Nothing beats the magical pull of dining by the sea. There is something about the cadence of the waves, the salty kiss of the ocean breeze, and the panorama of infinite horizons that forge an environment at once peaceful and stimulating. Seaside restaurants offer a sense of place coupled with great food where the environment is as much part of the experience as the food.
From sleek beachside establishments to hidden gems tucked away in remote coastal villages, some of the most spectacular seaside restaurants in the world don’t just have incredible food to offer but views. The views will leave lasting memories long after the meal has ended. Here, we take a look at some of the best seaside restaurants for dining with a view.
Perched atop the island’s rugged west coast cliffs, The Cliff in Barbados is one of the world’s best-rated beachfront restaurants. Set facing the turquoise Caribbean Sea, this restaurant gives diners a front-row view of the rumbling coastline. Inside, it is no less impressive, sleek, modern décor integrated perfectly with the island's natural beauty.
The Cliff’s cuisine is about the island’s fresh produce and catch. Patrons can indulge in offerings such as fresh seafood platters, grilled lobster and exotic cocktails while gazing at waves crashing against cliffs below. For high-end dining with a view, The Cliff is among the best seaside spots in Barbados.
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The Rock Restaurant is set on a rock just off the coast of Zanzibar and can only be reached on foot at low tide or by boat at high tide, creating an exclusive dining experience. The seafood emporium is suspended above the Indian Ocean, with a 360-degree view of turquoise waters below. The restaurant’s feat was created inside high thatch-roof outsized wood decks, giving it a rustic yet luxurious lodge feel to blend in with the natural ambiance.
The menu here focuses on the region’s freshest fish, with items like grilled lobster, Zanzibar-style octopus, and fresh, daily caught fish from the ocean. The Rock Restaurant is one of the best seaside restaurants on a rock island, and water surrounds it. This restaurant is an experience like no other, whether you’re in search of a quiet retreat or a romantic dinner.
The Amalfi Coast is famous for its awe-inspiring views, and La Sponda zeroes in on the heart of Positano with its quintessential Amalfi Coast food and breathtaking vistas. La Sponda features a close, romantic dining experience and is perched on a cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The restaurant is in the Le Sirenuse Hotel and features decor that blends classic Mediterranean warmth with modern refinement.
The terrace of La Sponda, seen here, embraces a panoramic view of Positano’s colorful buildings spilling down to the sea. The restaurant’s menu reflects the finest elements of Italian fine dining, focusing on fresh produce from the region, loads of local seafood and pasta. La Sponda is one of the best seaside restaurants on the Amalfi Coast, serving up gourmet meals and an unforgettable view. Visiting here is a staple of every traveler's visit to Italy.
For a dining experience like no other, you can actually eat under the sea at The Sea in the Maldives. Poised at a coral-viewing, five-star Anantara Kihavah Villas Resort, this is one of Maldives’ premier seaside restaurants. The entire dining area is submerged so guests can dine while enveloping in coral reefs and strange fish.
The restaurant’s menu includes a combination of international and Maldivian dishes, such as Maldivian tuna sashimi, grilled reef fish, and indulgent desserts. There are places to eat and then there's The Sea, offering guests a generous sensory experience beyond that is the intimate echolocation effect of the surrounding sea and a feeling of being engulfed in the arms of the ocean. It truly feels like the top restaurants by the sea in an adventure for both your palate and your imagination.
Situated at the Indian Ocean’s edge, The Oyster Box in Durban, South Africa, is well-known for its first-class location and breathtaking views of the ocean. One of the best seaside restaurants in the district, this hotel eatery offers guests the opportunity to dine gourmet food with a view of the beautiful sea and the famous Umhlanga Lighthouse.
Tewkesbury’s menu draws from both international flavors and local ingredients. Guests may choose seafood platters, gourmet curries, and various regional specialties while being treated to stunning views of the Indian Ocean. With remarkable culinary artistry and a magnificent ocean view, The Oyster Box is unmistakably the definition of a seaside restaurant.
Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall, is one of the U.K.’s best seaside restaurants. It provides elegant dining with a focus on local, seasonal fish and shellfish. The restaurant is located along the beautiful Cornish coast, with sweeping views of the harbor and the Atlantic Ocean.
Rick Stein, a giant of British cooking, has made his name with dishes that celebrate the briny flavors of the ocean. His seafood restaurant in Padstow features dishes like lobster thermidor, crab and aioli, and local fish, all done with the freshest ingredients. Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant is up there with the best seaside restaurants the UK offers, with stunning food and a view of one of the country’s loveliest coastlines.
Nobu Malibu is an upscale, idyllic oceanfront eatery located on the stunning California coast serving world-renowned sushi and inventive Japanese Peruvian fusion fare. The restaurant sits above the Pacific Ocean, providing a breathtaking view of the coastline and the waves crashing in.
With its perfect mixture of fantastic food and stunning views, Nobu Malibu is one of the best coastal restaurants in America. Signature dishes on the menu include black cod miso, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, and a selection of sushi rolls. Eating at Nobu Malibu is more than just about the food; it’s the experience. The view of the Pacific Ocean amplifies each bite.
Le Bernardin, New York City, comes with a view of the seas, and menus strongly seeped with oceanside dining. Le Bernardin, one of the highest-rated seaside restaurants in the world, serves the best seafood there, cooked with unreal skill and precision. It stands among the most jagged restaurants in the world, and the acclaimed cuisine of the restaurant has earned it three Michelin stars.
The marine décor at Le Bernardin mirrors calm ocean waves, and the restaurant itself serves delicate, ocean-influenced dishes such as foie gras with tuna and lobster with truffles. Though not prototype on the coastline, Le Bernardin is a must when it comes to seafood for lovers of exquisite seaside eating in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
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The Maldives also has the award-winning oceanfront Soneva Fushi, which is located on its own private island with blue water all around. Although the eco-luxury resort offers several dining venues, the standout is Out of the Blue restaurant, which sits above the water and features sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.
The restaurant features sustainable seafood and organic ingredients, with dishes that highlight local flavors. Marvel at some exceptional cuisine in a breathtaking setting at Soneva Fushi, one of the very best restaurants by the sea for travelers in search of the best of luxury with sustainability.
From the island beaches of the Maldives to the cliffside views of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the world’s best-feeling seaside restaurants offer more than a meal. They provide an experience — a sensory experience of great food, stunning views, and the sounds of the sea to soothe you.
From intimate dinners set beside the water and high-end dining experiences to local seafood shacks, the world’s best beachside restaurants serve unforgettable moments in every bite. This extraordinary club of destinations enables you to taste the beauty of the ocean alongside some of the best food in the world!
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