The café-cum-restaurant at Lambeth’s Garden Museum is housed in a glass box next to the museum’s entrance, filled with light and made chic via Scandi-style interiors (polished concrete floors, blond-hued tables). The menu is made up of a daily-changing selection of dishes that match the unfussy surroundings: ingredient-led, stripped back and showcasing the best of seasonal British fare.
Things kick off with spears of purple sprouting broccoli, topped with a dollop of crème fraiche and shavings of feisty fried pangritata cheese, scattered like breadcrumbs, or a meatier alternative of delicate cuts of lamb’s heart rubbed with fresh mint and served with hunks of romanesco. Mains meanwhile see a hearty helping of tender pork loin served with super-soft Jersey Royal potatoes and roast onions, while an indulgent dessert involves piles of doughy profiteroles bursting with cream and drizzled with warm chocolate sauce and sugared almonds.
Accommodating staff and a well-chosen, fairly priced wine list add to the convivial atmosphere at one of those rare museum restaurants that adds to the overall cultural attraction.
Note: The Garden Café opens for lunch daily, but only opens for dinner on Tuesdays and Fridays.