Half-submerged beneath the icy waters of the North Sea, Under is Europe’s first underwater restaurant and a triumph of both architecture and culinary innovation. Guests descend a monolithic concrete slope that juts starkly from the coastline. Enter a warm, timber-lined dining room where a panoramic window offers front-row views into the shifting marine landscape. The menu is equally immersive: seasonal, hyper-local and, of course, seafood-focused. Recently awarded its first Michelin star, Under is not just a restaurant; it’s a meditation on nature and Norwegian minimalism. 

Clinging to the cliffs of Italy's Adriatic coast, Grotta Palazzese is a restaurant like no other. Carved into a limestone grotto with an open-air terrace that hovers above the sea, it is the perfect place for a romantic evening. Waves crash against the rocks below, and the candlelit tables cast a warm glow across the cave walls. The menu is a celebration of Apulian cuisine, with freshly caught seafood and regional wines taking centre stage. Expect plates of handmade pasta and delicate crudo. Lovers of caviar can choose from various “experiences” expertly paired with drinks.

Once a fisherman’s post, this tiny structure perched on a rock in the Indian Ocean is now one of Africa’s most photogenic dining spots. Accessible on foot at low tide or by boat when the water rises, The Rock offers sweeping views of turquoise seas and a menu that celebrates the Indian Ocean’s bounty. Expect laid-back island chic interiors, and with only a handful of tables, intimacy is guaranteed.

At El Diablo, the grill isn’t powered by gas or electricity – but by the Earth itself. Located inside Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park, this restaurant uses geothermal heat from a dormant volcano to cook its food. The open-air grill sits directly above a volcanic vent. The setting of the restaurant is as striking as the concept: floor-to-ceiling windows showcase sweeping views of volcanic craters, undulating lava fields and the Atlantic in the distance. Designed by Lanzarote-born architect César Manrique – whose work across the island fuses art, nature and architecture.

If you’re in search of something beyond panoramic views and perfect plates, Dans le Noir (with various locations across the globe) offers an experience that’s refreshingly different. Guests dine in total darkness, guided and served by visually impaired staff who expertly lead you through your meal, without a simple glimpse of what’s on your plate. With sight out of the equation, your other senses step up: flavours feel bolder, and familiar ingredients take on new intrigue. It’s a dining experience that’s disorienting in the best possible way. 

If romance is on the cards, head to Italy’s region of Puglia to visit Grotta Palazzese and stay at Masseria San Domenico. This luxury hotel, with a history dating back to the 1400s, is a timelessly elegant stay steeped in heritage and romance. However, if the wildly beautiful Zanzibar is more your pace of life, visit the offshore Rock Restaurant on the south-eastern coast of the island at Michamvi Pingwe Beach. Then cross to the island’s western coast and stay at Park Hyatt Zanzibar, a waterfront escape in the heart of Stone Town. Of course, you can book stays at these hotels and more on ASMALLWORLD Collection.