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Although you can have a deep appreciation for the rich art and culture you find in museums, museum fatigue is real. After hours on your feet, under bright lights and nodding excessively in agreement with your museum date’s profound observations, you’ll want some sustenance.
We’re here to alleviate that burden a bit with museum pairings for your liking. We scoured for the perfect museum and restaurant duos — each around a 15-minute walk (or less) from each other. These places make sense together, like Warhol and Basquiat, or Gaugin and Van Gogh.
Sushi Saint Long Island City
MoMA PS1
Located in Queens, MoMA PS1 is a contemporary museum displaying provocative and culturally relevant performances and exhibitions, all within a renovated historic public school in the heart of Long Island City. Pay a visit during their “Warm Up” series — a weekly summer music program featuring up-and-coming electronic artists — before heading to Sushi Saint.
The 10-seat sushi counter specializing in hand roll sets features a hyper intimate space. Hand rolls come in sets of either three, five, or seven, and are stuffed with some seriously delicious flavors with rotating selections. We recommend the A5 wagyu with mushroom jam, but the tuna with a buttery umami bomb of black garlic is the real standout. Add on a caviar bump for the full theater of it all, Sushi Saint is just good fun.
Fito Fort George
The Met Cloisters
Journey to the northern tip of Manhattan and you’ll find The Met Cloisters, a stately French Romanesque style monastery built in1938 that’s exclusively home to art of the Middle Ages. Spend hours wandering the sprawling grounds and you’ll almost entirely forget you’re still in Manhattan until you take a seven-minute walk through Fort Tyron Park to the beloved Inwood darling, FiTo.
This cozy neighborhood spot highlighting Ecuadorian-inspired cuisine is sure to warm your spirits with their beloved chicken dish, el pollo de mi abuela. It’s perfectly crispy with a side of mashed yuca au gratin. A visit to FiTo is a joyful experience with an inviting staff and a well-rounded, stellar menu that’ll have you back at Inwood more often.
Borgo Flatiron
Photo by Martien Mulder, courtesy of Borgo
The Morgan Library
What began as a millionaire’s private library, The Morgan Library has developed into a research library which also serves as the home to a collection of truly treasured historical manuscripts, early printed books, and even sketches from renowned artists. The walls of the grand room are filled with rare books in stacks reaching towards the hand-painted ceiling.
Afterwards, walk 15 minutes south to Borgo — a beautifully crafted Italian trattoria by Brooklyn restaurateur, Andrew Tarlow. His first Manhattan venture is a modern classic where the atmosphere is warm and inviting, complete with a wood burning-fireplace, white tablecloths, and a custom martini cart. With a menu focusing on rustic Italian dishes, it ranges from a must-try house focaccia and simple seasonal pastas to a delicate fried rabbit.
Photo by Martien Mulder, courtesy of Borgo
The Nines NoHo
Merchant’s House Museum
As one of the more obscure museums on this list, the Merchant’s House Museum is a beautifully preserved Victorian era home from 1832 that tells the story of the wealthy merchant family that once lived there. The building is a prime example of Greek Revival architecture, complete with crown moulding reminiscent of icing on a cake, and plush red velvet curtains cascading from ceiling to floor.
It’s allegedly haunted — so debrief on your supernatural findings just one block over at The Nines, a sultry piano bar that’s even more red and velvety. Bringing the sophistication of an Upper East Side piano bar downtown draws a truly sexy crowd to the stunning room. Whether you stick to an ice-cold martini with complimentary bar snacks or spring for the $99 caviar laden potato, The Nines is an ideal backdrop after a visit to the Merchant’s House Museum.
Sylvia’s Restaurant Harlem
The National Jazz Museum
Part museum, part performance hall, The National Jazz Museum is a treasure for any jazz devotee. The small space features relics of esteemed jazz musicians, but if you’re lucky, you might even catch a midday jam session in the space before setting off in search of soul food.
A few blocks south is Sylvia’s, a staple of Harlem and a Woods-family run affair for over 60 years. The smothered fried chicken is the unmistakable star of the menu, lightly battered and slowly cooked in gravy — but the pork ribs take on a worthy supporting role. The dining room and warmth of the staff is enough to make you feel right at home and understand why it’s earned a rightful place as a community centerpiece.
Monkey Bar Midtown East
MoMA
A visit to the Museum of Modern Art is a feast for the eyes, and a test on the spirit. Home to some of the most famous works of art on the planet, the MoMA is a place of inspiration — whether you want to sit in the comforting expanse of Monet’s “Water Lilies” or confront your dreams (and crowds of tourists hell-bent on getting one good photo) with “Starry Night,” it’s an iconic destination for a reason.
Just a seven-minute walk away is another New York institution, Monkey Bar, that’s also a source of inspiration for those seeking meaning in shrimp cocktail and in the faces painted on the dining room wall. Now run by the team behind 4 Charles Prime Rib, this historic art-deco restaurant excels at the classics. Following their wagyu meatballs with a French dip might feel offensive to your arteries, but trust us, this is the place to do it. Sink into a red leather booth and garner some inspiration from a piece of New York history, one martini at a time.
Pearl Box SoHo
Photo by Gary He, courtesy of Pearl Box
Mmuseumm
The Mmuseumm is so small, we’d be shocked if you’re able to spend more than five minutes there. As a microdose of culture, this tiny display features seasonal projects which exquisitely capture the joy of human creation — all from behind a graffitied metal door in Tribeca.
It’s a hidden gem that’s perfect to breeze by and flex to friends as your “I know a spot” place before heading to Pearl Box, another tiny treasure on just the other side of Canal Street. A space that feels like stepping into your coolest friend’s living room, this cocktail bar specializes in caviar service and playful plates (a side of buttery stone crab with your fried chicken?). It’s fun, cheeky, and the perfect pairing for Mmuseumm.
Photo by Gary He, courtesy of Pearl Box
Jacques Brasserie Upper East Side
The Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an all-day affair — and it deserves to be, as one of the most famous museums on the planet that explores centuries of artistic expression and cultural development and destruction. Of course, a “must do” for anyone visiting the Big Apple, we New Yorkers also find ourselves struck with wonder upon every visit. Ending a day at The Met with simple French fare (where a reservation isn’t a hassle to snag) is your best move. Jacques Brasserie is a classic spot with white tablecloths, a non-fussy menu, and caring staff that won’t rush you through your meal.
Sac's Place Astoria
Museum of the Moving Image
One of the most underrated museums in the city, the Museum of the Moving Image is a celebration of all things which grace our ever-present screen. Walking through the museum is a comprehensive story of the history of cinema, television, video games, and unexpected displays of digital mediums.
After your visit, head to Sac’s Place, a classic red-sauce Italian joint where handmade pasta is doled out bountifully, and the clams oreganata come out sizzling. It’s a neighborhood fixture, where regulars and newbies are welcomed just the same.
Soledad Upper East Side
Photo by Marconi Gonzalez, courtesy of Soledad
El Museo Del Barrio
As the first Latinx and Latin American Cultural Institution in the United States, El Museo Del Barrio champions Latin American artists in a stunning space, setting the stage for performance and cultural education. The museum boasts an expansive collection, ranging from historic artifacts to contemporary exhibits, and also maintains an emphasis on community through concerts, street festivals, and even an annual gala.
Pair your visit with a reservation at Soledad, a venture from restaurateur Julian Medina. At Soledad, Medina cooks from his mother’s recipe book, adding his own flair of elegance to each dish. On the menu, you’ll find Mexican staples arranged to serve an Upper East Side clientele: taquitos made with tuna tartar and topped with caviar or birria tacos but with lobster. We’re stretching our legs with a 20-minute walk here, but we agree: It’s worth it.
Photo by Marconi Gonzalez, courtesy of Soledad
Sempre Oggi Upper West Side
The American Museum of Natural History
On the other side of Central Park is The American Museum of Natural History, home to dinosaur fossils, an iconic to-scale blue whale model, and a stunning new wing. The AMNH seems to do the impossible by bringing out a sense of wonder that so easily gets lost in the day-to-day chaos of the city.
After a day of getting in touch with your inner child, keep your spirits high by walking over to Sempre Oggi, an exuberant Italian spot that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The menu is seasonal, changing with whatever is available at the market. You might find a linguini with blue crab dressed in uni butter, or a braised rabbit ragù, or finish the night with a golden raisin and apple tart — whatever’s in season, you’ll find good, classic fare with a contemporary edge.
Cafe Mado Prospect Heights
Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum is one of the world’s premier art institutions, having hosted trailblazing exhibits for nearly 200 years. Past shows have featured everyone from famed fashion designers like Christian Dior and Thierry Mugler and filmmaker Spike Lee to artists like Rembrandt, Picasso, and Kehinde Wiley. Its prime location, situated at the northern end of Prospect Park and adjacent to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, means you can also take in a bit of nature before or after your visit, too.
If you find yourself in need of a pre- or post-museum meal, walk four minutes in the direction of Cafe Mado, from the same team behind Place des Fêtes. It’s a crowd-pleasing all-day cafe where you can find everything from satisfying cold brew and exceptionally baked pastries from Laurel Bakery to inventive salads, comforting pastas, and refreshing cocktails.
