Notice: You can not eat here without paying for museum entrance ($27).
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
David L.
We visited on a Thursday in mid-June 2025 for lunch.
It was hard to find in the basement. It was pretty packed around 1ish when we arrived. It was 90+F outside. It's a bit over priced but it's museum food, so it's expected but it was more affordable than trying to feed an army of children upstairs at the fancy restaurant. The chairs also did not slide well on the floors.
We ordered: - Chicken bowls (pretty good, we went back and ordered 2nd) - Cheese burger (meh, standard but reasonable price) - Chicken tenders (hot but good and kids ate it all, also reasonable price) - Fruit cup $5 not bad. Wanted fruit after all fried foods
Overall we'd probably pick this again if we were spending the entire day at the museum. There is a snacky store by the main gift shop at the back of the museum but it's really just snacks.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Santhosh G
This can be a lot better for the prices they charge and with the facilities they have. Just average food options and quality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
James B
The MFA hides this eatery pretty well. The food is inexpensive and tasty.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Nathan Tefft
Was happy with this being available. Prices were reasonable given they have a captive audience. Small menu has lunch staples and everything is fresh.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
John Moore
A solid option in lieu of the more crowded and pricier New American Cafe upstairs. At the cafeteria we got in almost right away whereas the wait upstairs was 45 minutes or longer. The food quality was good. The dessert selection is very good. And seating was ample. Also, kudos to a staff that are extremely fast, efficient and polite.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
bookworm8
Usually museum restaurants are either posh or eclectic. This one was limited. I probably should have ordered the chicken salad instead of the sandwich. It was ok. I think the 4 of us would call our meals ok.
Jan Chandra
I ordered a mozzarella and tomato sandwich I got only half a sandwich. Very poor quality and over priced.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Lasitha Yahampath
Great ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
T8384IHlindas
Best Caesar salad I’ve had recently. White anchovy on top without asking. Greens very fresh and dressing exquisite. Orange juice, however, not do great. Left most of that $4 glass after a sip.
Decent typical cafeteria style food. Not a bad place to grab a snack or a light meal while visiting the MFA.
2208DAC
We stopped for lunch before starting our tour of the museum. I had the mussels. That dish was so delicious. The seasoning was spot on. The chicken salad wrap I was told was the best. Service was friendly. Just needed a lot of water refills.
Andrew K
Since there were no signs at all in the old MFA building for the New American Cafe, my wife and I ate at the cafeteria, and enjoyed an inexpensive light lunch of a salad, a sandwich, a small bottle of wine and some chips. We were disappointed at not finding the fancy restaurant, and perhaps the museum might consider including signage -- or educating security guards as to the existence and location of the New American Cafe.
MidwestKathM
It took some doing before we were able to locate the Garden Cafe. It was about 2pm and we needed a break. The offerings that Friday afternoon were a bit slim for both food and drink, but we found a healthy, yummy sandwich to split with some chips and a bottle of tea. If you are spending the day at the MFA, this is a good choice for lunch!!
William Harriman
This is certainly one of the finest place in the region. Anytime I go there I am extremely glad. They manage their very high level service and the topmost level of meals they provide. You no doubt will love this place. Warmly recommended.
Notice: You can not eat here without paying for museum entrance ($27).
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We visited on a Thursday in mid-June 2025 for lunch.
It was hard to find in the basement. It was pretty packed around 1ish when we arrived. It was 90+F outside. It's a bit over priced but it's museum food, so it's expected but it was more affordable than trying to feed an army of children upstairs at the fancy restaurant. The chairs also did not slide well on the floors.
We ordered:
- Chicken bowls (pretty good, we went back and ordered 2nd)
- Cheese burger (meh, standard but reasonable price)
- Chicken tenders (hot but good and kids ate it all, also reasonable price)
- Fruit cup $5 not bad. Wanted fruit after all fried foods
Overall we'd probably pick this again if we were spending the entire day at the museum. There is a snacky store by the main gift shop at the back of the museum but it's really just snacks.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
This can be a lot better for the prices they charge and with the facilities they have. Just average food options and quality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
The MFA hides this eatery pretty well. The food is inexpensive and tasty.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Was happy with this being available. Prices were reasonable given they have a captive audience. Small menu has lunch staples and everything is fresh.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
A solid option in lieu of the more crowded and pricier New American Cafe upstairs. At the cafeteria we got in almost right away whereas the wait upstairs was 45 minutes or longer. The food quality was good. The dessert selection is very good. And seating was ample. Also, kudos to a staff that are extremely fast, efficient and polite.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Usually museum restaurants are either posh or eclectic. This one was limited. I probably should have ordered the chicken salad instead of the sandwich. It was ok. I think the 4 of us would call our meals ok.
I ordered a mozzarella and tomato sandwich I got only half a sandwich. Very poor quality and over priced.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Great ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Caesar salad I’ve had recently. White anchovy on top without asking. Greens very fresh and dressing exquisite. Orange juice, however, not do great. Left most of that $4 glass after a sip.
Restaurantji Recommends
Decent typical cafeteria style food. Not a bad place to grab a snack or a light meal while visiting the MFA.
We stopped for lunch before starting our tour of the museum. I had the mussels. That dish was so delicious. The seasoning was spot on. The chicken salad wrap I was told was the best. Service was friendly. Just needed a lot of water refills.
Since there were no signs at all in the old MFA building for the New American Cafe, my wife and I ate at the cafeteria, and enjoyed an inexpensive light lunch of a salad, a sandwich, a small bottle of wine and some chips. We were disappointed at not finding the fancy restaurant, and perhaps the museum might consider including signage -- or educating security guards as to the existence and location of the New American Cafe.
It took some doing before we were able to locate the Garden Cafe. It was about 2pm and we needed a break. The offerings that Friday afternoon were a bit slim for both food and drink, but we found a healthy, yummy sandwich to split with some chips and a bottle of tea. If you are spending the day at the MFA, this is a good choice for lunch!!
This is certainly one of the finest place in the region. Anytime I go there I am extremely glad. They manage their very high level service and the topmost level of meals they provide. You no doubt will love this place. Warmly recommended.
Loading...