16 Restaurants Built Inside the Strangest Locations on Earth
We’ve all dined in typical restaurants housed in strip malls or downtown buildings, but some eateries take location to extraordinary levels. From underwater dining rooms to converted airplanes, these establishments prove that atmosphere can be just as important as the food itself.
Here is a list of 16 restaurants built inside the strangest locations on Earth, where the setting might just upstage what’s on your plate.
Underwater Restaurant
Norway’s Under sits five meters below the North Sea’s surface, offering diners panoramic views of marine life through a massive acrylic window. The concrete structure resembles a sunken periscope, with walls nearly five feet thick to withstand pressure and harsh conditions.
Diners enjoy locally-sourced seafood while watching fish swim by—essentially eating creatures similar to those observing them from the other side of the glass.
Cave Restaurant
Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant in Kenya occupies a naturally formed coral cave estimated to be 120,000-180,000 years old. The cave features multiple chambers with openings to the sky, allowing for romantic starlit dining 33 feet underground.
Natural coral formations create unique alcoves and private dining areas, making each visit feel like a personal discovery in this prehistoric setting.
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Airplane Restaurant
The Airplane Restaurant in Colorado Springs operates inside a fully intact Boeing KC-97 tanker. This massive military aircraft served in the 1950s before being converted into a dining establishment that seats 42 people within the original fuselage.
Patrons eat surrounded by authentic aviation memorabilia while experiencing the novelty of airplane dining without the typical constraints of actual air travel.
Prison Restaurant
The Clink Restaurant in Britain operates inside an active prison, with meals prepared and served by actual inmates working toward culinary qualifications. This rehabilitation program boasts a recidivism rate significantly lower than national averages while serving high-quality modern British cuisine.
Diners must pass security clearance before entry, making reservations here truly unlike any other dining experience.
Treehouse Restaurant
The Yellow Treehouse Restaurant near Auckland resembles a massive cocoon wrapped around a redwood tree 32 feet above ground. Accessible only by an elevated walkway, this pod-shaped structure uses sustainable materials and LED lighting to minimize environmental impact.
The restaurant’s unique architecture mimics natural forms while offering diners views through gaps in the slatted timber exterior.
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Waterfall Restaurant
Villa Escudero in the Philippines features tables set directly in the flowing water of a small dam spillway. Diners enjoy traditional Filipino cuisine while cool water rushes around their feet, providing natural air conditioning in the tropical climate.
The experience combines cultural immersion with nature, offering a refreshing alternative to conventional dining settings.
Ice Restaurant
Finland’s SnowCastle restaurant rebuilds itself annually using 44 million pounds of snow and 1,000 tons of ice to create walls, tables, chairs, and decorative elements. Guests dine wearing thermal clothing while temperatures hover around 23°F inside the structure.
This ephemeral dining room exists for just a few months before melting away, making each season’s design a unique architectural achievement.
Cliff Restaurant
Carved into an Italian cliffside, Grotta Palazzese sits inside a natural limestone cave 74 feet above the Adriatic Sea. This seasonal restaurant dates back to the 1700s when local nobility would host banquets in the dramatic space.
The cave’s natural acoustics amplify the sounds of waves crashing below, adding a soundtrack to meals served in this ancient dining room.
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Volcano Restaurant
El Diablo Restaurant in Spain cooks food using actual volcanic heat from the dormant Timanfaya volcano. A massive grill positioned over a geothermal heat vent reaches temperatures of 840°F without any electricity or gas.
The surrounding landscape resembles Mars with its red soil and sparse vegetation, creating an otherworldly backdrop for dining.
Train Carriage Restaurant
The Orient Express Restaurant in Zimbabwe operates inside restored vintage railway carriages from the original 1890s line. These historic dining cars sit permanently stationed on the edge of Victoria Falls National Park with views of wildlife.
The Victorian-era furnishings and traditional service harken back to the golden age of rail travel while remaining firmly planted on the track.
Crane Restaurant
Dinner in the Sky hoists diners 150 feet in the air on a platform suspended by a construction crane. This mobile concept has operated in over 60 countries, offering meals prepared by acclaimed chefs while guests remain securely strapped into their seats.
The experience combines fine dining with adrenaline as the table occasionally rotates to provide 360-degree views.
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Greenhouse Restaurant
De Kas restaurant in Amsterdam occupies a massive glass greenhouse built in 1926, creating a year-round growing environment for herbs and vegetables used in their Mediterranean-inspired menu. The 26-foot ceilings and abundant natural light create an airy dining atmosphere unlike traditional restaurants.
Chefs harvest ingredients just hours before they appear on plates, redefining the farm-to-table concept.
Fishing Hut Restaurant
The Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar occupies a former fishing shelter perched on an outcrop that becomes completely surrounded by water during high tide. Guests must arrive by boat or wade through shallow water depending on the ocean level.
This tiny establishment fits just 12 tables inside its weathered wooden structure, serving fresh seafood literally pulled from the surrounding waters.
Converted Church Restaurant
Jane operates inside a restored 1800s Presbyterian church in Montreal, preserving original architectural elements including stained glass windows and wooden pews repurposed as dining benches. The central open kitchen occupies the former altar space, with chefs working beneath soaring vaulted ceilings and original chandeliers.
The reverent atmosphere gives a new meaning to the concept of culinary worship.
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Public Toilet Restaurant
Taiwan’s Modern Toilet restaurant chain serves food in miniature porcelain toilet bowl replicas while guests sit on actual decommissioned toilets. The bathroom-themed decor includes shower heads on walls, sink tables, and other sanitized plumbing fixtures throughout the space.
This novel concept transforms traditionally private facilities into an unusually public dining experience.
Underground Bunker Restaurant
Safe House in Milwaukee operates from a genuine Cold War-era nuclear bunker, requiring a password for entry through its unmarked door. The spy-themed restaurant features escape hatches, secret passages, and moving walls that disorient first-time visitors.
This restaurant turns the concept of security clearance into entertainment, making diners feel like international spies just trying to enjoy a burger.
Beyond Conventional Dining
These extraordinary restaurants prove that creativity in the culinary world extends far beyond what appears on the plate. They transform dining from mere sustenance into immersive experiences that engage all senses through unexpected surroundings.
While conventional restaurants might focus purely on food quality, these establishments recognize that where we eat shapes how we experience flavor—proving that context can truly transform a meal into a memory.
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