pavilion at the heart of the museum in the leafy surroundings of the museum gardens. Our café is small, however, and you will need to book to ensure your table for lunch or dinner.

    The Garden Café is run in-house by the Garden Museum, and is not a franchise. Led by Head Chef Myles Donaldson (formerly of Noble Rot, St John Bread & Wine), the Garden Café’s concise menu changes daily, celebrating the very best seasonal produce. All profits from the café go towards the Garden Museum’s work as a charity.

    Book a table

    Opening Hours

    Open every day:
    10am–4pm

    Lunch served daily:
    12pm–3pm

    Dinner served:
    Tuesdays 5.30pm–9pm
    Fridays 6pm-9pm

    Booking is essential for lunch or dinner.
    Tables of up to 6 can be booked online. For groups of 7+ please e-mail us: cafebookings@gardenmuseum.org.uk

    Gift Vouchers

    Please note:

    Due to events we may have reduced opening hours. Please check below before your visit.

    Upcoming amended opening hours:

    Monday 14th July 10am-2pm (lunch served 12-2pm)
    Wednesday 16th July – 10am-2pm (lunch served 12-2pm)
    Thursday 24th July – 10am-2pm (lunch served 12-2pm)
    Saturday 2nd August – 10am-2pm (lunch served 12-2pm)
    Saturday 9th August – 10am – 1pm (lunch served 12-1pm)
    Saturday 16 August – 10am-1pm (lunch served 12-1pm)
    Tuesday 2nd September – No Dinner Service
    Saturday 20th September – 10am – 1pm (lunch served 12-1pm)
    Saturday 27th September – Closed all day
    Saturday 25th October – 10am-2pm (lunch served 12-2pm)
    Tuesday 25th November – Closed daytime (Open for dinner as usual)
    Saturday 27th June 2026 – 10am-2pm (lunch 12-2pm)
    Saturday 5th September 2026 – 10am-2pm (lunch 12-2pm)

    “A leafy enclave to treasure in Lambeth… brilliant” – Evening Standard

    “The restaurant London never knew it needed” – Jay Rayner , The Observer 

    “I’ve found a hidden oasis in the centre of London” – The Times

    “A green-fingered treat… and truly seasonal food” – The Week

    “A bit of everyday magic”– Londonist

    July Sample

    Bread & Butter£4
    Rosemary Focaccia£4.5
    Nocellara Olives£5
    Coppa£9
    Globe Artichoke & Mustard Vinaigrette£13
    Starters
    Chilled Tomato Soup£8.5
    Roast Tillingham Beetroot, Watercress & Goat's Curd£9.5
    Middle White Pork, Prune & Pistachio Terrine£10
    Octopus Ragu, Pappardelle & Black Olives£12
    Brown Crab Meat on Toast£10
    Main Courses
    Ricotta Gnocchi, Datterini Tomatoes & Courgettes£21
    Whole Brixham Crab, Potato Salad & Mayonnaise£22
    Cornish Hake, Samphire & Jersey Royals£26
    Braised Rabbit, Borlotti Beans & Green Sauce£23
    Desserts
    Gooseberry Fool, Shortbread & Sugared Almonds£9
    Roast Peach, Lavender Cream & Feuilletine£9.5
    Cherry & Almond Tart, Creme Fraiche£9.5
    Comte, Roquefort, Chutney & Crackers£13.5
    Children's option available on request, for under 12s.
    Photos by Sophie Davidson

    Contact

    Booking a table for lunch/dinner is advised – reservations of up to six people can be made via the ‘Book A Table’ link at the top of the page.

    All other enquiries to: cafebookings@gardenmuseum.org.uk
    02036409322

    Please be aware that the cafe phone may not be monitored during our busiest hours of 11am-4pm. The best way to contact us is by e-mail.

    We welcome guide, hearing and assistance dogs in all areas of the Museum. No other dogs or pets are allowed in the Museum and café.

    Whilst we don’t specialise in vegan cooking, we are always happy to adapt our vegetarian dishes. Please let us know when booking and we’ll make sure we have some options prepared, making best use of the seasonal ingredients available.

    Want to host an event at the Garden Cafe? Check out our events catering menu:
    Events Catering

    Image: Sophie Davidson