Jiwan in the National Museum of Qatar with interiors by Koichi Takada Architects (Photo: Qatar Museums)
Cover Alain Ducasse’s Jiwan in the National Museum of Qatar with interiors by Koichi Takada Architects (Photo: Qatar Museums)

From Spain to Qatar, here are five gorgeous design-led restaurants nestled within the hallowed halls of museums and art galleries worldwide

Whether locally or abroad, exploring museums should never be done on an empty stomach. Museum fatigue can be easily avoided by having a meal at the institution establishment you're visiting, and while most museums now boast their own restaurants, a select few elevate the dining experience to an art form.

These offer exceptional restaurants that become destinations in their own right for both tourists and locals—some even boast menus by Michelin-starred chefs and interiors by equally starry designers. From Spain to Qatar, we spotlight some of the most breathtaking museum restaurants across the globe.

Read more: Understanding the design concepts behind these 4 famous NYC museums

 

1. The Cantabrian Maritime Museum restaurant, Madrid, Spain

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Photo 1 of 3 The Cantabrian Maritime Museum restaurant by Zocco in Spain (Photo: David Zarzoso)
Photo 2 of 3 The Cantabrian Maritime Museum restaurant by Zocco in Spain (Photo: David Zarzoso)
Photo 3 of 3 The Cantabrian Maritime Museum restaurant by Zocco in Spain (Photo: David Zarzoso)

Architecture Masterprize 2023 winner in interior design, Madrid-based Estudio Zooco, recently unveiled its latest project: The Cantabrian Maritime Museum restaurant in Santander, Spain.

As part of an architectural complex, the restaurant occupies the second floor, providing the museum with a new space on the second floor to house its restaurant and terrace while addressing structural issues.

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Photo 1 of 3 The Cantabrian Maritime Museum restaurant by Zocco in Spain (Photo: David Zarzoso)
Photo 2 of 3 The Cantabrian Maritime Museum restaurant by Zocco in Spain (Photo: David Zarzoso)
Photo 3 of 3 The Cantabrian Maritime Museum restaurant by Zocco in Spain (Photo: David Zarzoso)

The design integrates a square volume with triangular elements, harmonising with the original paraboloid structure.

Inside, wooden false ceilings frame the geometric design, while the exterior features a transparent glass box offering panoramic views of the Bay of Santander lending to a feeling of being at sea.

See also: These unique museums and galleries are among Asia's most underrated cultural destinations

2. Ristorante Enrico Bartolini, Mudec, Milan, Italy

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Photo 1 of 4 Ristorante Enrico Bartolini at Mudec Milan (Photo: Baxter/ Fabrizio Cicconi)
Photo 2 of 4 Ristorante Enrico Bartolini at Mudec Milan (Photo: Baxter/ Fabrizio Cicconi)
Photo 3 of 4 Ristorante Enrico Bartolini at Mudec Milan (Photo: Baxter/ Fabrizio Cicconi)
Photo 4 of 4 Ristorante Enrico Bartolini at Mudec Milan (Photo: Baxter/ Fabrizio Cicconi)

Located within the David Chipperfield-designed Mudec Museum in Milan, renowned Tuscan chef Enrico Bartolini’s eponymous restaurant is the only restaurant in Milan with three Michelin stars and made its entry in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023.

It was recently revamped by the beloved Italian furniture brand Baxter to create an inviting oasis blending contemporary design with classic warmth. 

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Photo 1 of 4 Ristorante Enrico Bartolini at Mudec Milan (Photo: Baxter/ Fabrizio Cicconi)
Photo 2 of 4 Ristorante Enrico Bartolini at Mudec Milan (Photo: Baxter/ Fabrizio Cicconi)
Photo 3 of 4 Ristorante Enrico Bartolini at Mudec Milan (Photo: Baxter/ Fabrizio Cicconi)
Photo 4 of 4 Ristorante Enrico Bartolini at Mudec Milan (Photo: Baxter/ Fabrizio Cicconi)

The entrance lounge exudes intimacy with bookshelves, sofas, and warm materials, while the dining room reflects formality through wood panelling and Gemma seats.

Bartolini embraces a personalised dining experience, balancing etiquette with comfort. Artistic distractions adorn the walls, adding a touch of whimsy. The patio, resembling a Mediterranean-infused tropical forest, showcases Baxter's outdoor collection, a manifestation of this dynamic intersection of art and culinary excellence.

Don't miss: Home Tour: Kourtney Kardashian’s modern Mediterranean sanctuary in Southern California

3. Nerua, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain

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Nerua at Guggenheim Bilbao (Photo: AXCT/Aitor Ortiz)
Above Nerua at Guggenheim Bilbao (Photo: AXCT/Aitor Ortiz)

Nerua, housed in Bilbao's iconic Guggenheim Museum, is Chef Josean Alija’s culinary masterpiece, blending science and art in cutting-edge Spanish gastronomy.

The cool, minimalist interior or terrace with a Guggenheim view by Madrid-based studio ACXT offers serene settings for Alija's meticulous dishes.

 

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Photo 1 of 2 Nerua at Guggenheim Bilbao (Photo: AXCT/Aitor Ortiz)
Photo 2 of 2 Nerua at Guggenheim Bilbao (Photo: AXCT/Aitor Ortiz)

A restructuring project transformed the museum cafeteria and surroundings into a high-standing restaurant for both visitors and the public, accommodating 40 diners.

The space features an impressive stone staircase approved by Frank Gehry, a titanium hallway, and shared elements like maple wood and pierced lacquered sheets. In just six months of opening, Nerua earned its first Michelin Star, a testament to Alija's culinary excellence.

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4. Rijks. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Photo 1 of 2 Rijks at Rijksmuseum by Studio Linse, Amsterdam (Photo: Chantal-Arnts)
Photo 2 of 2 Rijks at Rijksmuseum by Studio Linse, Amsterdam (Photo: Chantal-Arnts)

After a significant renovation, Rijks housed in the Rijksmuseum annexe in Amsterdam reopened last year, marking the start of a new era in casual fine dining.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024, the restaurant, led by executive chef Joris Bijdendijk, earned a Michelin star for its cuisine, showcasing the best products from Dutch soil.

 

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Rijks at Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (Photo: Chantal-Arnts)
Above Rijks at Rijksmuseum by Studio Linse, Amsterdam (Photo: Chantal-Arnts)
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Rijks at Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (Photo: Chantal-Arnts)
Above Rijks at Rijksmuseum by Studio Linse, Amsterdam (Photo: Chantal-Arnts)

Studio Linse, led by Paul Linse, won the Entree Best Restaurant Design Award 2015 for the project and has realigned the interior with contemporary values, emphasising transparency, warmth, and interaction.

Natural materials create a welcoming atmosphere, and an open layout invites guests to relax. ‘Workstations’ throughout the restaurant allow diners to witness the culinary process, blurring the lines between kitchen and dining space, while new functions enhance underutilised areas, such as a private dining space with a terrace in the revamped library.

See also: Home tour: A lush home in Kuala Lumpur filled with art and design objects

5. Jiwan, National Museum of Qatar

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Photo 1 of 2 Jiwan in the National Museum of Qatar with interiors by Koichi Takada Architects (Photo: Qatar Museums)
Photo 2 of 2 Jiwan in the National Museum of Qatar with interiors by Koichi Takada Architects (Photo: Qatar Museums)

Jiwan, honoured as one of the World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants by the Prix Versailles committee at Unesco in 2023, seamlessly integrates with Jean Nouvel’s poetic architecture of the National Museum of Qatar.

The interior, crafted by Koichi Takada Architects, complements Nouvel’s masterpiece, offering unexpected views of Doha

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Photo 1 of 3 Jiwan in the National Museum of Qatar with interiors by Koichi Takada Architects (Photo: Qatar Museums)
Photo 2 of 3 Jiwan in the National Museum of Qatar with interiors by Koichi Takada Architects (Photo: Qatar Museums)
Photo 3 of 3 Jiwan in the National Museum of Qatar with interiors by Koichi Takada Architects (Photo: Qatar Museums)

Rooted in Qatar’s story, Jiwan provides an ethereal yet comfortable setting for multi-starred chef Alain Ducasse’s culinary creations.

The ‘desert-scapes’ concept weaves a narrative of Qatari history, carefully designed to offer a local cultural experience and elevate Jiwan to a symbol of the country's rich heritage. 

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