This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
by Sarah Bruning, Condé Nast Traveler
We love good food here at Condé Nast Traveler. But we can't lie--location matters, too. And there's no doubt we'd go out of our way to visit a restaurant in an an amazing and unexpected location--like the ocean floor, perhaps, or inside an ice castle...
1. UNDER THE SEA Ithaa Undersea Restaurant Rangali Island, Maldives
Situated more than 16 feet below sea level in the Indian Ocean, this glass-enclosed spot cost about $5 million USD to construct. Patrons can scope 180-degree views of coral reefs and a wide variety of fish, as well as manta rays, sharks, and other aquatic inhabitants.
Advertisement
Courtesy Conrad
2. IN AN ICE CASTLE LumiLinna Snowcastle Restaurant Kemi, Finland
Don't even think about ditching your coat once you're inside; the food served may be warm, but the temp at this eatery is a steady -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Farenheit). Typically open from January through April--for as long as the weather hovers around -8 Celsius (about 18 degrees Fahrenheit)--this icy architectural wonder is reconstructed every year from a special set of molds.
Timo Laapotti
3. IN A TREE The Dining Pod Koh Kood, Thailand
The barefoot-chic Soneva Resorts are all about the surrounding turquoise waters, and the company has made water part of its commitment to doing the right thing. Soneva banned imported bottled water and instead sells its own water in reusable glass containers. The benefits are twofold: It eliminates carbon emissions from transporting plastic bottles, and 50 percent of the water revenue helps fund global water projects. More than $600,000 has been raised so far, helping about 600,000 people in 52 countries.
Advertisement
Courtesy of Soneva Resorts
4. ON A REMOTE ROCK The Rock Zanzibar, Africa
What began as a fisherman's post off the coast of Michanvi Pingwe beach has become the location of one of Zanzibar's most iconic seafood restaurants. During low tide, guests can walk from shore, but during high tide, the eatery provides boat service.
Courtesy the Rock
5. ON THE SIDE OF A CLIFF Aescher Wasserauen, Switzerland
The Alpine altitude won't be the only thing taking your breath away at this cliffside chalet; the cable car ride up is just as amazing/terrifying. But even if you're wary of heights, the mountain views will be worth braving the trek.
Advertisement
imageBROKER / Alamy
6. IN A REFURBISHED GREENHOUSE De Kas Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In 2001, Michelin-starred chef Gert Jan Hagemen prevented this glass structure from being demolished and transformed it into a farm-to-table restaurant, where many ingredients are picked fresh daily from the garden outside.
Wiskerke / Alamy
7. IN A CAVE Grotta Palazzese Puglia, Italy
Tucked inside a limestone cavern, this summer-only spot (open May through October) has hosted elegant dinners since the 18th century, when Italian nobility held banquets in the space.
LOOK Die Bildagentur der Fotografen GmbH / Alamy
8. IN AN AIRPLANE The Airplane Restaurant, Colorado, United States
Used in the 1950s to refuel other aircraft, this Boeing KC-97 tanker has been converted into a fully functioning restaurant in which 42 people can nibble on all-American fare.
Franck Fotos / Alamy
9. HANGING FROM A CRANE Dinner in the Sky, Locations vary
Inviting friends to dinner is one thing, but hosting a fete, 160 feet up in the air? Now that's a party. Offered in several cities as a pop-up restaurant, this roving soiree straps participants to chairs surrounding a fully set table.
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.