Food is a major reason to travel the world, as there are delectable dishes found in every corner of the globe. But for hungry travelers seeking a particularly thrilling experience, there are a few restaurants that take adventurous eating to a whole new level. From below the ocean waves to precarious mountaintops, these eateries offer up tasty bites in unexpected environments. For some unforgettable meals, here are seven of the world’s most extreme restaurants.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant — Rangalifinolhu, Maldives
Located at the Conrad luxury hotel in the island nation of the Maldives, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is the world’s first submerged eatery. This unparalleled restaurant allows diners the chance to enjoy a meal at depths over 15 feet below the surface of the Indian Ocean. In order to reach this dining area, foodies make their way to a thatched hut at the end of a jetty and descend down a spiral staircase. Inside the restaurant are 270° panoramic views of the surrounding coral gardens and vibrant marine life. The menu offers a contemporary fusion of local cuisine with both Western and Asian influence, as well as award-winning cocktails for any time of day. Be sure to book your reservations soon, as the restaurant was initially estimated to last only until 2025, given the extreme surrounding conditions.
El Diablo Restaurant — Lanzarote, Spain
Located on the Spanish island of Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park is composed entirely of volcanic soil, which is ingeniously used by chefs to cook the dishes at El Diablo Restaurant. Given the harsh and volatile terrain, restaurant architects laid nine layers of basalt rock to create the foundation, and also constructed a massive grill atop an opening above the bubbling lava below. With temperatures reaching an excess of 750°F, chefs use the incredible heat to roast succulent meats ranging from chicken to chorizo and other Spanish-style delicacies. Perhaps best of all, the restaurant features large glass windows that allow views of the brilliant red rocks that compose the surrounding national park. Rest easy, the volcano has been dormant for two centuries and those ambitious enough to eat at El Diablo needn’t worry about their safety.
The Rock — Zanzibar, Tanzania
The Zanzibar archipelago is located off the eastern coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It’s here that you can find a former fishing outpost turned restaurant known as the Rock. This open-air terrace gazes out upon the glistening ocean on three sides, and sits just off the coast of Michamvi Pingwe beach. While you can walk to the restaurant during low tide, it’s only accessible by boat during high tide, so be sure to make your reservations accordingly. The seafood-heavy menu combines regional favorites with Italian influence, leaving those lucky enough to book a spot at one of the 12 tables in culinary heaven.
CuliAir Skydining — Velp, Netherlands
CuliAir takes fine dining where no chefs had brought it before — high into the sky aboard a hot air balloon. This unusual culinary experience began as an idea from Dutch master chef Angélique Schmeinck in 2003. The balloon features a small kitchen and prep area with accompanying seating in a semi-circular fashion. Schmeinck ingeniously uses the same heat source not only to cook the food, but also to lift the hot air balloon into the sky. Special steel oven baskets are raised high into the balloon to cook at low temperatures, and then lowered to be finished atop the hotter grill located within the specially-designed kitchen space. CuliAir balloon trips began in the town of Velp but are now available at several locations throughout the Netherlands, and the company is capable of accommodating 600 hungry and adventurous passengers per season.
SnowCastle of Kemi — Kemi, Finland
Since 1996, Kemi, Finland, has been home to the famed and frigid SnowCastle, which welcomes guests looking for an untraditional hotel experience. One particularly icy yet enjoyable element of this massive snow structure is the restaurant, where bundled diners sit atop fur-topped stumps at a table composed of solid ice. It’s not just the furniture that’s made of ice, but also the cups, which serve up refreshing berry beverages made from local fare — there are also options such as mulled wine if you prefer a warmer treat. The SnowCastle’s menu offers regional delicacies such as creamy parsnip soup, reindeer filet, and cranberry mousse. While the SnowCastle used to be solely a wintertime experience, a permanent structure was built in 2019 and now welcomes adventurous diners year round.
Huashan Teahouse — Weinan, China
Mount Hua in Weinan, China, extends 6,562 feet above sea level, and for over 1,000 years, a Buddhist and Taoist temple has stood atop the mighty mountain. Today, this building is known as the Huashan Teahouse, and while their menu may be limited, they’re proud to serve up warm cups of tea to any adventurers passing through. The peak of the mountain is accessible by scaling the “Heavenly Stairs,” which porters ascend carrying jugs of water used to make the tea. This precarious cafe is well worth the trip, as there’s nothing more serene than enjoying a cup of tea and some light fare upon reaching the precipice. Those who make it to this tea house feel a sense of deep connection with past cultures, as they too enjoyed cups of hot tea from atop Mount Hua all those years ago.
La Mesita de Almanza — Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
For adventurers looking to travel to the extremes of the Earth, there’s perhaps no better destination than Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago located at Argentina’s southern tip. This region is home to the small town of Ushuaia, Argentina, which is known in Spanish as “el fin del mundo” (the end of the world). Located several miles east of Ushuaia is the tiny eatery La Mesita de Almanza. This extremely isolated restaurant offers incredible views of the idyllic fjords of the Beagle Channel and the nearby snow-capped mountains, while also serving up freshly caught seafood. This restaurant is among the most desirable places to eat anywhere in the world in terms of wait time, requiring diners to book a table six months in advance.
