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Feed your appetite for culture at these top tier outposts, where world-class chefs have brought exquisite dining to cultural havens.
Taking in soul-stirring works of art does much to build an appetite, but for those in need of a mid-gallery refuel, a host of leading chefs have launched restaurants within some of the world’s most hallowed cultural halls. Whether you’re after a quick bite or a feast to cap off your visit, these restaurants offer meals as inspired as the art that surrounds them.
Rijks Restaurant, Amsterdam
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Executive chef Joris Bijdendijk with colleagues Yascha Oosterberg and Friso van Amerongen (Image: Chantal Arnts)
Dutch chef Joris Bijdendijk and his team champion all things home-grown at this Rijksmuseum brasserie. An internationally inspired menu is elevated by local ingredients, from North Sea crab curry and siu mai tempura to a beetroot millefeuille that uses soy sauce from Rotterdam, while the wine list offers a blend of iconic global labels, alongside a large Dutch selection. There’s also a rotating roster of guest chefs throughout the year, with appearances from former World’s Best Female Chef Elena Reygadas of Mexico’s Rosetta, which ranked No.34 among The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024, and Leonor Espinosa of Bogota’s Leo, named No.10 on Latin American’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2024.
Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao
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Clean lines at Guggenheim Bilbao's Nerua
Guggenheim Bilbao’s grand façade (and the masterpieces within) deserves dining as brilliant as its collection. Enter chef Josean Alija, who zeroes in on Basque cuisine with original – and seasonally changing – menus, which earned it the No.32 spot on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019. Minimalist interiors are enlivened by exciting creations like the spider crab with whisky soufflé, alongside a reimagining of pantxineta, made with pumpkin cream, bergamot and beer ice cream. For those after something truly unforgettable, watch chefs whip up a 12-course menu from the three-seat kitchen table.
Maraya Social, Al-Ula
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In 2021, Jason Atherton took his Social restaurant franchise to the ancient Saudi Arabian city of Al-Ula, unveiling Maraya Social on top of the Maraya Concert Hall – the world’s largest mirrored building. Set in the heart of the desert, the outpost offers a masterclass in high-end European flavours such as Dover sole meunière to Greek-style lamb orzo, with saffron poached pear and pistachio and honey cake for a taste more local to Saudi. The mocktail list is original, ranging from a gazpacho-inspired drink made with filtered beetroot juice, orange-horseradish gel and a crouton garnish, to the kumquat old fashioned.
Spring, London
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Spring's light-filled dining room
Somerset House’s rotating exhibits and courtyard pop-ups are joined by fresh daily menus at Spring. Led by Skye Gyngell, the kitchen operates a zero-waste ethos: take the three-course Scratch menu, where surplus or discarded ingredients (stale bread upcycled into puddings; herb stems used in salsas) are turned into intriguing dishes for just £40. A set lunch menu offers the perfect gallery pitstop, but you can easily wile away the evening over the wider menu – don’t miss the tagliolini with Dorset crab and chilli or the citrus-drizzled trout carpaccio.
Le Frank, Paris
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Chef Jean-Louis Nomicos brings fashion-forward cuisine to the Fondation Louis Vuitton at Paris’ Bois de Boulogne, whose restaurant takes its name from Frank Gehry, the building’s legendary architect. Mediterranean-style plates are served beneath fish lanterns designed by Gehry overhead, with surprising twists like the mushroom velouté with cocoa nibs and an indulgent chef’s special of a truffle-laced croque monsieur. When it comes to desserts, it’s artistry on a plate with creations like the layered sponge cake, which riffs on Rothko’s colour field paintings. Snag a spot during aperitif hour when the champagne flows freely from 6pm.
The Modern, New York
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Eggs on Eggs on Eggs at The Modern
The Modern is a fitting title for Moma’s fine dining spot, as is the fresh-faced American food from Thomas Allen, former sous chef at Eleven Madison Park and Le Meurice. Polished interiors overlook the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, but you’ll likely be distracted by the set lunch or two nightly changing tasting menus, artfully titled Impressions and Abstractions. Choose from the cognac-glazed venison with chilli and arugula pesto to the Eggs on Eggs on Eggs, which contains a poached hen egg in a fried egg sauce with schrenckii caviar, dill oil, pickled shallots, and a brioche soldier.
Fouquet's Abu Dhabi
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Escargots at Fouquet's Abu Dhabi
Taking inspiration from the Champs-Elysées original, Fouquet’s is the perfect match for Abu Dhabi’s Louvre. Menus are overseen by Pierre Gagnaire, dishing up classics like beef bourguignon, Burgundy escargots, and creme brulée crowd pleasers, alongside modern plates like the wagyu smashburger with truffle mayonnaise and black cod with sautéed spinach. Fouquet’s iconic red palette adorns the bistro’s leather armchairs and menus, while celebrity portraits by Studio Harcourt and twinkling chandeliers take on the original’s old-world elegance. There’s also a stunning dessert trolley decked out with profiteroles and sugar-frosted pavlovas.
Mosu Hong Kong
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Mosu's iconic acorn noodles
South Korean chef Sung Anh has shot to fame thanks to his judging antics in hit Netflix show Culinary Class War. The brains behind Mosu, which ranked No.41 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024, he launched an offshoot at Hong Kong’s M+ museum in 2022. Here, modern and traditional Korean cuisine are served in a series of tasting menus, with highlights such as the ember-roasted acorn noodles with shaved black truffle and the charcoal-grilled abalone taco. Hot tip: book ahead (it’s reservation-only), and check out the mind-stilling harbour views from the adjoining roof terrace.
Discover more fantastic hotels, restaurants and bars with 50 Best Discovery, and start planning your next adventure.
