Cafe Gala
Cafe Gala things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
Posts
A True Foodie's Guide to Tampa: Dining and Drinking in the Culinary Desert (Part 1)
Gwen
480
After spending hours wandering through the mesmerizing galleries of the Dalí Museum, one thing kept catching our attention even before we made it to the café: the smell of coffee. It was subtle, but it lingered throughout the museum like a gentle invitation. Warm, rich, comforting it followed us through the exhibits, and honestly, it felt impossible to leave without finding out what was brewing. So after admiring Dalí’s masterpieces, taking in the virtual reality experience, and walking through the beautiful mural spaces, we followed our noses straight to Café Gala and we were instantly transported. The café is small but full of life, designed with an aesthetic that matches the spirit of the museum. But what surprised us most was the authentic Spanish feel of the menu. There were tapas, sandwiches, traditional Spanish pastries, etc. Among the pastries, one in particular stood out to us: the Tarta de Santiago. We asked the staff about it, and a lovely girl behind the counter explained that it’s a traditional Spanish almond cake made with finely ground almonds, eggs, and sugar, and traditionally flavored with lemon or orange zest. The museum’s version had a citrus note orange, to be exact which gave it this refreshing brightness that balanced the richness of the almonds. Honestly, it sounded so special that we couldn’t leave without trying it. But before dessert, we wanted something savory. We ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, which came with a side of crispy chips. It was perfectly toasted, gooey on the inside, crunchy on the outside comfort food done just right. To go with it, we ordered two coffees. I had a Café Gala, and it was phenomenal strong, smooth, with just the right amount of bitterness. You could tell it was made with care and good beans. ☝🏻 Then came the moment of truth: the Tarta de Santiago. From the first bite, we just looked at each other in shock. It was a complete explosion of flavors in the mouth sweet, nutty, citrusy, moist but not heavy, delicate but full of character. Honestly, we couldn’t believe how good it was. We’ve traveled to Spain, we’ve eaten our fair share of desserts there, and still… this slice of Tarta de Santiago was better than anything we ever tried in Spain. I know that sounds dramatic, but it was that good. We sat at one of the indoor tables, relaxed and glowing with joy, and even spent a few minutes sketching and doodling while we ate. The atmosphere is peaceful, artistic, and calm. From our seat, we could admire the incredible architectural structures of the museum those organic curves, glass walls, and surreal design choices that make the building itself a work of art. And through the glass, we had a clear view of the gardens outside, another must-see part of the museum experience. The whole moment felt like being inside a painting quiet, meaningful, and full of inspiration. The service at Café Gala was excellent. Everyone we spoke with was friendly, kind, and genuinely seemed happy to be there. It created such a positive vibe that you couldn’t help but feel good. You’re not just buying food you’re being welcomed into an experience. And it made us want to stay even longer. I wish I could give this café more than 5 stars because it truly deserves it. I’d give it a 10 out of 5 if I could. Everything from the coffee, the food, the staff, the space, the view was absolutely perfect. It’s not just a place to eat; it’s a place to pause, enjoy, and be present after a mind-blowing artistic journey. Every dollar spent here was worth it. If you’re visiting the Dalí Museum, don’t leave without stopping by Café Gala. You’ll walk away with a full heart, a happy stomach, and a new appreciation for how art and food can complement each other in the most beautiful way.
Alexsandra Urdaneta
00
cafe gala is located downstairs by the gift shop before you hit the stairs leading to the art sections, so it’s a good spot to hit for a bite to eat either before or after your tour! the museum itself was amazing, and the cafe was the icing on the cake. to be transparent, the cafe is tiny. really too tiny for the amount of people who’re coming through for tours. we went on a weekday so i cannot imagine it on the weekend! there’s maybe 5 tables indoors in the corner that holds the cafe, however there are plenty of seats outside by the bay side! the weather was wonderful the day we went too, so it was perfect. there’s quite a bit of noise inside, so i’d recommend sitting outside. it’s a walk up cafe, with menus held up on the ends of the rope for you to read before you get in line. prices aren’t too bad, and are what you’d expect at the dali, if not a bit cheaper than you’d expect! we had the spanish farmhouse cheese plate and the steak wrap. my partner said the steak wrap was good, and the garbanzo salad served on the side was good, but a small portion for the price. the cheese plate i had was absolutely amazing. i’m not a fan of almonds or brittle so i gave him those after i tried them — still very good and flavorful. the jam was amazing, as was the stuffed poached pear! probably my favorite parts about the dish!! the cheeses weren’t my vibe but i knew he’d love them — just a little too potent for my taste, which reminded me of eating too much blue cheese — but i was still lucky to try those spanish cheeses! :) i definitely recommend stopping, even if for a beer or glass of wine, but the food won’t disappoint!
April Lynn
00
In the Dali museum is the cafe named after Salvador’s wife, Gala. It offers light Spanish fare which was perfect for our day! We had the Spanish Farmhouse Cheese Plate $18 fig & honey goat cheese stuffed hibiscus poached pear | trio of Spanish cheeses |sunflower brittle | spiced almonds | apricot jam | basque peppers | sea salt crostini - this is fun! So much going on here! Heck, if you bring a date and have nothing else to talk about, this should last :15! Break bread with Dali $8 rustic grilled bread | manchego almond pesto | spiced almonds | mixed olives - the bread is perfect for dipping in the manchego dipping sauce (reminded me a bit of Trader Joe’s Zhoug Sauce. A bit salty, not too thick but again a wonderful accompaniment for dipping. Roasted carrot hummus $10 tricolor carrot escabeche | pistachio | carrot oil| grilled bread - unbelievably creamy! Don’t skip eating the carrots that come with the hummus! So tasty! Pickled, slightly firm, yum! The pita was warm, soft and perfect for the hummus. And Matcha latte ($5.5) cafe latte ($4.5) and Kaya coffee ($3.25). We parked for the day in the lot, $10, the Dali museum is amazing, do take the docent tours. I might live almost 2 hours away but I’m coming back for the cafe AND the museum ;) Go and enjoy!
Holly King
00
I loved every part of this museum and to make the experience even more enjoyable, A simple ice coffee at the gala cafe really just compliments the beautiful patio and walk area for when you have made your way from the upstairs museum. We really wanted to “go all out” so for and extra $15 you can purchase “DALÍ ALIVE” tickets, this is apart of the museum that takes place in an 360 orb theatre! The amount of detail & eye candy in Dalí’s artwork is displayed for about 40mins!( I definitely recommend!!!) overall I loved reading and learning all about Salvador Dalí’s journey. I truly believe Dalí has changed the idea of art as a whole and has left me questioning what I want for my future and inspiration:) If your in tampa please do your brain a favor and stop by to absorb and explore the great Salvador Dalí museum!
madi stratford
00
We were here for the Dalí museum and got hungry at lunch so we took a shot at ordering food here. We sat at the bar after a very eager server invited us not to have to wait in line because there were plenty of seats open. Turns out he was very passionate about the food they have on the menu and for a very good reason. We had the “Taste of Spain” sampler and the Fresh Cheese plate, which were incredibly tasty, fresh and very well presented. I have to to say, Jake, our server, really came to work prepared to do a fantastic job by promoting not just the restaurant, but annual memberships and even a local attraction that had nothing to do with the museum. He was truly a great ambassador and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch.
Jay Wiencko
00
Nearby Attractions Of Cafe Gala
The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
St. Pete Pier
Jannus Live
Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
AMC Sundial 12
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
Demens Landing Park
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
Pier Dolphin Cruises
Williams Park

The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
4.7
(7.2K)
Click for details

St. Pete Pier
4.7
(6.1K)
Click for details

Jannus Live
4.6
(2K)
Click for details

Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
4.7
(1.6K)
Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Cafe Gala
Ford's Garage St. Pete
Red Mesa Cantina
Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille St Pete Pier
Fresco's Waterfront Bistro
The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge
Stillwaters Tavern
BellaBrava
Cassis St. Pete
Joey Brooklyn's Famous Pizza Kitchen
Oak & Stone

Ford's Garage St. Pete
4.6
(2.7K)
Click for details

Red Mesa Cantina
4.4
(2.4K)
Click for details

Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille St Pete Pier
4.4
(2.1K)
Click for details

Fresco's Waterfront Bistro
4.6
(1.7K)
Click for details
Basic Info
Address
1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Map
Phone
(727) 623-4725
Call
Website
thedali.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(102 reviews)
Ratings & Description
attractions: The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum), St. Pete Pier, Jannus Live, Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater, AMC Sundial 12, Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, Demens Landing Park, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, Pier Dolphin Cruises, Williams Park, restaurants: Ford's Garage St. Pete, Red Mesa Cantina, Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille St Pete Pier, Fresco's Waterfront Bistro, The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge, Stillwaters Tavern, BellaBrava, Cassis St. Pete, Joey Brooklyn's Famous Pizza Kitchen, Oak & Stone
