Eating and drinking
Enjoy a range of freshly prepared food and drink in our cafés at the museum.
We have three great café options for you to choose from. There is also a Lunch Space for those with a packed lunch.
Our cafés are run by Benugo, who are committed to delivering sustainable services. This includes sourcing local ingredients, labelling carbon counts on menus, and using reusable food containers. Find out more about their sustainability commitments on the Benugo website.
Balcony Café
Opening times: 10:00 - 17:00 (last orders 16:30)
Location: Level 3
The Balcony Café is open daily for tea, coffee, home baking, cold snacks and hot homemade soup – and great views of the Grand Gallery!
National Museums Scotland members receive a 20% discount.
Museum Kitchen
Opening times: 10:00 - 17:00 (last orders 16:45)
Location: Level 0
The Museum Kitchen’s exciting menu focuses on sustainability using carefully chosen Scottish producers. The menu includes a range of stone-baked pizzas, seasonal salads, sourdough ciabatta sandwiches and Scottish main dishes with a twist, alongside popular options for kids.
Hawthornden Café
Opening times: 10:00 - 17:00 (last orders 16:45)
Location: Level 1
Hawthornden Café offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes and biscuits in a more informal setting.
Lunch Space
Opening times: 10:00 - 17:00
Location: Entrance Hall, Level 0
Brought your own food? Feel free to take a seat in our Lunch Space and enjoy your packed lunches.
This space is often used during school visits. Please ask a member of the Visitor Experience team if the space is available.
Accessibility and facilities
Lifts and escalators
Lifts and escalators are available to all floors of the museum. You can check the museum map or ask a member of the Visitor Experience team for the nearest lifts and escalators. Information on lift and escalator dimensions is available on the AccessAble website.
High chairs
High chairs are available at all of our cafés on a first-come-first-served basis. Please ask a member of staff on arrival if you need a high chair.
Toilets
There are no toilets within our cafés. However, there are toilets nearby.
There are toilets available on most floors of the museum, including accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. There is a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0.
Please check the museum map or ask a member of staff for the nearest toilets.
Visit our accessibility page for full access information for the National Museum of Scotland buildings.
All of our cafés are Kids in Museums accredited.
