Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe
Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Glass Domes Showcase City Views
Perched high above bustling city streets, glass-domed restaurants provide a birds-eye perspective on urban life happening far below your feet. As you dine, you'll enjoy panoramic vistas stretching out in every direction. It's a unique experience to take in the maze of buildings, twinkling lights, and ant-sized people from such a lofty viewpoint.
One standout is the Dome at Lebua in Bangkok. This multi-level rooftop venue crowns the Lebua at State Tower hotel, hovering nearly 1,000 feet above the sprawling metropolis. The gold-hued dome encloses a glamorous bar and lounge, while outdoor terraces ring the exterior. Sit back with a cocktail and soak up views of ancient temples, snaking canals, and skyscrapers blinking to life as dusk descends. You'll get the full scope of this energetic capital all at once.
Equally remarkable is London's Sky Pod Bar. Perched atop the ME London hotel on the Strand, the bullet-shaped glass pod juts out over the edge, suspended nearly 650 feet in the air. Step inside this futuristic capsule to find dazzling 360-degree vistas of the historic city center. Look east towards St. Paul's Cathedral, west over the River Thames, and south across the London Eye and Houses of Parliament. It's an unbeatable urban panorama.
In Dallas, Five Sixty atop Reunion Tower takes in-the-clouds dining to new heights – literally. At 560 feet up, this revolving glass globe makes a complete rotation every hour, ensuring you won't miss a single detail of the downtown Dallas skyline during your meal. It's mesmerizing to watch the city unfold around you in panoramic views that stretch for miles.
And at 71 Above in downtown Los Angeles, floor-to-ceiling windows encircling the dining room showcase sweeping views. Look out over the rugged San Gabriel Mountains before pivoting towards the Hollywood sign, Capitol Records building, and Pacific Ocean. With the entire LA basin at your feet, it's a sight to behold.
What else is in this post?
- Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Glass Domes Showcase City Views
- Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Underwater Eateries Surrounded by Sea Life
- Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Cliffside Dining Rooms Built into Mountainsides
- Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Treehouse Restaurants Nestled in Forest Canopies
- Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Dine Inside a Gondola Suspended in Midair
- Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Rotating Rooms Provide Panoramic Vistas
- Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Historic Architecture Transformed into Modern Eateries
- Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Outdoor Patios on Rooftop Oases in the Sky
Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Underwater Eateries Surrounded by Sea Life
For an unforgettable dining experience, head below the waves to an underwater restaurant surrounded by shimmering schools of fish and other fascinating marine life. Getting a chance to enjoy a delicious meal while being fully immersed in an underwater world is an opportunity not to be missed.
One of the most remarkable underwater restaurants is Ithaa in the Maldives. This all-acrylic structure sits 16 feet below the surface, providing 180-degree views of the vibrant coral reef and sea creatures swimming by. Diners sit at a curved, aquarium-like window as sharks, manta rays, and schools of vibrant tropical fish glide past in the blue-hued waters. Morning diners may spot dolphins playing in the distance. Meals by candlelight create an even more magical ambiance.
Equally impressive is Under in Norway, Europe's first underwater eatery. Encircling diners with panoramic seabed vistas, the monochrome dining room features a 36-foot wide panoramic acrylic window. Gaze at schools of curious cod and pollack drifting by as you dine on dishes highlighting local seafood. Descend into this coastal building by a winding staircase that leads you down below the water.
At Subsix in the Maldives, you can even overnight in an underwater suite after your meal. Sixteen feet below the Indian Ocean, floor-to-ceiling windows in the restaurant showcase schools of snapper and jackfish swimming past coral formations. The overall design brings the reef environment inside with seashell light fixtures and oceanic hues. Later, retire to your suite to fall asleep surrounded by tropical fish gliding silently through the waters.
In Dubai, Ossiano Restaurant at Atlantis has diners agape at the 65-foot wide curved glass window offering views directly into the Ambassador Lagoon. Cascading waterfalls, glittering schools of fish, and intricate coral formations create living art just beyond your table. Watch closely and you may spot rays and reef sharks propelling themselves gracefully through the aquarium habitat.
Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Cliffside Dining Rooms Built into Mountainsides
For a truly breathtaking meal, head to a restaurant built right into the side of a mountain or cliff. These gravity-defying venues let you soak up majestic alpine scenery and city views while enjoying top-notch cuisine.
At Whitepod in Switzerland, 15 geometric domes are dotted across the mountain, blending seamlessly into the dramatic peaks. Step inside your pod to find a cozy dining nook where chefs prepare locally-sourced Valaisan dishes as you peer out floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Matterhorn's stunning pyramid-shaped summit. Or bundle up and dine on the sunny terrace, breathing in the refreshing alpine air as you gaze over seemingly endless snow-capped mountains.
Perched on a cliff 1,380 feet above Norway's Lysefjord, Stegastein viewpoint has been transformed into a remarkable restaurant. This A-frame wooden structure juts out over the precipice, putting you right amongst the mountains. Inside, panoramic windows perfectly frame the deep blue fjord as it snakes between rocky outcrops. Enjoy local fjord trout or reindeer prepared with foraged herbs as you soak up a front-row seat to the rugged natural beauty.
At El Celler de Can Roca in Spain, the alfresco Roca Moo restaurant clings to a cliffside in the countryside outside Girona. Huge glass windows provide a soaring perspective over rolling hills blanketed in olive groves and vineyards. Dine on creative Catalan cuisine incorporating produce from their backyard garden as you take in idyllic pastoral vistas accented by distant sierras.
And at Mission Cliff Dining Room in Santa Barbara, floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking ocean views. Built into a cliff right above Butterfly Beach, you'll feel like you're floating above the Pacific as you enjoy a Central Coast-inspired menu starring ingredients from local purveyors. Watch the sunset paint the waters in dazzling hues of orange and pink as another memorable dining experience comes to a close.
Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Treehouse Restaurants Nestled in Forest Canopies
Transport your inner child to new heights at a treehouse restaurant nested high in forest canopies. These whimsical eateries bring fairytale wonder to life, inviting guests to climb wooden staircases or suspension bridges to dine amidst verdant treetops. It’s a joyful experience that reconnects us with our sense of adventure.
Tsala Treetop Lodge in South Africa’s Garden Route has mastered the art of treehouse dining. Private thatched dining pods are suspended above the forest floor, accessed via a rope bridge stretching 130 feet across a ravine. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows immerse you in panoramic vistas of the lush Tsitsikamma rainforest while enjoying locally-sourced cuisine. Look out for monkeys playing in the canopy as you savor mouthwatering dishes like seared springbok or slow-roasted Karoo lamb.
Equally remarkable is the Free Spirit Spheres in British Columbia - a collection of intricately handcrafted orb treehouses ensconced in soaring west coast rainforest. Reached via spiral rope bridges, each sphere boasts its own compact dining nook where you can order gourmet meals delivered via pulley system. Savor salmon tartare or foraged mushroom risotto while peering out round windows framing towering cedars and firs swagged in moss. End your evening curled up by the firepit toasting marshmallows under a dazzling canopy of stars.
At Red Stella Restaurant in Belgium, a three-story treehouse structure built around a giant oak tree adds whimsy to fine dining. Climb to the top level to discover an intimate, wood-lined restaurant overlooking the treetops. Savor refined gastropub fare like smoked duck breast and apple tarte tatin from this lofty perch, made all the more special by the symphony of birdsong and rustling leaves.
Not to be outdone is Malaysia’s Rahsia Dunia, where guests dine inside intricately decorated bamboo spheres. These cozy pods are accessed via jungle bridges and zig-zagging walkways. Sink into comfortable cushions and feast on fragrant Malaysian dishes as fireflies blink to life outside your windows. It's a magical experience.
New Zealand is also home to unique treehouse dining at Canopy Restaurant in Rotorua. This venue is tucked into a native forest, with each table seated in its own suspended pod reached via winding wooden walkways. Gaze out through the forest fringed windows as you savor contemporary Kiwi cuisine accented by indigenous Maori ingredients.
Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Dine Inside a Gondola Suspended in Midair
For an elevated dining adventure unlike any other, head to a restaurant inside a cable car gondola suspended high above the city or countryside below. These thrilling venues transport you into the sky in see-through pods, letting you take in sprawling vistas as you savor gourmet cuisine and sip on handcrafted cocktails. It's an unforgettable experience made even more special by the sense of wonder and magic that comes from floating through the air.
One standout is Dinner in the Sky in locations worldwide from Dubai to Las Vegas. This unique 'flying restaurant' lifts diners 150 feet into the air using a crane system, providing panoramic views in all directions. Despite the stomach-dropping height, the dining table stays completely horizontal and waiters are able to serve a multi-course meal with ease. Between sipping champagne and tucking into wagyu tenderloin, you'll get a bird's eye perspective of glittering skylines and city sights spread out below you. It's an incredible feeling to dine with nothing but clouds and sky enveloping your transparent capsule.
Equally remarkable is Sky Dining in scenic Telluride, Colorado. Guests board an open-air gondola and ascend over 2000 feet above the valley floor while enjoying a gourmet meal crafted from local ingredients. As you travel high above the rugged San Juan mountains, chefs present artfully plated dishes like elk tenderloin and braised short ribs. End your moveable feast with the dessert course during sunset when the peaks erupt in a kaleidoscope of color. From your lofty vantage point, the views are simply breathtaking.
At Dinner in the Sky in South Africa, your open air glass booth floats over the Kruger National Park, providing prime wildlife viewing opportunities between courses. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, zebras, antelope and big cats roaming below. A spectacular moving perspective of untamed wilderness stretches out all around, making for an incredibly memorable fine dining experience.
Singapore's Jewel Cable Car serves up dishes inspired by Peranakan culture as you glide through the sky between Sentosa Island and Mount Faber. Inside these glass gondolas, uninterrupted vistas open up over the city-state's remarkable architecture and verdant parks. It's a relaxing way to take in Singapore's captivating landscapes without ever having to leave your table.
Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Rotating Rooms Provide Panoramic Vistas
For a truly memorable dining experience, visit a restaurant with a rotating floor that provides panoramic 360-degree views as you enjoy delicious cuisine. These rotating rooms slowly pivot 360 degrees over the course of your meal, ensuring you don’t miss a single detail of the surrounding scenery. It’s a great way to take in expansive cityscapes, oceanside vistas, or mountain landscapes without ever having to leave your table.
One remarkable rotating restaurant is the Sky 360° Restaurant and Lounge in Bangkok. Perched on the 78th floor of Thailand’s tallest building, the floor completes a full rotation every 90 minutes as diners feast on contemporary Thai dishes. Enormous floor-to-ceiling windows provide nonstop views that transition from the glittering cityscape to the serene Chao Phraya River and back again. Watch Bangkok unfold all around you – it’s an incredible perspective.
Equally impressive is Lazy Fish in the Maldives, an open-air restaurant atop five columns rising from a jetty in the Indian Ocean. The dining room rotates to give you panoramic views over the shimmering turquoise lagoon and sun-kissed beaches. Tuck into fresh grilled seafood like tiger prawns and parrot fish fillet while taking in perspectives that shift from swaying palms to floating water villas and back to endless ocean.
At Oblix in London, the dining room pivots a full 360 degrees every 55 minutes, ensuring you experience sensational views across the Thames in every direction. To the north is the London Eye, to the east you’ll see Tower Bridge, and to the south lies the dramatic cityscape of the Square Mile financial district. With the city sprawled out beneath your feet, Oblix offers a truly special vantage point.
In Los Angeles, the Circa 55 Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel revolves once every hour for 180-degree panoramas over the sprawling metropolis. From your window table, the Hollywood Hills, Capitol Records building, and downtown skyscrapers glide by. Meanwhile, you can indulge in market-driven California cuisine starring fresh, seasonal ingredients.
And at Australia’s 360 Bar and Dining in Melbourne, floor-to-ceiling curved glass walls surrounding the space let you soak up views across Port Phillip Bay as you spin. Watch the city unfold, from the arts precinct to the sports stadiums and finally the beautiful bay framed by the distant Dandenong Ranges. Perched 55 floors above the city, it’s a sight to behold.
Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Historic Architecture Transformed into Modern Eateries
Many of the world's most remarkable restaurants are housed within historic buildings that have been extensively renovated and restored. These venues allow you to take a step back in time while enjoying contemporary cuisine in spaces layered with intriguing heritage.
One standout is The Jane in Antwerp, set in a restored 19th-century military chapel complete with towering stained glass windows. Inside the striking arched sanctuary, a modern open kitchen now turns out creative sharing plates. Details like the original mosaic flooring and iron spiral staircase add palpable gravitas. Even the pews have been repurposed into intimate banquette seating. It's a thoughtful blend of past and present.
Equally noteworthy is Hutong in London, set inside the grade II listed building that formerly housed the site of the historic China Tea House. Many original design elements have been retained, like the Chinese lacquer wall panels and Art Deco features. You can tuck into signature dishes like ginger steamed sea bass or sichuan soft shell crab against the restaurant's rich backdrop over a century in the making.
Set inside a converted antique bank featuring soaring 34-foot ceilings, Gemma Restaurant at the Bowery Hotel in New York City juxtaposes bold modern furnishings with the grand historic architecture. Many original 19th-century design details endure, from the marble fireplace to the ornate moldings. It's the ideal atmospheric setting for feasting on oysters, bone marrow ravioli and veal marsala.
And at Ultraviolet in Shanghai, a historic 1930s villa conceals one of the most futuristic dining experiences on the planet - a 10 seat restaurant combining gastronomy with immersive theater. Each small-bite course comes paired with custom scents, visuals, and sounds to engage all your senses. One moment you're enveloped in aromatic apple-orchard mist, the next you feel transported to the deep sea amidst swirling projected imagery. Traditional details like wood-beam ceilings provide subtle contrast.
The Parador De Ronda hotel in Spain is housed in an 18th century palace perched dramatically atop a gorge. Inside the historic stone interiors, the dining room spills out onto a terrace overlooking the sweeping countryside. Savor elevated Spanish dishes incorporating regional ingredients as you soak up the rich architectural heritage all around you. From the antique furnishings to the oil paintings and ornate light fixtures - every detail whispers of the past.
Dine in the Clouds: 11 of the Most Uniquely Designed Restaurants Around the Globe - Outdoor Patios on Rooftop Oases in the Sky
Transport your palate to new heights at a restaurant with an alfresco rooftop patio suspended stories above the city below. These lofty urban oases allow you to feast at dizzying elevations while soaking up spectacular skyline vistas all around you. There’s nothing quite like enjoying top-notch cuisine and handcrafted cocktails amidst living walls, lush greenery, and chic lounge spaces - all framed by the vibrant backdrop of a bustling metropolis. It’s an experience made even more special by the contrast between the energy of the streets far below and the tranquil ambiance of your rooftop aerie.
One standout is The Roof at Podium in Bangkok. This rooftop venue crowns the upscale Hyde hotel, its sleek patio jutting out over the cityscape 39 floors below. Savor tuna tataki and wagyu burgers as you look out at ancient temples and glimmering highrises through the tropical greenery fringing the space. At night, flickering city lights stretch out in all directions from your candlelit table. You’ll feel a world away from the chaotic energy of Bangkok swirling hundreds of feet beneath you.
New York City always brings the wow factor - and nowhere more so than at west-facing Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge atop Moxy Times Square. Its expansive AstroTurf-lined terrace offers some of the most jaw-dropping sunset views around, looking directly at the silhouette of Midtown awash in golden light. Pair those fiery hues with a spicy blood orange margarita and mushroom flatbread, and you have an Instagram-worthy experience. Watch as the sky shifts from blue, to pink, to dusky purple above the iconic skyline.
In Chicago, LondonHouse’s tri-level rooftop draws guests outside during summer with cozy cabanas, firepits, and dazzling city panoramas. From this lively 22nd-floor perch, landmarks like the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower are laid out before you. Savor the fresh ricotta cavatelli or simply relax on a chaise lounge with a craft IPA in hand, soaking up panoramic views of the Windy City.
Down in Miami Beach, Sugar at East Hotel lures guests with a 40-foot bar and palm-fringed pool bordering an expansive terrace. Unwind here after a day of sunbathing, feasting on ahi tuna tartare as DJs spin and the sun sinks into Biscayne Bay. Take a refreshing dip in the pool between crafted cocktails like ginger pear martinis - an elevated oasis above the pulsing South Beach scene.