The world’s top waterfront dining destinations offer much more than just a picturesque view

A perfect meal paired with breathtaking waterside views is the ultimate dining experience.

Indulge in food and drink bliss at 26 of the world’s most incredible waterfront restaurants.

Magenta sunsets, sparkling turquoise waters, stunning cliffside settings, and shimmering cityscapes – it’s all part of the experience. Begin planning your culinary journey now:

Padstow, UK: Paul Ainsworth No. 6

Nestled in a beautiful Georgian townhouse with views of the River Camel, this cozy Michelin-starred restaurant is located in the idyllic Cornish town of Padstow.

Renowned chef Paul Ainsworth serves up an exciting array of modern British seafood, with fresh oysters sourced from the nearby Atlantic being an essential part of the menu.

Paul Ainsworth No. 6: Middle Street, Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8AP, +44 01841 532 093

Maui: Mama’s Fish House

A beloved Maui landmark since 1973, this family-run restaurant sits right on the beach. Every day, local fishermen head out in small boats to reel in fresh catches like mahi-mahi, ono, uku, and papio, delivering them directly to the restaurant where they are served within hours.

The daily menu elevates 'local' dining by proudly featuring the name of the fisherman and the exact location where each fish was caught.

Mama’s Fish House: Hana Highway, 1.4 miles past Paia, +1 808 579 8488

Indonesia: Sundara Bali

Sunset is the perfect time to experience this chic yet laid-back modern Asian-inspired restaurant, offering breathtaking views of Jimbaran Bay.

As the sun sets, the fire pits are ignited, and families gather to enjoy fresh seafood from the bay, paired with locally sourced Balinese ingredients.

Desserts are crafted in-house by award-winning pastry chef Yusuke Aoki. A standout is the tropical parfait, featuring pineapple compote, tapioca, coconut meringue, and passion fruit sorbet.

Sundara Bali: Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia, +62 361 708333

Menfi, Sicily: Da Vittorio Ristorante

For the best views of the rolling waves, request a table by the window at this beloved Sicilian gem, located in the coastal town of Menfi.

The restaurant has earned its reputation for serving a standout dish: pasta con I ricci di mare alla Vittorio, or pasta with sea urchin.

The recipe is simple yet exquisite: spaghetti, olive oil, white wine, garlic, parsley, and locally sourced sea urchin. The quality of the ingredients transforms this dish into something extraordinary.

Da Vittorio Ristorante: Via Friuli Venezia Giulia, 9, +39 0925 78381

Pingwe, Tanzania: The Rock

Dining at The Rock is one of the most unique culinary experiences you can have anywhere in the world.

Perched on a small coral island, once a fisherman’s post, this picturesque restaurant is surrounded by the warm, inviting waters of the Indian Ocean. The African culinary team prepares specialties like The Rock Special – a grilled medley of lobster, cigal, king prawns, octopus, and calamari.

During low tide, you can walk to the restaurant from Michanwe Pingwe Beach, but at high tide, you'll be transported by fishing boat.

The Rock: Pingwe Michanvi Kae, Michamvi, Tanzania, +255 776 591 360

Venice, Italy: Club Del Doge

Enjoy a Negroni while watching gondolas drift by at Club del Doge, located inside the Gritti Palace Hotel, which gracefully overlooks the Grand Canal in Venice.

The view of the canal’s bustling traffic is a mesmerizing experience, but the food is equally exceptional: indulge in Venetian tapas-style snacks called cicchetti, freshly made ravioli, and a divine risotto topped with delicate white truffle shavings.

Club Del Doge: Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, 2467, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy, +39 041 794611

Miami: Seaspice

In the heart of the Magic City, this dazzling restaurant occupies a former industrial warehouse along the scenic Miami River.

The handmade pasta, sizzling meats grilled on hot stones, and wood-fired pizzettas are highly praised, but it’s the lively waterfront atmosphere that truly steals the show. Watch luxury yachts dock at the restaurant's expansive 500-foot pier.

Seaspice: 422 NW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33128, +1 305 440 4200

Big Sur, California: Sierra Mar

Nestled on a cliff overlooking the rugged Big Sur coast, Sierra Mar offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean below. It’s a romantic spot that has witnessed countless wedding proposals.

Chef Elizabeth Murray’s renowned California cuisine is every bit as impressive as the panoramic views. Her seasonal four-course menu blends French, Mediterranean, and Asian influences, with ingredients sourced from a nearby garden.

Sierra Mar: 47900 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920, +1 831 667 2200

Santorini, Greece: Lycabettus

Dining at this enchanting restaurant, perched on a cliff above the Aegean Sea, feels like floating in the blue – with the sky above and water stretching below.

But the restaurant’s appeal goes beyond its stunning location: Chef Pavlos Kiriakis expertly incorporates local Greek ingredients, including pistachios, white fava beans, and tomatoes from the volcanic soil of Santorini.

Lycabettus: Oia, Santorini, 84 702, Greece, +30 22860 72041

Dubrovnik, Croatia: Nautika

Situated by the western entrance to Dubrovnik's Old City, this historic restaurant was once the Dubrovnik School of Maritime Studies and has welcomed famous seafarers since the 1880s.

The menu features regional specialties like lobster sourced from the Dalmatian island of Vis, but it's the breathtakingly romantic setting that attracts royalty from across the globe. On one side, the sparkling Adriatic Sea; on the other, the imposing fortresses of Lovrijenac and Bokar rise dramatically from the water.

Nautika: Brsalje no. 3, 20 000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, +385 20 44 25 26

Cape Town, South Africa: Azure

The open terrace at one of Cape Town's most breathtaking restaurants seems to float high above the Indian Ocean.

Few dining moments are as special as enjoying kabeljou fish while watching the sun dip, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange.

Chef Christo Pretorius, passionate about sustainable seafood, creates a fusion of local and international dishes. His signature Prawn Dahl features savory lentils, cauliflower, coconut puree, pickled apple, and tiger prawns, all infused with his house-made spice blend.

Azure: Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa, +27 21 437 9029

Krabi, Thailand: The Grotto

Nestled beneath a towering limestone cliff, right by the sparkling turquoise waters of Phranang Beach, this restaurant at the luxurious Rayavadee Resort offers a unique dining experience inside a breathtaking, cathedral-like cave.

As your toes sink into the soft sand, savor classic Thai dishes like the sweet and sour Tom Yum Po Tak Talay soup, and you'll feel like the most glamorous castaway on Earth.

The Grotto: 214 Moo 2, Tumbon Ao-Nang Amphur Muang 81000 Krabi, Thailand, +66 2 301 1861

Santa Monica, California: 1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach

This airy, sunlit haven dedicated to coastal Californian cuisine blends seamlessly with the serene waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Inside, the restaurant is adorned with calming oceanic colors, while palm trees sway in the breeze just outside the tall glass windows.

The menu embraces Mediterranean influences, with an emphasis on meat, seafood, and fresh produce sourced from California.

1 Pico: 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405, +1 310 458 0030

San Juan, Puerto Rico: aMare

Chef Luis Guzman creatively blends his Puerto Rican heritage, like tostones (fried plantains), with the Italian flair of Serafina Beach Hotel, where spaghetti is prepared with a flourish tableside inside a massive Parmesan wheel.

Enjoy breathtaking sunset views over the glittering Atlantic Ocean from the restaurant’s modern, stylish terrace, designed in crisp blue and white to reflect the vibrant colors of the sea.

aMare: 1045 Ashford Ave, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico, +1 787 625 6000

St. Barts: Plage

This stylish yet relaxed beachside bistro, newly opened at La Sereno after a complete rebuild following Hurricane Irma, is the perfect spot to unwind. Located right on the pristine white sands of St. Barts’ Grand Cul du Sac, it offers stunning views of the crystal-clear teal-green waters.

The menu features a selection of casual but satisfying dishes, including burgers and salads, best enjoyed with your toes in the sand, embracing the laid-back vibe of the beach.

Plage: Grand Cul de Sac BP 19, St Barthelemy, +590 590 29 83 00

Hong Kong: Lung King Heen

Lung King Heen holds the prestigious honor of being the world’s first Chinese restaurant to earn three Michelin stars, all while offering breathtaking views of the sparkling Victoria Harbor.

Chef Chan Yan Tak, a native of Hong Kong, brings his culinary heritage to life with elegant Cantonese creations, including the wildly popular dim sum like baked whole abalone puffs and steamed lobster and scallop dumplings.

The only caveat? To secure one of the coveted window-side tables, reservations must be made months in advance.

Lung King Heen: 8 Finance St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, +852 3196 8888

Ocho Rios, Jamaica: The Gazebo at Goldeneye Resort

Accessible via a charming, lit-up drawbridge, this open-air, treehouse-style eatery overlooks a peaceful lagoon, making it a haven for relaxation.

Chef Colin Hylton, a local culinary talent, sources ingredients from Goldeneye’s expansive 2,500-acre farm, like callaloo, a popular leafy green, which pairs beautifully with the Gazebo’s signature charred ribeye.

The Gazebo: Race Course, Oracabessa, Jamaica, +1 876 622 9007

New York City: Grand Banks

The Grand Banks, inspired by the oyster barges of 19th-century Manhattan, is an exuberant floating oyster bar located on the historic Sherman Zwicker schooner, docked at Pier 25 in Tribeca.

Savor nautical-inspired cocktails, ceviche, and soft-shell crabs while watching the gulls soar and enjoying sweeping views of the New York skyline.

Grand Banks: Pier 25 Hudson River Park, New York, NY 10013, +1 212 660 6312

Dubai, UAE: Scape

The breezy terrace dining spot at the towering Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, which rises higher than the Eiffel Tower, offers an incredible view of the sparkling Arabian Gulf below.

The menu, inspired by the French Riviera, features dishes like Nicoise salad and grilled lobster, with caviar available for those looking to splurge.

Scape: Burj Al Arab, Ground Mezzanine Floor - Jumeirah St - Dubai - United Arab Emirates, +971 4 301 7777

Porto Ercole, Italy: Il Pellicano

Il Pellicano offers an idyllic, romantic setting on a Tuscan hill, overlooking the crystal-clear waters of Porto Ercole bay.

The ingredients are sourced locally, with fresh fish delivered daily to the kitchen and lamb from a nearby Tuscan farm.

As night falls, the scent of rosemary fills the air while the lights of fishing boats twinkle in the bay below.

Il Pellicano: Sbarcatello, 58019 Porto Ercole GR, Italy, +39 0564 858111

Stockholm, Sweden: Oaxen Krog

Located in Djurgarden, a scenic island in the heart of Stockholm, this Michelin-starred gem offers clean, minimalist interpretations of Nordic classics by the dockside.

The menu changes frequently to reflect the seasons, often incorporating wild herbs foraged from the nearby woodlands.

Natural light pours through the expansive windows, offering a view of the former shipyard that once stood on this site.

Oaxen Krog: Beckholmsbron 26, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 551 531 05

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: COMAL

Prepare your smartphones for breathtaking Technicolor sunsets at COMAL.

Perched above the stunning Chileno Beach, the restaurant's open-air design spans three levels, offering uninterrupted views of the deep blue Sea of Cortez.

Chef Yvan Mucharraz, originally from Mexico City and formerly of The French Laundry, brings a refreshing take on Los Cabos cuisine, featuring fresh local catches like giant totoaba and sea bass.

COMAL at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences: San Jose, México 1, Tourist Corridor, San Lucas, 23410 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico, +52 624 104 9600

The Maldives: Terra

At Terra, located within the newly opened Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, you can dine in one of seven stunning private bamboo pods.

Nestled high on an elevated treetop, each pod offers sweeping views of the vast blue horizon of the Indian Ocean.

The menu features indulgent dishes like Waygu beef with white truffles, perfect for a special occasion, along with a carefully curated wine list.

Terra: Ithaafushi Island, South Male Atoll, Male, 20009, Maldives, +960 4 0003000

Watch Hill, Rhode Island: COAST

Coast, a bright and contemporary restaurant from The Ocean House, offers the true New England experience: the freshest seafood from Rhode Island's coast, complemented by panoramic, uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The vegetarian menu, sourced from local farms, is so enticing that even meat lovers will be tempted: spicy fava beans, maple-glazed sweet potatoes, Maine grains spelt gnocchi, and white chocolate cremeux.

COAST: 1 Bluff Ave, Westerly, RI 02891, +1 844 380 1564

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand: The Dining Room at Cape Kidnappers

At this breathtaking cliffside restaurant at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, rugged cliffs give way to stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. To enhance the already spectacular scenery, the property is nestled within a bird sanctuary.

Fruits and vegetables are freshly harvested from Cape Kidnappers' own garden and prepared using classic French techniques.

The Dining Room at Cape Kidnappers: 446 Clifton Road Te Awanga Hawke’s Bay 4180 New Zealand, +64 6 875 1900

Anguilla: Coba

Situated at the edge of a dramatic cliff between Anguilla’s Barnes Bay and Meads Bay, Coba offers a truly cinematic experience. The sight of the powerful Caribbean Sea crashing below may even cause diners to lose their train of thought mid-conversation.

In addition to the breathtaking views, the stylish Kelly Wearstler-designed space serves mouthwatering dishes like spiny lobster paired with local crayfish bisque and curry croutons.

Coba: Barnes Bay, West End 2640, Anguilla, +1 800 201 9580