Travel Guides Culinary Vacations
Daniel Feininger
Choosing where to get a delicious meal is an important decision when traveling — after all, you’re only going to eat a finite number of meals while you’re away in this fabulous destination! Alternatively, you may just need to eat to sustain the energy required to explore a fascinating place. When this is the case, a quick meal can sometimes be the best option.
But eating great food in a new setting can take on a special role when traveling, especially when you’re able to incorporate something unique into the plan. For instance, many travelers exploring the history and beauty of Zanzibar will book a table at The Rock, a one-of-a-kind restaurant that’s literally built on top of a gigantic rock off the island’s eastern shoreline. A dinner here — especially as the sun begins to set — can add a new dimension to your Zanzibar experience. The same is true for each of these other remote dining experiences.
Seven Glaciers near Anchorage, Alaska
Tripadvisor
Seven Glaciers restaurant at the top of Mount Alyeska is an American destination and roughly 40 miles outside of Anchorage, Alaska. But covering those final 40 miles is quite a daunting task. The Seward Highway (named America’s Most Outstanding Scenic Byway in both 1995 and 2000) will bring you up to the Alyeska Resort. Here, you can enjoy stunning views out over the mountains and a luxurious dining experience. A trip to the restaurant and resort can also be accomplished via an aerial tram that provides a view of the seven hanging glaciers that give the restaurant its namesake.
On a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of these formations through the restaurant’s windows. Seven Glaciers offers a three- or four-course meal, and the establishment has been named one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants, won the AAA Four Diamond Award, and received the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence.
Faraday Bar in Vernadsky Research Base, Antartica
Lewnwdc77
Perhaps the most remote dining experience you’ll find anywhere on the planet is on the Earth’s seventh and least visited continent. The Vernadsky Research Base was built by the British in 1947 as an expeditionary hub, which was originally called “Base F,” to study the Antarctic. During their tenure, British researchers constructed a pub at the base, and in 1996, when decommissioning the facility, the station was sold to Ukraine for the truly unbelievable price of one British pound.
Today, you can order a round at the pub and sit next to the actual coin that was used to purchase the station. A specialty of the facility is the onsite-distilled vodka, and the scenery and environment of the pub raise the experience to an entirely new height. If you’re ever able to plan a trip to the white continent at the bottom of the world, sea kayaking and a sip of vodka at this unique dining lounge should be a part of your itinerary.
[Featured image by Lewnwdc77 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 3.0]
The Phantom Ranch Canteen, Grand Canyon
The Phantom Ranch Canteen is yet another unique dining experience that’s incredibly difficult for the average traveler to get to, but well worth the effort. To reach the Canteen, you’ll have to navigate Bright Angel Trail, a roughly 10-mile voyage down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Alternatively, patrons can take the 7.8-mile hike down the Kaibab Trail. Either way, the return trip will be just as long! There are cabins here to rest while you’re hiking through the canyon, and breakfast and dinner services at the Phantom Ranch Canteen can be excellent highlights of any trip through this amazing landscape.
Reservations here, either for the cabins or the restaurant, should be made far in advance of your adventure, however. It’s possible to reserve a table 13 months in advance, and it’s advisable to take advantage of as much of this time as you can. A stop along your hike for a sack lunch or hearty meal at the Phantom Ranch Canteen may be a highlight of your trip to the Grand Canyon.
The Rock on Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Zanzibar is a scenic and historic island off the coast of East Africa. A part of Tanzania, Zanzibar is an infamous former slave port, and the island’s main city, Stone Town, remains a popular destination for history buffs. On the other side of the island, though, you’ll find a lengthy stretch of beach that’s coated in reefs that make for a perfect smattering of diving and snorkeling sites. One chunk is home to the unique dining experience that is The Rock.
The Rock sits on an outcropping that remains above the waterline, even at high tide. When the water recedes, you can walk out to the staircase leading to the restaurant’s dining room. Otherwise, you’ll have to rely on a complementary boat service. Seafood is prominent on the menu, as you might expect, and the cuisine reflects the island’s multicultural influences. Offering a dimly lit maritime vibe, the restaurant provides both indoor and outdoor seating. If you’re ever exploring the island of Zanzibar, The Rock is a must-dine destination.
Treepod Restaurant on Koh Kood Island, Thailand
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A jungle dining experience unlike any other, the Treepod Restaurant brings your meal up to a suspended height among the ancient trees of the rainforest in Koh Kood. A luxury picnic is a two-hour excursion into the heights of the forest, with waiters bringing your food to the table by zipline. To get up here, you’ll first sit down in the bamboo pod, and then your entire table and seating pod is hoisted up to its scenic dining elevation. From here, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind view of the scenery around the forest while enjoying a tropical dining experience of epic proportions.
Much of the menu is sourced locally, and the experience is a part of the Soneva Kiri resort. This destination isn’t a common spot for tourists visiting Thailand, making it a little less commercialized and a little more relaxing. The result is a fantastic dining experience that combines the natural environment with a spectacularly exciting concept.
Tika Palace at Palacio de Sal in Colchani, Bolivia
Tripadvisor
Palacio de Sal offers a novel take on the trend of building with unique materials, as it’s a hotel constructed from salt. Palacio de Sal is located right on the banks of the Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest in the world with an expanse stretching more than 4,000 miles. It’s near the Bolivian borders with Chile and Argentina, and travelers looking to check into this one-of-a-kind, luxury experience will likely need to schedule multiple days of travel to rest and eat in this wonderous, salt-filled environment.
But for those who take the plunge, the rewards are plentiful. The Bolivian buffet found in the Tika Palace restaurant goes a step beyond the typical dining experience. Following a “zero-kilometer food” concept, many of the dishes use ingredients that come directly from nearby fields and farms to your plate. Local agriculture is the backbone of many fantastic eateries around the world, and Tika Palace takes this philosophy seriously.
The Three Chimneys in Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Isle of Skye is a remote part of the already far-flung nation of Scotland. Getting to Edinburgh or Glasgow is already a trek in and of itself, with many itineraries routing travelers through Dublin, London, or even Manchester to reach the Scottish Highlands. From Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye (off Scotland’s northwest coast), it’s a cool five-hour car journey through some of the most scenic mountain passes and valleys you’re likely to see anywhere in the world.
Once you get here, though, you’ll be handsomely rewarded for your travels. The Three Chimneys is currently headed by the Welshman Scott Davies, who has cooked all over Scotland in some of the most prestigious kitchens imaginable. Davies’ culinary vision relies on local, high-quality ingredients, and The Three Chimneys not only envelops diners in the local atmosphere; it also serves up fabulous cuisine that reflects the area’s rich resources.
Norð Austur in Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
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The town of Seyðisfjörður is found on the complete opposite end of Iceland from Reykjavik. While it’s a remote destination that many travelers stopping through Iceland may not visit, Iceland boasts intense natural beauty and a unique landscape worth exploring. By taking a road trip on Iceland’s Ring Road, you’ll go by Seyðisfjörður, and once here, you’ll have the opportunity to try world-class sushi.
Norð Austur is a sushi restaurant that incorporates fresh catches from the community’s streams and Atlantic coastline into its sushi creations and small Japanese dishes. Of course, in order to grab a roll of locally caught fish, you’ll first need to get here. It’s an eight-hour drive from Reykjavik, making it a major voyage for someone just seeking a bite of sushi. However, on the other end of Iceland’s coastal shores, there’s a lot to do. Along with offering the ultimate Icelandic sushi experience, Iceland’s eastern coast is home to some of the country’s most scenic fjords.
Furneaux Lodge in Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
Tripadvisor
You’ll find Furneaux Lodge way off the grid, so hopefully you’re checking in for a night of relaxation once you arrive. The lodge is found at the upper tip of New Zealand’s South Island, and getting here takes a bit of planning — and, perhaps, some strong legs. You can arrive by boat from Picton or take a helicopter journey to the lodge. However, adventurous souls can hike or mountain bike along the Queen Charlotte Track, which is a 10.5-mile trip through some unforgettable passages, to visit this sleepy, coastal lodge and its restaurant.
The Furneaux Restaurant and Bar serves creative cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients. The menu typically includes freshly caught seafood dishes, gourmet burgers, steaks, and wild game. After a meal, lodge guests can explore the natural surroundings. Whether it’s hiking through the dense forests or watersports in the Endeavour Inlet, intrepid travelers staying at Furneaux Lodge are rewarded with the area’s natural splendor.
Mil near Cusco, Peru
Tripadvisor
Mil is hidden away in the landscape seeped in Incan history near Cusco. It’s a trek to get here, but the experience is one that will leave you in awe of Peru and its rich history. The Mil Immersion experience isn’t cheap, currently at $550 per person, but it includes a day-long tour of the community. You’ll start with an exploration of the Moray ruins. The circular terraces leftover from Incan times remain shrouded in mystery, but the sheer expansiveness of their construction and the surrounding mountain vistas are sure to make you stare in wonder.
After a few other stops along the way to explore the area’s farmlands and meet with local artisans, you’ll indulge in an eight-course meal created by Virgilio Martínez, a celebrated Peruvian chef. His dishes reflect the altitudes and environmental zones that surround Mil, enshrining the day’s experiences in a culinary delight that’s sure to dazzle your senses. The experience is phenomenal, but getting to the area will take some effort. If you’re arriving from Lima, you’ll need to take about an hour-long flight followed by a 90-minute drive.
The Refuge du Plan de l’Aiguille near Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Tiia Monto
High up in the French Alps, Refuge du Plan de l’Aiguille is a small, yet incredibly charming lodge and restaurant that accommodates just 39 patrons. Open from the beginning of June to the end of October, the lodge offers pristine views for hikers and adventurers who make the journey. You can even pair your meal with a night at the Refuge, which sits at 7,200 feet. The stunning views that extend in all directions from the restaurant are magnificent, and the Refuge is the perfect stopover if you’re riding the Aiguille du Midi cable car, as it’s only a 10-minute walk from the intermediate station.
This restaurant and rest stop was built in 1869 and has hosted many famous explorers in its 150 years. The restaurant serves Savoyard cuisine, reflecting the local food of the region. While taking in views of the surrounding mountains, you can sample locally made cheeses and try a few slices of Refuge’s homemade pies.
[Featured image by Tiia Monto via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 3.0]
Die Strandloper near Langebaan, South Africa
Tripadvisor
Located on Saldanha Bay, right by Langebaan Beach on South Africa’s West Coast, Die Strandloper is a beachside institution of seafood, coastal cooking, and fun times. The restaurant is known for its ten-course seafood feast, which takes place over an entire afternoon, as well as its open-air atmosphere and lively beach bar. Die Strandloper is right on the beach, and the energy of the place is truly electric.
You can expect a range of food options, including mussels, fish curry, and grilled harders (a local variety of mullet). The seafood is caught locally and cooked on open fires. The ten-course meal is a laid-back affair that blends local cuisine with a beachy atmosphere. There’s something special in the air here. Since it’s a good drive north of Cape Town, Langebaan isn’t a place you might otherwise visit, but it’s certainly worth the trip to dine, relax, and laugh at Die Strandloper.
Under in Lindesnes, Norway
Eldart
Located on the southern tip of Norway, Under is the world’s largest restaurant found beneath the waves. It’s totally submerged, with just the entrance hall rising above the shoreline. The dining room sits 16 feet below sea level, creating the first submerged restaurant in Europe. The restaurant is a totally unique experience, and its menu is filled with seasonal delicacies and special, sea-inspired items including sea kale, arrowgrass, and even seabirds.
Not only is a coveted reservation here a ticket into a brand new world, but the restaurant itself is quite far removed from the typical Norwegian itinerary for visitors. Located 1.5 hours from the city of Kristiansand, Under is also a five-hour drive from Oslo. But a trip here is well worth the effort. Under is located off the coast of Lindesnes, a small town recognized for its coastal charms. After a meal underwater, you can actually spend the night in the Lindesnes Lighthouse, which is Norway’s oldest.
[Featured image by Eldart via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0]
