12 spectacular restaurants you don’t go to just for the food
There are an uncountable number of wonderful places around the world we would all like to find time to visit at some point in our lives. This is no less true of restaurants than it is of natural attractions or man-made sites. There are a few restaurants out there which have a lot more to offer than just great food and excellent service — in particular, they’re located in some truly spectacular surroundings.
Here’s a list of 12 restaurants so spectacular that you might even lose your appetite.
Grotta Palazzese, Bari, Italy
How would you like to eat dinner in a naturally formed grotto? Here the sea has eaten away at the rock to form a huge semi-circular ’hall’ with a diameter of around 30 metres. At one time, even receptions and balls took place here, but today the cave is home to a unique restaurant serving the best Italian cooking has to offer.
Restaurant le Panoramic, Chamonix, France
This restaurant is located at the top of the Le Brévent mountain, at a height of 3,000 metres above sea level in the French Alps. You can enjoy traditional, exquisite French food whilst admiring the 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives
This restaurant is five metres underwater and has space for just 14 guests. Through its reinforced glass roof, visitors can see a panoramic view of the ocean. Classic European cuisine is offered, but of course, the food is the last thing on your mind when you come here.
Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant, Diani Beach, Kenya
If you’ve managed to make it to Kenya, then you should definitely give this restaurant a visit. It’s located in a cave with no ceiling, so there’s no chance of feeling like you’re trapped inside — instead, you will delight in the truly unique surroundings. The interior is decorated in traditional Kenyan style, whilst the lighting creates a truly magical, romantic atmosphere.
The Sierra Mar Restaurant, California, USA
This Californian restaurant offers you the chance to both gaze in amazement at the setting sun over the ocean and enjoy exquisite food. Located in a national park not far from San Francisco, the Sierra Mar Restaurant is, quite simply, a wonderful place.
The River Cafe, New York, USA
New York is the dream destination for millions of people from around the world. And if you do ever decide to visit the Big Apple, it’s worth visiting the River Cafe with its spectacular view of Manhattan.
The Samaya Villas Bali, Bali, Indonesia
The island of Bali is famous for its incredible sunsets and gorgeous beaches. So why not soak up the atmosphere as much as possible with a delicious dinner right on the shore? Here you can enjoy food from around the world with the waves gently lapping against the sand just a few metres away.
Le Jules Verne, Paris, France
At a height of 124 metres and located inside the Eiffel Tower, this is one of the most famous restaurants in Paris. Here you can enjoy fantastic views of the most beautiful city in Europe with great music and even greater food. A truly high-class experience.
Skyline Restaurant, Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown in New Zealand is a global centre for adventure tourism. If this is the kind of holiday you’re looking for, then you won’t have to take much of a detour on your dangerous path to grab a bite to eat, because this restaurant is located right beside a sky-diving platform. Adventurers can enjoy absolutely astounding views of New Zealand before hurtling towards them on a parachute.
Delaire Graff Restaurant, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Another completely unique restaurant cam be found in Stellenbosch, South Africa, which offers impressive views of Simonsberg mountain. Enjoy African cooking and wine in thoroughly unusual surroundings.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro, Tanzania
Part of a hotel complex which sits on the edge of the huge Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania, this restaurant is guaranteed to impress. Take some binoculars with you and you can even observe wild animals in the surrounding national park as you eat your dinner.
The Signature Room at the 95th, Chicago, USA
Enjoying nighttime Chicago from a point way above the bustling city is a task every visitor to this place should set themselves. Visiting the restaurant located on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center is one way to achieve this. It offers incredible views of both the city and lake Michigan, whilst going for a meal just before sunset offers a fantastic opportunity to see the metropolis lit up in blazing fire. The hardest thing is concentrating on your food.
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