We’ve all picked restaurants for the food, the drinks, maybe even the music and desserts (because priorities). But every now and then, a place comes along that makes you pause to take a look. Not because of what’s on the menu, but because of where you are. At these places, midway through a meal, you look around and realise you’re dining somewhere you perhaps never thought you’d dine. Be it inside one of the wonders of the world, under the actual ocean, perched atop a mighty cliff, or tucked into a train carriage (or even better, a train station).
Around the world, restaurants are breaking out of the usual mould and turning location into the centre of attention. It’s no longer just about good food (though that helps); it’s about the experience of getting there, the setting that surrounds you, and the feeling of being surrounded by the unique space you’re in. A table inside the Eiffel Tower. A dinner surrounded by snow or underneath a cave. These aren’t just meals, they’re probably one of the best experiences you’ll take home from your vacation abroad.
Today, when everyone is looking for something memorable, these restaurants offer experiences that are much more than just good food or nice reviews. If you want a bit of adventure with your meal, these places show that the best tables can be found in the most unexpected locations.
Le Jules Verne, Paris, France
There are restaurants with a view, and then there’s Le Jules Verne—quite literally set inside one of the most recognisable structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower. Located on the second floor of the tower, this 2-Michelin-star restaurant is accessed via a private lift, which already makes the experience feel set apart from the crowds below. Once you’re in, floor-to-ceiling windows open out to sweeping views of Paris: the Seine, Haussmann rooftops, and landmarks that slowly light up as the evening sets in.
The food matches the setting in intent and precision. Led by multi-Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Anton, the menu focuses on contemporary French cuisine, built around seasonal ingredients and classic technique. It’s largely tasting-menu driven, which means you’re here for a curated experience rather than à la carte grazing. Dishes change with the seasons, but you can expect refined plates that highlight French produce, including delicately cooked seafood, perfectly executed meats, and desserts that are unlike much of what you’ve had before. Wine pairings are also a big part of the experience, with a strong focus on French vineyards.
Here, you’re not just dining in Paris; you’re dining within it, suspended above the city as it moves around you!
Address: Avenue Gustave Eiffel 2ème, Eiffel Tower, Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–1:30 pm, 7–9 pm)
Price per person: $400-$500 approx
The Grotto, Krabi, Thailand
If there’s one restaurant that truly leans into the idea of location as the experience, it’s The Grotto. Set beneath a natural limestone cave along Phra Nang Beach in Krabi, this is the kind of place where you’re quite literally dining with cliffs rising behind you and the sea stretching out in front. Part of the Rayavadee, the setting feels almost unreal, especially at sunset, when the sky shifts colour, and the entire cave glows in soft, golden light. The best part? You’re right inside the limestone caves, dining, quite literally, in the midst of nature.
The menu keeps things simple, with the surroundings doing most of the talking. There are lots of Thai and seafood dishes on the menu (for good reason, considering the location), focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Grilled seafood is a big crowd-puller, including whole fish, prawns, and lobster cooked over charcoal.
You’ll also find classic Thai dishes such as pad Thai, green curry, and som tam (papaya salad), all done in a way that’s more comforting rather than experimental. For something more indulgent, their beachside barbecue dinners often feature seafood platters with grilled meats and sides and are among the most talked-about experiences.
Desserts and lighter bites also appear if you’re stopping by during the day. Fresh tropical fruits, coconut-based sweets, and simple refreshments fit seamlessly into the setting. But the real reward? You’re barefoot in the sand, waves gently rolling in, limestone cliffs towering above, and a plate of freshly grilled seafood in front of you.
Address: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–10:30 pm)
Price per person: $150 approx
ice Q, Sölden, Austria
Perched at over 3,000 metres above sea level, ice Q isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an experience that quite literally sits above the clouds. Located atop the Gaislachkogl peak in Sölden, Austria, this sleek, glass-walled structure looks like something out of a futuristic film (and, in fact, it was, as featured in Spectre). Surrounded by panoramic views of the Ötztal Alps, the setting is dramatic in the best way possible—snow-capped peaks in every direction, crisp mountain air, and a sense of stillness you rarely find at this altitude.
Getting there is really part of the experience. You take a series of cable cars up the mountain, and as you finally spot the restaurant, it feels suspended in the landscape. And of course, the food matches the setting. ice Q does refined alpine cuisine with a modern European touch, using regional ingredients that reflect the Tyrolean landscape.
On the menu, expect dishes like beef tartare, char or trout from alpine waters, and carefully plated meat courses that are perfect for meat lovers. One of the highlights is their wine programme. The restaurant houses one of Austria’s highest wine cellars, with an extensive list that pairs beautifully with the menu.
At ice Q, you’re sitting in a design-forward space, sipping wine, eating beautifully plated food—and just beyond the glass walls is an endless expanse of mountains. For mountain lovers, it doesn’t get better than this.
Address: Gaislachkogl Bergstation Dorfstraße 115, 6450 Sölden, Austria
Timings: Monday to Sunday (9 am—4 pm)
Price per person: $200 approx
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives
Dining five metres below sea level sounds like something out of a fantasy, but at Ithaa, it’s very real. Located at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, this all-glass, tunnel-like restaurant is surrounded entirely by the Indian Ocean. As you sit down, reef sharks, stingrays, and schools of tropical fish glide past on all sides, turning your meal into something that’s straight out of a dream at best.
The space is intimate, with a handful of tables beneath the curved acrylic ceiling which only means one thing: reservations are highly sought after, and the experience is exclusive at best. Sunlight filters through the water during the day, casting rippling patterns across the room, while dinner brings a darker mood.
The menu features contemporary European cuisine with a special focus on seafood, which is only fitting given your surroundings. Crowd pullers include dishes like Maldivian lobster carpaccio, reef fish prepared with house-made sauces, and premium meats like wagyu beef for those who want something richer. Wine pairings are also a great attraction for connoisseurs.
But what truly sets Ithaa apart is the immersive experience. When dining, you’re not just looking at the ocean, you’re in it! Surrounded by marine life, you’re watching a whole different world move around you as you eat.
Address: Rangali Island, 20077, Maldives
Timings: Monday to Sunday (8–9:30 am, 11 am–12 pm, 12:30–3 pm, 6–9 pm)
Price per person: $238 for lunch, $390 for dinner
Nōksu, New York City, USA
Hidden in plain sight—quite literally beneath the bustle of Herald Square Subway Station—Nōksu is the kind of restaurant you’d walk past without ever realising what’s tucked below. And that’s part of the charm. Once you find your way in, the chaos of New York fades almost instantly, replaced by a quiet, intimate counter where every seat faces the kitchen.
This Michelin-starred spot offers a fine-dining Korean tasting-menu where everything is built around precision and storytelling. Each dish is rooted in Korean flavours presented in a modern, almost minimalist sensibility. Ingredients are seasonal, techniques are meticulous, and there’s a strong emphasis on balance—nothing feels excessive, but every dish feels considered.
While the menu keeps changing, diners can expect courses with generous amounts of seafood, meats, and broths and small plates featuring fermentation—a hallmark of Korean cuisine. The pacing is slow and intentional, with chefs often explaining the dishes as they’re served, adding another layer to the experience.
What makes Nōksu stand out isn’t just the food, it’s the whole contrast of the space. While you’re dining in a refined, fine dine space, just outside is one of the busiest transit stations in the city. That juxtaposition, with luxury tucked beneath everyday movement, is what makes it feel so fresh, unexpected, and experiential. NYC is the city of fun dining, and this is just one of the many hundreds of spots doing cool things!
Address: 49 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001, United States
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday (5–11 pm)
Price per person: $225–$255+
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