The restaurants with the world's most jaw-dropping views revealed
- Many of the world's best restaurants gain their reputation through the food, the service and the atmosphere
- There are some restaurants however, that draw travellers because of the spectacular views that they offer
The criterion that goes into creating a list of the world's best restaurants often centres around the food, the service and the ambience - rarely is the environment outside ever considered.
But there are restaurants around the world, often in remote and isolated locations, where the unforgettable experience is as much about the view from the windows as it is about what you're eating.
And with idyllic and unusual spots like the snow-capped Alps, the volcanoes of Lanzarote and even the Hobbit film set in New Zealand to choose from, these really are the restaurants that are worth the journey.
Restaurant Le 3842, Aiguille du Midi, France
Situated at 12,605ft (3,842m) above sea level on one of the peaks of Aiguille du Midi is Restaurant Le 3842 (pictured)
The restaurant offers unrivalled views of the mountains and visitors can reach the remote spot via a special cable car service
If you're in the Chamonix, it's worth heading to the Aiguille du Midi.
Situated at 12,605ft (3,842m) above sea level on one of its peaks is Restaurant Le 3842, a place that offers unrivalled views of the mountains around it.
The isolated spot can only be reached by cable car and aside from a cafe, there is virtually nothing else around. It offers a fare of locally sourced, French cuisine.
El Diablo, Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote
El Diablo, a barbecue restaurant in Timanfaya National Park, offers its guests panoramic views of the Fire Mountains
Its specialism is barbecue food, which is cooked over a custom-built grill that's heated over a volcano (pictured)
t El Diablo, a barbecue restaurant in Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a feast cooked with the help of a volcano.
And before their meal, they can also take a tour of the volcano, which has been dormant since 1824.
But perhaps even better than the novelty of a daredevil feast is the stunning panoramic view of the Fire Mountains from the restaurant.
The Green Dragon Inn, Matamata, New Zealand
The Green Dragon Inn is set in the surreal surroundings of the Hobbiton film set (above), which appeared in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies
The film set continues inside the inn where guests can enjoy different flavoured pies in the surreal environment
The Green Dragon Inn is set in the surreal surroundings of the Hobbiton film set, which appeared in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
There almost nothing but endless farmland around the area, until you reach Hobbiton.
And then you're suddenly transported into the other-worldly landscape of the Hobbits where the grass is a lush green and the gently reflects off the waters.
If the desert is your idea of an escape then the Suhail restaurant at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara (above) in Abu Dhabi is where you should head
The Suhail restaurant is an open-air space with views of the Arabian desert - a view that's particularly stunning at sunset
If the desert is your idea of an escape then the Suhail restaurant at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi is where you should head.
The open-air restaurant, which looks out over gentle slopes of the Arabian desert, serves up an up-scale fare, including meat sourced from all over the world.
But it's the view at sunset that truly completes the experience.
Piz Gloria is perhaps best known for its appearance in the 1969 James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service
The film location, which has since been turned into a restaurant, is now a popular tourist spot - especially with skiers
Piz Gloria is perhaps best known for its appearance in the 1969 James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
The film location, which has since been turned into a restaurant, is now a popular tourist spot - especially with skiers.
Visitors are only able to reach the picturesque spot, which overlooks the mountains of the Swiss Alps, via a cable car.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Rangali Island, Maldives
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at the Conrad resort (above) in the Maldives is perhaps the most iconic of the underwater restaurants in the world
The underwater experience is perhaps best enjoyed at lunch though be prepared to bring your sunglasses
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at the Conrad resort in the Maldives is perhaps the most iconic of the underwater restaurants in the world.
It was once voted the most beautiful restaurant in the world by New York Daily news and allows guests to be surrounded by the ocean's creatures without getting their feet wet.
The experience is perhaps best enjoyed at lunch though on occasions, guests and staff have to wear sun glasses in order to protect their eyes from the sun.
Faviken, Jarpen, Sweden
It takes serious planning to reach Faviken, a restaurant that's situated in Jarpen, an hour's flight or seven hours by car from the capital of Stockholm
The restaurant (above) is considered by many to be among the world's best and there are room where guests can stay overnight if they can't make the journey back
It takes serious planning to reach Faviken, a Swedish restaurant considered by many to be among the world's best.
Situated in Jarpen, which is an hour's flight or seven hours by car from the capital of Stockholm, the restaurant is surrounded by nature. Close by is a lake and beyond it are endless forests.
Luckily, there are also rooms where you can stay if you can't make the journey back on the same day.
Stratosfare, Queenstown, New Zealand
Located in the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve, the elevated Stratosfare restaurant looks over the town of Queenstown and the shores of Lake Wakatipu
Although the views of the lake (above) is spectacular during the day, it's perhaps even more beautiful at sunset
Located in the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve, the elevated Stratosfare restaurant looks over the town of Queenstown and the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Although the views of the lake is spectacular during the day, it's perhaps even more beautiful at sunset.
And thanks to the design of the restaurant, every table in the house has a great view.
