The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection

This museum is a hidden gem and located on the second floor of the Saint Ann Restaurant and Bar. To access the museum, you need to enter the restaurant and head up the glass staircase. Entry is free and there is a cute little gift shop. The museum is small but boasts a remarkable private collection that has been made free to the public. It is unique, well curated and the largest of its kind outside of Japan. The exhibition features Japanese Samurai culture with exceptional artifacts from the 5th through the 19th century. The information attached to each item is informative, they have a variety of media presentations including films and audio explanations. There is seating throughout and a study at the end of the exhibit where you can sit in comfortable chairs, learn more through the biopic that’s playing or by reading through some of the volumes of beautiful books. You can even try your hand at origami and there are a few hands-on kids activities for the little ones if you need to keep them busy. I really appreciated the iron work and intricacy of the armor, and the horse display was something special. The staff in the restaurant were welcoming and the staff in the museum were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We were able to walk right in, but you can make a reservation if you want to ensure that you can depending on the day/time of the week. The exhibit is a like a secret treasure – a rare find that’s truly worth the visit and the fact that it’s free is incredible. Highly recommend, this is a do-not-miss stop if you’re in Dallas, TX!

This small private museum is a true gem! And it is free – unbelievable! The location is also very nice – close to the museum district. Parking is available on the street or in the garage that is adjacent to the property at 2501 N. Harwood Street. The museum is located inside Saint Ann’s restaurant, and is on the second floor accessible via stairs or elevator. There is no reservation needed, however, you may want to visit their website for booking interpretive tours. The collection is rather extensive. You may just stroll through quickly, or you may literally spend hours learning about many aspects of Japanese history, metallurgy, and samurai roots, etc. There is a well-stocked library that is full of books dedicated to art, history, Japanese language. There are 2 televisions – one at the beginning of the exhibition, and another in the library, that showcase programs related to the collection, harvesting of the materials, preservation, and many other interesting subjects. We truly enjoyed this exhibition. Thank you so much to the owners for providing this collection to the public. We highly recommend visiting this museum.

This spot is such a cool find lol once you actually find it. It’s a little confusing to get to at first, but here’s the trick: walk into St Ann Restaurant, go upstairs, and boom—you’re in a full-blown samurai museum in the middle of Dallas. The collection is super impressive. There’s real samurai armor, helmets, masks, and swords from centuries ago, and everything is displayed in a way that’s easy to take in without feeling overwhelming. It’s not a huge space, but there’s a lot of detail and history packed in, and you can get pretty close to the displays. Best part? It’s free. You can wander through, soak up some culture, then head downstairs for drinks or brunch at St Ann’s. Honestly, it’s the kind of museum you didn’t know you needed until you’re in it, and then you’re glad you came.

Really cool FREE museum. It is above a great restaurant. The details are incredible. There are well written descriptions of the collection as well. I will definitely go again (Without my child) , so I can really take my time to appreciate this Samurai collection in the Dallas Harwood District.

If you’re anywhere near Dallas and even kind of into history, martial arts, or cool weapons, you’ve got to hit up the Samurai Museum. This place blew me away. The armor and swords aren’t just old, they’re pieces of art. Standing a foot away from a 600 year old katana that still looks razor sharp is wild. What I loved most is that it’s not some massive, crowded place. It feels personal, you can slow down, take your time, and really soak it all in. You walk out with this mix of respect and awe for the samurai way of life; the discipline, the craftsmanship, the mindset. Seriously, if you’re in Dallas, go. It’s one of the coolest museums I’ve ever been to. The museum is located upstairs above the upscale Saint Ann Restaurant & Bar in the Hardwood District of Dallas and it is FREE to visit.

What a spectacular little collection! There is NO CHARGE to see this beauty! First things first - go INTO the red brick restaurant, and right behind the main desk is a staircase that leads to the museum. Everything is so well displayed and maintained. There is plenty of signage to fully explain whatever you are looking at, and it's a nice intimate setting. You do need to make reservations ahead of time as they only let small amounts of people in to keep it all accessible. Highly recommended!

Love visiting this gem. My son and I truly enjoyed knowing & learning about the Samurai’s and its legacy. It’s an experience that you cannot only live it once.

This exhibit is amazing! The pieces they've collected are one of a kind and in excellent condition. The information about each piece is in depth and its a really beautiful space. The attendants were kind and professional. The library/study is a nice way to end the exhibit. You can do origami, view additional artifacts, or just sit and read some of the hundreds of books.