Food and travel go hand in hand. After all, memories are made with all of our senses, and our senses of smell and taste often help cement a memory long after you’ve left a destination. But for the 10 iconic locations below, the memory isn’t going to just be of the delicious food, but also of the over-the-top views as well.
Monaco Grand Prix
Located above the tightest (and most dangerous) turn on the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix track (taking place May 25-28), guests who dine at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo’s Restaurant Joël Robuchon Monte-Carlo can enjoy Michelin-starred cuisine while taking in some of the race’s best views at the hotel’s Dom Pérignon Lounge, above the spot where racers slow down to make the turn. Speed-demons can also book the hotel’s “Get Dizzy with Speed” experience to try F1 driving on the Circuit du Luc in Provence for themselves.
Eiffel Tower Magic
Overlooking all of Paris from the center of the Eiffel Tower, Chef Alain Ducasse’s Jules Verne Restaurant features a menu of modern French cuisine, including white asparagus, maltaise sauce, seared large langoustine, early vegetables, shellfish reduction and the very well-known crispy ‘tower nut’ chocolate made by a local Parisian chocolatier. Offering a one-of-a-kind experience, not only does Jules Verne boast the most beautiful view over Paris, but it also lays claim to one of the most intimate and inviting dining rooms in the city, playing with natural sunlight during day and the city’s famed twinkling lights at night.
View of Lady Liberty
Departing from Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, the all-glass enclosed, European-styled Bateaux New York cruises along the Hudson floating past New York’s iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and One World Trade. The three-hour upscale dining and sightseeing experience is accompanied by plated three-course dining with entrees like jumbo lump crab cakes and miso glazed cod, crafted cocktails and an extensive wine and beer list and live entertainment with an acoustic trio.
Erupting Kilauea Volcano
Located within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, The Rim at Volcano House is perched on the perimeter of the continuously erupting Kilauea Volcano with spectacular “close-up” views of the Halema’uma’u Crater from within the dining room. Locavore guests can feast upon locally-sourced dishes – fresh fish, line-caught from the waters off Big Island, beef raised on the grasslands of Kuahiwi Ranch, wild mushrooms and sweet potatoes grown on the Hamakua Coast –while gazing upon the caldera.
Maui like You’ve Never Seen
Merriman’s Restaurant Kapalua’s preeminent oceanfront setting is a must-visit destination, offering guests an incredible 180-degree view from the Kapalua to Napili Bay. With the crashing waves and breathtaking Maui sunset as a backdrop, guests can indulge in Hawaii Regional Cuisine with Chef Peter Merriman’s award winning menu of locally and sustainably-sourced ingredients, which shares in the local taste of the state’s multiculturalism.
A Rare Waterfront Miami
Zuma Miami’s riverside locale lends guests a unique vantage point to truly discover a surprisingly rare waterfront experience within Miami. Whether feasting on the modern Japanese cuisine at the coveted terrace tables or enjoying their recently launched Yacht Menu dockside in the comfort of a private vessel, views from Zuma showcase a stretch of the Miami River that reflects the glittering architecture of the Brickell neighborhood.
Aruba Beauty
Sunset Grille at the newly renovated Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino features just that, a colorful Caribbean sunset alongside a selection of fine cuts of meat and locally sourced seafood prepared by Executive Sous Chef Lij Heron. Guests can enjoy live local entertainment from the outdoor terrace nightly while watching the sun dip into the sea.
Florida Bay Dusk
Overlooking Florida Bay in the heart of Islamorada, the restaurants across the street from The Moorings Village feature a sweeping backdrop of stunning purple and orange sunsets. Exquisite cuisine and innovative cocktails are just the beginning of this “must visit” destination in Islamorada – guests can relax and enjoy French Fusion cuisine at Pierre’s while gazing upon the serene palm-lined beach overlooking the Florida Bay.
Heart and Soul of Cabo
Set near the famous Land’s End Arch, the desert meets the Pacific Ocean at Don Diego, Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos’ signature restaurant. With an L-shaped terrace overlooking the surrounding mountains, the upscale buffet features breathtaking views of downtown Cabo San Lucas, San Lucas Bay, and the bustling marina. The venue, situated on a cliff at the top of Baja California Sur, offers guests an array of international cuisine in the “Heart and Soul of Cabo.”
Caribbean Sea-Set
Located eight miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island’s signature restaurant and bar, SORCÉ, is set in an open air, indoor/outdoor space offering breathtaking sunset views of the Caribbean Sea. Guests can indulge in local bites and custom cocktails that match their mood, from “glamorous” to “retreated,” and enjoy views of palm trees swaying, indigenous Paso Fino horses walking by, and the Atlantic Ocean on the horizon.