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.
Which of these best restaurant views would you most like to see?
Jennifer Dombrowski
Jennifer Dombrowski is a location independent globe trotter and bases herself in Prata di Pordenone, Italy. She works as a social media and innovation strategist in higher education and is a regular contributor on johnnyjet.com. Her website, jdombstravels.com, is the 2012 Destinology Travel Bloggy Best Newcomer award winner. Google+
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We’re Jennifer and Tim and we love traveling! We are just one ordinary couple who have found that travel brought us closer together, taught us patience, the art of compromise, and how to truly appreciate the diversity of this extraordinary world. So far, we've visited 37 countries, lived in the United States and Italy, and Tim has lived in Korea. And we do it all while both holding down full time jobs. 
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Matthew Hirtes
March 4, 2013 at 7:46 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
If you’re ever in Gran Canaria, Artenara’s La Silla offers a meal with a view. Of the island’s iconic Roque Nublo. Now that’s what I call a sun terrace. Check out the image here: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/50216349.
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 4th, 2013 at 9:14 pm
Very nice! Do you hike to get to the restaurant?
We had a superb view at a mountain hut near Appenzell, Switzerland too but didn’t include it in this post because it’s not easy to get to.
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Andi Perullo de Ledesma
March 4, 2013 at 11:16 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
OMG these are sensational!
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Jdomb's Travels Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:08 pm
Thanks, Andi! It's fun to look back and see how many sensational restaurant views we've been blessed to see.
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memographer
March 5, 2013 at 2:20 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
All are incredibly beautiful! The last one, however, is a breathtaking one!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:30 am
Definitely! We’re headed back to Santorini in June and can’t wait to visit Restaurant Iris again for the views and the lobster!
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Andrea
March 5, 2013 at 6:24 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
These are impressive! We’ve had a meal at a place with great views in Santorini but I don’t think it was the same one
Andrea recently posted..Arctic Gem: Lyngen Lodge, Norway
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:33 am
I think it might be hard to find a bad view in Santorini. But the food has to equal the spectacular setting and Restaurant Iris definitely does that!
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D.J. - The World of Deej
March 5, 2013 at 11:53 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Some awesome views…Next time you’re in San Francisco, pay a visit to Top of the Mark:)
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:35 am
Thanks for the suggestion, Deej! We’ll have to check that one out.
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LappOne
March 6, 2013 at 9:30 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Osteria Liberamente in Siena – fantastic view of the Campo square.
Il Bolognese in Rome – see Piazza del Popolo and Villa Borghese from the terrace!
12th floor bar in Torni Hotel in Helsinki – you'll try that one soon
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Jdomb's Travels Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:07 pm
We love Villa Borghese! Can't wait to experience Torni Hotel in Helsinki in just a few weeks!
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Peter Lee
March 8, 2013 at 11:56 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
These restaurants are really a paradise for foodies like me. I am amazed with the first one. Seaview is awesome and now I am planning my next holiday trip to Maldives. Thanks for sharing all these restaurants list.
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 9th, 2013 at 9:50 am
Jealous, Peter! We want to go back to the Maldives. You’ll have to let us know if you make it to Sea!
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Jessica
March 11, 2013 at 7:13 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
I’m thinking that the spinning restaurant in Vegas will be great for my husbands 30th birthday! Thanks for the suggestion! And that restaurant in the Maldives is to die for! Hope I get there some day!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 11th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
That will be a great place to celebrate a 30th birthday, Jessica! Let us know how you enjoy it!
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Jonathan DeLise
March 13, 2013 at 11:23 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Mano’s Greek Taverna in Tagaytay, overlooking Lake Taal- The Philippines
- The revolving restaurant at the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang, though this entry is a bit tongue-in-cheek
-My (our) driver set up a bit of a pop-up eating station at Salar de Uyuni, on the “island”. Quinoa and llama starred.
Others do exist, but I can’t recall them now.
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Looks like some great suggestions, Jonathan! We haven’t been to the Phillippines yet, though we hear they are fantastic.
Jennifer Dombrowski recently posted..Wine Wednesday: Spritz Aperol
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Marisa Procopio
March 13, 2013 at 11:59 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Club Bali Ha’i's (Mo’orea, French Polynesia) Blue Coconut, in Cook’s Bay, facing the water and lush, tropical green mountain tops.
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
Sounds like an amazing view, Marisa!
Jennifer Dombrowski recently posted..Wine Wednesday: Spritz Aperol
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Connie Kumpf Gibson
March 23, 2013 at 6:39 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Amazing views! Loved the under the water one best! Love reading about all your adventures! Keep them coming!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 10:19 pm
Thanks so much, Connie! Yes, the underwater restaurant was incredible. Such a unique experience.
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Deb
April 17, 2013 at 10:14 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
You have had some pretty spectacular views indeed. Love the view from the Miramonti Boutique Hotel the best, but it is a difficult choice. They’re all awesome. Great to see a wrap up of some of the places you’ve been recently. Cheers.
Deb recently posted..Moroccan Food: A Feast for the Senses
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
April 19th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
Thanks, Deb! The Miramonti was gorgeous. You and Dave would enjoy it there. Hiking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter both nearby.
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