These Are the 13 Most UNIQUE Restaurants in the World (2025)

376

One of my favorite things about travel? The way a single meal can completely flip your expectations. I’m not talking about fancy tasting menus or $500 wine pairings. I’m talking about once-in-a-lifetime experiences…like eating sushi 20 feet underwater in the Maldives, watching monkeys swing by your table in a Costa Rican treehouse, or sharing a candlelit meal inside a lava cave in Iceland. These are moments you’ll talk about for years.

Over the past decade of traveling the world, I’ve hunted down places that blend incredible food with epic atmosphere. If you’re craving something different (and let’s be honest, Instagram-worthy), these are the 13 most unique restaurants you need to check out in 2025.

👉 Pro Tip: The Secret Food Tour in Paris is a must for foodies! You’ll taste iconic French treats like croissants and cheese while discovering hidden gems. Come hungry and ask your guide for local recs to keep the foodie fun going!

Unique Restaurants in The World

Are you ready to discover the coolest restaurants in the world? From underwater eateries to rooftop cafes touching the clouds, here are 13 of the world’s best places to eat in 2025.

1. The Rock Restaurant, Zanzibar

• 📍 Location: Pingwe, Michamvi Peninsula
• 💲 Price range: $50 – $100+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Seafood / International / Zanzibari
• 🔥 Standout Features: On-rock ocean setting, boat access, panoramic views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ultimate romantic dining, unique ocean experiences, and fresh seafood lovers.

Imagine dining on a tiny rock island in the turquoise Indian Ocean – that’s The Rock Restaurant! Accessible by wading or boat depending on the tide, this Zanzibar icon offers breathtaking 360-degree ocean views and an unforgettable, intimate setting.

Guests rave about the freshness of the seafood platter, the flavorful “Rock Special Pasta” with crab, and the uniquely prepared lobster. The grilled fish of the day is another highly recommended choice. It’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

2. Ithaa Restaurant, Alif Dhaal Atoll, Maldives

• 📍 Location: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Alif Dhaal Atoll
• 💲 Price range: $200 – $350+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: European / Fine Dining / Underwater
• 🔥 Standout Features: All-glass undersea, 16ft below sea level, marine life views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ultimate luxury splurges, bucket-list dining, and unique underwater immersion.

Dive into culinary wonder at Ithaa Restaurant, the world’s first all-glass undersea restaurant in the Maldives! Located 16 feet below sea level, this spot offers the surreal experience of dining while surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and marine life.

The menu is contemporary European, a set multi-course meal. Expect exquisite seafood preparations, such as Maldivian lobster or delicate reef fish. The scallops are also frequently praised. It’s an incredibly expensive but mesmerizing adventure.

3. Dinner in the Sky (Various Locations Worldwide)

• 📍 Location: Various Cities (Pop-up Event)
• 💲 Price range: $200 – $500+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Fine Dining / Modern European / Experiential
• 🔥 Standout Features: Suspended 150ft high, mid-air chef prep, panoramic city views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ultimate thrill-seekers, unique special occasions, and “once-in-a-lifetime” meals.

Take your dining to new heights with Dinner in the Sky! This unique concept hoists a dining table, guests, and chefs 150 feet into the air via crane. Imagine savoring a gourmet meal with your feet dangling and unparalleled panoramic views.

The multi-course fine dining menu is prepared by top chefs. Expect beautifully plated modern European dishes, perhaps featuring seared scallops, prime beef like filet mignon, or an elegant chocolate dessert. It’s an exhilarating feast.

4. SnowCastle Restaurant, Kemi, Finland

• 📍 Location: Lumilinnankatu, Kemi
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $120+ per person (Part of SnowCastle experience)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Lappish / Finnish / Ice Restaurant
• 🔥 Standout Features: Snow/ice construction, sub-zero dining, unique arctic ambiance.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unique winter adventures, novelty dining fans, and arctic wonder.

Chill out (literally!) at the SnowCastle Restaurant in Kemi, a magical eatery rebuilt each winter entirely from snow and ice! Dining here is a unique arctic experience, sitting on ice benches (with reindeer pelts!) at ice tables.

The menu features warm, hearty Lappish and Finnish cuisine. Popular choices include a rich reindeer stew, warming salmon soup, and unique desserts served on ice plates, like a cloudberry parfait. It’s an enchanting, frosty meal.

5. El Diablo, Lanzarote, Canary Islands

• 📍 Location: Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Canarian / Spanish / Volcanic Grill
• 🔥 Standout Features: Geothermal volcano cooking, volcanic views, unique architectural design.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Culinary geology fans, adventurous eaters, and volcanic drama dining.

Get ready for a meal cooked by Earth’s fiery breath at El Diablo in Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park! This extraordinary restaurant uses geothermal heat from an active volcano to grill its food on a giant cast iron grate placed over a volcanic opening.

You’ll certainly want to try their volcano-grilled chicken or fresh fish, which picks up a unique flavor. Their traditional Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce are also a must. The pork chops cooked over the volcano are another favorite.

6. The Grotto, Krabi, Thailand

• 📍 Location: Railay Beach, Krabi (Rayavadee Resort)
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Thai / Seafood / International
• 🔥 Standout Features: Limestone cave setting, romantic beach dining, Andaman Sea views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ultimate romantic beach dinners, unique natural settings, and luxurious Thai seafood.

Dine in a breathtaking natural cathedral at The Grotto, nestled within an ancient limestone cave on Phranang Beach at the luxurious Rayavadee resort. This incredibly romantic spot offers fine dining with your toes practically in the sand.

The menu features exquisite Thai and international cuisine. Guests frequently enjoy the barbecue seafood platters featuring items like grilled lobster and king prawns. Flavorful Thai curries, particularly the green curry, are also highly recommended.

7. Treepod Dining at Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand

• 📍 Location: Koh Kood
• 💲 Price range: $500+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Thai / International / Experiential
• 🔥 Standout Features: Dining in a bamboo pod, hoisted into the rainforest, ziplining waiters, ocean views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventure seekers, romantic escapes, and luxury travelers.

Forget a table with a view; this is a table in the view. At Soneva Kiri, you settle into a bamboo pod and get hoisted high into the rainforest canopy. You’re surrounded by the sounds of the jungle with an insane view of the coastline. The best part? Your waiter arrives with your food via a zipline!

You get to enjoy a private, gourmet meal in your nest. The menu is a curated selection of delicious bites delivered in a picnic-style basket. Expect things like fresh tropical fruits, artisanal pastries, and a selection of creative local Thai tapas. It’s a completely personal and unforgettable dining adventure.

8. Magic Mountain Lodge, Chile (Montaña Mágica Lodge)

• 📍 Location: Neltume, Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person (Restaurant guests)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Chilean / Patagonian / International
• 🔥 Standout Features: Volcano-shaped hotel/waterfall, fairytale forest, local/Patagonian ingredients.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Nature lovers, unique architectural stays, and fairytale lodge dining.

Dine in a real-life fairytale at the restaurant within Montaña Mágica Lodge in Chile’s Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve! This extraordinary hotel is shaped like a volcano, covered in moss, with a waterfall cascading from its peak.

The menu features Chilean and international cuisine. Guests enjoy dishes like grilled lamb, fresh river trout, and hearty stews reflecting the region’s bounty. The Conger Eel Soup is a local specialty. It’s a unique and whimsical dining experience.

9. Grotta Palazzese, Puglia, Italy

• 📍 Location: Polignano a Mare
• 💲 Price range: $200 – $300+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Italian / Seafood / Fine Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: Natural sea cave setting, Adriatic views, summer-only, romantic lighting.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unforgettable proposals, romantic dinners, and luxury seekers.

Carved directly into a limestone cliff, Grotta Palazzese isn’t just near the water; it’s inside a cave above it. This open-air restaurant offers the most insane view of the Adriatic Sea, with the sound of waves crashing just feet below your table. The soft lighting inside the grotto makes the whole experience feel like a dream.

You can’t go wrong starting with the incredibly fresh crudo di mare, a platter of local raw seafood. For a main, the risotto with scampi and lemon is a perfect taste of the region, as is the tender, perfectly grilled octopus. It’s a meal you’ll remember forever.

10. The Safe House, Milwaukee, USA

• 📍 Location: Downtown, Milwaukee
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Spy Themed / Bar & Grill
• 🔥 Standout Features: Secret password entry, immersive spy decor/activities, fun/interactive.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unique/theatrical nights out, families/groups seeking fun, and interactive themed dining.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to infiltrate The Safe House in Milwaukee! This legendary spy-themed restaurant requires a secret password for entry. Inside, it’s a labyrinth of secret passages, spy gadgets, and immersive decor.

While navigating this world of espionage, enjoy American bar and grill fare. Popular items include their “License to Kill Mac & Cheese”, satisfying burgers like the “Bourne Identity Burger”, and shareable appetizers such as “Stealthy Sliders” or fried cheese curds.

11. Ninja Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

• 📍 Location: Akasaka, Tokyo
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Japanese Fusion / Themed / Dinner Show
• 🔥 Standout Features: Immersive ninja village, ninja servers/magicians, secret passages/tricks.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Fun/theatrical Japanese dining, families with kids, and unique interactive.

Prepare to be stealthily served and spectacularly entertained at Ninja Tokyo in Tokyo! This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an immersive journey into a secret ninja village, complete with trick doors and servers dressed as highly skilled ninjas.

The menu features creative Japanese fusion cuisine. Guests enjoy items like shuriken-shaped crackers, savory hot pots with dramatic presentations, and whimsical ninja-themed desserts. The black fried chicken is another unique offering.

12. Inn Train Cafe & Restaurant, Bangkok, Thailand

• 📍 Location: Near Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Thai / Cafe / Themed
• 🔥 Standout Features: Converted train carriage, charming/nostalgic railway, classic Thai/cafe.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unique themed dining, train enthusiasts, and fun casual Bangkok.

All aboard for a charming culinary journey at Inn Train Cafe & Restaurant in Bangkok! This unique spot allows you to dine inside beautifully converted, stationary train carriages, creating a wonderfully nostalgic and playful railway-themed atmosphere.

While enjoying the unique setting, you can savor a menu of classic Thai dishes and cafe favorites. Diners often enjoy their flavorful pad thai, a comforting green curry, or simple yet satisfying fried rice dishes. The tom yum soup is also a hit.

13. Labassin Waterfall Restaurant, Luzon, Philippines

• 📍 Location: Villa Escudero Plantations & Resort, San Pablo City, Luzon
• 💲 Price range: Around $15–$25 per person (part of resort day tour package)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Traditional Filipino buffet
• 🔥 Standout Features: Dining at the base of a waterfall, feet in flowing water, surrounded by jungle
• 🎯 Perfect For: Nature lovers, families, and travelers craving an offbeat, interactive experience

Ready to eat lunch with your feet in a waterfall? At Labassin Waterfall Restaurant, the tables are set at the foot of a man-made cascade, where cool mountain spring water rushes beneath your feet as you enjoy an open-air buffet of classic Filipino fare.

Expect banana leaf–style servings of grilled meats, fresh vegetables, rice, and tropical fruit—served al fresco with a soundtrack of rushing water and birdsong. It’s not fancy, but it’s wildly refreshing and one of the most memorable dining settings in the world. Just don’t forget your water shoes!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Unique Restaurants in the World

Are you searching for more information about where to eat in the world? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about the world’s most unusual restaurants.

What’s the #1 restaurant in the world?

The title of “#1 restaurant in the world” often varies based on different culinary rankings and changes annually. However, many prestigious lists, such as the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, have previously awarded this title to establishments like Noma in Copenhagen and El Celler de Can Roca in Spain. Both restaurants offer a unique dining experience, blending innovation with tradition. If you’re looking for the best food in the world, these establishments should be on your radar.

What is the world’s most expensive restaurant?

Sublimotion, located in Ibiza, Spain, often claims the title of the world’s most expensive restaurant. The dining experience here is truly one-of-a-kind, blending gastronomy with technology and performance art. Each meal is a multi-sensory journey, making it one of the world’s best restaurants. While the price tag is hefty, many argue that the unparalleled experience justifies the cost.

How do I find hidden gem restaurants in the world?

Discovering hidden gem restaurants in the world often requires a bit of research and local insight. Engaging with locals, exploring food blogs, and using apps like TripAdvisor or Yelp can lead you to lesser-known culinary treasures. Remember, sometimes the most memorable meals come from the most unexpected places!

Are there any themed restaurants worth visiting?

Absolutely! Themed restaurants in the world offer not just food but an entire experience. From the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo, where diners are entertained by giant robots, to the Vampire Café in Ginza, where gothic decor sets a spooky mood, there’s a themed restaurant for every interest.

What is the best rated restaurant ever?

One of the most respected rankings in the culinary world is the annual “World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list. Over the years, several restaurants have taken the top spot on this list, including:

• El Bulli in Roses, Spain, helmed by Chef Ferran Adrià. It held the top spot multiple times before closing in 2011.
• Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark, led by Chef René Redzepi. It has been named the world’s best restaurant multiple times.
• Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, run by Chef Massimo Bottura. It has also secured the top spot more than once.
• Mirazur in Menton, France, led by Chef Mauro Colagreco, was named the best in 2019.

Other notable lists, such as the Michelin Guide, award up to three stars to exceptional restaurants but don’t rank them in a numerical order. Many restaurants around the world have achieved the coveted three-star status.

Where are five unique restaurants in the world I should add to my bucket list?

Here’s a quick rundown of some standout dining spots across the globe:

1. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives: Dine with the fishes in this underwater haven.
2. Dinner in the Sky, Various Locations: Enjoy gourmet meals suspended in the air.
3. The Catacombs, Paris: Experience dining in ancient underground tunnels.
4. SnowCastle Restaurant, Finland: Savor dishes in a restaurant made entirely of ice.
5. Treehouse Restaurant, New Zealand: Dine amidst the treetops in this serene setting.

Remember, the best places to eat in the world often combine great food with a unique atmosphere, ensuring an unforgettable experience.