Those that tire of hum-drum, run-of-the-mill chain restaurants can take a walk on the wild side at any of these extreme dining experiences. Intrepid restaurateurs around the world are building food service establishments in all kinds of unique locations, giving adventurous foodies the perfect place to sit down for a world-class meal. Texas Culinary school students should take note of these innovative locations when looking for inspiration of their own.
Dinner underwater
Ithaa?, part of the Conrad resort, is located in the Maldives on Rangali Island. It also happens to be five meters underwater among a coral garden. Surrounded in glass, diners at this exclusive underwater restaurant have the opportunity to eat with the fishes as wild ocean life swims around them.
Lunch in a volcano
The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania is perched on the top of the largest volcanic caldera in the world. The natural formation was created by a volcano that collapsed in on itself, leaving behind a wide crater. The crater lodge restaurant offers diners superlative views of the surrounding African landscape.
Mountaintop dining
The restaurant at the Edelweiss Hotel in Murren, Switzerland boasts some spectacular view of the Swiss Alps. The garden terrace juts out over a lush, sweeping valley in the mountain range. From this vantage point, visitors enjoy a panoramic vista that includes popular peaks such as Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Visit in the summer to see the stark contrast of the snow-capped peaks towering over the green valleys.
Cocktails in a cave
At the Rayavadee Resort in Krabi, Thailand, lunch and dinner are served in a magical limestone cave on the resort’s white sand beach. Appropriately named The Grotto, this restaurant is located under a cliff, surrounding diners with sculptural rock formations. Be sure to stop by for dinner to see the sun set over the crystal blue waters.
Those seeking a subterranean dining experience without checking into a resort need look no further than Ali Barbour’s Cave in Diani Beach, Kenya. Located just south of Mombasa, this restaurant was built inside a cave with a naturally-formed skylight. The circular opening in the roof of the dining room opens up to the starry skies above, giving the space a truly romantic ambience.
Snacking in a waterfall
The Waterfalls Restaurant at Villa Escudero in the Philippines is comprised of bamboo tables placed right at the base of a rushing waterfall. Enjoying lunch while the cool water rushes over your feet is one of the most unique dining experiences in the world.
