A variety of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables for sale at Erewhon in Manhattan Beach, Calif. The upscale grocery store is opening a cafe at LACMA.

On April 19, iconic Los Angeles art museum LACMA is set to debut its stunning new David Geffen Galleries, which will house the museum’s permanent collection in a sweeping, 900-foot-long space designed by architect Peter Zumthor. 

Art enthusiasts will undoubtedly enjoy the new space — but those clamoring for a taste of celebrity may find other masterpieces at the museum’s new Erewhon cafe, which is scheduled to debut for members previewing the new Geffen Galleries on April 19 and open to the public May 4.

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This marks the first museum outpost for the LA chain, known for its pristine produce, its pricey prepared foods and, of course, being the upscale grocery store to the stars. The cafe, slated to be open through the summer, will serve organic coffee and matcha, cold-pressed juices, snacks and grab-and-go meals, according to a news release from the museum. Erewhon’s signature smoothies will also be available; fans will likely keep their fingers crossed for favorites like the $21 Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie (which no longer bears Hailey Bieber’s name) and $16 Turmeric Crush.

The exterior of the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Los Angeles.

While casual at their core, Erewhon’s current grab-and-go offerings include a $22 Korean barbecue burrito and $20 glass jars of bone broth. Selecting such a high-end dining experience is an interesting move for the West Coast’s largest art museum, which has already come under fire for the $724 million price tag for the new galleries, which had been under construction since 2020. (Admission to LACMA is generally seen as affordable, with tickets costing $25 for LA County residents and $30 for non-residents, with some free options also available.)

In an April 8 column, Los Angeles Times arts editor Jessie Gelt wrote of the galleries’ debut, “Since LACMA first floated the idea in 2001 of demolishing architect William Pereira’s original 1965 campus, which consisted of three buildings along with a fourth added in 1986, critics have argued that public money would be better spent renovating the buildings.”

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In the museum’s announcement of the new cafe, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg director Michael Gown expressed the museum’s excitement about welcoming Erewhon to the northeast pavilion on the W.M. Keck Plaza, where it will offer both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Alexander Calder’s fountain on the grounds.

A drone view of the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Los Angeles.

“Erewhon is a Los Angeles icon that values creativity and wellbeing and is dedicated to its communities. We look forward to working together on delicious offerings for our diverse, intergenerational visitors. A moment of respite at Erewhon at LACMA, surrounded by public art, will be a vital part of the LACMA experience,” Gowan said.

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SFGATE reached out to LACMA for additional commentary but did not hear back in time for publication.

As other LA museums, such as the Getty Center and the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, announce long-term closures for renovations prior to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, LACMA will be sitting pretty to offer art to the people — whether it’s a painting or a kale, avocado and white bean salad that goes for a pretty penny.

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