Victoria and Albert Museum,
Cromwell Road,
South Kensington,
London,
SW7 2RL
0872 148 2493
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
Eat stylish cafe food in the world's first museum restaurant.
The Venue
A museum cafe – not worth getting worked up about right? Well the Benugo café in the Victoria and Albert might just be the exception to that rule. It is located in the original refreshment rooms - the first museum restaurant in the world. The main room is an opulent tiled cavern, with cherubs in dark creme, classical scenes in royal blue, shinning dark wood panels, gold and deep red tiled pillars and a message in large lettered tiles that skirts the whole room. The whole startling mix is lit by enormous modern chandeliers, like a number of fluffy sparkling balls dangling from the impressive tiled ceiling. There are other slicker modern rooms, dotted with classical statues, but the original tiled room is the star of the show.
The Atmosphere
This cafe is busy with tourists and Londoners alike taking a break from one of London's finest museums carrying their purchases hither and thither on trays. The trays add a certain canteen feel to the proceedings but with such great food and stunning surroundings they are easy to overlook.
The Food
The huge choice is the first thing that catches the eye, ranging up and down the spacious self service area checking out the various arches. The sandwich arch offers a selection of classics – such as mozzarella, tomato and basil - for a reasonable £4 in chewy ciabatta or crusty baguette – the bread is so fresh it almost squeaks. For about £6 you can add three salads. The delicatessen arch serves up delectable deli choices like creamy smoked salmon quiche with the same choice of three salads and the hot food arch doles out steaming plates of mains, including various pies with home-made crusts served with fresh veg all for around £10. The cake arch has cakes, tarts and pastries tottering in mouthwatering piles.
The Drink
All the usual suspects, with good tea, good coffee, pricey but delicious lemonade, as well as a small but perfectly formed selection of wine and beer.
The Last Word
Chewy ciabatta rolls, steaming steak and kidney pie, succulent salads and chocolate cake so good it'll bring a tear to the eye, all in one of London's most extraordinary settings.
Benugo Cafe has been reviewed by 1 users