The Magazine Restaurant at Serpentine North Gallery
The Magazine restaurant at Serpentine North Gallery, where contemporary design meets sustainability.
Image: The Magazine Restaurant Terrace. June 2023. Photo by MTotoe
Situated within the picturesque surroundings of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, The Magazine is housed in a remarkable extension of the Serpentine North Gallery. Originally a Grade II listed gunpowder store dating back to 1805, the Serpentine North Gallery opened its doors to the public in 2013, marking its first public use in its 208-year history.
The architect behind this awe-inspiring structure is the celebrated Zaha Hadid, whose name is synonymous with groundbreaking designs. Regarded as one of the most important architects of our time, Hadid made history in 2016 as the first woman to receive the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA Gold Medal, adding to her earlier achievement of winning the esteemed Pritzker Prize in 2004, widely considered the 'Nobel Prize' of architecture.
Image: The Magazine Restaurant designed by Zaha Hadid. June 2023. Photo by MTotoe
Hadid's architectural style is instantly recognisable, characterised by futuristic elements and curving façades. She is known for her mastery in utilising materials such as concrete and steel, transforming them into objects that appear simultaneously strong yet soft.
Her remarkable portfolio includes iconic structures around the world, including some of our favourites such as the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Guangzhou Opera House in China's Guangdong province, and the Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion in Spain. Additionally, she also designed the Aquatics Centre in Stratford for the 2012 London Olympics.
Image: The Magazine Restaurant Terrace. Serpentine North Gallery. June 2023. Photo by MTotoe
The Magazine restaurant’s contemporary design, embraces an abundance of natural light, while its transparent glass walls seamlessly integrate the lush greenery of the surrounding garden. Offering an exceptional dining experience, The Magazine presents a menu featuring a diverse range of small and large plates, all crafted with a commitment to sustainability and seasonality. This culinary philosophy aligns with the restaurant's collaboration with Cooking Sections' CLIMAVORE project, which explores new seasonalities in response to the climate emergency. This shared vision for addressing urgent environmental concerns resonates with the overarching ethos of the Serpentine Galleries, known for curating exhibitions that confront and raise awareness about the climate emergency.
The Magazine opens its doors at 9 am, welcoming guests to indulge in a delightful breakfast and enjoy all-day dining options accompanied by a tempting selection of beverages. The menu itself is thoughtfully printed on 100% recycled paper sourced from Frogmore Mill, utilising a historic paper-making machine dating back to 1895.
Image: Buttermilk and spelt pancake at The Magazine Restaurant. June 2023. Photo by MTotoe
We had the pleasure of visiting The Magazine and sampling their breakfast offerings, which included a mouthwatering buttermilk and spelt pancake with poached rhubarb, rosemary mascarpone, and salted pistachio, quinoa puffed granola served with natural British vanilla yogurt, and a delightful seasonal fruit compote, as well as freshly baked pastries such as pain au chocolat and pain aux raisins.
Image Shakshuka at The Magaine Restaurant, Serpentine North Gallery. June 2023. Photo by MTotoe
The lunch menu at The Magazine offers a variety of delicious dishes including timeless favourites like 'eggy' shakshuka, crispy duck salad, and miso aubergine, which we highly recommend. Additionally, they serve Trofie pasta with artichoke, courgettes, and a black olive crumb. For dessert, indulge in options such as chocolate mousse with hazelnut, creamy yogurt panna cotta, or delightful Hackney Gelato, all of which perfectly complement the sweltering summer days.
Image: The Magazine Restaurant Outdoor Terrace featuring mural by Atta Kwami. June 2023. Photo by MTotoe
Moreover, The Magazine offers guests the opportunity to dine al fresco. You can enjoy your meal in the restaurant's outdoor dining area, nestled against the backdrop of the latest mural by Ghanaian artist Atta Kwami or dine on the terrace, overlooking Hyde Park and the serene Serpentine Lake in the distance. Click here for more visuals on the restaurant and food.
Opening hours: Tuesday -Sunday 9am-6pm, closed Monday. Location: The Magazine, Serpentine North Gallery, West Carriage Drive, London, W2 2AR.
Website: benugo.com. Instagram: @themagazine_sg
Click here to discover art exhibitions you can see at the Serpentine Galleries this summer.
