The National Gallery
This world-class address houses the greatest collection of paintings in the country. There’s Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait, the medieval Wilton Diptych and, in the Sainsbury Wing, a phenomenal collection of Italian Renaissance works. The exhibition programme is also wonderful. What a lot of people don’t know is that it’s open until 9pm on Fridays, so go late and then nab a table around the corner at The Portrait.
where to next?
A menu that proves museum restaurants can be so much more than glorified cafeterias. It was designed by award-winning architect Brady Williams and is perched at the top of The National Portrait Gallery, but the ingredient-led menu by Irish chef Richard Corrigan makes it a destination in its own right. And the views are good too.
Rose Bakery is one of our favourite lunch spots, especially when we're on the hunt for little luxuries at Dover Street Market. Share one of their beautiful homemade cakes after lunch - or keep it all for yourself. They've got our go-to tea on the menu (genmaicha, for the tea lovers out there), so order a pot to go with dessert.
