14 Ingenious Restaurants Every Design Lover Must Experience in Person

Dine in the trees or underwater at experiential eateries where the cuisine is only rivaled by the ambience

In the Instagram age, the best restaurants are those that embrace the experimental not only in their cuisine, but also in their interior design and architecture. Still, while many eateries produce camera-ready moments with the tropes du jour (we’re talking to you, faux-flower walls), very few concoct truly timeless spaces that eschew trends in favor of originality.

One thing is certain: Architectural Digest has seen it all. Here, we’ve assembled our collection of the locales that every design lover must visit in person. While there’s much to love in each of them, they tend to share a few key qualities. For one, these restaurants embrace their distinct settings, privileging jaw-dropping views and local scenery, as well as their own unique histories. Many are part of hotels with equally inspired interiors and scenic grounds ripe for discovery. Others offer experiential dining rooms that push the boundaries of restaurants as we know them, entering uncharted territory in architecture and performance art. Below, discover dining destinations from restaurant design veterans, including AD100 firms Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, Jean-Philippe Demeyer, and Roman and Williams, plus more eateries that must be seen—or better yet, visited in person—to be believed.

The Red Pearl, one of several dining establishments inside of New York City’s Tin Building Nicole Franzen

In a city that can be undeniably overstimulating at times, Maison de la Luz offers the perfect respite. The 67-room guest house, opened by Atelier Ace in 2019 in a renovated 1908 building, offers several eclectic spaces oozing with character and charm to lounge, imbibe, and nosh. In an earlier interview with AD, designer Pamela Shamshiri explained, “The idea is you come there to recover in a city that’s celebrating 24 hours a day.” While only hotel guests have access to the gallery-like Living Room and blue-and-white Breakfast Room, Bar Marilou is open to the public—and it may just be the most enticing space of them all. With red glossy walls, plush velvet chairs and sofas, and a tiger-print carpet, stepping into this expertly crafted bar (designed in collaboration with Paris-based consultancy Quixotic Projects) feels like entering a new world where cultures are fused as seamlessly as the bold color scheme. Tucked behind a hidden bookcase door is yet another grand salon for hotel guests to enjoy.

The Alchemist Lounge in Copenhagen Photo Kim H¯ltermand

Alchemist

Copenhagen, Denmark

Not far from the acclaimed Noma is Alchemist, a ticketed, four-hour-plus dining experience like no other. Originally opened in 2015, the Copenhagen restaurant moved to its current location in 2019, where London’s Studio Duncalf conceived its design. Beyond a set of 100-square-foot bronze doors lies a 22,000-square-foot three-story complex with five unique dining rooms that include transparent glass floors and a planetarium-like domed room with ever-changing graphics coordinated to the meal.

Chef Rasmus Munk views gastronomy as a platform for storytelling and change. One sitting can see up to 50 dishes or “impressions,” as he calls them, demonstrating his multisensory concept of “holistic cuisine,” which pushes diners to examine phenomena beyond the meal in front of them, from pressing political issues to sustainability and animal welfare. Though a reservation can be hard to come by—the restaurant releases tickets three months in advance, and tends to sell out in minutes—those who are lucky enough to eat there will feast in darkness, interacting with performers as they work their way through cleverly composed dishes. The theatrics (which entail audio-visual displays and switching rooms throughout the meal) feel at home in the building, which once served as the workshop for the Royal Danish Theatre. But do not think for one second that Alchemist is a gimmick—in 2020 the establishment was awarded two Michelin stars, in 2022 it made the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and won the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award in 2023.

Facilitated by the restaurant’s striking architecture, diners at Under get unparalleled views of the area’s aquatic life. Ivar Kvaal

Under

Båly, Norway

For those seeking an underwater dining experience that is more authentic and sophisticated than tourist trap, look no further than Under, an ingenious restaurant masterminded by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta. Located at the southernmost point of the Norwegian coastline, the restaurant—Europe’s first aquatic eatery, and also the world’s largest—doubles as a research center for marine life, which diners will see conducted firsthand in the half-sunken periscope-like architecture. Entering through a 110-foot-long structure, guests descend an oak staircase into a champagne bar at the mezzanine level, followed by a dining room 18 feet below the surface. There, blue and green acoustic panels complement the star attraction: a panoramic view of the seabed. In constructing the space, Snøhetta took every aspect of the local geography and wildlife into consideration. The 5,300-square-foot build has thick, curved walls to prevent diners from feeling the force of the waves and water pressure (the area is known to be icy and stormy), and the building was designed to fully integrate into the marine environment over time, its concrete shell serving as an artificial reef.

The Rose Room at Annabel’s features an illuminated pink bar and pattern galore. Courtesy of Annabel’s

Annabel’s

London, England

For 60 years, Annabel’s has been London’s hottest ticket in town, attracting the likes of Princess Diana, Madonna, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Frank Sinatra over the decades. After a change of ownership, the private club reopened in 2018 in a Grade-I Listed Georgian town house a stone’s throw from its original location, and thanks to Martin Brudnizki, the Mayfair icon was made grander than ever. The Swedish designer is behind many of London’s most memorable and Instagrammable eateries, such as The Ivy, Sexy Fish, Scarfes Bar, and the brand-new Bacchanalia. “My philosophy has been described as ‘sublime comfort,’ which I think has some truth. I like to create a sense of drama in my spaces but they have to be comfortable,” Brudnizki tells AD PRO. “Annabel’s has this feeling. It was designed as fantasy, escapism, theater that transports you from the street into another world, but after a while you just sink into it and enjoy yourself.”

While the main interiors take inspiration from gardens depicted throughout history, flora and fauna can be seen everywhere, all characterized by unabashed English eclecticism and color, not to mention an art collection that includes Picasso and Modigliani. From top to bottom, Annabel’s is a maximalist knockout.

Le Train Bleu, formerly the Buffet de la Gare de Lyon, ranks among the world’s most romantic interiors. JARRY/TRIPELON/Getty Images

Le Train Bleu

Paris, France

There are numerous bouillons and bistros in Paris that make diners feel as if they’ve stepped into a fin-de-siècle City of Lights, but perhaps the most unexpected one is located within the bustling Gare de Lyon station. At the time of the Universal Exhibition in 1900, the train station’s architect, Marius Toudoire, was tasked with creating a gourmet restaurant in an unforgettable setting that would attract high society. The Buffet de la Gare de Lyon officially became Le Train Bleu in 1963, and today, it remains as awe inspiring as it was at its inception. Chandeliers, leather banquettes, gilding, and picturesque frescos representing dozens of towns on the railway line—and painted by many of the era’s top artists—make Le Train Bleu’s interiors among the most romantic in the world. Some of its halls have even been designated as historical monuments themselves. But trust us on this one: While you’ve undoubtedly seen this restaurant making waves for years on social media, it’s even more grand and showstopping in person.

At La Chèvre d’Or, the natural beauty of the region is on full display to diners. Rivoli 19 Photography

La Chèvre d’Or

Èze, France

With its rocky coasts, infinity pools, and pastel towns, there are virtually no missteps when dining in the South of France, but some of its best-kept treasures require a bit of a trek. Not far from Nice, Èze is beloved for its medieval village charms, and the quintessential luxury accommodation is La Chèvre d’Or. In 1953 British hotelier Robert Wolf fell in love with Château de La Chèvre d’Or, converting it into a restaurant and later purchasing surrounding houses to transform into hotel rooms. Today, the auberge has 45 rooms and suites, but luckily, anyone can enjoy its collection of restaurants and bars. All are equally scrumptious and offer dreamy Côte d’Azur panoramas, but what makes this destination stand out from the rest is the journey to dine. As you ascend the hill, be sure to leave plenty of time for snapping photos, for around every corner is something magical to discover: Fountains and waterfalls, countless sculptures, and natural beauty make this hotel and restaurant double as an open-air museum. Strolling through, you’ll feel as if it’s your very own secret garden.

A Venetian-inspired dining area at Gigi in Ghent, Belgium Photo: Alexander D’Hiet

Gigi

Ghent, Belgium

At Gigi, a statuary-studded eatery in the heart of Ghent, Belgium, AD100 newcomer Jean-Philippe Demeyer has concocted a delightful, fantastical fever dream of a restaurant. In cuisine and decor, the theme here is Italian, in its most delicious sense. In one dining room, lemon motifs surround diners on all sides, climbing the walls and dotting the carpet underfoot. In another, a green candy stripe swirls around columns in the style of Venice’s gondola mooring posts, while an anaconda-sized snake illustration slithers across the ceiling. Elsewhere, a Medusa medallion glares over guests. Lace curtains—inspired by those seen in the cafes in the Quartieri Spagnoli—let the Neapolitan vibes flutter in. It’s a visual feast, but Demeyer sticks the landing. “I love an extravaganza,” he says, “but there must be balance.”

A tree-lined dining room at La Sponda Brechenmacher & Baumann / Courtesy of Le Sirenuse

La Sponda

Positano, Italy

When thinking of the Amalfi Coast, one hotel immediately comes to mind: Le Sirenuse. The red-and-white accommodation is a honeymooner’s dream, brimming with romance and views of Positano’s vertical towns and beaches. Hailing from Naples, the Sersale family began their love affair with Positano between the two World Wars, eventually acquiring Villa Giulietta as their seaside refuge. One of the siblings, Paolo, was even elected mayor of Positano, a position he’d hold from 1944 to 1960. In 1951, the villa was converted into the Le Sirenuse hotel as we know it today. And luckily, its crown jewel, La Sponda, is open to the public. With emerald-tile floors, plant-covered walls, and breathtaking views, it’s impossible not to get swept up in la dolce vita and the breezy Mediterranean spirit. Knowing how covetable its designs are, the hotel opened an on-site and online shop called Emporio Sirenuse for visitors to bring colorful glassware, ceramics, and other goods home with them.

A dramatic bamboo structure, paired with a jaw-dropping outdoor atmosphere, puts Bambu Indah on our list of top restaurants for design lovers. Krisna Adinatha

Bambu Indah

Bali, Indonesia

Of all the bamboo structures in Bali, Bambu Indah’s hotel, restaurant, and wellness spaces may be the most impressive and expansive. Jewelry designer John Hardy has been visiting Ubud since the 1970s, and he and his wife Cynthia, both passionate environmentalists, have been investing in the Indonesian province for decades. Along the way, they established the globally renowned Green School, which harnesses traditional materials and building methods on its bamboo campus.

The structures that would later form Bambu Indah began in 2005, as the couple installed antique Javanese bridal homes on a jungle cliff top. What began as a guest house for their friends expanded into a hotel along the river. The awe-inspiring property now includes nine bamboo structures so guests can be at one with the environment, as well as a Javanese bridal house. The ecologically minded retreat includes multiple food options, most notably the riverside Warung restaurant, where guests can sink into a plethora of seating options and enjoy sustainably and locally sourced meals, served up from a Balinese-style open-air kitchen. “I wanted it to appear as though it was constructed by a highly intelligent bird,” describes Elora Hardy, John’s daughter and founder of Ibuku, a design and architecture group that works with bamboo and other sustainable materials. Bambu Kitchen, the accommodation’s clifftop restaurant, will reopen later this year. Extra adventurous diners have the option of imbibing in a pod suspended over the river. Sign us up.

The sparkling interior at Parisa in Doha, Qatar Eddie Gerald / Alamy Stock Photo

Parisa

Doha, Qatar

Strolling through Souq Waqif is a must when visiting Doha. There are plenty of great dining options where travelers can take a break from shopping and bartering, but maximalists should look no further than Parisa, which can only be described as stepping inside a kaleidoscope. While the Iranian restaurant also has locations at The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village (the first Parisa location, which opened in 2012) and Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, the Souq location is the most opulent, dripping in hand-painted artwork, mosaics, and chandeliers. A metallic mirrored hallway leads to multiple dining rooms bursting with color and intricate architectural details, ranging from tilework to wood carvings. Numerous dining nooks provide the privacy that makes parties feel in a world of their own. The restaurant claims to have hand-picked thousands of miniscule mirrors from Iran, which were then assembled in Doha over three and a half years. More than merely having a Persian menu, Parisa seeks to immerse diners in authentic Persian culture.

Terrace dining at Villa Palladio Jaipur Villa Palladio Jaipur

Villa Palladio Jaipur

Rajasthan, India

Italy meets India at the nine-room Villa Palladio Jaipur, which opened in September 2022, just 20 minutes from the Pink City. “I had an idea of mingling the exuberance and decadence of the maharajas with a heady dose of Italian flair,” Marie-Anne Oudejans told AD India. The Swiss Italian designer worked with fellow ex-pat Barbara Miolini, who conceived nearby hotspot Bar Palladio within the Narain Niwas Palace Hotel, and Rajasthani painter Vikas Soni to revive the palatial building, which may have served as a former hunting lodge. If Miolini’s Bar Palladio submerges guests in an aquamarine dining oasis, Villa Palladio’s red-and-white interiors propel visitors into a highly imaginative candy-colored haven where dramatic arches and daybeds look onto bucolic gardens and fountains. From chevron to lattices, a profusion of patterns makes the hotel and its restaurant verandas burst with energy. Every surface provides an opportunity for experimentation, merging Eastern and Western design languages for a singular aesthetic sure to appeal to jetsetters and adventurers worldwide.

Wolfgat is located roughly a hundred miles north of Cape Town in South Africa. Wirestock, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

Wolfgat

Paternoster, South Africa

For diners looking for something special that is off the beaten path, here’s a restaurant whose remote location won the titles of Best Off-Map Destination and Best Restaurant of the Year at the World Restaurant Awards in 2019. Located in a fishing village about 100 miles north of Cape Town, Wolfgat is a quaint beachside eatery with outdoor and terrace seating for up to 20 diners. Its 130-year-old building sits beside an archaeologically and geologically significant cave whose remains date back 2,000 years (and which also serves as the restaurant’s namesake). The menu consists of seven courses with freshly foraged, hyper-local ingredients and flavors of the Western Cape. While many of the establishments on our list celebrate eye-catching, maximalist interiors, Wolfgat’s boldness is in its decided embrace of the no-frills environment where the natural surroundings can shine on the plate and the surroundings beyond.

Di Stasio Citta, a Melbourne restaurant, doubles as a gallery—making it a must-visit stop for design enthusiasts. Peter Bennetts

Di Stasio Città

Melbourne, Australia

Rinaldo “Ronnie” Di Stasio is legendary in Melbourne as the Italian Australian force behind several beloved restaurants, including Café Di Stasio, which has been in business for more than three decades. In 2019, the restaurateur opened Di Stasio Città, his most formal and art-centric eatery, in Melbourne’s CBD neighborhood. Eschewing traditional signage, Città is only visible for its tinted glass doors which emit a red glow—guests enter via a hidden button.

Working with the design studio Hassell, the space was conceived as a restaurant-meets-gallery, where imposing Brutalist architecture acts as a surprising environment to serve classic Italian fare. Di Stasio himself is an active arts patron, making this restaurant uniquely reflective of his passions. Pastel Murano glass chandeliers and red upholstery provide pops of color in a sea of hand-plastered, stucco walls where video projections by Australian artists play on loop. The space has won multiple Australian Interior Design Awards, including the top prize, the Premier Award, in 2020.

This article is originally available in www.architecturaldigest.com