The National Gallery has announced that renowned chef Giorgio Locatelli will open a new restaurant in the Sainsbury Wing when it reopens on May 10 following an extensive two-and-a-half-year renovation.
The 80-seat restaurant, simply named “Locatelli,” will be operated in partnership with British hospitality group Searcys and represents the next chapter for the celebrated Italian chef following the closure of his Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli in December 2024.
In addition to the main restaurant, the space will include “Bar Giorgio,” an espresso and maritozzi bar on the ground floor offering quick Italian coffee and both sweet and savory versions of the classic Roman pastry.
“Opening Locatelli at the National Gallery is an extraordinary moment for Plaxy and I, and such an honour for the next chapter in our culinary journey to be housed in such a landmark space; surrounded by history and creativity, where great paintings of the past inspire new ideas for our future,” said Giorgio Locatelli.
The restaurant will be located on the mezzanine level of the newly transformed Sainsbury Wing, which has undergone a significant renovation as part of the Gallery’s Bicentenary project. The interior has been designed by award-winning studio LXA and will feature Paula Rego’s monumental 10-meter artwork “Crivelli’s Garden,” created especially for the wing’s restaurant space when Rego was the Gallery’s first Associate Artist.
Locatelli’s menu will focus on Italian classics and seasonal specialties, drawing inspiration from the surrounding art. The restaurant will serve dishes such as pappardelle with broad beans, pecorino and rucola; braised veal ravioli with parsley gremolata and Parmigiano Reggiano sauce; and roast chicken alla cacciatora with polenta.
The chef has noted that the works of Caravaggio have been particularly influential to his culinary philosophy. “Caravaggio has always been such a huge inspiration for me, and so to cook under the gaze of his work is a dream come true,” Locatelli explained. “His dramatic use of light and shadow resonate strongly within this setting, and we are excited to bring that same boldness and authenticity to our menu.”
Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, expressed enthusiasm about the new culinary addition: “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. I look forward to a scrumptious Italian menu inspired by National Gallery paintings in our new Sainsbury Wing restaurant.”
Locatelli brings over 40 years of culinary experience to the venture. Born in northern Italy, he moved to London in the 1980s, working at The Savoy Hotel before earning his first Michelin star at Zafferano in 1999. He and his wife Plaxy opened Locanda Locatelli in 2002, which maintained its Michelin star for more than two decades before closing last year.
The restaurant will operate seven days a week during regular Gallery hours, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Fridays. Both the restaurant and bar are designed to welcome Gallery visitors and the general public alike, maintaining the National Gallery’s commitment to accessibility.
The Sainsbury Wing renovation, led by Selldorf Architects, is part of the Gallery’s broader efforts to enhance visitor experience at one of the world’s leading art institutions, which houses masterpieces from the 13th to early 20th centuries.