In a significant move for London’s hospitality sector, the National Gallery has confirmed that chef Giorgio Locatelli will open an 80-seat restaurant in the newly renovated Sainsbury Wing when it reopens on May 10, following a two-and-a-half-year closure.
The restaurant, operated in partnership with established hospitality group Searcys, marks Locatelli’s first major venture since closing his Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli in December 2024 after more than two decades of operation.
The new establishment represents a strategic pivot for the celebrated chef, moving from independent fine dining to a cultural institution partnership model that offers both consistent foot traffic and reduced commercial property costs in London’s competitive restaurant market.
The dual-concept operation will include “Locatelli,” a full-service restaurant on the mezzanine level, and “Bar Giorgio,” a ground-floor espresso and maritozzi bar targeting quick-service customers and museum visitors. The restaurant will operate seven days a week during Gallery hours, with extended Friday service until 9 p.m.
Industry analysts note this partnership model has gained traction in the post-pandemic hospitality landscape, with cultural venues offering restaurateurs prime central locations with built-in customer flow, while chefs bring valuable brand recognition to institutions seeking to enhance visitor experiences and increase dwell time.
For Searcys, the UK’s oldest British caterer founded in 1847, this collaboration adds to their portfolio of prestigious cultural and historic venue operations, which already includes restaurants at the National Portrait Gallery, the Roman Baths in Bath, and The Gherkin.
The menu will focus on Italian classics and seasonal specialties, positioned at the premium end of museum dining. Sample dishes announced include pappardelle with broad beans, pecorino and rucola; braised veal ravioli; and roast chicken alla cacciatora with polenta.
The restaurant space, designed by award-winning studio LXA, will feature Paula Rego’s monumental artwork “Crivelli’s Garden,” creating a distinctive dining environment that aligns with current hospitality trends favoring unique, experiential settings.
“Opening Locatelli at the National Gallery is an extraordinary moment for Plaxy and I,” said Giorgio Locatelli, referencing his wife and business partner. “Such an honour for the next chapter in our culinary journey to be housed in such a landmark space.”
Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership: “It is a pleasure to welcome distinguished chef and broadcaster, Giorgio Locatelli, into the National Gallery family, enriching the excellent food and beverage offer we have for visitors.”
The restaurant launch coincides with the culmination of the Gallery’s Bicentenary project, a major renovation led by Selldorf Architects that aims to enhance visitor flow and experience throughout the Sainsbury Wing, which houses the institution’s collection of Early Renaissance paintings.
The National Gallery attracts approximately six million visitors annually in normal operating years, providing significant potential customer base for both the restaurant and espresso bar. Like the Gallery itself, both dining venues will operate with an open-access policy, welcoming both museum visitors and external customers.
Financial terms of the partnership agreement have not been disclosed, though similar arrangements typically involve revenue-sharing models rather than traditional commercial leases, with operators assuming lower property risk in exchange for institutional oversight of the dining concept.
