When searching for the perfect restaurant for a special occasion, a celebration with friends, or just a romantic dinner for two, there are a few things I always look for: an inspired menu, tasty cocktails, and spectacular views. A gorgeous setting almost certainly upgrades your evening from a good time into an unforgettable experience. Here are our readers’ all-time favorite restaurants with a view.
(Photo Credit: Caven Photo by Jeff Caven)
1. TEN 3 (Winner)
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Voted the most breathtaking dining experience by readers, at 10,300 feet above sea level, TEN 3 is truly a magical setting. Sitting at the top of Sandia peak, visitors enjoy the epic scenery of the Sandia Mountains and the valley below. To get to TEN 3, visitors can take the Sandia Peak Tramway, or if you’d rather hike, take Ellis Trailhead and enjoy a 1.5-mile hike up to the restaurant.
TEN 3 offers both fine and casual dining. The menu includes locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and features modern American, New Mexican, and international cuisine. The bar area offers appetizers, specialty cocktails, and regional brews.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Grilled Ribeye (from the Fine Dining menu)
- The Three Sisters (from the Desert menu)
Editor’s Note: At the time of publication, the Sandia Mountains are under a Stage 3 Forest Closure due to extreme fire danger; however, the tram and restaurant will be operating under normal hours.
(Photo Credit: Janie Pace)
2. Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant
Big Bend National Park, Texas
This casual eatery may appear unassuming at first glance. However, don’t be fooled by the decor; the real star of Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant is the phenomenal view. Through a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, visitors are immersed in the stunning beauty of the Chisos Mountains. Arrive around sunset for an unforgettable display of nature’s beauty.
Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as to-go boxes for adventures outside. The menu consists of locally inspired fare and a nice selection of local beer. Each table comes equipped with an informational booklet about the Big Bend region.
Editor’s Note: Days and hours of operation may vary due to short staffing. Please contact the property directly before planning your visit.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Texas Toothpicks
- Breakfast Burrito
(Photo Credit: Taeman1980 / Shutterstock)
3. Top Of The World
Las Vegas, Nevada
Located at the top of the Stratosphere tower, more than 800 feet above the Las Vegas Strip, Top of the World offers unrivaled views of the city and a spectacular dining experience. With a dining room that revolves 360 degrees every 80 minutes, it’s quite literally impossible to have a bad seat.
The upscale steakhouse-style menu includes an impressive selection of fresh seafood, prime-cut steaks, and decadent specialties. The atmosphere is elegant, and the restaurant does enforce an upscale dress code.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Roasted Lobster Tails
- Warm Butter Cake
(Photo Credit: LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort)
4. BALEEN Naples
Naples, Florida
An incredible dining experience complemented by scenic beauty, BALEEN Naples offers a spectacular beachside setting for diners. Located within the LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, BALEEN Naples is a top spot for both tourists and locals. Aside from traditional table settings, the restaurant also includes a few tables directly on the sand as well as beach fire pits — the perfect spot for your after-dinner cocktail.
BALEEN Naples offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner — all featuring a varied and gourmet menu. Make reservations for a sunset meal and enjoy a celebratory bell ringing while everyone in the restaurant claps — a perfect celebration for a special occasion!
Must-Try Menu Items
- Lobster Risotto
- Key Lime Pie
(Photo Credit: Cindy Barks)
5. Mesa Grill
Sedona, Arizona
Overlooking Sedona’s famous red rocks, Mesa Grill features a menu of Southwestern fare and offers diners a sweeping vista of much of Sedona. Writer Cindy Barks advises, “The Mesa Grill is set back a bit from the big view, but it still offers a great vantage point. If the weather allows, ask to be seated in the enclosed patio, where you’ll have an unobstructed view of the distant orange-hued rock wall.”
As for food, Cindy recommends “the signature steak and green chili grits with a sunny-side-up egg and guacamole, or breakfast tacos with chicken chorizo” for breakfast. “At lunchtime, the go-to choice is the fish-and-chips entree featuring Parmesan-crusted red snapper with Creole remoulade. At dinnertime, check out the small plates such as the eggplant meatballs, Baja ceviche, and blistered shishito peppers with garlic-chili spice.”
Must-Try Menu Items
- Blistered Shishito Pepper with Garlic-Chili Spice
- Breakfast Tacos with Chicken Chorizo
(Photo Credit: Jekyll Island Club Resort)
6. The Wharf
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island’s The Wharf offers visitors an incredible mix of fascinating history, delicious local fare, and magnificent water views. Writer Kathleen Walls explains, “The casual restaurant is on the pier where once visitors to the Island’s exclusive club checked in. It was the only way onto the island. Wealthy members arrived either by their own yachts or by train and were then taken to the island on the 100-foot steamer The Jekyll Island.“
The Wharf, part of the Jekyll Island Club Resort features open-air dining, happy hour, a late-night bar, and live music two to four nights a week. Ther menu consists of a wide variety of seafood and Southern favorites.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Fried Green Tomato
- Shrimp And Grits
(JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP via Getty Images)
7. Le Jules Verne
Paris, France
Located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne offers diners a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Visitors can marvel at the view from inside a special elevator while making the trek up to the restaurant, bypassing tourists on their way. The ambiance of Le Jules Verne is elegant and intimate, and in the evening, the Eiffel Tower sparkles with light, creating an unforgettable display.
The menu has been described as creative and sophisticated. Le Jules Verne’s knowledgeable sommeliers have compiled a selection of incredible wine to pair with the five- and seven-course tasting menus.
Considering a lunchtime visit? Writer Ulrike Lemmin Woolfrey offers this pro tip: “There is always a cheaper option at lunchtime, but you won’t get to sit inside the Eiffel Tower when it sparkles, and that was worth nearly all the money on its own.”
Must-Try Dishes
- Prepare to be delighted by the a five- or seven-course tasting menu
(Photo Credit: Marcela Abrach / Shutterstock)
8. The Signature Room At The 95th
Chicago, Illinois
Indulge in panoramic skyline and shoreline views high above the city of Chicago in family-owned The Signature Room. Located atop the former John Hancock Center, visitors take a specially marked elevator to go directly to the restaurant. Upon arriving in the restaurant, diners are treated to an amazing view of northern, eastern, and southern Chicago.
The menu offers upscale contemporary American fare and an extensive wine selection. An open stairway provides easy access to The Signature Lounge on the 96th floor for a happy hour cocktail or after-dinner drink.
Must-Try Menu Items
- A bottle of wine (they are known for an incredible wine selection!)
- Roasted Rack of Lamb
(Photo Credit: Scoma’s Sausalito)
9. Scoma’s
Sausalito, California
Scoma’s Sausalito is a charming waterfront restaurant, offering diners unobstructed views of Angel Island, Tiburon, Sausalito, and San Francisco. Floating out over the bay, the restaurant has been family owned since 1969 and is a popular destination with locals and tourists.
Their menu consists of classic Mediterranean cuisine with sustainable fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Oysters Sausalito
- Fresh Seasonal Seafood
(Photo Credit: Salty’s on Alki Beach)
10. Salty’s On Alki Beach
Seattle, Washington
Located on Alki Beach, Salty’s offers diners both a magnificent view of the Seattle city skyline and an award-winning menu. Established in 1980, Salty’s is a James Beard Smart Catch Restaurant and is family owned and operated.
The restaurant offers elegant glass-like tents on its deck to keep diners comfortable all year round. They are renowned for fresh seasonal seafood, Pacific Northwest Coastal cuisine, and a lively atmosphere.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Dungeness crab
- Emerald Acres Manila Clams
(Photo Credit: ALKA Mediterranean Restaurant)
11. ALKA Mediterranean Restaurant
Il-Qrendi, Malta
The Mediterranean Sea is on full display at Malta’s ALKA Mediterranean Restaurant. The luxurious setting offers diners the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Situated walking distance from Malta’s Blue Grotto, ALKA specializes in fresh seafood, offering cuisine based on seasonal availability.
Must-Try Menu Items
The menu changes daily depending on seasonality and availability. Expect an assortment of antipasti, pasta, seafood, meats, and homemade desserts, and call ahead for specific details.
(Photo Credit: Shahlock Vyomes / Shuterstock)
12. The Trident
Sausalito, California
Located on the gorgeous Sausalito waterfront, The Trident is best known for its spectacular views of San Francisco, Angel Island, and Alcatraz. Heated outdoor decks provide a relaxing and comfortable seaside location for a special lunch or dinner.
The menu offers seasonal, local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. While the atmosphere is casual, the food and service are perfectly upscale.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Creamy San Francisco Style Clam Chowder – a 55-year-old recipe (includes bacon)!
- The Trident Cioppino
(Photo Credit: Sergio TB / Shutterstock)
13. The River Café
Brooklyn, New York
Located riverside under the Brooklyn Bridge, The River Café exudes romance with its breathtaking NYC skyline views. The atmosphere is further enhanced by gorgeous flower arrangements and live piano music.
As a Michelin-starred American restaurant, the menu features classic American fare while proudly complementing the changing seasons. The ambiance is elegant and upscale, and a serious dress code is enforced.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Wagyu Steak Tartare
- Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge
(Photo Credit: Marius Dobilas / Shutterstock)
14. The Rock Zanzibar
Pingwe, Michamvi, Tanzania
Located in front of Michamvi Pingwe beach on the southeast coast of the island, The Rock Zanzibar has sometimes been referred to as “the floating restaurant.” An open-air terrace offers a romantic evening under African skies with panoramic seascape views. The restaurant is reached from the beach during low tide and by complimentary boat during high tide.
The menu is comprised of locally sourced products including fish caught daily by local fishermen and spices from the spice farms of Zanzibar.
Must-Try Menu Items
- Nyama Choma Na Chipsi (Grilled Tomahawk Steak)
- Pineapple Flambé With Vanilla And Zanzibar Spices Ice Cream
