40 Must-Visit Restaurants Around the World (41 Photos)

Dining out isn't just about grabbing a meal to satisfy your hunger—it can be a true adventure. Certain restaurants pair exquisite cuisine with breathtaking views and unforgettable atmospheres, inspiring food lovers to travel to the ends of the Earth just for a table.

From a snow village in Finland to an underwater dining room in the Maldives, take a virtual tour of 40 must-visit restaurants around the world. Pack your bags and… bon appétit!







1. Located inside Dubai’s luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel, Al Mahara serves some of the finest seafood in the city. A golden arch leads guests into a dining room built around a stunning floor-to-ceiling aquarium, where sharks, rays, and exotic fish glide past your table.



2. Taking the top spot on this year’s list of the world’s best restaurants is El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain. It is run by the three Roca brothers—a culinary dream team consisting of a head chef, a pastry chef, and a sommelier.



3. A New York institution since the late 19th century, Peter Luger serves classic steakhouse cuts in an unfussy, beer-hall setting. This Brooklyn favorite holds a Michelin star—and notably, still accepts cash only.



5. Set along the beach in Barcelona, Can Majó’s menu is packed with fresh seafood dishes, including classic Spanish paella made with saffron-infused rice, seafood, and chorizo.



6. Housed in a former private residence, Maní in São Paulo offers a warm, cozy atmosphere while ranking among the world's elite dining spots, taking 41st place this year.



7. Tokyo’s Sukiyabashi Jiro gained global fame after being featured in the documentary *Jiro Dreams of Sushi* and hosting U.S. President Barack Obama and Japan’s Prime Minister. Tucked away in an office building basement, this three-Michelin-starred spot offers an omakase experience crafted by the master chef that takes about 30 minutes and costs around $300.



8. Perched on a cliff high above the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur, California, Sierra Mar offers sweeping coastal views through floor-to-ceiling windows alongside one of the world's most award-winning wine lists.



9. Located in São Paulo, D.O.M. sources native ingredients directly from the Amazon rainforest to create authentic Brazilian cuisine. The restaurant ranked 9th on this year's world's best list.



10. Widely considered the world's first all-glass underwater restaurant, Ithaa sits 16 feet below sea level on Rangali Island in the Maldives. Diners are surrounded by vibrant coral gardens and exotic marine life.



11. Perched atop the DoubleTree by Hilton in Istanbul, 360 Istanbul East combines a restaurant, bar, and club. It boasts an open-air summer terrace complete with an infinity pool.



12. Blindekuh (German for 'Blind Man's Bluff') operates locations in Zurich and Basel, Switzerland. A pioneer in dark dining, the restaurant serves guests in total darkness, with service provided by blind or visually impaired staff.



13. Often described as Chef Thomas Keller's New York counterpart to Napa Valley's The French Laundry, Per Se is a standout of his renowned restaurant group. The three-Michelin-starred establishment presents classic French culinary techniques across daily changing nine-course tasting and vegetarian menus.



14. Bangkok's Gaggan serves progressive Indian cuisine, an innovative approach that landed the establishment at No. 10 on this year's world's best list.



15. Finland’s Lainio SnowVillage houses not only an ice hotel but also a snow restaurant. Rebuilt every year using 20 million kilograms of snow and 350,000 kilograms of ice, it serves traditional local fare in sub-zero temperatures (–2 to –5 °C), so bundling up is a must.



16. Set along the pristine shores of Natai Beach in Phuket, Thailand, Aziamendi is helmed by Eneko Atxa, the youngest Spanish chef to earn three Michelin stars. The menu offers a fusion of Spanish, Basque, and Thai flavors.



17. Mi Casa, one of Puerto Rico's finest Spanish restaurants, is located at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve on stunning Dorado Beach. Its menu features creative twists on classic dishes like asopao and lechón.



18. At Brooklyn’s only three-Michelin-starred establishment, The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, guests sit around a kitchen counter. The menu draws inspiration from French and Japanese traditions, focusing heavily on seafood.



19. Few dining vistas compare to that of La Chèvre d’Or in Èze, France, a village perched between Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera. The restaurant is part of a charming hotel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.



20. If you are looking for an ultra-remote, authentic dining experience, Fäviken is the place. Ranked 25th on this year’s world’s best list, this restaurant sits in an 18th-century barn in Järpen, Northern Sweden, and seats just 12 guests.



21. Temple Restaurant Beijing, serving European cuisine inside a restored former Tibetan temple, stands out as one of China’s finest dining venues, aided by its striking design and historical backdrop.



22. Perlan in Reykjavík is a revolving restaurant that completes a full rotation every two hours, giving diners panoramic views of the city as they indulge in exquisite lobster or foie gras.



23. Paul Pairet’s Ultraviolet in Shanghai is an immersive dining experience like no other. A single table seating 10 guests is enclosed in a room where every course is paired with tailor-made sound, lighting, and ambient effects.



24. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele might look like a hole in the wall, but it has been serving traditional Neapolitan pizza since 1906. The menu features only two options—Marinara and Margherita—because the founder believed extra toppings ruined the authentic taste.



25. Located in Paris’s Hôtel Plaza Athénée, the three-Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse boasts opulent, ultra-modern interiors and a haute cuisine menu with a focus on fish and seafood.



26. After topping Latin America's best restaurant list last year, Central in Lima, Peru, claimed 4th place on the world’s best list this year. The restaurant features an urban garden, its own water filtration system, and hyper-local indigenous ingredients.



27. Another three-Michelin-starred gem from Thomas Keller, The French Laundry serves world-class French cuisine in an idyllic setting in Yountville, California, in the heart of Napa Valley.



28. Tokyo’s Sawada is an ultimate omakase destination, where the chef curates every bite. Seating just six guests at a time, this intimate restaurant offers a three-hour dining experience with prices starting at $270—a worthwhile investment for some of the freshest sushi in the world.



29. The open kitchen at The Test Kitchen in Cape Town, South Africa, lets diners watch the chefs at work as they enjoy their meal. The establishment ranked 28th on this year's world's best list.



30. Among the most popular dishes at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Saint-Germain in Paris are steak, lamb chops, and foie gras. This two-Michelin-starred restaurant offers guests a front-row view of the culinary magic as meals are prepared.



31. Located in the grand Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul, Tuğra pairs lavish Ottoman decor with classic historical recipes and breathtaking views of the Bosphorus.



32. Bern’s Steak House in Tampa started as a modest lunch counter in 1953 before expanding into a sprawling destination with eight dining rooms and a dedicated dessert room. Though founder Bern Laxer has passed away, his sons carry on the family legacy.



33. The crowning glory of Ristorante Sibilla is its location. Nestled at the foot of two ancient Roman temples in Tivoli, Italy, this dining spot offers an unforgettable atmosphere where guests enjoy traditional cuisine surrounded by historic ruins.



34. Cabaña Las Lilas in Buenos Aires, Argentina, combines prime Argentine beef with warm Brazilian hospitality. It is a haven for meat lovers, offering top-quality cuts of beef, pork, and chicken.



35. Describing its menu as "Australian freestyle cuisine," Ezard is a basement restaurant in Melbourne renowned for its inventive seafood dishes.



36. Osteria Francescana is owned and run by Italian chef Massimo Bottura, who returned to his hometown of Modena, Italy, to open his dream restaurant. Holding three Michelin stars, it stands as Italy's top restaurant and took 2nd place on this year's world's best list.



37. Though now popular as a tapas spot, Madrid’s La Castela retains the charm of a classic local tavern with marble accents, mirrors, a pewter bar, and decorative molding. It features an extensive drink selection alongside a menu focused heavily on seafood tapas.



38. At Sydney's Quay, Chef Peter Gilmore showcases dishes made with locally sourced Australian ingredients. Massive glass windows offer sweeping views of the iconic Sydney Opera House.



39. Holding a Michelin star, Narisawa in Tokyo fuses French culinary techniques with native Japanese ingredients. The restaurant earned the 8th spot on this year’s world's best list.



40. Located at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Blue by Éric Ripert is the Caribbean's only AAA Five Diamond restaurant. Executive Chef Frédéric Morineau specializes in fresh seafood caught right off the island’s shores.