Searching for a (dining) room with a view? From Italy's bucket list-worthy restaurant offering panoramic cityscapes to eateries set amid breathtaking cliffside backdrops, these gastronomic destinations are guaranteed to give diners a meal to remember in more ways than one
With global travel to many countries effectively put on hold in 2020, staycations within the emirates became our saviour. But thanks to the government’s swift vaccination programme—it’s estimated that almost half the population of the United Arab Emirates has been vaccinated so far—this summer has seen the tentative return of traditional travel. Hotels and resorts have opened their doors once again to international visitors, and non-essential air travel between countries and continents is slowly but surely getting back to pre-pandemic levels.
In June the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased its travel recommendations for 61 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, by moving them from Level 4 (its highest rating that had discouraged all travel) to Level 3 which allows for travel for fully vaccinated individuals; while in Europe France, Spain, Italy and Greece have also been open to visitors since June, with the rest of the EU receiving visitors since early July. So, if you’re planning your first big post-pandemic trip, or are simply looking for restaurants to add to your bucket list, then read on to discover some of the best food and views in the world. A feast for the senses that you'll never forget.
La Sponda at Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy
Lit by 400 candles and positioned along Positano’s iconic coastline, La Sponda at Le Sirenuse offers one of the most spectacular restaurant views in all of Italy—and in a country that boasts thousands of miles of coastline and ancient architecture, that’s saying something. The Amalfi Coast celebrity favourite, which has seen the likes of Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon check in, was previously the summer residence of the noble Neapolitan Sersale family and is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Accordingly, Chef Gennaro Russo has created a new seasonal menu named Vesuvio that pays homage to the area’s fishing and farming culture, age-old gastronomic traditions and the rich biodiversity of the region that stretches from Mount Vesuvius to Naples and the Amalfi Coast. If a more casual culinary experience is what you’re after, Aldo’s Cocktail Bar and Seafood Grill on the terrace offers an open-air front row seat to the stunning panorama of the bay of Positano below. Tel: +39 089 875066; book now
Lycabettus at Andronis Luxury Suites, Oia, Santorini, Greece
Santorini is famous for its sunsets, and the village of Oia attracts thousands of visitors to its labyrinth of quaint cobbled streets to catch a glimpse from what has been unofficially deemed the best vantage point on the island. But if you want to beat the crowds and witness dusk descend while also experiencing fine dining with a Grecian twist, Lycabettus at Andronis Luxury Suites provides the perfect picturesque alternative—the restaurant balcony terrace offers 360-degree views and, quite literally, juts out of the cliff. The menu focuses on locally-sourced seafood and has distinct Greek and Mediterranean influences. Chef Nikos Leivadias’ main aim is to promote modern Greek cuisine and seasonal produce, and he does it in style. Tel: +30 2286072041; book now
andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania
Dubbed the game lodge at the top of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge fuses all the trappings of a baroque chateau (brocade furnishings, gilt mirrors, crystal chandeliers) with African design elements inspired by the Maasai tribe to create a truly unique experience, even if it is difficult to get to—guests must fly to Lake Manyara Airstrip from Arusha Airport before being collected in closed game viewing vehicles to drive to the lodge. But nothing worthwhile ever comes easy and what andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge lacks in accessibility, it makes up for in an abundance of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Comprising of three different camps—North, South and Tree Camp—each one has its own sitting and dining areas with private butlers, but guests can also enjoy the resort’s Pan-African cuisine al fresco to make the most of the incredible views dotted with wildlife on the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world. Or if you really want to feel at one with nature, the resort also offers a Crater Floor Banquet set up, as you might imagine, on the crater floor—definitely not your average picnic spot. Tel: +27 11 809 4300; book now
Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California, USA
California’s rugged central coastline offers awe-inspiring views that feel like a different planet compared with the smog and soaring temperatures of Los Angeles, and Post Ranch Inn located in Big Sur arguably has the best one. Perched high on the cliffs, 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Sierra Mar, seamlessly blends in with its surroundings, and its floor-to-ceiling glass architecture will make you feel like you’re almost suspended in the air. With a focus on sustainability and environmental protection at the heart of the hotel’s agenda, every element has been carefully considered with eco-credentials in mind, including the restaurant’s produce—the menu features foraged ingredients discovered along the glorious coastline and nearby mountains, vegetables grown in the chef’s garden, and eggs from the farm’s own hens. Tel: +00 1 831 667 2800; book now
Panorama Restaurant at The Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland
There’s no shortage of five-star hotels and restaurants in County Kerry, one of Ireland’s most popular destinations for international tourists. But what makes The Europe Hotel & Resort stand out from the crowd is its unparalleled views and legendary hospitality. Located close to the southern coast and overlooking the Lakes of Killarney, the resort is celebrating six decades this year, and its Panorama Restaurant is the perfect place to take in the scope of the lakes and magnificent McGillicuddy Reeks mountain range in the distance. The seasonally inspired menus highlight the best of Irish and international cuisine and dishes centre on locally sourced ingredients—fresh Atlantic seafood is sourced just a few kilometres away, while its Irish Angus beef is sourced from the hotel’s farm, offering guests a true farm to fork experience. Tel: +353 63 667 1300; book now
