The World’s Coolest Restaurants for Foodie Travellers to Dine At

If you are a foodie, you know that part of what makes travelling so special is trying new delicacies in inventive locations. For travellers who want more than just food, these restaurants turn meals into adventures. From space stations to whimsical worlds, each spot offers a completely curated experience.

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Cool new restaurants to add to your bucket list

1. Experience flying at McDonald’s in a DC‑3 aircraft  in New Zealand

Step aboard a vintage DC‑3 aircraft in Taupō, New Zealand. This McDonald’s turns a classic plane into a dining space. Guests sit in the cockpit and cabin while enjoying burgers and fries. The restaurant keeps the classic McDonald’s menu, including Big Macs, Chicken McNuggets, and their famous fries.

Some visitors try the limited-edition plane-themed meals, like a “Pilot Burger” with extra cheese or a “Flight Combo” with a novelty drink. Aviation fans and families leave with full stomachs and plenty of photos.

2. Taste food that is out of this world at Space 220 in Florida

Ascend 220 miles above Earth at Space 220 in EPCOT, Florida. The restaurant simulates a space station with panoramic views of our planet. Diners feel as if they are orbiting in zero gravity.

The menu matches the high-concept setting. Start with Galactic Greens or a charred octopus appetizer. For mains, try the space-aged ribeye or roasted chicken with truffle mash. Finish with Milky Way cheesecake or a dessert platter shaped like planets. Each dish pairs with the futuristic view for a complete experience.

3. Watch Performers as you eat at Circus in London

Visit London’s Circus for a dinner full of excitement. Acrobats, fire acts, and cabaret performances accompany pan-Asian cuisine. Diners enjoy a show with every course.

The menu is as thrilling as the entertainment. Start with dim sum or miso soup, then move on to Korean barbecue or Thai green curry. For dessert, share chocolate fondue or Asian-inspired sweets. The lively flavours match the high-energy atmosphere.

4. Dine under the sea at Ithaa, Maldives

Descend five metres below the Indian Ocean into a glass tunnel. Fish, rays, and coral surround you as you sit at Ithaa, creating a surreal underwater theatre. Sunlight filters through the water, casting shimmering patterns across the tables.

The menu celebrates seafood with elegance. Try the pan-seared reef fish with lime beurre blanc or a creamy lobster bisque. Every bite feels heightened by the view, as the ocean itself becomes part of the dining experience.

5. Hang Off a Cliff in Fangweng, China

Step onto a wooden platform carved into a sheer cliff wall. Below, a river gorge rushes past, and the wind brushes your face, carrying scents of forest and water. The platform feels alive, balancing danger and serenity.

Fangweng serves stir-fried river fish, smoked bamboo chicken, and spicy tofu. The height intensifies flavours, making each dish tender fish, fragrant herbs, and smoky spice, making it unforgettable. Simple food becomes dramatic when paired with the view.

6. Grill with volcanic heat in El Diablo, Spain

Enter Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape and watch chefs cook over natural fumaroles. The heat comes from the earth itself, adding a smoky, mineral flavour to each dish.

Charred lamb chops, garlic prawns, and fire-roasted vegetables sizzle on the volcanic grills. The fiery surroundings make sunset dinners even more spectacular. Every bite tastes like adventure, with the volcano lending a natural aroma to the meal.

7. Take a chill pill at the Chill Out Ice Lounge, Dubai

Step into a frozen room and wrap yourself in thick jackets. Ice benches, walls, and sculptures glint under blue lights, creating a surreal environment.

Sip hot spiced chocolate or mulled wine while nibbling warm sliders, roasted nuts, and cheesy breadsticks. The contrast of warm food and icy surroundings sharpens flavours, making even simple snacks taste extraordinary.

8. Sit beneath a Waterfall in Villa Escudero, Philippines

Walk barefoot through a shallow stream and step into a dining area set directly at the base of a waterfall. Water flows gently over smooth stones and around bamboo tables, keeping the air cool and the mood relaxed. The sound of rushing water fills the space, replacing music and chatter with a constant, calming rhythm.

The meal comes served Filipino-style on banana leaves. Expect grilled tilapia, adobo chicken, crispy fried pork, fresh vegetables, and ripe plantains. You eat with your hands, feet in the water, and nature all around. The setting slows you down. Each bite tastes simple, grounding, and deeply memorable.

9. Watch Robots Dance at the Robot Restaurant, Tokyo, Japan

Step into a neon-lit basement in Shinjuku and enter a sensory overload of lasers, pounding music, and flashing lights. The Robot Restaurant is less about quiet dining and more about high-energy spectacle, where giant robots, costumed dancers, and LED-covered floats battle and parade through narrow aisles. The décor leans deliberately over-the-top, mixing futuristic machines with pop culture, manga, and retro sci-fi flair.

The menu keeps things playful and easy to eat during the show. Expect sushi rolls, crispy takoyaki, fried chicken, bento boxes, and colourful drinks served in souvenir cups. The food supports the experience rather than stealing focus, allowing you to snack while robots clash and performers dance just metres away. Here, dinner becomes part of the show, and the show is the main event.

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A slice of adventure

Dining doesn’t have to be ordinary. These restaurants prove that food can entertain, surprise, and delight. Each meal is meant to be savoured amidst niche encounters.

Whether you sit in a plane, orbit in a space station, or brave exotic dishes, the world’s coolest restaurants invite you to play, explore, and savour every bite. These meals are a reminder that sometimes, the best memories are made where the food is as adventurous as the journey.