From an underwater restaurant in the Maldives to a dinner table dangling 150 feet above ground, reservations at these establishments are not for the faint of heart
What makes restaurant designs a bold and daring act? For those who like to live—and dine—on the edge, even the hottest reservation in town isn’t enough to excite. That’s where some of the world’s most inventive restaurant designs come in, creating outside-the-box concepts that make dining a thrill. From restaurants suspended 150 feet in the air by a crane to dining with sharks, these daring restaurant designs showcase creativity on the plate and through their surroundings. Whether you’re looking for a bit of Michelin-starred spectacle or a meal that brings you closer to nature, these restaurants are a break from the ordinary. All you need is a sense of adventure—and a reservation.
Dinner in the Sky
Dinner in the Sky takes dining to new heights. The concept, which began in 2006, features a dining platform with a central service and kitchen area that is lifted over 150 feet above the ground by crane. While the concept originated in Belgium, events are now held around the world and have featured the talents of chefs such as Joel Robuchon, Heston Blumenthal, and Alain Passard.
Under, Norway
A monolithic concrete form emerging from the North Atlantic is the striking setting of Under in Lindesnes, Norway. The Snøhetta-designed restaurant is sunken in the water, offering a view of the seabed and aquatic creatures beyond. The interior is clad in oak and textile-panels, a warm and welcoming contrast to the rocky coastline.
Treepod Dining, Thailand
Guests at the Soneva Kiri on the Thai island of Koh Kood can eat amid tropical foliage with the resort’s Treepod Dining Experience. Bamboo pods are suspended high above the rainforest floor, offering views of the ocean and lush environment. Food and beverages are impressively delivered by a ziplining waiter during the one- to two-hour meal.
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai
Set in a secret location in Shanghai, Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet launched in 2012 as the world’s first multisensory restaurant. The ten-seat, single table dining area is set in a white, windowless room that transforms throughout the 20-course meal with lights, projections, music, and scent. The immersive experience has been awarded three Michelin stars.
The Rock, Tanzania
In 2011, Nigel Firman and Andrea Brunetti transformed a fisherman’s outpost on a rock in the Indian Ocean into The Rock. The restaurant, which serves dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients, is accessible by foot from Zanzibar’s Michamvi Pingwe Beach during low tide or by boat during high tide.
Ithaa Underwater Restaurant, Maldives
Located five meters beneath the surface of the crystal clear waters of the Maldives, Ithaa Underwater Restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island opened in 2005 and was the first undersea restaurant in the world. The dining area is set in an arched, glass-roofed space with views of a coral garden, tropical fish, sharks, and stingrays. Guests can enjoy a four-course lunch or six-course dinner of Western-inspired dishes featuring local ingredients.
360°-Restaurant Piz Gloria, Switzerland
Diners travel 9744 feet above sea level on the Schilthorn cable car to reach the summit of the mountain and 360°-Restaurant Piz Gloria. The dining spot in Piz Gloria, which was featured in the James Bond film, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” was the first revolving restaurant in Switzerland and rotates 360 degrees every 45 minutes, allowing guests to take in the full alpine panorama while they dine on regional dishes.
Labasin Waterfall Restaurant, Philippines
Villa Escudero Plantations & Resort, a former coconut plantation in Quezon, is home to Labasin Waterfall Restaurant, a unique dining experience set in the water at the base of an artificial waterfall. Guests enjoy a kamayan-style Filipino buffet lunch beside the rushing water from Labasin Dam, the country’s first working hydroelectric plant, which was built by Don Arsenio Escudero, son of the estate’s founders.
Ice Restaurant, Finland
Each year, the Lapland Hotels SnowVillage in Lainio, Finland, is rebuilt from the ground up with a new theme and design using 44 million pounds of snow and over 770,000 pounds of ice. The hotel’s Ice Restaurant seats 100 patrons in its chilly dining room, where a three-course menu of cuisine using local ingredients such as reindeer and spruce buds.
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