20 Unusual Dining Locations Around the World

The whole idea behind dining at a fancy restaurant is for you to enjoy a sumptuous meal, where staff waits on you and serves you. Practically, you get to just lay back and hey presto, food appears as though miraculously summoned. And – other than not having to raise a single finger in order to prepare said sumptuous meal – the fantastic thing about this is that there are no dishes to wash later. It’s no wonder that women are so keen about dinner dates. Here are 20 restaurants which really know how big a part the restaurant location and overall ambience play in the dining experience.

20. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Restaurant, Tanzania

Nobody can blame you for thinking that the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania is somewhat of a geologist’s field expedition. However, it’s actually a unique fine-dining experience within a luxurious African safari resort. The resort houses an exquisite restaurant built into the rock, and featuring an impressive split-level and a wall of windows, with breath-taking vistas of the crater below and a broad viewing terrace. The décor also features a central fireplace as well as decorative prehistoric cave paintings. The resort also offers to arrange breakfasts, lunches, dinners and also cocktails at a number of dedicated sites in the bush. These special meals feature safari-style tables and chairs, together with a ‘bush bar’ and a ‘bush kitchen’, where a vast menu can be on-site.

19. Raya, Thailand

Rayavadee, located in Krabi, Thailand is a unique and luxurious five-star resort, which is accessible only by sea due to the surrounding limestone cliffs. The resort is also home to the appropriately-named Grotto restaurant, which is nestled under an ancient limestone cliff on the edge of Phranang Beach. Guests dining in the breath-taking Grotto can enjoy a spell-binding dinner with the added bonus of a spectacular view of the sun setting into the horizon.

18. Le Jules Verne, France

Named after French avant-garde science fiction author, Jules Verne, this one-of-a-kind restaurant is located in the heart of the Eiffel Tower. Dining at the Jules Verne is, like reading one of Verne’s own novels – an experience outside of space and time. Here, sumptuous dinners of exceptional 5 or 6 course are accompanied by delectable food-wine pairings, recommended by the restaurant’s sommelier. The legendary restaurant’s contemporary and elegant ambience was created by interior designer Patrick Jouin and has been a lifelong dream come true for Alain Ducasse, master chef at the helm the Jules Verne, where classic French dishes are reinterpreted with taste and style.

17. Tosca, Hong Kong

Named after Puccini’s famed opera, the Tosca offers Italian cuisine in a dramatic setting, which an open kitchen, high ceilings, stately fountains, imposing chandeliers and stunning views of the Hong Kong harbour and skyline. The innovative menu focuses on favourite southern Italian dishes. Some of the most renowned dishes of the restaurant, include crab cookie with roasted langoustine; veal trotter, green bean puree and black truffle sauce; and also a sea tiramisu with cereal, red prawn carpaccio, seared scallop and parsley cream.

16. Tii Gavo, USA

Tii Gavo, located in the Enchanted Resort in Sedona, features a unique dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows which frame the mesmerising view of the surrounding red rocks of the vibrant hues of Boynton Canyon. The restaurant captivates the rugged beauty of the Southwest and pairs this with delicious dining and impeccable service. The casual Southwestern restaurant boasts fresh, locally sourced ingredients which are at the heart of the menu which features an array of soups, salads, burgers, flatbreads, tacos and entrees.

15. Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant, Kenya

Around 30 years ago, owners, George and Jackie Barbour decided to convert a 180,000-year old Kenyan cave into a unique restaurant. The cave comprises a series of interlinking chambers up to 10m below ground level. They preserved the cave as it was discovered, except from the chamber housing the kitchen and lavatories, adding only stone floor, furniture and fittings, lighting and sound effects. They went so far to retain the natural holes in the roof crust, covering them only in bad weather with sliding covers. This enables guests to dine under the stars, in an intimate and elegant atmosphere. The menu features an international cuisine, specializing in seafood made from the finest, freshest seasonal ingredients.

14. Altitude, Sydney

While admiring the most outstanding views of Sydney harbour through Altitude’s floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can embark on an exceptional culinary journeys, as they savour what is reputed to be the finest contemporary Australian cuisine. Altitude’s reputation has been well-earned, having being given awards by the likes of the Gault & Millau Sydney Restaurant Guide, Tourism Accommodation Australia, Australian Good Food and Travel Guide as well as the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards. The restaurant also features an 18-person private dining room for more intimate gatherings.

13. Le Panoramic, France

Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and is actually the north side of the summit of Mont Blanc. It is one of the favourite skiing destinations. Le Panoramic is situated on the summit of the Brévent ski station. The restaurant is open for lunch and snacks and offers stunning views of Mont-Blanc, which translates literally to “White Mountain”, and which is the highest mountain in the Alps and the second-highest peak in Europe. Le Panoramic serves traditional European fare, such as pasta, soup, steak and foie gras.

12. Ithaa Underwater Restaurant, Maldives

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort is known for its minimalistic, yet innovative contemporary style and luxury. Its unique location, stylish design and understated elegance all contribute to this iconic exotic resort. Yet, these fade in comparison to its most famous attraction – namely, the Ithaa, the world’s first underwater restaurant. This stunning restaurant, which sits five meters below sea level, was designed by New Zealand’s M.J. Murphy Ltd, which specializing in large aquarium works. The restaurant’s curved, transparent acrylic walls and roof reveal fantastic views of the azure waters, populated by fish, as well as sharks and turtles. In addition to the unique views, the restaurant also offers an exquisite menu which combines Maldivian and international cuisine.

11. The Grotta Palazzese, Italy

Considered to be one of the most unique hotels in all of Italy, the Grotta Palazzese is also home to an equally stunning restaurant, which has captured the attention of travel writers the world over, together with a number of awards. Nested on a platform inside a sea cave (known locally as a grotto), the restaurant overlooks the Polignano A Mare harbour on the Adriatic Coast. The striking eatery serves a variety of traditional food and wine, hailing from the region of Puglia.

10. El Farallon, Mexico

The luxurious Pedregal Resort at home to El Farallon restaurant, which is tucked into the surrounding spectacular cliffs of Los Cabos. The restaurant not only offers stunning views of the unique landscape and the Pacific Ocean, but is also stocked daily with fresh produce and is supplied by local fisherman, with their daily catch. In order to make the most of produce available, Executive Chef, Gustavo Pinet even ensures that the menu is changed daily. These are some of the reasons which make El Farallon the most sought after dining venue in Los Cabos.

9. Ascher Cliff Restaurant, Switzerland

Most dining venues are just a cab ride away. This one is somewhat more challenging to reach, and is most certainly not for the faint hearted. Getting to the Ascher Cliff Restaurant takes something of a three-hour hike up a cliff. Talk about working up an appetite before dinner! The aptly-named restaurant is located in Switzerland, and sits some 5 km above sea level, nestled in the side of a mountain. The experience and the stunning landscape are said to be well worth the effort – not to mention the sumptuous fare available from the menu.

8. Events in the Sky, London

You’ve heard of the mile-high club, right? Well, Events in the Sky have come up with something of a more social and civilised culinary equivalent to the naughty plane practice. Taking dining to a whole new level, Events in the Sky have really developed the concept of dining in the sky. They host dinners on a glass sky platform, hoisted high up in the air. They form part of the global Dinner in the Sky group, operating in 43 different countries, which create extraordinary and unique branded events for their clients.

7. 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower, Toronto

360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower, is reputed to be one of Toronto’s most stunning features. The unique restaurant combines delectable food with a magnificent revolving view of Toronto, which is located over 351 metres below. The restaurant offers market-fresh cuisine made with regional produce. Recent accolades for the venue have been awarded by Wine Spectator Magazine, Distinguished Restaurants of North America, Toronto Sun Readers’ Choice, Best Bar None, OpenTable.com as well as ​Trip Advisor.

6. Soneva Kiri, Treepod Dining, Thailand

Thailand’s Soneva Kiri Resort takes the concept of barefoot luxury to a whole new level, steeping it in the surrounding natural environment and giving it an authentic Thai dimension. This rare combination of factors is further enhanced by the Soneva Kiri resort’s unique Treepod dining concept. Here guests are invited to literally take fine dining to new heights by entering a bamboo pod which is gently hoisted high up in the rainforest’s tropical foliage. Wine and courses are then delivered via a personal waiter, who is acrobatically hoisted on a zip-line!

5. Eden Rock Hotel, St Barths

The luxurious Eden Rock – St Barths is part of the impeccable Oetker Collection hotels. As though the service and understated modern elegance of the hotel’s décor weren’t enough, the Eden Rock is perched on a rocky promontory that overlooks the white sands of St Jean Bay. The luxury island hotel is also home to the legendary world-class restaurant, ‘On The Rocks’, which is headed by internationally acclaimed Master Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten with Eric Desbordes, Executive Chef at the helm, who give fine-dining cuisine an exquisite exotic touch.

4. The Dome at Lebua, Bangkok

Poised on top of the lebua State Tower, high above bustling Bangkok, The Dome provides sumptuous dishes, superior service and heavenly views. Known for serving sumptuous meals up high above the clouds, the venue is sought-after by foodies the world over. Executive Chef Glenn Eastman, who heads The Dome, is keen to share his passion for the culinary masterpieces. The Dome is also home to the award-winning rum which is used to compose the Dome Mojito.

3. Labassin Waterfall Restaurant, Philippines

The aptly-named Labassin Waterfall Restaurant serves authentic dishes from the Philippines, in the river that flows out of the waterfall a few metres above. This is a singular experience which brings together the regional cuisine and the surrounding environment, allowing guests to keep cool despite the exotic weather, as they sit in cool flowing water. Guests are literally immersed in the experience as they enjoy the pristine, untouched nature.

2. The Rock Restaurant, Zanzibar

The Rock Restaurant is located on the shore of the stunning Michanwi Pingwe beach, in exotic Zanzibar. The restaurant unveils a view of untouched idyllic beaches which sprawl ahead for as far as the eye can see. The Rock boasts an enviable environment of clear water, pure sands and just the right amount of sun kissed breeze. The mouth-watering menu features dishes made from fresh ingredients which are procured locally, such as prawns, crab, squid and lobster. The dessert menu also includes a sumptuous, velvety and creamy coconut tiramisu – which gives the traditional Italian dessert an exotic island twist.

1. Pommery Ice Restaurant, Canada

Chef Matthieu Saunier was at the helm of the iconic Pommery Ice Restaurant, which was one of the most highly acclaimed attractions at the Montreal Snow Village. The Ice Restaurant was the only one of its kind in North America and was in operation until 2014. However, like all ice venues it requires rebuilding on an annual basis – with an investment to the tune of $2 billion – not easy to recoup on a venue which could only accommodate up to 60 guests. The environment coupled with a delicious menu, did go some way to justifying dinner in temperatures of around -5 degrees indoors!