The McManus Cafe in Dundee City - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Lovely lunch, generous portions, attentive staff, good value for money. Recommend the panini with sweet chilli chicken. Terrific museum to explore afterwards.

On arrival, a sign tells you to wait to be seated. There are 10's of free tables! On being shown to a table and after waiting for another 5 minutes for someone to come and take our order (the waitresses were enjoying their own conversation and ignoring us), we left to get a coffee elsewhere. The Dundee Cycle Club next to the VandA was both welcoming, delicious and good value. By the way, the McManus Museum was excellent, but the cafe left a bad taste.

Took my wee girl before we went to the museum and honestly I'm not one for leaving reviews but it was genuinely so good, the staff are lovely, the girl serving us was so polite and chatty, it was quite busy but they all just looked so chilled about it. The chef brought the food out and was so friendly as well and the bacon was cooked to perfection (I was so hesitant to order because I'm so fussy but omg). My wee girl loved it as well she's not stopped speaking about it all day, places like this don't get the reviews they deserve as more focus is on the attraction (this being museum) but the staff deserve recognition it was just amazing for such a small visit

Two coffees, pretty much a standard Nescafe, small glass juice, can of juice and fudge bar. £17.00 Can understand why they are selling a can of juice at £3.75? Cost price is only around 60p per 330ml can? £3.00 for a fudge bar? Prices are very much at their peak in this place. Best to avoid.

Having been to this cafe many times before, I was treated so disgracefully that I and my family will never visit again. This occurred a few months ago and I wish I had complained formally then, but I let it go. We were served by several staff, and did not notice we had been given two bills. I didn't notice the first bill for one single coffee, tucked under a saucer, and went to pay for the rest of our meal with the bill I thought was for the whole order. Five minutes later, as I sat in the museum foyer waiting for my elderly mother, I looked up to find myself confronted by a scowling dark haired waitress who declared loudly, in front of other museum visitors, that I had not paid my bill. Astonished, I insisted I had, but she demanded I return with her to the till. Once there, feeling like a criminal, the mix up with the separate coffee bill was discovered. I paid for the single coffee, but received no apology whatsoever for the appalling way they had dealt with a simple oversight. Instead they were surly and just shrugged. I was so embarrassed and upset. Being reminded of this experience today, I wish to leave this review

Don't know what more I can say. Not too expensive. This and a visit to the museum/gallery is a lovely way to pass a couple of hours when in Dundee. Don't pass up the opportunity!

Terrible experience. In the queue as a family of 4 and got to the front to be told that they couldn't seat us despite there being a table for four available, two tables with 3 seats that could easily fit another and a table for two. We were in a rush and didn't have time to find somewhere else to go so I just said we'll sit at two separate tables which they were surprised by but still didn't offer any other options. So my husband and son sat and one end of the cafe and I sat at the other with my 2 year old. There was an empty table next to mine which they filled next and then shortly after they sat 4 elderly ladies at the table for 4 they said we wouldn't fit at and moved the furniture around for them. How 4 fully grown adults can fit at a table that 2 adults and 2 little children cant is beyond me. I don't know whether they were just incompetent or deliberately being discriminatory because we had young children and the clientele was mainly elderly but the museum is a family attraction and a cafe that caters to family visitors is quite important. When I say "they" I mean every single staff member as the young guy assigning tables was clearly confused and consulted others for help so this was a manager/group decision. All staff saw what was happening and no one intervened to show common sense or the basics of customer service. They made no apology, no discount when I paid the separate bills together and at no point tried to sit us together when plenty of other suitable tables became available. The food and coffee was also terrible. Museum is great but plan eat somewhere else.

The McManus museum itself is excellent, but the cafe is very disappointing. Service overall was perfunctory. Servers seemed to enjoy saying 'no'. We were told we could not choose where to sit (despite a room full of empty tables); Nor could we have certain menu items - which were not available and so on. There is a bit of a feeling that customers are an inconvenience here, which is a shame because the room is light and airy and has been thoughtfully designed. More smiles, fewer rules in the cafe would enhance the overall experience of a McManus visit - for tourists and locals. Surely it can't be that hard?

A very nice and bright place to eat. Food is freshly made and is so reasonably priced. The cheapest in the area I would say! staff were very friendly and helpful. When ordering tea, you automatically get a separate pot of hot water too!

Decided to have lunch here after visiting the museum with our toddler and tempted by the lovely smells! We enjoyed haggis stories, soup & filled roll, and a kids lunch box (sandwich, crisps, fruit & juice). Maybe slightly on the expensive side, but if combined with a visit to the museum (free entry) then really good value overall! Food all good quality, and great service by friendly staff. This is really a little gem in the city centre and will definitely visit again!

It's ashame, wanted to like this cafe so much, especially after we'd had such a lovely welcome & wander round the exhibits. My friends & I ordered simple food but it was clear our waitress had never heard of a croissant nor an americano! Croissant was served cut in half & toasted. My friend's maple syrup & bacon pancakes were cold & likewise with my other friend's bacon roll. Very disappointing- will definitely not be going again. Good points were the other waitresses seemed lovely & the cakes on the counter looked good but I didn't try them.

After spending about 2 hours going around the McManus Art Gallery and Museum we ended up in the cafe for refreshments. It was quite quiet when we arrived so the service was excellent. We both had coffee and while my wife had a slice of cake I had a fruit scone which was served with a wedge of cheese and some pickle. I had really wanted a cheese scone but there were none left but the fruit scone worked fine with the wedge of cheese, etc.

Really great cafe with great food and friendly helpful staff!! Excellent menu choice for breakfast or lunch. I even got a pot of hot water with my teapot when I ordered tea!! Really enjoyed my visit!

We had McManus special, coffee soup and roll. It was sll delicious especially the chicken and vegetable soup.

A real shame that our last two visits have been very disappointing which is a shame as it has always been a reliable standard fayre lunch spot before. Serving staff seem unfamiliar with menu and times of availability etc, and food quality has taken a dive unfortunately. One dish was completely not as ordered and hastily 'rectified' in two seconds in a very slipshod and unprofessional manner, when it should have been scrapped and done again. Everyone can have a bad day but I fear a downhill slide setting in here. Won't be back.

I visited the cafe today with my fiance and we ordered one of the specials which comprised vegetable soup, a sandwich and a soft drink (£8.50) We were totally disappointed. The soup was canned tomato soup, the sandwiches were stale and the water and Pepsi lukewarm. After paying for the meal we expressed our disappointment especially with the soup to the cashier..who was unphased and unapologetic. Will never return not even for a coffee.

Took the kids here for lunch - as part of our visit here to the museum - it’s a really nice bright place to eat and there are lots of tables so we didn’t struggle to get a seat. The food is good but it’s a bit of a long wait to get it - especially with two hungry kids with you! The cakes looked good but we ran out of time to get any of them!

Light airy. Tables nicely spaced out. My husband liked his leek and potato soup. My steak sandwich was tough and tasteless. Service ok.

Went for lunch with my sister. She had stories which were cooked just as they should be and I had delicious soup. Coffee and delicious cake afterwards. Children's menu had more choices than I have seen in other places. In fact the whole menu was...

Nice cafe in the city’s museum, so a bit of a captive clientele, but the food a drink offered is of good quality and prices as per other locations around the city.

Freshly made sandwiches (and lots of other things). Very clean and bright surroundings. Efficient and pleasant service. Worth going to for lunch even if not visiting the museum.

Lovely clean cafe with a good variety of wonderful food. Vegetarian options available. Service was great Recommended!

Gasping for a cuppa, we popped into the McManus café, good selection of cakes including two gf cakes, NOT the sad brownie so often offered to us coeliacs. So a cup of tea and a rather lovely gf victoria sponge later, we were restored. The...

Friendly staff and well organised. My husband had soup and sandwich combo and really enjoyed it. Prices reasonable. Will return.

Dropped in here after a visit to the exhibition upstairs. Helpful, friendly staff showed us to a table. Good varied menu with something for everyone. We chose the soup, and the salads. We were not disappointed. Good sized bowl of wholesome soup served with crusty...

Just visited Dundee for the day and wanted a light lunch. Very pleasant and bright surroundings in a converted church. The stained glass is quirky. Menu was fairly extensive and not over-priced. The home baking all looked lovely too.

Spacious light filled city centre cafe in the glorious McManus galleries. This place has so much improved lately with an imaginative and quality menu to cater for all tastes. The specials are now really good and excellent value. Also service has stepped up brilliantly, really...

I actually included the review of this place in the museum review, friendly staff, fresh prepared food. popular with locals ( that always tells you something) and reasonably priced.

Stopped by on Sunday for a quick bite, we had the soup sandwich and drink deal which is excellent value. Everything was tasty and fresh and the staff were friendly and efficient. Will definitely return when next in Dundee!

A comfortable and relaxing spot to enjoy a proper pot of tea and some tasty cakes after enjoying a trip round the museum.

Lovely coffee and good range of cakes here in the foyer of the gallery. Great service and very comfortable cafe. Recommend.

Been in here for refreshments & a bite to eat on a couple of occasions - and prefer it to all the chain coffee-shops. Food is fresh and appetising, the decor is bright and cheerful , and pleasant and friendly table service to top it...

Had lunch there today soup and sandwich with a cup of tea all this for £7.50. Soup was a Jamaica sweet potato really different but excellent. Sandwich was coronation chicken. Could not fault it . Really nice waitress lovely service. Will definitely be back.

If you really can't be bothered to take in the wonderful art upstairs in the gallery, just pop in for te, coffee, cakes scones or biscuits. You can even have alcohol. In these days of KFC and The Scottish Restaurant, it is refreshing to have...

My sister and I decided to go to McManus Galleries and after a lovely tour round the Gallery it was time for lunch. The cafe looked very inviting bright very clean and modern. We were very quickly approached by a waitress who seated us and...

Disappointed with V and A so took friends to McManus to see exhibits. Good choice of snacks and meals, service prompt and friendly. Will return to try other food as most of the options looked good value for money.

Only had a Scottish soft roll with ham and a small salad plus a coffee but it was excellent. Table service was efficient. Nice cafe.

Very nice lunch, scrambled eggs, jacket potato with local cheese, tasty quiche and chicken wrap with sides, lovely fresh local food.

Good selection of food available for lunch and at a reasonable price. I had pancakes, banana and cream which were delicious. Staff were sometimes friendly, sometimes a bit offhand, which seemed a shame as the food was good. Customer service begins as the customer walks...

Visited the McManus museum and had lunch while there. Great selection of good quality food - home made and wholesome. Also very reasonably priced. Well worth a visit.

Having toured the Museum and Art Gallery, I felt the urge for lunch, so turned left and there it was. A perfectly formed cafe with friendly staff and good honest food at good honest prices. I selected the soup and sandwich deal, my wife went...

Have visited here for a while to meet up with friends Pleasant place for coffee andround the m a scone and then a walk round the museum

We called here for lunch and were not disappointed. Large selection of sandwiches etc and I can highly recommend the Haggis on a Roll - absolutely delicious. Scones were also first class and the cafe itself a lovely clean quiet place to rest after a...

Bright and cheery museum café. We had a couple of BLTs, which were wonderfully freshly made, the bacon still hot! The tea was slightly disappointing as they’ve adopted the habit of bringing a pot of hot water and separate tea-bag, so by the time you...

The McManus cafe is an excellent place to have a rest from walking about the town or the Museum. We often go in there for a coffee and cake. Well worth a visit.

Had a very nice snack , table service by friendly staff .The menus looked very interesting with a choice to meet all tastes .

Just had coffee, tea cake and milkshake all hit the spot nicely. The staff were brilliant and very friendly.

Overpriced food. The staff are generally friendly, but it always appears that they are short staffed.

The McManus museum is an absolute must visiting Dundee a truely excellent exhibition which is astonishingly free and of course it has a perfectly decent cafe attached.

Went for lunch at the McManus and enjoyed immensely. We had cullen skink, very tasty and whilst we didn't have one, the sandwiches looked excellent. Contrary to other reviews, the service was prompt and attentive

Visited here with my friend I ordered the croissant with butter and hot chocolate while my friend ordered the baked potato. our drinks were delivered first in no problem, then we waited almost 45 minutes for our food. the male server was wandering around other...

We were in Dundee on a Sunday thinking of a place to eat lunch. Checked out a few pubs in the city centre which we didn't fancy. Remembered visit to The McManus cafe during the summer where we sat outside and enjoyed coffee and cakes....

Such nice servers in a bright and cheerful area of the museum. However, there is a problem with delivery. You order something and get something else. This has happened often enough for this review to be made to try and get someone to organise things...

We were visiting the marvellous McManus museum and decided to stay for a coffee - what a mistake. It was hard to find a free table that had been cleared, so we cleared our own and asked a young member of staff if he could...

We just popped in for a quick cuppa and later went back to see all the exhibits. There was a good choice of cakes and pastries.

Have been eating here for several years. On our last visit we were disappointed. Both baked potatoes were inedible and had to be sent back. Shows what a change of staff can effect an establishment.

Had a special lunch of soup , sandwich , drink combo . Soup and roll good , served by 4 different people. Orders for others brought to our table. When settling the bill we were told some staff were training and an apology given. Plus...

Very nice place to get an afternoon tea/coffee and to relax and meet friends at. The food is good and the location is centralized based on the city. You cannot go wrong here! You can relax before or after you visit the exhibits at the...

Popped in here today for a quick bit to eat and was surprised by the choice. Was planning on having a sandwich but decided to go for the special, Ratatouille, it was quality restaurant standard at Cafe prices. I would highly recommend stopping for a...

Popped in for a coffee and a cake, the long haired server couldn’t have been worse, rude and unwelcoming. The museum was interesting, can’t say the same about the cafe. Stale scones and lukewarm coffee, if you want to see how a cafe shouldn’t be...

Really wish that I could praise this cafe as it was recommended to me. After a thoroughly interesting visit to the gallery museum l went for lunch. Decided to get something simple and quick blt how can that go wrong? Ingredients were good but execution...

Stopped in for a drink and cake on a Sunday afternoon. Cafe was not busy but place was dirty with uncleared tables and lots of food on the floor. We waited over 30 mins for Our order to appear.

Just had a scone and coffee here while visiting the Mcmenace exhibition. The scone I had was quite dry and very crumbly.

We regularly meet for lunch at the McManus. Food is good and generally service is good. They seem totally disorganised today, ages clearing plates and taking orders. When we asked after 40 minutes when we would get our lunch we were rudely told by the...

My husband and myself went to Dundee for the day to visit the McManus Gallery and Museum and had lunch in the cafe. We had the McManus Special, which is a small bowl of the soup of day, a sandwich on bread or in a...

I’d heard mixed reviews about the cafe here. Since were in Dundee and didn’t want a full blow out lunch, we though we’d try this. Bright, clean cafe with table service. First impressions were good. We ordered the ‘McManus special’ which was soup, sandwich and...

Popped by for coffee and cakes on a brilliantly sunny day.Enjoyed relaxing and eating al fresco and watching the world go by.Our order was delivered timeously.All staff we encountered were friendly and efficient.The coffees were very decent and reasonably priced as indeed were the cakes...

We stopped for coffee before visiting the gallery. Table service means you need to wait till you get noticed. To be fair, we didn't wait too long. My husband ordered 2 cappucinos a Danish and a pain au chocolate which were both on the menu....

While visiting the area, this location was recommended. The staff were very friendly. The food was gorgeous, I had brown ham salad sandwich and my husband had the pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, food was brought to our table quickly. Definitely recommend and will...

Stopped for a welcome coffee after strolling round the ground floor displays. Staff were universally pleasant which is most welcome in an age when sadly you can not be guraranteed it.

Lovely airy cafe in great surroundings. Table service was very good. Food was absolutely delicious and freshly made. Prices were very reasonable. Would recommend and will be back.

Visited twice to experience the delicious breakfast and coffee.Friendly staff and food is good value.Light and airy surroundings.

went here and had all day Scottish breakfast & it was absolutely excellent,tea & toast came with it at no extra charge, My 7 yr old grandson had a smaller choice of breakfast food & ate the lot

Two travellers looking for something to eat. Two cooked breakfasts ordered on a cold and windy March morning. Two delicious breakfasts scoffed on a cold and windy March morning. This is an interesting place to eat being within a museum but well worthwhile. Food excellently...

We've been to The McManus Cafe a good number of times over the years, with family and with friends. They have a good selection of veggie options which is great for us. The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable on their menu. It always seems...

Clean & tidy with attentive staff and well apportioned meals. Wide variety of foods available. And you have the bonus of an art gallery attached.

This was an enjoyable visit while staying in Dundee - I enjoyed the good Coffee and it was an interesting little Café - I would recommend it to anyone .

A great venue in a superb location .... but please, please, please ensure that staff do not make 'boiling hot' coffee as not only is it undrinkable but the taste is spoiled. The staff were friendly enough but ... very casual. I'll certainly go again...

Been here several times since the major refurbishment of new Dundee's fabulous Museum and Art Gallery, the well_beloved old "McManus", and, believe me, right in the centre of this great, massive, north-eastern city there is not a more relaxing place to have one's spot of...

Had lunch here before continuing with our very enjoyable tour of the museum and art gallery. The was plenty of choice on the menu. The menu however was not accurate as it said traditional beef Stovies served with banock . When it arrived I found...

Have a break while looking at the exhibits. They do meals as well as snacks so you can spend the day and eat when you want. The cakes are home made and delicious too.

I love the McManus, but the restaurant was a let down. Extremely slow service and you have no choice but to wait for the waitress to finally notice you. My little boy got served raw, grey fishfingers, so bad they were immediately sent back. To...

This is a really great place to sit and think; and as comfortable a cafe as any I've found in the London Museums (as well as a friendly atmosphere) so I shall be making quite regular visits to explore the very, very good exhibits. The...

Had a nice cup of coffee here with very kind service. The cafe is not pretty and the furniture cheap, a real contrast to the elegant museum.

Tried the 'special' of salad Nicoise. Asked waiter what the ingredients were, not a clue, except that it contained tuna. It did indeed contain lots of tinned tuna, and some boiled egg, but no olives,or anchovies and with the totally weird addition of boiled potato....

I always get a lovely soya mocha when I visit this wonderful gallery, the staff is lovely and it's a nice place to hang out before/during/after viewing an interesting collection of art and artefacts. Not sure if there's vegan food options yet.

Lovely café with excellent food. was very busy but service was great. Had coffee and cake very good. The meals looked very nice . Only criticism is it is a bit noisy with the building being a bit of an echo chamber. Staff are very...

We visited the Museum and had a bun and tea and come back the next morning for breakfast. My wish got French toast syrup and bacon even though it was off menu. We were first in that day! Very good value, friendly staff. what's not...

food is great, staff are lovely and 'nae ruff fowk'! only criticism is the noise...due to high ceilings and scrapey floors and lots of kids! great place if you like a bit of background noise but definitely not for a quiet conversation!

Lunch with family in gallery cafe. Goats cheese toasted panini very cheesy but nice. Fried Egg rolls very tasty. Nice bright & airy & not to busy despite manic xmas shoppers. Good value. Will look in again.

This café located in The McManus Galleries is a welcome oasis amongst the "chain" coffee shops in the city. Table service, good choice of cakes and scones, friendly staff.

Stopped off at the café to rest my feet and to have a light lunch after having a look around the museum and art galleries. I had mulligatawny soup with a crusty roll and butter. The soup was what you could call average I suppose,...

Very friendly and helpful service, haggis sandwich was great. Beautiful location. A bit pricey (at least for German standards); prices are justified thanks to great overall quality. Drinks like coffee and tea are fairtrade.

Just enjoyed an enjoyable lite lunch at the café. Had a lovely breakfast roll with sausage. Good quality ingredients, very tasty. Good choice of teas. Staff were friendly nd helpful. Will be back soon.

We were in the museum anyway and wanted lunch so went to the cafe. the selection was very good - I had the Caeser Salad - a good bowl full with lots of chicken and very tasty. I would definitely go back. The staff are...

We visited on a Saturday afternoon. It was reasonably busy, but the staff were coping fine. The space within the beautiful historic museum building is light and spacious. We had tea and cakes, which were very good. The prices were very reasonable - especially considering...

seriously disappointed that this cafe is such a let down in such a beautiful building. the white table are stained and need a bleach and the floor looks like it has NEVER been cleaned. We had to ask for old food to be wiped from...

Good cafe with a decent selection of food (for a cafe), nice for a light lunch. Quick service. Good for vegetarians.

Table service. If busy may take a while to get served. Food good and staff very nice. Nice stop for lunch. Close at same time as museum.

This is a fairly popular cafe to visit whilst enjoying the museum I would certainly recommend it to all ages.