8 Extraordinary Remote Restaurants Worth the Epic Journey
For dedicated food lovers who use the annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants list as a travel guide, dining at Gaggan in Bangkok, Pujol in Mexico City, or Attica in Melbourne justifies a special trip. Yet, true culinary explorers push further to extraordinary, hard-to-reach spots. With remote dining experiences booming worldwide, here are eight standout restaurants that elevate adventure dining to new heights.
Natura Vive Skylodge, Sacred Valley, Peru
The Skylodge Adventure Suites feature transparent polycarbonate capsules suspended 1,300 feet above the Sacred Valley, en route to Machu Picchu. Opened in 2013, they quickly became a sensation. For day visitors unable to book an overnight, the on-site restaurant now offers lunch after an exhilarating ascent via via ferrata or hike, followed by zip lines down—securely harnessed throughout.
The payoff is a impressive four-course meal from a solar-powered kitchen embedded in the cliff, featuring dishes like alpaca gnocchi or crispy guinea pig (vegetarian options available). The unparalleled panoramic views of the Inca Sacred Valley steal the show.
Ithaa, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Prefer underwater over cliffside? At Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Ithaa—the world's first undersea restaurant—sits 16 feet below the Indian Ocean surface in a transparent acrylic structure. "Ithaa" means mother-of-pearl in Maldivian Dhivehi.
The global menu shines with reef lobster-stuffed pasta, Bolivian chocolate panna cotta, and more, all while marine life like sharks swims by. Nearby, the upcoming Muraka undersea residence offers a two-level luxury suite with gym, kitchen, and more, per chief architect Ahmed Saleem.
Hell’s Backbone Grill, Boulder, Utah
Nestled near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this farm-to-table gem embodies Utah's rugged charm. The restaurant's cookbook offers practical tips, like navigating cattle drives. The drive from Salt Lake City (4 hours) or Las Vegas (5 hours) reveals glittering cliffs, surreal rock formations, and the dramatic Hogback ridge.
Arrive hungry for seasonal standouts like pumpkin-apple soup, shirred eggs, posole, or mint-infused cocktails. Grab chocolate-chip cookies and granola for the road.
The Rock Restaurant, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Off Zanzibar's coast—birthplace of Freddie Mercury—The Rock perches on a former fisherman's post amid stunning rock formations. Walk at low tide or boat at high tide to this beachside hut serving fish carpaccio with chili-lime-coconut sauce and pineapple flambé.
Treepod Dining, Soneva Kiri, Thailand
Reach Koh Kood via private flight and speedboat for bamboo treepods hoisted into the rainforest canopy. Waiters zip-line dishes like banana leaf-baked fish or Thai custard. Multi-course meals last up to two hours; try the elevated High Tea.
A Night at Field of Light, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
Any meal near iconic Uluru is memorable, but this multi-course outdoor dinner amid Bruce Munro's 50,000 glowing orbs (through 2020) adds live music, stargazing, and bush tucker like kangaroo or crocodile (vegetarian alternatives available). End with a luminous desert stroll.
The Three Chimneys, Skye, Scotland
Guides like Ian Byers of Stravaigin Scotland navigate narrow roads past sheep to this harborside cottage on Skye's Duirinish peninsula. Savor gin-cured salmon, langoustine tails, or whisky-infused chocolate in a world-class setting.
Poerava Restaurant, Rapa Nui, Chile
On remote Easter Island amid moai statues, Poerava at Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa highlights fresh seafood like mahi mahi ceviche and local produce. Dine on the terrace for ultimate isolation vibes.
