Cafe Gala — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

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...

So my girlfriend and I came to the Dali Museum to spend the day doing the audio tours and having a nice little lunch. Mission accomplished. In the middle of the two gain galleries, we came here to get our eat on. Inside there are a few tables and there are bar stools so you can eat right there next to the prep station.

We went outside, though. The day was beautiful and there are like eight tables out there under umbrellas. You order and they bring the food right out to you when it's ready. By the way, you can come here and just eat if you want. You don't have to pay for museum entrance. You still get access to the outdoor courtyard of the museum with the mustache, the bench, and the labyrinth. You'll see in my photos.

We ordered two things: the charcuterie platter (serrano ham, chorizo, lomo, olives, almonds, bread) and the plato de queso (assortment of spanish cheeses, poached pear, fig jam, sea salt crostini).

So the meat platter was ok. The chorizo you get is super thinly sliced. Maybe too thinly sliced. There was barely anything there for me to get the flavor of. The serrano ham was good. Two nice slices. I would have liked to have seen maybe one more to make up for the chorizo incident, but I know how museum food goes.

The cheese platter was much more bang for the buck. There were a couple wedges of a couple of cheeses. The poached pear was brilliant. I wish there was more fig jam, though, More jams or more filler in general would have been appreciated on either platter.

Overall, it was fine. I'll probably come here again when the new exhibit gets put in, but if you're not going to the museum, don't bother going out of your way just...

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...