8 Scenic Restaurants Designed to Serve Dinner With a View

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More often than not, a noteworthy dining experience is derived from more than the food itself. From the menu, ambiance, decor, service, to the location, eating out is about the overall experience. Across the globe, dining spaces are often built relative to a natural wonder or view. Whether it be an impressive mountainscape, a peaceful lake, or an expansive skyline, the exterior view can greatly impact a guest’s experience. 

When building on such complex topographies, timeliness and efficiency are paramount. Sometimes the structure is built off-site and assembled on-site. While in other circumstances, the development is offered more flexibility. Listed below is a selection of restaurants, each conceived with the surrounding landscape in mind. These projects are site-specific, yet they are unified as examples of spaces that minimally impact the surrounding topography while focusing on exterior views.

The Eagle – Mountain Top Restaurant by Viereck Architects, St. Lorenzen am Kreischberg, Austria

Located 2000m above sea level sits a mountain-top restaurant known as The Eagle. The newly-built dining space replaced an old après-ski bar that obstructed the picturesque views of the surrounding mountainscape. In order to embrace the natural environment, Viereck Architects designed a rock-shaped structure that boasts an angular façade.

The structure is oriented to offer the absolute best views of the surrounding landscape. The two main elevations (North and East) are almost entirely glazed, allowing patrons to enjoy their surroundings while equally indulging in the warm indoor dining space.

Mountain Restaurant & Bar by ZJJZ Atelier, China

Nestled within a richly-foliated bamboo forest atop a mountainscape sits the Mountain Restaurant & Bar, a contemporary, single-storied dining spot in China. The structure was built in a timely six months and with a limited budget. The primary intention was to strengthen the relationship between the unique environment and the restaurant.

To this end, the architects designed two separate volumes: a bar and a formal dining area. Both structures are adorned with dark-colored louvers which speak to the surrounding color palette of dark brown hues. The louvers can completely open, allowing for a season-specific dining experience.

“Floating Island” Restaurant by CPLUS, Chongqing, China

Tucked in the mountains of Chongqing, China sits the French restaurant, “Floating Island.” Designed for the 2019 Wulong Lanba Land Art Festival, this project was conceived closely with the restaurant’s chef, Gilles Stassart. Gilles desired a space where the architecture serves as a part of the overall dining experience.

To grant the client’s wish, the main volume was built on a sloping cliff. The primary dining room is cantilevered on the sloping terrain and faces an expansive mountainscape. The project was intentionally designed so that when fog rises, guests feel as though they are dining in the clouds.

Mountain Restaurant Björk by Murman arkitekter AB, Hemavan, Sweden

Adjacent to a long row of birch trees is the Mountain Restaurant Björk. This uniquely-shaped triangular structure was constructed using prefabricated parts and materials. The restaurant is positioned near the exit point of a ski lift and because of that, it primarily hosts skiers.

Keeping in mind its principal group of patrons, the building materials were specifically chosen to accommodate guests wearing winter apparel. For example, the floors are made of carpet to prevent slipping. Meanwhile, the dining tables and benches are made of pinewood, which speaks to the surrounding forested landscape. A row of symmetrically-placed windows adorns the restaurant’s façade – which offers unobstructed views of the mountainscape.

Photos by Le Anh Duc

Roc Von Restaurant by Vo Trong Nghia Architects Phú Cát, Quốc Oai, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Located 30 kilometers from Hanoi, Vietnam is the Roc Von Restaurant. This venue is a known pit-stop for drivers and offers a unique place to rest from long-distance travel. The restaurant is located on a lower elevation than that of the nearby highway and was purposefully done in order to block guests from the road traffic.

The restaurant overlooks a lake and guests dine over a semi-covered patio space. The design features 12 large bamboo columns that work together to create a series of symmetrical archways. The use of natural and local materials, as well as the placement of the restaurant relative to the lake, makes for a culturally-rich and unique dining experience.

Sushi Samba London by CetraRuddy, London, United Kingdom

At the very top of Heron Tower – London’s tallest building – is the dynamic restaurant Sushi Samba London. Known for its unique Brazilian/Peruvian/Japanese menu, the restaurant equally boasts a vibrant ambiance and extraordinary views of the capital’s cityscape. The restaurant features 24-foot-high ceilings and was built with floor-to-ceiling windows – allowing for unobstructed views of downtown London.

Photo by Ana Mello Fotografia de Arquitetura

Restaurante do Lago by mass arquitetura & Galvez De Vitto Interiores, São Paulo, Brazil

Located in Esporte Clube Pinheiros – a private club in São Paulo – is a contemporary Japanese restaurant. Designed by mass arquitetura, Restaurante do Lago sits next to a lake and is surrounded by rich vegetation. The aim was to create a space that minimally impacted the land while still distinct enough to attract local diners. Hence a simple yet sophisticated box-shaped volume was erected. The space boasts clean lines, large windows, and a black and white color palette. This two-toned aesthetic is enhanced by the rich greenery easily seen by patrons through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Trollwall Restaurant & Service Building by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, Møre og Romsdal, Norway

Sitting atop one of Norway’s most visited natural attractions – Troll Wall – is the Trollwall Restaurant & Service Building. Designed by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, the space is uncomplicated and lets the surrounding landscape speak for itself. Its angular shape reflects the asymmetrical peaks of the surrounding mountain range. Moreover, the reflective glass façade allows guests to experience the wonders of the outdoors while dining in the warmth.