The World's Most Beautiful Seaside Restaurants
Just scrolled through your best friend's perfectly curated vacation pics? Recently walked past the mirror and are now worried your summer body has a "good personality"? If you or someone you know suffers from FOMO — the Fear of Missing Out — it's high time you shake things up. Or put them on ice. Or blend them with coconut rum and stick a cherry and a paper umbrella on top. Escape civilization as you know it, and free yourself while feeding yourself.
With views like these, this is finer than fine dining. The oceans, the sailboats, the cliff sides, and sunsets. The ridiculously romantic couples-themed wine tastings; the only rules that matter are when brunch starts and when room service stops serving.
So dust off that passport, break out the Platinum Card, and choose your most unforgettable adventure. Read on for the most picturesque dining locales around the world.
The Gritti Terrace (Venice)
Ditch the recycled air of the corporate office, delete your Zoom meeting calendar, and forget Doug-from-accounting's weekend fishing trip lunches from home. You deserve more.
The historic Gritti Palace's famed Gritti Terrace, perched along the fabulously breezy Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, is just the spot to chat up Giuseppe the gondolier while you sip a Campari spritz and accidentally catch the eye of a mysterious stranger.
But wait. The view. This one's for those who prefer scene-y scenery. Stunning seascape, but make it cosmopolitan. With a vibrant season that buzzes from April through October, The Gritti Terrace features a painfully romantic backdrop across the canal; midnight blue and aquamarine Venetian waters gently lapping up against the Santa Maria della Salute Basilica, its walls blushing pink with the setting sun. Take a moment away from mingling with charming locals and travelers, to follow the skyline down the river where water taxis disappear into the horizon and seagulls seem to fly into infinity. Can this be real life?
Delicacies include beef carpaccio, oysters, caviar, and your pick of pastas, burgers and meats. With Tatler calling it "one of the most beautiful locations in Venice," in arguably one of the most famous cities in the world, this is one palace where you can indulge in the moment.
Sierra Mar (Big Sur)
California is nothing without the sprawling beaches, winding highways, and rocky cliffs along its iconic coastline. But amidst a bounty of lush seascapes in Big Sur, Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn is truly out of this world. Enjoy a little California-luxe farm-to-table? The purveyors are local and your table sits 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, with a jaw-dropping, 180-degree view. With a chance that you might even dine above the rare cloud cover, no matter the weather, the oceanic panorama demands your undivided attention.
But it won't be mad if you grab a bite and a glass of something fun. With a fresh prix fixe menu that fluctuates daily, along with the seasons, you might find Handmade Agnolotti, White Asparagus, or Sea Bass Crudo that tastes like the ocean. Moments later, you'll be feeling like you were always meant to commune with nature in this way. Perhaps it's the magic in the salt air.
Awarding the outpost four stars of "verified luxury," Forbes also noted, "Your eyes dart to the incredible scene behind the floor-to-ceiling glass walls: jagged cliffs, blue sky and the pristine, endless ocean. You could spend the entire day gazing at the striking natural surroundings."
The Rock (Zanzibar)
Just a stone's throw from Michamvi Pingwe beach, The Rock sits atop a boulder, amidst the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean. It's a 20-person destination off the beautiful southeastern coast of the island of Zanzibar. While it seems as though everyone on Instagram has already found it, the real life vibe still feels as rustic-casual and intimate as any remote island gem should be. Even if it does have a cult following.
At high tide, you'll be greeted by sugar-white beaches, blue-green water, and a capably-manned boat to ferry you the short distance from sand to door. At low tide, simply enjoy a walk along the beach right to the restaurant. Inside you'll be warmly greeted by attentive staff and a low-key beach hut interior; the perfect complement to the extraordinary view from the terrace.
Grab a vodka, hibiscus, and mint Hekaya cocktail, deeply breathe in the ocean air, and soak in a horizon that just doesn't quit. The carefully curated menu is excellent, featuring a range of familiar dishes and local Swahili favorites like fish carpaccio, homemade pastas, grilled lobster, and a fresh fruit platter that positively bursts with island flavor. But the true perfect end to this culinary adventure will be spending just a few more minutes letting the ocean breeze play with your hair, and allowing your thoughts to gently drift off into the sunset, under the African stars.
Club Dauphin (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France)
Bienvenue sur la Côte d'Azur! Enter Club Dauphin at the Four Seasons Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, where the glimmering, heated, Olympic-sized saltwater pool, the Michelin-starred chefs and the jaw-dropping views make it worth the airfare. Where does the infinity pool end and the French Riviera begin? Blur the boundaries and let your imagination run wild.
At the hotel's poolside restaurant, you can truly have your Frozen Melba Strawberry and eat it too. Taste the Mediterranean with fresh-caught oysters, sip a tipple like the Golden Hour signature cocktail, or share a light Provençal lunch abounding with vibrant ingredients found locally in the countryside. Your most whimsical wish is their command.
It will be hard to rip yourself away from a sweeping vista like this one. As Condé Nast Traveler described it, "This opulent seaside palace is a one-of-a-kind Riviera vestige of tranquil days gone by... even King Leopold II of Belgium, a regular to the Cap Ferrat in the 19th century, would still be impressed by the 14-acre blooming gardens and flowering succulents, designed by French landscape architect Jean Mus."
Give in to nature rolling out the red carpet before you, and melt into the changing colors of the sky; golden to blue, pink to purple. Before nightfall calls you to retreat to your suite, cozy up in a lounge chair by the pool and watch the moonlight dazzle the ocean waves.
Tugra (Istanbul)
If you hear the word "ottoman" and the first thing you imagine isn't a perfect Turkish coffee and a flaky homemade baklava platter with a view of the Bosphorus Strait, you need a vacation to Istanbul, Turkey, stat. Hopefully you're thinking of the right "turkey."
The true jewel of the Çırağan Palace, the Tugra restaurant features elegant Turkish cuisine, showcasing the most vibrant local flavors of Istanbul. With the Michelin Guide calling it "luxury that cannot fail to impress," and an Insider review noting, "It proved to be one of the most memorable meals of my life," you'll feast like the sultans of the Ottoman era... if only they had been blessed enough to have Instagram to remember it.
You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, from the Meze Platter to the Lamb Küşleme. But if the weather allows, a stylish table on the terrace affords you yet another dash of opulence; a front row seat for the ever-changing deep blue Bosphorus waters as they contrast the warm, peachy sky. It's as if you're watching a painting come to life. You'll raise a glass to a passing luxury yacht, or encounter a curious bird. Even if you choose a seat inside as you enjoy the rites of palace dinner traditions, thoughtful floor-to-ceiling windows mean you won't lose out on the sights.
The Restaurant at the Rockhouse Hotel (Negril, Jamaica)
The Rockhouse Restaurant seamlessly blends fine dining with island culture, flowing along with the equally chill crystal clear waters of Jamaica's west coast. Travel + Leisure called it "The Adult Summer Camp You've Always Wanted," and, faced with grilled fish and jerk sausage, frozen Rockachinos and golden sunsets, you'll agree.
Seemingly carved out of a craggy cliffside by the waves of the Pristine Cove, almost every winding stone walkway leads to an icy, tropical cocktail or a thrilling dive into the water. Since the dining room is low-lit for ultimate romance in the evenings, you might be doing both activities — either on purpose, or not. The restaurant offers a fresh take on Jamaican favorites, in a setting that can't be beat.
But whether you come for a breakfast of ackee and saltfish and bottomless Blue Mountain coffee, smoked marlin sandwiches and Red Stripes, or crispy whole snapper and coconut cream pie for dinner, the accompanying seascape is the true spéciale du jour. The layout feels intimate, yet meant for everyone to enjoy the sunset. With a brand mission to instill a deeply soothing and calming vibe across the board, you'll happily kick off your flip flops and let the sea wash your troubles away.
Lycabettus (Santorini, Greece)
If you happen to be lucky enough to snag a reservation for the only edge-of-the-world table for two at Lycabettus — with a private sommelier treating you to a wine tasting and all the best food pairings Greece has to offer — it's bound to be a letdown. Unfortunately, it's such a spectacular experience, you'll never be able to eat anywhere in the world, ever again. The gauntlet was thrown, and Lobster Mousse won.
Every table at this luxury Oia, Santorini culinary haven is arresting in this shockingly beautiful setting. Having won three of the Greek equivalent to the Michelin star, there's no escaping this experience of a lifetime. Full of happy surprises and thrilling twists from start to finish, the meal won't be the only thing you feast your eyes upon.
From your viewpoint atop the Caldera cliffs, high above the Aegean Sea, whitewashed cave house dwellings dot the landscape, and you can choose your favorite of billowy cloud formations, tiny sailboats trailing through the water, and fiery skies disappearing into the horizon with the setting sun. But the show doesn't end there. As the colors wane and the heavens darken, you'll soon witness the emergence of an endless sea of stars. Just don't forget flat shoes, so you can manage the many steps back to your hotel.
Azure (Cape Town, South Africa)
If you're partial to fresh-caught seafood — and looking at its former saltwater home while you drown it in garlic butter — the exquisite offerings from the Azure Restaurant at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, in Cape Town, South Africa, fits the bill. Set against the dramatic panorama of the Atlantic, this spot is pure luxury, perched on the edge of the world.
You'll find the fynbos — Africa's most biodiverse vegetation — carpeting the hills, while the ocean waves crash against the rocky shore. A well-equipped staff stands at the ready to fulfill your every desire, whether it be a wedding, or breakfast in your jammies. TBD on whether they can manage a devastatingly gorgeous sunset that lasts longer than a fleeting moment. Condé Nast Traveler described it as "a great date-night choice — a combo of watching the sun sink below the horizon, excellent cuisine and fabulous wines." But the morning sun is available too, with breakfast beginning at 7am. Dibs on the cute mini pots of honey that come with the fruit and yogurt.
Breathe in the healing sea air while you enjoy a curated private picnic among the wildflowers, and watch pink skies fade to purple over Table Mountain.
Casa de Chá da Boa Nova (Leça Da Palmiera, Portugal)
Three words: Two Michelin Stars. Three, if you count the one awarded to Chef Rui Paula in 2023, for his exquisite artistry at Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, on the northwest coast of Portugal. Here, expansive windows magically disappear into the floor, awakening the visceral sensation of the ocean, as it energetically works the boulders just steps away from your seat.
With offerings inspired by the country's beloved poet Luís de Camões — who died a mere 400 years too early to enjoy the tea house he posthumously actuated — expect lyrical lines and verse to be woven into the cuisine as well as the fabric of the landscape. This one's for the lovers, the muses, the troubadours. An invitation to grow intimate with the nature of your soul.
Relax in casual elegance (think linens, ceramics, and soft leathers), as you explore expertly crafted flavors. Taste Porto noted, "It is one of our favorite places to eat — not only because of the wonderful food but also the spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean." From your place inside the warmly inviting Álvaro Siza-designed dwelling, you can let yourself gently drift out into the wild sea, and back again.
Porthminster Beach Café (Cornwall, UK)
Wait a minute. A seaside restaurant in Cornwall that is actually (clears throat)... beautiful? Believe it. If you pop in from May through July, you might even see enough sun to forget you're dining by the St. Ives Bay and not at an all-inclusive in Cabo.
The Porthminster Beach Café offers cuisine that boasts a Michelin thumbs up and an Asian and Mediterranean flair. An interior dining room leads to a glass terrace that's heated on days that aren't so summery, and delightfully open-air when it's mild. Even better if you get to watch a thunderstorm roll in, while cozied up at your table with a vanilla creme brûlée and a cappuccino, protected from the elements.
But sunny days or stormy skies, there's always dinner and a show, whether you're seated by the sand or gazing through the windows. Those misty, peachy, evening skies might even remind you of another favorite destination. As The Guardian explained, "They call the hue of the local sky 'Mediterranean light'... the town's five beautiful beaches and array of seafood, though, are better than anything you'll find in the Med, whatever the weather."
La Petit Plage (St. Barths)
There is only one destination where it's worth dropping the platinum card in St. Barths: La Petit Plage. But it's not just the location; it's all about the vibe, the food, the service, the parties, and sunsets that are the equivalent of a spiritual pilgrimage toward your highest vacation self.
An import from Saint-Tropez, where its sister location debuted, this jewel of the Port of Gustavia is bursting with energy from the warm rustic interior, to the popping flavors on the plates, and the changing colors of the ocean.
With a menu designed by the multi-Michelin Star-awarded Chef Eric Frechon, every scintillating dish that graces your table is crafted to delight. While the atmosphere is conducive to cozy chats and flirty glances at dinner, late night cranks up the heat with a dance beat that will get anybody's booty shaking. One Trip Advisor review demanded, "Do not leave St. Barths without eating at La Petite Plage." With a name that translates to "The Small Beach," and a bit of sand dusting the floor beneath your toes, the Caribbean and Atlantic oceans flow into each other as day turns to night and the fire of the sky becomes the playful candlelight between good friends.
The Grotto (Krabi, Thailand)
Maybe you're thinking "isn't it hard to see the view from inside a grotto?" You aren't wrong. It is hard to see, since it's essentially a dark, tiny cave. Yet, your intriguing invitation to the southwestern coastal town of Krabi, Thailand still stands. Because you just have to see The Grotto; the most gorgeous of dwellings in which to share a true bucket list experience.
In what may possibly be the sun-shiniest cave anywhere on the planet, the Rayavadee Resort celebrates the riches of the Andaman Sea, hosting lunch and dinner at The Grotto, under ancient limestone cliffs. From your secret hideout on Phra Nang Beach, you'll enjoy a dreamy landscape, featuring the Happy Island rock formation that almost appears to be listening in on your conversation.
Stop in during the early afternoon for a light snack of roti pancakes, mango, banana, and vanilla ice cream, and maybe a cocktail at the bar while you take refuge from the sun. Heads up, you might be sharing those bananas with the locals; friendly and human-curious spectacled langurs. Reserve a seat for twilight dinner and you'll witness the sun gently dipping into the sea, as well as the arrival of about a million more stars than you ever remember seeing. After you enjoy a bounty of local favorites — Seared Hokkaido Scallops, Charbroiled Andaman Lobster, Wagyu Beef & Prawn, and the like — take your cocktail on the road and walk barefoot in the sand as the water gently laps at your feet.
Comal (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)
Untangle the Mardi Gras beads in your carry-on and pack your most stylish flippity flop; it's time to head to the impossibly airy, casual-chic Comal restaurant at the Forbes 5-star-winning Chileno Bay Resort. It's for the hip, the trendy, and the effortlessly cool. Set on Playa Chileno — one of the only beaches where swimming is even possible in Cabo — it feels like it was designed just for you.
With myriad places to lounge — by a fire pit, in the sand, at the bar, or a table by the sea — it's the type of upbeat, low-key vibe you could enjoy all night. Enjoy an innovative take on coastal cuisine as you watch the moon rise into a pastel ombré sky, and the breeze make its way through the palm trees. Or step up the luxuriousness with an 8-person private dining encounter on the very tip of the Baja Peninsula, with Proa at Comal. However you do it, it's going to be a meal you'll never forget.
Nautika (Dubrovnik, Croatia)
From the city that brought you King's Landing in "Game of Thrones" comes an equally lauded seaside stunner: the Nautika restaurant in Dubrovnik, along the southern coast of Croatia. Built to stand up to the Adriatic Sea, the restaurant took over the historic Dubrovnik School of Maritime Studies; now, it's a stone-walled relic that might read a little "tactical" if it weren't for its striking beauty, as well as the population of diners sharing a cocktail and a raucous laugh on the sun-drenched terrace.
Old town, otherwise known as The Pearl of the Adriatic, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site; chock-full of historical landmarks, welcoming global travelers for new adventures. Take part in the Michelin-recommended offerings at Nautika and dive straight into the flavors of the sea: tuna tartare, lobster and sea urchin with oyster foam, and bisque shrimp with caviar. Dramatic cocktail presentation is meant to playfully steal the show, and it might, if you can take your eyes off the vista.
Sipping old world wines, imagine another lifetime when the nearby Lovrijenac fortress featured a different kind of theater than it does now. Meanwhile, Fort Bokar stands nearby. Is there a color blue that's more blue than the Adriatic sea, or the sky at just the right moment? With views like this, your wanderlust will never be satiated.