I was invited to the newly refurbished McManus Cafe - here’s what I thought
- Andrew Batchelor
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
There are some places in Dundee that simply feel like home, and for me, The McManus Café has always been one of them.
Over the years, it’s become something of an unofficial meeting place for Dundee Culture. Countless conversations, interviews, planning sessions and catch-ups have taken place over a coffee beneath the museum’s stunning Victorian architecture. So, when I was invited along to experience the newly refurbished café, I was looking forward to seeing what had changed.
The café has recently entered a new chapter after its previous operator retired. Following a tender process, local independent business Loom, based on Brown Street, is now supplying the café with a range of freshly prepared food, including sandwiches and other light bites.
One of the first things I noticed was how much more spacious the café now feels. The refreshed layout creates a brighter, more open environment while still retaining the relaxed atmosphere that has made it such a popular stop for museum visitors and city centre workers alike.
Of course, I couldn’t visit without sampling some of the new menu.
I opted for the soup and half sandwich combination, choosing a comforting tomato and basil soup alongside a falafel sandwich. It proved to be an excellent choice, with the soup packed full of flavour and the sandwich providing a fresh, satisfying accompaniment. It’s exactly the sort of lunch you’d hope to find in a museum café - simple, well-made and showcasing quality local produce.
After lunch, I was treated to a tour of The McManus itself, offering the perfect opportunity to revisit one of the museum’s newest exhibitions, Curtain Call.
Having visited the exhibition previously, it was wonderful to spend more time exploring its displays and appreciating some of the stories I had perhaps rushed past during my first visit. Sometimes returning to an exhibition allows you to notice details you missed the first time around, and that was certainly the case here.
The visit also gave me something I rarely get in the middle of a busy day - time to simply wander.
Rather than heading straight for a specific gallery, I was able to explore the museum at my own pace whilst being on a tour, taking in the remarkable collection that tells Dundee’s story through art, archaeology, natural history and industry.
It served as a reminder that no matter how many times you visit The McManus, there’s always something new waiting to be discovered.
One exhibit that particularly caught my attention was the magnificent Royal Arch Clock.
Although I’ve walked past it countless times over the years, I realised I’d never truly stopped to admire it. Seeing this beautifully preserved piece of Dundee’s history up close offered another reminder of just how rich the city’s heritage really is.
It’s these moments - discovering something that’s been there all along - that make revisiting museums so rewarding.
The McManus remains one of Dundee’s cultural treasures, and the refreshed café only adds another reason to visit. If you’re stopping in for lunch, meeting friends, exploring the galleries or simply taking a break from the city centre, it continues to offer a warm welcome in one of Dundee’s most iconic buildings.
