FLOATING ATOP SKYSCRAPERS IN SHANGHAI, OR SUBMERGED IN THE FROSTY WATERS OF THE NORTH SEA? AN ANCIENT CAVE HIDDEN SEVERAL METERS BELOW BALI’S SURFACE, OR A SPACE-AGE SPECTACLE IN SPAIN’S PARTY CAPITAL? THESE BEWILDERING CULINARY EXPERIENCES PAIR FIVE-STAR FINERY WITH AN INSATIABLE TASTE FOR EXCITEMENT

BY AMANDA McCOY

UNDER
Norway

Upon initial glance, this unassuming concrete block appears as if it slid off Norway’s craggy southern coast and into the icy Atlantic waters, where it was doomed to live out its days half submerged in the frosty expanse. But one step inside the Snohetta-designed structure reveals a far different scene: cloaked in a soft, almost mystical emerald glow from the ocean’s floor through a 36-foot acrylic glass wall, diners are feasting on a Michelin-starred tasting menu of Nordic classics. When Under celebrated its fiercely anticipated grand opening in 2019, its reservation books immediately filled up six months in advance.

The concept of an underwater restaurant isn’t new (The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island made waves when its Ithaa Undersea Restaurant debuted in 2005), but Under is Europe’s first submerged eatery and the largest in the world, offering intrepid guests a front-row seat to the North Atlantic’s rarely seen underwater show. Its tough concrete shell was designed to withstand the rough-and-tumble conditions of the icy ocean, and it doubles as an artificial reef, inviting limpets and kelp to take up residence. The interiors are finished in classic Nordic minimalism, rendered in natural materials and handmade wooden tables and chairs. Helmed by head chef Bernt Sætre, the seasonally shifting tasting menu spotlights sustainable wildlife capture, a hallmark of the Under ethos. Expect 10 to 12 paired courses featuring diverse, locally foraged ingredients and ethically caught fish. Recent offerings included halibut with yellow berries and fennel, scallops with black oats and arctic kiwi, and monkfish dressed with celeriac and white asparagus, all served amid views of nature’s pantry through the towering periscope window. Prices begin at $223 per person for dinner. under.no

SUBLIMOTION
Ibiza, Spain

There are only 12 seats per night at this high-tech dining concept in Spain’s sunrise chasing party capital, and at $2,380 per person, it’s also hailed as the most expensive restaurant in the world and it’s always fully booked. (Note: the restaurant only operates in Ibiza’s high season, June through September.) It’s not merely the food alone that sends gastronomes into a frenzy though, two Michelin-starred chef Paco Roncero and his team of equally exalted culinary greats present a 20-course feast that’s out of this world but the experience. This isn’t dinner and a show; rather, dinner is the show. Chef Roncero founded Sublimotion in 2014 as a multi-sensorial dining spectacular, where he uses 360-degree projection mapping, dynamic lighting, state-of-the-art sound design, and even VR glasses to take guests on a three-hour odyssey into the sublime. Think mind bending visuals set against an epic original score, all while you feast on stunningly presented Spanish-global delicacies along with free-flowing vintage champagne.

Salad-filled terrariums might descend from the ceiling, while the dessert platter might appear to levitate above the table. The setting is constantly shifting; one course might arrive in a 1930s jazz club, the next aboard a 1960s commercial jet. The menu is ever-evolving and therefore cloaked in mystery (you’d be hard-pressed to find past examples online), but that’s just part of the allure. sublimotionibiza.com.

THE CAVE
BALI, INDONESIA

When construction was underway on the swanky villas at the cliffside resort The Edge in southern Bali, the team stumbled upon a stunning subterranean cave of dramatic proportions. Today, The Cave is one of Indonesia’s hottest dinner reservations, accessible via a hidden spiral staircase that descends to a sultry, 22-seat restaurant helmed by the British-born super-chef Ryan Clift. Cradled by crescent walls and ancient stalactites, diners are treated to a multi-course degustation menu that highlights hyper-fresh ingredients and bold, tropical flavors. For a kiss of theatrics, light projections dance across the cave’s natural contours in-between courses.

Come hungry and opt for the ten-course menu (a truncated seven-course option is available, too, along with a vegetarian alternative), which dances through plates of caviar-topped parmesan beignets, Hokkaido scallops with almonds and muscat grapes, brown crab salad sweetened with mangos, and foie gras cheesecake before breaking for a 15-minute intermission. The show then continues with wild-caught coral trout abetted by fennel purée, slow-cooked Wagyu pot de feu, and olive oil sorbet jazzed up with yuzu, thyme, and gin. After the meal, if you’re feeling adventurous, grab a helmet and light (provided by the restaurant) to explore darker corners of the 25,000-year-old cave. The ten-course experience rings in at $145 per person, and $265 with the wine and cocktail pairings. thecavebali.com

HEAVENLY JIN
Shanghai, China

Located atop the Shanghai Tower (China’s tallest building), the J Hotel debuted as the highest hotel in the world in 2021. Stratospheric vistas abound from each of its 165 staterooms and suites, but the best vantage point is served on the 120th floor. Officially christened the following year by Guinness World Records as the globe’s highest restaurant, Heavenly Jin wines and dines guests at 1,825 feet in the sky (the previous record holder was Dubai’s Atmosphere, located in the Burj Khalifa, a full 400 feet lower).

As you enter, you’re welcomed by a breathtaking 30-meter-long, Silk Road-inspired mosaic crafted in sumptuous Italian style an arresting prelude to a spectacle of urban grandeur. The interior unfolds beneath a canopy of ribbon-like crystal chandeliers, casting a soft glow over the feasting area and enhancing the sense of dining among the clouds. The menu elegantly channels the essence of Jiangnan cuisine, with a focus on refined Huaiyang dishes that blend tradition with contemporary vitality. Guests are invited to witness the artistry behind each plate: an open kitchen transforms the culinary process into a live performance, adding a fresh cinematic flair to the elevated setting.

Evenings at Heavenly Jin are especially magical. Framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, city lights shimmer like distant constellations as wind and clouds drift by, creating a serene and otherworldly backdrop for dinner. With 256 seats, including five private dining rooms, Heavenly Jin strikes a balance between intimacy and exclusivity, perfect for intimate celebrations or contemplative meals with a view from the top of the world. jhotel-shanghai.com