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When it comes to fine dining, the setting is just as important as the cuisine. Whether it be moody lighting, modern decor, or tapping into the surrounding natural elements, it all goes towards making your meal an experience. Here, we picked the best restaurants with a view, from 360 scenes in Sydney to romantic outlooks in Mexico, these are the eateries where the sights make the setting.
The Mandarin Oriental, New York City: A signature rooftop amongst New Yorkers, you'll oftentimes find the business elite on this hotel's top floor. As you take in iconic views of Columbus Circle and Central Park, sip on an expertly crafted martini and light bites.
Ting at The Shard Hotel, London: With breathtaking views of the London skyline and sleek Asian-inspired decor, Ting is everything a glamorous escape should be–complete with panoramic views. Serving elevated British fare with an Asian twist, like hand-dived scallops with carrot, ginger and yuzu, or lychee mousse with pistachio cake, Ting (which derives from the Chinese word for 'living room) is anything but informal.
The Rooftop at The London, West Hollywood, Los Angeles: Epitomizing quintessential Hollywood glamour, the rooftop at The London is the perfect space to take in cosmopolitan views with laid-back California ease. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and fresh shrimp ceviche as you sit among the fire pits on chic white couches.
Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar at Hotel Rosewood, San Miguel, Mexico: Overlooking the romantic skyline of San Miguel, you can't help but be relaxed amid luminaries and rich shades of terracotta that contrast beautifully with the bright blue sky. Choose from an authentic tapas menu with perfectly crafted margaritas as you feel transported to simpler times.
Le Jules Verne, Paris:Built within the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne is an iconic Parisian spot, giving you breathtaking views of the romantic city from one of its most prized pieces of architecture. Epitomizing luxe French fare and serving only 100% French wines, you can choose between a 5 or 6-course 'experience' dinner, or a 3-course lunch.
360 Bar & Dining, Sydney: With sweeping views of the Sydney skyline, 360 Bar & Dining at the top of the Sydney Tower is a 'rooftop' you won't want to miss. With dark wood finishes and soft light sculptures, the mood sets itself as you dine on a 2-3 course meal of everything from oysters to handmade tagliatelle.
The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo: Signature, the hotel's restaurant helmed by Chef Nicolas Boujéma, is constantly reinventing fine French cuisine, adding doses of modern flair. Test your palette on foie gras in ravioli with snow peas and duck velouté, all while looking out at the twinkling lights of Tokyo.
White Rabbit, Moscow: Situated under a glass dome on the 16th floor of Smolenskiy Passage, this spot allows you access to full views of Moscow, as well as classic Russian cuisine with a fanciful twist. Think veal tongue stewed in cherry and morel sauce, or spelt wheat porridge with omul caviar and smoked sour cream. The restaurant also features a 'gastrobar,' where cooks and bartenders talk to guests across a two-way counter and reveal the key to specific dishes and cocktails, making White Rabbit a spot you don't want to miss.
Le Georges, Centre Pompidou, Paris: While Le Jules Verne is definitely a spot to see, one of the best parts of the Parisian skyline is gazing out at the Eiffel Tower–which is hard to do if your dining at its peak. Le Georges in the Centre Pompidou allows you to do just that–along with taking in the views of the Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. Sip on champagne or feast on decadent mushroom ravioli as you take in unforgettable views of the city.
Aroma, Rome:Perched at the tip of Palazzo Manfredi, Aroma is a terrace gem with views of the Colosseum and stunning Roman architecture. Take in the ancient sights as you enjoy en elevated Italian meal, full of artfully paired wines and delectable a la carte selections.
