12 Of The World's Most Extreme Restaurant Locations

Unique dining experiences are one of the highlights of travel for adventurous foodies. These 12 restaurants take one-of-a-kind dining experiences to the next level, offering spectacular settings – from the treetops of Thailand to the bottom of the ocean – that complement inventive menus.

Sarnic Restaurant – Turkey

Sarnic Restaurant is located in a 1,000-year-old Roman cistern, a receptacle once used to collect rainwater. Set at the top of a hill in Istanbul, the restaurant takes its name from the Turkish word for cistern. Its grand interior features 30-foot-high brick ceilings supported by six enormous stone columns. Wrought iron accents, a large stone fireplace, and low lighting provided by hundreds of candles give the restaurant a hauntingly beautiful ambiance. In the summer, the restaurant’s naturally cool environment provides relief from the hot weather.
Sarnic Restaurant, Sogukcesme Sokak (Ayasofya Pansiyonlari Hotel) Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey +90 212 512 4291

1. Labassin Waterfalls Restaurant – Philippines

Restaurant, Asian

At the Villa Escudero Resort in San Pablo City, guests can dine at the base of a powerful waterfall. The resort’s Labassin Waterfalls Restaurant features bamboo tables set in a few inches of spring water, allowing diners to soak their feet while admiring the impressive adjacent waterfall. Open for lunch only, the restaurant offers traditional Filipino dishes served buffet style. The waterfall provides a refreshing relief from the country’s humid climate, and many diners relax after their meal by lying against the tumbling water.

The Rock Zanzibar – Tanzania

Set in a former fishermen’s post off the coast of Michanwi Pingwe beach, The Rock is located on top of a rock in the middle of the Indian Ocean. During low tide, diners can walk out to the restaurant from the shore, while a boat service is available during high tide. Specializing in fresh seafood, the tiny restaurant accommodates only 12 tables. It features a gorgeous patio overlooking the sea and a cozy interior topped with a Makuti palm tree roof.
The Rock Zanzibar, Michamvi Pingwe Beach, Michamvi, Tanzania +255 799909855

2. Ristorante Grotta Palazzese – Italy

Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Italian

Italy Europe Polignano Province of Bari Apulia region Coast Sea Water Shore Dusk Night Evening Mediterrane

The Ristorante Grotta Palazzese is built inside a limestone cavern overlooking the blue-green waters of the Adriatic Sea. Constructed 74 feet above sea level, the restaurant offers amazing views of the sea. Part of the Grotta Palazzese hotel, dinners for local nobility have been hosted in this secluded cavern since the 18th century. Located in the province of Bari, the restaurant is open only in the summer from May to October. It offers an ever-changing menu, with a focus on fresh seafood.