The caliber of these restaurants means that they will not be on the typical itinerary of the budget traveller, but if you’re looking for that unique and unforgettable dining experience (and someone else is footing the bill), HCX has an idea or two to get you inspired. All distinctive and enchanting in their own way, there is one thing that these restaurants have in common… location, location, location. So pack your best evening attire, assemble your ideal dinner party guest list and head for the airport.
Ristorante Grotta Palazzese in Puglia, Italy
Nestled amongst these limestone rocks in the Adriatic, you will find Ristorante Grotta Palazzese, with a mesmerizing setting that has been home to banquets since the 1700s. With its unbelievable surrounds, you might find it easy to overlook the food but the chefs certainly have not. The menu changes regularly so you can even head back time and time again for a completely different culinary experience. What’s more, there’s a hotel directly above the restaurant so your stay need not be cut short. Be warned however that the nature of its location means that Grotta Palazzese is only open in the summer months.
Sirocco in Bangkok, Thailand
Again maybe not for the post-Uni Gap Year traveller, but bear this restaurant in mind when you return to Bangkok with your hard-earned salary or need a place to wow your business clients. If someone else is paying, be sure to order the ‘Oak’ – one of the world’s most expensive deserts according to the Telegraph! Let’s just hope you’re not afraid of heights as this is the world’s highest open-air bar. This experience could only be followed with a cocktail or two crafted by the mixologists at the Sky Bar afterwards.
El Farallón in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Once a simple fishing village, Cabo San Lucas has boomed into top celebrity destination. What better way to show off your new bronzed self by adorning a white dress and heading straight for the top spots. Dining in an exquisite restaurant built into the rocks, with nothing but a buzzing ambiance, candles dancing and waves crashing. The perfect combination for an evening of pure indulgence, best appreciated in the company of romance.
[pagebreak]
Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant in Diani Beach, Kenya
If you’re the kind of girl who’s been planning her wedding since she was 7 and has always fancied an alternative location, you might want to check out Ali Barbour’s Cave near Mombasa, Kenya, as a potential choice. There’s nothing more romantic and intimate than being surrounded by glowing candles, with only the glittering night sky above you. Although the restaurant is relatively new, Ali Barbour’s Cave is thought to be 150,000 years old and the authenticity of the evening will stay with you forever.
Sounds of Silence, Ayers Rock Resort, Australia
Deep in the desert of the Australian outback, you’ll find nothing but the Sound of Silence. This evening will be more than dinner, with everything from Aboriginal tales and traditional dancing laced into your four-hour all-Australian experience. Didgeridoos will accompany your indigenous-inspired meal with crocodile and kangaroo amongst the buffet options. The spectacular canopy of stars above are then appreciated through stories told through the constellations.
Murder Mystery Dinner Train, Florida, USA
For those of you who would prefer an activity to accompany your meal (or an excuse for fancy dress!), hop on board one of the many Murder Mystery trains on offer in the US. This particular train offers a five-course meal delectably prepared by the chef whilst you witness, and try to uncover the truth behind, a live murder mystery show.
Photo credits: Pinterest