Foodie travel guide: World’s 8 most unique restaurants

Though it is not an acceptable etiquette to have food inside the London Underground on your daily commute, it is highly welcomed aboard the Supperclub. It is an immersive dining destination where guests get a chance to enjoy a piping hot meal inside a decommissioned 1967 Victoria Line tube carriage. Originally, the space was used for photo sessions and movie shooting, but after undergoing a remarkable transformation, it turned into one of the most unique experiences in the capital of England. The comforting decor is made up of all the original features with a few additions of fine silverware, white table linens, a larger seating area by removing luggage storage, and a better ventilation unit.

The kitchen team is helmed by Colombian Chef Beatriz Maldonado Carreño (Bea), who presents a remarkable six-course Latin American tasting menu cooked with seasonal British ingredients. Expect to enjoy delicious dishes like beef brisket-filled empanadas with potatoes in coriander chili sauce, roasted trout with king prawns in tamarillo salsa, pulled pork carnitas with charred onion purée in salsa verde, and yellow yuca mash with asparagus in panca chili dressing. In desserts, indulge in items such as passionfruit ice dome with dark chocolate soil and caramelised bananas with coconut ice cream.

Meal for two — £146

The concept of demise in the Western world evokes discomfort, fear, and the idea of keeping it out of our minds. But in Theravada Buddhism, it is a routine part of living, just like birth. In their culture, the complete circle happens through birth, life, death, and then reincarnation. A distinctive restaurant called Kid Mai Death Awareness Café in Bangkok celebrates this ideology through an immersive experience. It is a one-of-a-kind establishment that challenges conventional eatery norms by prompting open conversations about mortality and life.

At the venue, diners get a chance to walk around wombs, be born again in the world, experience being in an ICU, fit inside a coffin, and contemplate existence. The place is the brainchild of Dr. Veeranut Rojanaprapa, a Thai academic with a background in philosophy and Buddhism, whose purpose is for visitors to have a deeper appreciation for life. Besides the decor, the food and drinks also reflect the theme. For instance, beverages are named Rebirth, Painful, Last Day, and Death Latte. They are served in IV bags or with hospital equipment. The complex also features escape rooms based on Thai belief systems, so get ready to run from hungry ghosts while exploring the city from within the silhouette of a human.

Entry fee — 500THB (includes one welcome drink and wristband souvenir)

O.Noir in Montreal is North America’s first-ever establishment that invites patrons to experience meals in total darkness. Its concept is based on the idea that when food is sampled without sight, the remaining senses get elevated, and an individual can better enjoy the smell and taste of the dinner. Plus, another highlight of the spot is that they allow guests to see the world through their service staff’s perspective, who are also visually impaired. The initial reaction seems a little disorienting to diners at first, but as the courses progress, the fragrance and flavor profiles of the dishes take the experience to a whole different dimension.

The kitchen team presents a menu of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. You can savor decadent items such as roasted scallops served in a creamy Pinot Noir sauce with garlic croutons, salmon tartare in horseradish sauce, grilled beef shoulder with leek in green pepper sauce, pan-fried sea bass with microgreens in a caper vinaigrette, and confit lamb shank with maple-glazed carrots. End your meal on a sweet note with desserts like chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream, saffron lime crème brûlée, and coconut milk flan with red fruit coulis. The restaurant also collaborates with charitable organizations and funds their operations with its profits.

2-course menu — CA$56
3-course menu — CA$72

Imagine going to a restaurant and having children aged 5-12 years cooking, serving, bartending, and cleaning. Sounds like a weird dream, right? However, at Kinderkookkafé in Amsterdam, this is the norm. Founded way back in 1981 by two locals, Ruth van Andel and Charlotte Borggreve, the spot's mission was to teach kids the value of responsibility and based on their ability to pick up a life skill. Now, after 40+ years, the quaint shop has transformed into a high-demand establishment where birthday parties, family events, and special occasions are celebrated.

Booking in advance is mandatory, and the children who want to participate have to choose between cooking, cleaning, bartending, and serving. There are fixed dishes and courses to choose from, which range from Greek and Mediterranean to Indian and Asian delicacies. Some of the flavorful items one can savor here are red lentil soup, bulgur with meatball alongside cucumber salad, egg curry with green peas on rice, Bolognese pasta with garlic bread, honey roasted chicken wings in chives sauce, and fried garlic mushrooms on a baguette, and meat casserole in tzatziki sauce. In desserts, you can find classics like tiramisu, peach flan with ice cream, and banana cream with coconut.

Pricing:
Chefs — €17.50
Adults — €17.50
Children aged 2 — 12 years — €8
Drinks — from €2.75

Our next stop takes us to a 1930s bus depot in Savannah, Georgia, for a fine dining experience of contemporary Southern cuisine. Occupying a 1938 Art Deco Greyhound Bus Terminal, the space retains its vintage charm, thanks to design elements like a canvas on the wall depicting an old bus, a diner-style service counter, large floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and metal furnishings. There are also some modernized things, such as diffused lighting, leather-furnished booth seating, and a fully equipped bar service station.

The kitchen is helmed by co-owner and Chef Mashama Bailey, who serves an elevated Southern cuisine with a New York twist. The front-of-the-house is managed by Managing Partner Johno Morisano and his friendly professional team. Expect to relish delicious creations such as summer squash with pickled olives, melon gazpacho in basil oil, roasted oysters in peanut sauce, seared scallops with cornbread, beef carpaccio with shallots in white BBQ sauce, stewed okra with peas alongside sourdough, and deep-fried quail with roasted peppers. Satisfy your sweet cravings with signature pecan pie with vanilla ice cream, salted chocolate chip cookie, and key lime pie.

3-course prix fixe menu — $85

In Bucharest, guests can enjoy amazing traditional Romanian cuisine paired with refreshing beers in a cathedral-like setting from the late 19th century. Established in 1879 by Nicole Mircea, Caru' cu Bere is a historic German-style beer hall renowned for its neo-Gothic architecture and Art Nouveau interior. The vintage restaurant in the city’s Old Town features exquisite stained glass windows, hand-carved wooden decorations, a dance area with live music, mosaic-filled arches, and a flower-studded mezzanine. The place transports its visitors back in time to a regal era of the bygone days. The building it resides in has been classified as a historical monument.

The massive space seats over 2500 customers a day, who can sample authentic dishes like sarmale (cabbage rolls), slow-roasted pork knuckle with polenta in horseradish cream, bean stew with smoked pork in a bread bowl, pan-fried carp in garlic paste, mixed mushroom stew with tarragon, and grilled beef filet with baked potatoes in sour sherry wine reduction. For the complete experience, pair your meal with their beverage selections, featuring specialty craft beers, wines, Champagnes, apéritifs, cocktails, and local spirits. On the weekends, their beer cellar hosts live music and folk dance performances called taraf.

Average bill — €38

Our journey around the world for the most unique restaurants has brought us to Colorado in the USA. Hernando’s Pizza Pub is a long-standing community favorite haunt that started way back in 1967. Jerry and Anne Von Dracek fell in love with the region and decided to start their pie restaurant here. Since they were ardent fans of Broadway musicals, especially The Pajama Game, they named the spot after the musical’s theme song, Hernando’s Hideaway.

But the most quirky aspect of the eatery happens to be its dollar bill-studded wall, which amounts to approximately $35,000 as of 2019 and is still counting. The story goes that a customer named Russ Peterson from Florida offered a wager to the owners that if he posted a decorated dollar bill behind the bar, 20 more would be up there by the end of winter. After he realized that he might be losing, Russ started buying drinks for guests if they would post a decorated note on the wall. Even though he lost the bet due to cheating, the tradition continued, and today the space feels like thousands of dollars worth. In terms of food, they focus only on three types of pizzas, namely Roma with ragù, Simone garlic, and traditional. There are also some starters such as garden salad, buffalo wings, ricotta-filled ravioli, and garlic bread.

Average bill — $24

Imagine entering a former lockup in a marine police station and being served top-quality whiskies from around the world, along with a creative cocktail menu offering. Sounds too good to be true? Located near Hong Kong’s port district, The Cell happens to be one of the oldest bars in the island city. Set within an old British-era police station’s reporting room, it is an 1881 Heritage complex that houses many dining, drinking, and shopping establishments. Among them, The Cell is the most famous and frequented destination.

The interior is elegant and welcoming in atmosphere, complete with aged wood flooring, heavy leather-furnished booths, regal whitewashed walls full of hanging photographs, and contemporary diffused lighting. The three former jail cells, which were used for smugglers and pirates, have been revamped into semi-private rooms for office events, family functions, and friendly gatherings. Patrons can indulge in limited-edition whiskey selections, signature cocktails, vintage label wines, and craft beers. Pair the drinks with their small plate bar menu, comprised of Iberico ham, nachos with guacamole, baked camembert with crackers, truffle fries with garlic mayo dip, fried spicy chicken wings, Margherita pizza, cheese platter, and soy protein cutlet in citrus coconut oil.

Average bill — HK$470

If you are an adventurous person looking for something truly unique, then we are sure these restaurants above may be just what you need. But we are sure there might be other spots – hidden gems we could have missed. If you know about any such amazing establishments, share your thoughts about them in the comment section below. Before you go, check out the other fascinating gastronomic stars:

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