Italian Restaurant Near the Victoria and Albert Museum
Eight minutes' walk from the V&A's main entrance, ALBA London is where an afternoon in the museum becomes an evening in Knightsbridge. Brompton Road, opposite Harrods. Amalfi Coast cuisine, an open kitchen, and a dining room designed for guests who appreciate beautiful objects.
From the V&A to ALBA
Step out of the V&A's main entrance on Cromwell Road, walk east along the museum's north flank, and turn left onto Thurloe Place. Continue across Brompton Road and you'll see ALBA on the corner opposite Harrods. The walk is eight minutes at an unhurried pace, ten if you stop to look at the Brompton Oratory along the way. For guests leaving via the V&A's tunnel exit to South Kensington tube, ALBA is fifteen minutes via Brompton Road.
Why the V&A and ALBA pair well
The V&A is, among other things, a museum of design. ALBA's interior (an Amalfi-coast palette of lemon yellows, olive greens and earthy terracotta, with citrus trees in the dining room and an open kitchen at the heart of the space) is itself a piece of design worth noticing. Guests leaving an exhibition on Italian fashion, on Renaissance objects, on contemporary design have often told us the dining room feels like a natural next exhibit.
Lunch after the V&A
The museum is open until 5.45pm most days (Friday until 10pm). For guests planning the day, the 55-minute lunch is built for someone who has spent three hours in the galleries and needs a fast, refined meal before continuing. Booking advised on busy weekends.
Dinner after a Friday Late
The V&A's Friday Late events run until 10pm. ALBA's kitchen serves until 11.30pm on weekdays and midnight Friday and Saturday, so after a Friday Late you have plenty of time to walk over, sit down with a glass of something cold, and order properly. Signature dishes to consider: ALBA Pizza with caviar, lobster linguine, Amalfi Tagliolini, Grand Gelato Ferrero Rocher to share.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far is ALBA From the V&A?
Eight minutes' walk from the main entrance on Cromwell Road, or about ten if you stop at the Brompton Oratory along the way.
Is ALBA Open After a Friday Late?
Yes. The kitchen serves until 11.30pm on weekdays and midnight on Friday and Saturday, so there is no rush after a late museum event.
Is There a Quick Lunch Option?
The Lunch in 55 Minutes set menu is built for guests on a schedule after a long morning in the galleries.
What Should I Order?
Signatures include the ALBA Pizza with caviar, lobster linguine and the Amalfi Tagliolini.
