Eating out and travel are two of life’s greatest pleasures….well they certainly are in my book! A great meal can be particularly memorable, especially in a foreign country. Add a spectacular view and your experience can be upgraded to the sublime. For this post I have collected a selection of restaurants with breathtaking views. From stunning cityscapes to gorgeous ocean vistas, from London to Sydney, check out these places:
City Restaurants
Perruche, Paris
Perruche (Parakeet in English) is located on top of the Printemps Haussmann men’s store in Paris. The rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant, serves French cuisine with views through panoramic windows from the chic interior. The summery terrace, with its canary yellow striped cushions and white tablecloths, has 360° views of the city. Perfect for a pitstop whilst shopping, but also a cocktail destination in its own right. Won’t break the bank. Open 9.35am til 2am.
The River Café, Brooklyn
Sitting under the Brooklyn Bridge, The River Café offers a stunning view of the iconic New York skyline, from across the river. This Michelin star restaurant serves a classic New American menu. Open for 40 years it launched the farm to table approach in the United States. It looks very romantic. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Strict dress code.
White Rabbit, Moscow
At the White Rabbit Vladimir Mukhin leads you down the rabbit hole to new wave Russian cuisine. Old dishes are reimagined with huge creative flair (see Netflix’s Chef’s Table 2017). The whimsical dining room is very Alice in Wonderland with lots of rabbits and rococo furniture. The domed glass roof gives diners spectacular views of the city. Number 15 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Open daily 12pm – 00am, 2am Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Cé La Vi, Singapore
Cé La Vi is located above the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Resort in Singapore. It is a glamorous spot with 360° views of the marina and CBD. Enjoy delicious contemporary Asian cuisine, and cocktails created by top mixologists coming from London and New York. The chic atmosphere and panoramic views promise a great night. Open daily: Lunch 12pm – 3pm, dinner 6pm – 11pm.
Quay, Sydney
One of Australia’s most awarded restaurants, Quay has a fantastic location in Sydney Harbour with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. A $4 million (AUD) makeover in 2018 introduced natural materials to the the interiors, including a timber ceiling and tables and volcanic lava stone detailing. The modern Australian menu got an overhaul as well and looks amazing. 6 or 10 course tasting menu. Dinner 6pm – 9pm daily, lunch 12-1.30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Club Del Doge, Venice
Club Del Doge restaurant is located in the historic Gritti Palace Luxury Hotel on the Grand Canal in Venice. Both the ornate interior and the large terrace look amazing. American designer, Chuck Chewning, restored the Gritti Palace in 2013. As you can imagine the upmarket Venetian menu does not come cheap, however eating here would be a truly memorable experience. Terrace open May to October.
Aureole, Prague
Prague is a really stunning city with great architecture and history. I visited a Czech foodie friend there a couple of years ago. Aureole is new since then. On the 27th floor, with amazing views, the modern world fusion food is great. Also the bathroom design is pretty cool and in the gents there is a waterfall feature that some people mistakenly use 🤣 You have been warned! 11am -2am daily, 11am – 00am on Sundays. Kitchen closes at 10pm.
Seaside Restaurants
Mirazur, Menton
Mirazur’s dining room looks out onto the sparkling, azure waters of the Riviera. Situated in Menton, on the French-Italian border, simple modern design lets both the view and the 3 Michelin star food shine. Argentine chef Mauro Colagreco uses local ingredients from his garden or the market in nearby Ventimiglia. I was taken here by my Aussie, following a sporting bet, in 2017. We had a tasting menu which had on it one of the most memorable dishes I’ve ever eaten. Pinto beans cooked in buttermilk with a huge amount of white truffle shaved onto it at the table. So simple but so, so tasty. Number 4 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Dinner Wednesday to Sunday, lunch Thursday to Sunday.
Under, Norway
Opened earlier this year, Under is Europe’s first underwater restaurant. Designed by Oslo architects Snøhetta, it is semi-submerged in the North Atlantic, off the coast at Lindesnes, in Southern Norway. There is one set “Immersion” menu at 2250NOK (about £200, $260 or €230). The sustainable menu is locally sourced. The interior gets darker the deeper you go and lights have been installed to attract sealife to the window. Also serves as a marine centre. Dinner only bookings taken 6pm – 8pm.
The Rock Restaurant, Zanzibar
This photo says it all. The Rock Restaurant is located on it’s own rock(!) just off the white sand Michanvi Pingwe beach on the south coast of the island. At low tide you can wade out and at high tide there is a complimentary boat service. Soak up the sun and the turquoise waters with a pre-meal drink on the terrace before heading inside for a super fresh seafood feast. Open daily: lunch at 12pm or 2pm and dinner at 4pm or 6pm.
Ar Men Du, Nevez, Brittany
Ar Men Du is situated on a windswept moor overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is 30 minutes along the South Brittany coast from us in Concarneau. This gastronomic restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients with a focus on seafood. I have had a couple of fantastic meals here. The restaurant has a few rooms if you’d like to stay. Lovely terrace for drinks in the sun. Menus €55 – €110. Open March – November and at Christmas. Dinner daily, lunch Thursday – Monday.
La Sponda, Positano
The Amalfi coast is extraordinarily beautiful (and busy). We went in September, a couple of years ago, and it was still completely packed. La Sponda is the jewel in the crown of the areas dining scene. A Michelin star restaurant located in Le Siruneuse hotel, 70m up the hillside in Positano. Whether dining on the ocean view terrace or in the candlelit, vine filled interior, La Sponda delivers an unforgettable experience. Especially at sunset when all the twinkling lights start to appear on the hillside. Mediterranean cuisine, highly recommended, super romantic! Open lunch and dinner.
Da Salvatore, Ravello
For an even more spectacular Amalfi view, but without the Michelin price tag, try Da Salvatore in Ravello. High in the hills Da Salvatore’s views are amazing and the food is pretty good too. Think upmarket, creative local fare and wood fired pizzas. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Sunday, Easter – November. Via della Republicca 2, +39 (0)89 85 72 27.
