10 Best Restaurant Views

We’ve had some really delicious meals on our travels around the world. But a spectacular view makes a delicious meal even that more memorable! We’ve selected 10 of our favorite best restaurant views, where not only did the view make our jaws drop but the food was also unparalleled.

Photo courtesy of Anantara Kihavah Villas

Sea, Anantara Kihavah Villas Maldives

The View: Anantara Kihavah Villas Maldives Sea restaurant is sunk several meters into the Indian Ocean and rests on the edge of a sea cliff. Incredibly exclusive and luxe with just eight tables, every diner has an amazing 360° view of Maldivian reef fish, sea turtles, and even curious sharks that swim in from the deep waters.

The Food: Lunch is a set 3-course lobster menu of lobster spring rolls, lobster bisque with lobster fritters on asparagus sticks, and a grilled spiny lobster. A molten chocolate brownie is a sweet finish to the magical meal. Pair it with wine from the world’s only underwater wine cellar.

Tip: Sea is open for lunch and dinner. While lit with floodlights at night, visibility is much greater during the daytime. We highly recommend making a reservation for lunch.

Miramonti Boutique Hotel

Panorama at Miramonti Boutique Hotel

The View: At 1230 meters, the floor to ceiling glass restaurant Panorama juts out over the mountain side and has amazing views of the town of Merano below. With just 30 seats, all have a front row view of the twinkling lights below.

The Food: Chef Massimo Geromel creates a unique spin on local specialties like venison and roasted duck breast. Accompany menu choices with regional Sud Tirol wines at the suggestion of owner and sommelier Klaus.

Tip: Panorama is open for fine dining lunch on Sundays. Take in the Dolomites dusted in snow and watch for colorful paragliders to soar by.

Amaseena at Ritz-Carlton Dubai

The View: Amaseena at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai is a Bedouin village set right on the Ritz’ private beach with views of the Arabian Sea and Palm Island. As the sun sets, Atlantis on Palm Island sparkles in the night and the stars twinkle in the sky.

The Food: Chef ALHariri Hussam, of Lebanese and Syrian descent, and his staff prepare a nightly buffet which has 16 different kinds of mezzeh and appetizers alone! Lamb fatayer (appetizer sized Syrian meat pies with ground lamb), lamb kofta, prawns, and the pumpkin star anise soup were all favorites. Be sure to leave room for dessert and wash it all down with a perfectly sweetened pot of Moroccan mint tea.

Tip: Amaseena is open until 12am nightly and is a wonderful place to stop in for a pot of Moroccan mint tea and share a Apple Bahraini shisha, a flavored tobacco smoked socially from a hookah.

Perlan in Reykjavik, Iceland

The View: Situated high on the Öskjuhlíð hill, the Perlan overlooks the colorful city of Reykjavik below and has views stretching to the Atlantic Ocean. The restaurant slowly completes a full rotation as you dine, giving you a vantage and view of the entire city. A full rotation takes approximately two hours.

The Food: Michelin-star chef Philippe Girardon puts a fresh spin on Icelandic favorites like salt cod and Icelandic lobster tails. Lamb is always and excellent choice in Iceland and save room for the one of the dessert masterpieces.

Tip: The Perlan is the place to be on New Year’s Eve for a 360° view as Icelanders set off over 600 tons of fireworks.

Photo courtesy of Top of the World

Top of the World at the Stratosphere Las Vegas

The View: Located more than 800 feet above the Las Vegas Strip, Top of the World is another slow rotating restaurant that offers a panorama of the dazzling Las Vegas lights below. A full revolution takes 80 minutes.

The Food: You can’t go wrong with the four-course tasting menu featuring some of our own favorites such as lobster bisque and a center cut filet. Add a lobster tail and pair with the suggested wine flight. A dessert duo sweetly finishes off the meal.

Tip: Book a window table for the Fourth of July for an ultra-romantic way to view Las Vegas’ famed fireworks display.

Agriturismo Taverna di Bibbiano, San Gimignano

The View: Located on the edge of a hill, Agriturismo Taverna di Bibbiano looks directly across the rolling hills of Chianti to San Gimignano, with its’ remaining 14 towers rising skyward. The agriturismo looks west and there is hardly a more romantic spot to watch the sun dip below the city.

The Food: The menu changes regularly based upon ingredients that are in season and many of the ingredients come fresh from the agriturismo’s farm. We dined on a pear salad drizzled with balsamic glaze and Tuscan meatballs in a Chianti sauce accompanied by grilled, stuffed tomatoes. We paired the meal with a bottle of Chianti Classico. A warm chocolate and pear tart and a coffee was a sweet finish to our perfect little meal.

Tip: Outdoor seating is available April through October, weather permitting.

Arctandria, Tromso

The View: Set on the top floor a sprawling antique warehouse, a window table affords views across the fjord to the Arctic Cathedral.

The Food: Known as the best fish restaurant in Tromso, Arctandria is frequented by locals. The menu features the freshest catches and includes dishes such as a trio of king crab and arctic char with hazelnuts. Occasionally reindeer filet is also featured on the menu.

Tip: Arctandria opens early at 4pm and is the perfect place to have a delicious dinner before heading out on a Northern Lights tour.

Rosselini’s at Palazzo Avino

The View: Set 1000 meters above the Amalfi Coast in Ravello, Rosselini’s at Palazzo Avino looks down upon the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean.

The Food: Michelin-two-star Rosellini’s is where food meets art. Even something as simple as the butter was intricately carved into roses. The tasting menu offers perfect portion sizes of nine chef favorites such as hi tuna filet with caramelized capers and fried potato puree and the herb and cheese crusted rack of lamb with white asparagus and a leaf potato chip.

Tip: Rosselini’s is only open for dinner and is open from April through October. Reservations are required.

CS Vintage House, Douro, Portugal

The View: Lunch on the terrace at CS Vintage House affords diners a spectacular view of the terraced wine estates climbing vertically up the slopes from banks of the Douro River in Pinhão, Portugal.

The Food: Leisurely lunch on smoked ham carpaccio with melon and rosemary accompanied by a 2010 Floral da Vila Douro white wine, veal medallions with chestnuts and potato gratin accompanied by a 2010 Solar de Rede Douro red wine, and fresh berries over vanilla ice cream accompanied by port, of course!

Tip: Save room to indulge in the port and chocolate gourmet tasting in CS Vintage House’s Wine Academy. Chocolates handmade by the hotel’s in-house pastry chef accompany a white port, a 10 year old tawny port, a 40 year old tawny port, and a late bottled vintage port.

Restaurant Iris, Santorini, Greece

The View: Perched on a cliff side, Restaurant Iris has views that are nothing short of spectacular. Terrace tables look out over the steel blue Aegean Sea, the rocky caldera rim, and a gentle rise of volcanic islands.

The Food: The fish is fresh and all caught daily by fisherman who Restaurant Iris proprietor Yannis then purchases from. We dined on stuffed vine leaves, grilled snapper, and grilled lobster. We washed it all down with a local wine selected by Yannis for us.

Tip: If visiting Santorini on a cruise, rent a car or a a four-wheeler for the day to reach off-the-beaten-path Restaurant Iris.