Private Dining Rooms

Overview

The National Portrait Gallery needs no introduction. Surrounded by the most exciting art is an experience only surpassed by the panoramic view across Trafalgar Square from the Portrait Restaurant at the top of the National Portrait Gallery - simply stunning.

Our food offering is modern British fare with the occasional Swedish twist added by head chef Katarina Todosijevic.  Guests to the Portrait Restaurant & Bar can enjoy breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea seven days a week from 10am and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, dinner is served with a pre-theatre offering from 5.30pm until 6.30pm.

The Bar offers a fine selection of Champagnes, wines and cocktails for those who wish to take in the views over a little liquid refreshment at the end of a very busy day.  The Portrait Restaurant & Bar really is the ideal venue for any occasion and is one of London’s best kept secrets.

Should you wish to experience all of this exclusively the Portrait restaurant and the National Portrait Gallery can be hired privately Monday – Wednesday evening or on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  A dedicated events team will assist with all your arrangements.  Please contact Penny Berkley.

Insider View

No prizes for guessing where this enchanting restaurant is set. At the National Portrait Gallery, the private dining room that awaits you is simply breathtaking with what must be one of the most special views in London.

Newly refurbished, the Portrait restaurant is always heaving with people during the day so can only be booked for functions in the evening. It rightly deserves its success and popularity with its unique setting 92 feet above the ground, beautiful interior design and delicious British cuisine lovingly created by a Swedish head chef.

Should you hire the venue you will be made to feel very exclusive indeed. As the gallery is closed from 6pm most days, it will open specifically for you and your guests to enter privately. As you walk through those incredible cavernous hallways past world famous galleries the thrill should be electrifying. Indeed, it has been known that for large events and weddings, the entire venue is reserved and guests can enjoy a ceremony or speech in one of the galleries before enjoying drinks and dinner at Portrait.

Portrait is set on the third floor of the Ondaatje wing and as a private dining room sits 80-100 for dinner or up to 150 for drinks and canapés. Seating can be arranged as up to 6 separate round tables, in banqueting style or as smaller sets of long tables. It is a large space with huge windows running the full length of the restaurant. On entering, you’ll be warmly welcomed and drinks can be taken at the bar immediately on your right. Decorated perfectly with an elegant modern design, sleek lines and minimalist features fill the site. Exotic fresh flowers, expertly picked out by a cutting-edge in house florist, take pride of place. Seating is a mix of smart black leather and metal chairs and padded booths in pillar-box red.

But of course, the amazing and unique thing about the Portrait restaurant is the spectacular landscape that awaits you from your ideal vantage point. Big Ben nestles next to the Houses of Parliament on the Horizon, Nelsons column stands proudly centre stage and the London Eye is clearly visible in the background. It is breathtaking and picture perfect and from day to night offers the most impressive framing of our lovely city. For this alone, Portrait and its private dining room will be a wonderful place for you to gather for work or pleasure.National Portrait Gallery