Outdoor Restaurants Across the Globe With Spectacular Views

Shivani Vora
·4 min read

Dining out should always be enjoyable but usually tends to be an unremarkable and routine event. When the restaurant has views, however, that meal can become a special and even extraordinary experience.

Le Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower; Felix, overlooking Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour; and Vertigo in Bangkok are iconic eateries in city settings known for their spectacular panoramas.

This list of spots has now gotten longer thanks to several recent openings in urban destinations globally where the vistas are on par with—and may even surpass—the cuisine.

The New York Italian chophouse Carne Mare from chef Andrew Carmellini kicks off our list. Located on South Street in downtown Manhattan, the restaurant is set on two levels and has wraparound views of the East River and the ships passing by. You won’t go wrong dining here whether it’s light or dark outside, but it’s particularly picturesque at sunset when red and orange hues stream into the dining rooms.

Martin Brudnizki, a celebrated interior architect, designed the space. The restaurant has leather banquettes, Venetian mirrors, terra-cotta tile floors, and a bright yellow open kitchen. A spiral staircase leads to the second floor, a large room with a clubbier feel.

Let’s not exclude Carne Mare’s excellent food. Steaks, of course, take center stage: a Wagyu sirloin, bistecca alla Fiorentina, and roast prime rib are among the top picks. Non-steak eaters have options too, like a whole roasted duck and salt-baked sea bass cooked in fig leaves.

The scenic view at American Brass.                                                                             Photo Courtesy of American Brass.
The scenic view at American Brass. Photo Courtesy of American Brass.

Across the river in Long Island City, Queens, the new brasserie American Brass stuns with its vistas of the Manhattan skyline and Gantry State Park. On the food front, Kevin McGinley, formerly of the Michelin-star Batard, serves up French cuisine with a twist such as steak frites with gochujang butter and duck with polenta. Come for dinner to see the city lights glittering in the dark or during brunch to soak up the lively scene.

In Miami, the rooftop set Mila Miami is another spot getting big buzz. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and South Beach, the swanky spot attracts the fashionable set who come to imbibe on the creative cocktails, enjoy the ambiance, and feast on the Asian influenced menu with dishes such as fried eggplant with shiso tzatziki and sweet-spicy soy-glazed salmon.

The last spot in the United States on our list is Denim, on the 21st floor of The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville in the city’s SoBro neighborhood. Diners have a twofold experience that includes a pool, as well as unobstructed views of Nashville.

James Beard Award winner and Michelin-star chef Tony Mantuano is in charge of cuisine at Denim and focuses on Italian favorites such as a crispy thin crust Roman pizza, mussels with spicy pork, and the must-order gelato sandwich.

The fancy interior featuring large windows at La Muña.             Photo Courtesy of La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich.
The fancy interior featuring large windows at La Muña. Photo Courtesy of La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich.

New international restaurants also have a prominent place in our roundup of venues with views.

Milan, for example, is home to Terrazza 12. In Piazza San Babila on the ninth and 10th floors of The Brian & Barry Building, this see-and-be-seen seafood spot overlooks the city skyline and the historic Duomo. The diners are stylish here while the oysters, crudos, and pastas are exquisite and prepared simply.

Moving over to London, The Dorchester Rooftop—with views of Hyde Park and East London—has been transformed into the famous Los Angeles hotspot Polo Lounge. Paying homage to the original restaurant, the space features candy-striped decor and bougainvillea flowers. The menu offers sophisticated versions of comfort food classics such as sliders made with Wagyu beef and a vegan mac n’ cheese with truffles.

The Dorchester Rooftop peers across London.                                      Photo Courtesy of the Dorchester Collection.
The Dorchester Rooftop peers across London. Photo Courtesy of the Dorchester Collection.

La Muña, at La Réserve Eden au Lac in Zurich, is the last restaurant on our list. Located on a rooftop lined with trees, the Peruvian/Japanese spot overlooks Lake Zurich and the city. Diners can even take in 360-degree views of the historic center and catch the Alps in the background while they dig into dishes such as red tuna ceviche, kampachi carpaccio, and sashi beef sashimi.

With memorable scenery and food to match, it’s no surprise that reservations are a hot commodity for the names we’re highlighting. Snagging a table may not be easy, but in that first moment when you’re savoring the views, you’ll know that the effort will have been worth it.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest