Restaurants Near National Gallery

Overlooking Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery stands as one of London’s most revered cultural landmarks, home to centuries of artistic mastery and a defining symbol of the capital’s heritage.

Just a short walk away, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill offers a dining experience that mirrors this sense of timelessness, serving up quality seafood near the National Gallery.

Established in 1916 and led today by Chef Patron Richard Corrigan, Bentley’s is celebrated for its expertise in seafood, commitment to provenance, and refined approach to hospitality. Nestled between Piccadilly and Regent Street, it provides an elegant retreat in the heart of central London, where oysters are freshly shucked, seasonal menus take centre stage, and tradition is honoured with contemporary confidence.

A Classic Restaurant Near the National Gallery

For more than a century, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill has held a distinguished place within London’s dining scene. Since opening its doors in 1916, Bentley’s has become synonymous with exceptional seafood, polished service and an atmosphere that favours quiet confidence over dramatic spectacle. This enduring reputation continues to draw diners seeking a restaurant where tradition and quality are never compromised.

The dining rooms offer a calm and elegant setting, ideal for lingering conversations over a carefully chosen glass of wine. Light lunches of langoustines with Champagne or freshly shucked oysters at the bar provide a graceful counterpoint to the buzz of Trafalgar Square, while the relaxed vibe of the dining area makes Bentley’s equally suited to early evening dining and late evening tipples. Whether visiting after the galleries or before an evening engagement, Bentley’s remains a timeless choice and one of the most beloved restaurants near the National Gallery, London.

How Far is Bentley’s from the National Gallery?

​​Bentley’s is within easy reach of the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square, offering a convenient choice when searching for somewhere refined amongst the many places to eat near the National Gallery. A walk from Trafalgar Square takes approximately ten to twelve minutes, passing along Piccadilly before turning onto Swallow Street, where the restaurant is located between Piccadilly and Regent Street.

For those travelling by public transport, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square underground stations are both close by, offering straightforward connections across the city. Despite its central position, Bentley’s feels quietly removed from the surrounding crowds, providing a calm and elegant setting just moments from some of London’s most visited cultural landmarks.

Dining Before or After Visiting the National Gallery

Whether dining before or after a visit to the National Gallery, Bentley’s is perfectly suited to all of the day’s events. With service throughout the day and into the evening, your meal at Bentley’s will fit seamlessly around cultural itineraries. Whether you’re joining us for a leisurely lunch, an early evening dinner or a more extended seafood feast, you’ll find dining at Bentley’s within comfortable reach of Trafalgar Square and the abundant surrounding theatres.

With a century of hospitality heritage behind us, our approach is attentive yet unhurried, allowing time for conversation and delicious enjoyment. Whether marking a special occasion, sharing an intimate moment in a new setting or simply pausing between gallery rooms, Bentley’s offers a dining experience that wonderfully complements the rhythm of the day behind you and ahead of you. 

Seafood, Seasonality and British Produce

Seafood sits at the heart of Bentley’s, guided by seasonality and an uncompromising respect for provenance. The oyster selection alone reflects the breadth of Britain and Ireland’s coastal waters, from Jersey Rock oysters to Atlantic varieties from counties Galway, Donegal and Mayo, each chosen for its distinct character and freshness. Shucked to order at the marble-topped bar, these delightful morsels offer a pure expression of the sea.

Beyond oysters, the menu celebrates crustacea and molluscs in all their forms. Shellfish cocktails bring together Cornish crab, Atlantic prawns, brown shrimp and lobster, while dressed crab, chilled lobster and baked Orkney scallops showcase classic preparation with subtle refinement. Grilled prawns with chilli and garlic butter, Loch Fyne cockles cooked in white wine and lemon, and lobster prepared either simply or as a rich Thermidor reflect Bentley’s mastery of traditional seafood cookery.

The Grill Room menu continues this approach with signature dishes such as Dover Sole Meunière, Traditional Fish and Chips, and the much-loved Fish Pie, alongside wild turbot, smoked haddock and lobster spaghetti. Seasonal British ingredients guide every menu, complemented by premium cuts from land and carefully considered vegetarian dishes. Together, they form a dining experience rooted in classic technique, elevated by modern precision and a deep understanding of the sea.