Cafe Gala
Located in the Salvador Dalí Museum on the St. Pete waterfront, Café Gala offers an educational as well as a culinary experience by introducing visitors to Spanish food and history. Named in honor of Salvador Dali's wife Gala, the casual eatery embraces the heritage of Salvador Dalí by presenting a menu of light fare with a Spanish theme. Tapas and small plates of appetizers are a specialty, along with traditional pastries, soups (gazpacho and caldo gallego), salads and sandwiches.
Visitors don't need to purchase a museum ticket to visit the café, and diners may choose to eat inside or sit outside on the Avant-garden patio, making a visit to Café Gala a wonderful idea any time.
The café makes a perfect stop for a light breakfast, lunch or mid-afternoon break for coffee and pastries. Kahwa local roasted coffee is served, including espresso, cappuccino and macchiato. A flan-like dessert – Crema Catalana – tops the pastry selection, which includes Tiramisu and Mantecados (Spanish cookies). The select offering of beer and wine features the café's signature Cava Rosado (Spanish rose champagne).
Hours
Monday 10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–5 PM
Thursday 10 AM–7 PM
Friday 10 AM–5 PM
Saturday 10 AM–5 PM
Sunday 10 AM–5 PM
What Visitors Love
The first thing to know about Café Gala is that you do not need a museum ticket to dine here. Just be aware that you cannot bring anything larger than a purse into the museum building, but free lockers are available for larger items. The atmosphere is what really makes this café special. Surrounded by the spectacular architecture of The Dalí Museum and its geometric glass structure, this is easily one of the most memorable settings we have experienced for a museum café. The food was tasty and beautifully presented. We had a salad and avocado toast, along with a hibiscus tea that had just the right amount of sweetness. The staff was friendly, and service was prompt. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, but we especially enjoyed sitting inside and taking in the architecture. To top it all off, there was even a live DJ playing during our visit, which made the experience even more special. Even if you are not planning to visit the museum galleries, Café Gala is worth stopping by for the setting alone.
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.
This restaurant certainly fits with the Dali ambiance and level of quality. We enjoyed multiple courses of a variety of dishes that were all superb. Beet soup, musroom bisque, charcuterie board, deviled eggs and grilled cheeses were all to die for. Highly recommend going hungry to the museum to enjoy some of the delicious fare at this spot.
Having studied in Spain, I was excited to have the Tortilla española (potato egg and onion omelette). I have celiac disease and also had the iced crème catalana. Delicious.
After the Florida orchestra the traffic was horrible and being a little hungry decided to stop in at the Dali . We heard the food was good at the Cafe Gala so decided to give it a try. Nothing fancy , its in the corner but what a surprise at how great the food is. We tried the grill cheese sandwich , and the Spanish cheese with fruit and nuts. The cheese dish was out of this world, the best we have ever had. In fact everything we had was very good. We will be back.
Accessible Features
- Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
- Wheelchair Accessible Parking
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom