Restaurants are not just places to eat, but real works of art, where every element, from interior design to serving dishes, must be perfect. There are many outstanding restaurants in the world offering unique dishes created from the freshest and highest quality products by talented chefs who are ready to surprise their guests.
1. Mercado Little Spain

New York, USA
Mercado Little Spain in New York is a food court offering visitors authentic Spanish cuisine. Here you can try dishes such as gazpacho, rabbit paella and crispy churros. Mercado Little Spain has several establishments where you can eat both sitting and takeaway. However, due to the popularity of the restaurant, it is recommended to book a table in advance, especially if you plan to eat inside.
Mercado Little Spain supports the work of the World Kitchen organization, headed by Jose Andres, which is engaged in feeding people in crisis situations around the world. This makes visiting a restaurant not only a pleasant gastronomic experience, but also a contribution to an important cause.
2. Salsify

Cape Town, South Africa
Salsify Restaurant at the Roundhouse is located at the foot of Lion's Head Mountain in Camps Bay, one of the most expensive areas of Cape Town. This establishment offers visitors exquisite European cuisine with an emphasis on haute cuisine and original cocktails.
Salsify offers its guests three rooms: The Sea Room with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, The Seasonal Room with a fireplace and furniture made of natural materials, and The Somerset Room, designed for private events.
3. Soneva Fushi

Kunfunadhu, Maldives
Shades of Green Restaurant at Soneva Fushi's Resort in the Maldives is a unique place where the emphasis is on fresh organic products and a healthy lifestyle. Created by Danish chef Karsten Kister, the restaurant offers Maldivian and Southeast Asian cuisine prepared in Nordic techniques (smoking, salting, fermentation and pickling). The menu celebrates the organic garden of the resort, offering dishes made from mainly vegetable ingredients, divided into categories: cleansing, crispy, raw, cereals, cooked on fire and sweet.
4. Under

Linnesnes, Norway
The Under Restaurant is located off the coast of Norway at a depth of 5.5 meters underwater. It allows visitors to immerse themselves in the life of the marine ecosystem of the North Atlantic. Externally, the restaurant looks like a concrete structure half submerged in water, in the underwater part of which there is a huge window through which it is possible to watch fish and, possibly, seals passing by.
5. Alchemist

Copenhagen, Denmark
The Alchemist restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark, opened in 2019 and immediately received two Michelin stars for its creative and sophisticated dishes. Chef and co-owner Rasmus Munch, along with designer Mike Dunkalf, have transformed the former Royal Danish Theatre set workshop into a unique space where every dish is a work of art.
Alchemist offers guests a journey through five activities, each of which represents a new culinary experience. A team of animators, one playwright and 32 chefs creates a unique atmosphere, complementing it with visual effects and live performances.
6. Direkte

Barcelona, Spain
Direkte Restaurant is located in the heart of Barcelona, on the edge of the famous Boqueria Market. Its owner and chef Arnau Munho pushes the boundaries of market cuisine, creating haute cuisine in an institution where there is barely enough space to store food. Direkte is unique in that it combines the traditions of Catalan cuisine with Asian motifs from China, Japan and Korea.
A special feature of the restaurant is the active involvement of artists, actors and other creatives, whose installations change 2-3 times a year. This makes Direkte not just a place to eat, but also a space for cultural exchange and self-expression.
7. Hiakai

Wellington, New Zealand
Hiakai Restaurant, located in Wellington, New Zealand, offers visitors a unique gastronomic experience based on Maori roots and local ingredients. The founder of the restaurant, Monique Fiso, returned to New Zealand after seven years of work in New York to open an institution reflecting her love of Maori culture and cuisine.
8. Jordnær

Gentofte, Denmark
The Jordnær Restaurant, located in a cozy hotel in the Gentofte district of Copenhagen, Denmark, embodies true Danish hospitality. The name of the restaurant translates as "down-to-earth", which reflects its philosophy: here guests are greeted warmly and cordially, and the food is served elegantly, but without excessive pretentiousness.
The restaurant was opened in 2017 by the couple Tina and Eric Wildgaard, who strive to provide guests with an unforgettable experience. The interior of the restaurant is decorated in warm colors, with comfortable armchairs, dark wood floors and plenty of natural light. The menu offers a variety of dishes, including monumental langoustines, turbot and king crabs caught in local waters.
9. Kjolle

Lima, Peru
Kjolle Restaurant, opened by Chef Pia Leona in Lima, Peru, stands out for its unique approach to Peruvian cuisine. Located directly above the Central Restaurant, Kjolle offers a more relaxed atmosphere and seasonal dishes highlighting the variety of Peruvian products.
Unlike the conceptual Central, Kjolle is not tied to high-altitude boundaries or complex tasting menus. Pia Leona strives to offer simpler dishes, highlighting Peruvian products from all over the country. The menu rarely uses more than four ingredients, which makes the dishes informative, revealing the complexity of Peruvian cuisine.
10. Meizan Kimiya

Kagoshima, Japan
The Meizan Kimiya restaurant, located in Kagoshima, Japan, is one of the favorites of renowned food industry expert Gerhard Huber. The Kimiya brothers, who run the restaurant, present a unique combination of Japanese cuisine: one of them specializes in sushi, and the other is responsible for cooking kaiseki and cleaning dishes.
A special feature of the restaurant is the use of innovative methods and unusual flavor combinations. For example, one of the popular dishes is stewed eggs covered with hot seaweed gel, with foie gras added. This approach demonstrates the Kimiya brothers' commitment to experimentation and the search for new flavors.