One of the best parts of
traveling around the world is getting to experience
new and amazing food, from grubbing it with the street foodies to the more elegant
fine dining experiences. And then there are some unique restaurant ideas where not only is the food amazing, the concept itself is so weird, exciting, cool, bizarre, etc., that you're not likely to find something similar anywhere else.
Here are 10 of the world's most unique dining experiences!
1. Dining in the Dark
Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like! You might have stumbled around the dark when one of those midnight cravings hits you, but this is a whole other ball game. Dining in the dark is a concept that removes one of the senses that we use most – especially when it comes to food – our sight and heightens the rest of them to make one of the world's most unique dining experiences. Here are a couple of places where you can find this cool
Halal food experience around the world:
Dialogue in the Dark – Pan India
Website: http://www.dialogueinthedarkindia.com/
*Note: They are not Halal-certified, but most outlets make assurances of Halal food only being used. There is also no alcohol or pork involved in the preparation (*again, most outlets). Please do find the closest outlet to you and contact them directly for more information. They also have a vegetarian menu.
Click here for more information about Dialogue in the Dark – Pan India
Dining in The Dark KL
*Note: They are also not Halal-certified, but serve Muslim-friendly food, which means they use Halal meat and refrain from pork or alcohol. However, alcohol is served on the side.
Address: 50A Changkat Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Phone: +603 2110 0431 / +603 2110 3099
Website: http://dininginthedarkkl.com
2. Dining in the Air
Dinner in the Sky
Website: http://dinnerinthesky.com/
Dinner in the Sky is a company that brings to you one of the world's most unique dining experiences – having a gorgeous meal with a gorgeous view below you as you float in the air! This amazing concept was brought to life first in Belgium but has since been expanded to over 40 countries, including
Malaysia,
Dubai,
Australia, India, the United States,
Canada, and more.
*Note: Certain countries have Halal-certified menus, like Malaysia and Dubai, but please do check with the branch in your country. You can find the contact information through their website.
3. Dining with Pets
If you're a pet lover, you might be interested in the bizarre yet unique restaurant concept of eating in a pseudo-pet shop, because that's exactly what pet cafes are! That's right, you'll get to enjoy tea and snacks while sitting amongst cute, domestic furries like cats and rabbits, watch birds flutter around, or even have a live snake slither around on your table.
Tokyo is famous for this unique dining concept, and there are various animal cafes you can find, depending on your pet preferences. Check out this article for a list of the
best animal cafes in Tokyo. But here are a couple of others:
Ra.a.g.f Rabbit Café
Picture Credit - www.connietsangphotos.com
Address: Japan, 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, shrine 6-chome 14-15.
Phone: +81 3-6805-0328
Hagu Cafe
Picture Credit - www.tabelog.com
Play with and feed cute little hedgehogs and degus!
Address: Japan, 1-2 chome Kabukicho Shinjuku-ku, 160-0021 Tokyo KK Building 4F.
Phone: +81 3-6233-9390
4. Dining in an Ice Castle
The Snow Castle
Picture Credit - www.finedininglovers.com
Website: http://www.visitkemi.fi/en/
Imagine a building -nay, a castle- made entirely out of ice. We bet you're thinking of Queen Elsa's ice castle from 'Frozen'; so are we! Well, how would you like to be in an actual real-life snow castle and have a meal there?
If that sounds interesting to you, get your gloves and sweaters ready because you can! If you're near the city of Kemi in Finland, it's totally worth the trip because this is one of the
world's most amazing restaurants. Built entirely out of snow and ice made of seawater, this ice castle is rebuilt every single year, and stands from January to April. Works have also begun to build an all-year-round Snow Castle. The Snow Castle also has accommodations, other
attractions, and even a wedding chapel made wholly of ice!
5. Dining on a River Cruise
Muslim History Tours
Picture Credit - www.muslimtours.net
Imagine yourself rocking down the iconic River Thames in Britain while getting to experience amazing views of some of the most famous places in the city and learning about them through live commentary. And what's more, you'll also be enjoying some of the best
Halal food in the city!
Well, that can be a reality if you're in Great Britain, through the Muslim History Tours River Cruises. They have lunch, dinner, and hi-tea cruises that start and end at different ports of the River Thames, and have different menus. You can get all the information and make reservations through their website above. Whichever one you choose, you're guaranteed to have one of the best Halal dining experiences ever!
Click here for more information about Muslim History Tours
Address: Varies
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7993 8595
Website: http://www.muslimhistorytours.com/en_GB
6. Dining on a Bus
Bustronome
Website: http://www.bustronome.com/
Bustronome is a unique dining experience of enjoying a meal while on board a luxury double-decker bus! Operating out of both
London and
Paris, the bus takes its passengers on a culinary journey and a literal journey around the city. You'll get to see some of the most iconic sights around the city, with a brief commentary about each place. If you've got just one day to explore the city and enjoy good food, this unique restaurant concept caters to your needs perfectly!
*Note: They do serve alcohol, and their dishes probably do include alcohol and non-Halal meat as well. However, they claim they are able to cater to any dietary requirement, so we suggest asking for vegan meals without alcohol. Also, special requirements need to be communicated well in advance.
Click here for more information about Bustronome
7. Dining in a Zoo
Jungle Breakfast With Wildlife
Picture Credit - www.weekendgowhere.sg
This unique themed restaurant is set inside an actual zoo! You'll get to enjoy a delicious Halal breakfast buffet of local and international dishes, complete with tea and coffee. And while you're enjoying a hearty meal, there might be a few furry friends that swing by.
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826, inside Singapore Zoo.
Phone: (65) 6269 3411
Website: www.zoo.com.sg
Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium
Although technically not a restaurant, the Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium has several picnic and BBQ areas within the zoo. These are situated close to animal exhibits, so you'll definitely have a few visitors looking at you beyond glass walls during your meal. You can bring your own food and drink, so there's no worry about it being Halal.
Click here for more information about Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium
Address: Scrivener Dam, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 261102.
Phone: 6287 8400
Website: http://nationalzoo.com.au/visitor-information/facilities/
8. Dining in a Waterfall
Labassin Waterfall Restaurant
Picture Credit - www.unusualplaces.org
That's right, this “restaurant” is situated at the base of a man-made waterfall that actually powers a nearby cocoa plantation. This unique dining concept has the diner sitting in an actual waterfall, with their feet dipped into the cool rushing waters while enjoying simple, yet delicious local Filipino fare.
Address: Villa Escudero Plantations & Resort – Villa Escudero, Km 91, Tiaong, Quezon .
Phone: +63 (02) 523-0392
Website: http://villaescudero.com/amenities-activities/
9. Dining at Sea
Smith Marine
How about having a meal literally above the sea? That's exactly what you get at
Smith Marine, Singapore's first-ever Halal kelong restaurant. This restaurant serves some of the best seafood dishes – and why not, they are literally in the sea – but the icing on the cake is the fact that you get to catch your own seafood! On top of all that, the amazing view and cool sea breeze make this a really cool food experience.
Address: Johor Strait, Singapore.
Phone: +65 9792 7609
Website: http://www.smithmarine.com.sg/
10. Dining Under the Sea
We've seen restaurants that were floating on the river, situated in the sea, and even in the sky, so what's left? Underwater restaurants, of course! Underwater dining is definitely of the coolest meal experiences you can have. This unique restaurant theme gives you the chance to have a meal inside a transparent bubble in the middle of the ocean, with all kinds of amazing corals and sea life all around you.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant
Address: Conrad Rangali Island 20077, Maldives.
Phone: +960 668-0629
Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara
Address: Ground Floor, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Phone: +971 4 301 7600
Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/burj-al-arab/restaurant-at-burj-al-arab/al-mahara/
Sea Underwater Restaurant
Address: Anantara Kihavah Villas.
Phone: +960 660-1020
Website: https://kihavah-maldives.anantara.com/dining.aspx
*Note: These restaurants are not Halal-certified, and serve food with alcohol. However, given that they are situated in Muslim-majority countries, they should be able to arrange special Muslim-friendly meals for you. Please do check with them in advance.
