There are plenty of ways to see a new place, from cushy guided bus tours to getting right down in the streets and hoofing around.
But we think one of the best ways to take in all the glory of a city's architecture and landscapes is to see it from above. Now pair those spectacular views with delicious fare and expertly crafted cocktails and you've got an experience to write home about – or make a special trip for.
Here are our favourite sky high dining experiences from around the world.
Sky Garden
London
Public access to the views from the top of London’s bulgy Walkie Talkie tower helped justify building the skycraper. Sky Garden is its three-storey, verdant and beautifully landscaped crown. It’s free to stroll the space, but their dining options will keep you there. Sip on a Winter Berry Mojito at Sky Pod Bar, tuck into an Aberdeen Angus steak at Darwin Brasserie, chow down on Cornish cod at Fenchurch Restaurant or pair a cheese plate with a ‘12 Château Clarke on the Terrace.
Sands Skypark
Singapore
You’ll likely recognize this rooftop oasis from the extravagant party scene at the end of Crazy Rich Asians. Only guests of the hotel can swim in the sparkling infinity pool, billed as the world’s largest, but everyone can take advantage of the sky-high dining experiences. There are three parts to modern Asian restaurant CÉ LA VI; the Restaurant and Skybar where you’ll find decadent fare and signature cocktails, and the Club Lounge, home to small bites, DJs and dancing. On the other side of Sands SkyPark, enjoy Wolfgang Puck’s California cuisine at Spago Dining Room.
Le Jules Verne
Paris
Could there be a more romantic spot to dine than in the city of love, and right inside the iconic Eiffel Tower? On the second floor, 125 metres above the city, feast on French cuisine, inspired by the tower itself. For dinner, superstar chef Frédéric Anton offers a five- or seven-course tasting menu with the option to add wine pairings curated by the restaurant’s master sommeliers. Lunch at Jules Verne is just as much of an affair, with a choice between the tasting menus or a prix fixe, plus a daylight view.
Edge and Peak
New York
The latest addition to Manhattan’s 30 Hudson Yards skyscraper, Edge is being billed as the western hemisphere’s highest observation deck. Hanging off the side of the 100th floor, it includes a champagne bar with small bites you can eat indoors or out. For thrill seekers, there’s a glass floor, angled glass walls to allow visitors to lean 1,131 feet over the city and, of course, the suspended-in-mid-air sky deck. Head up to the 101st floor for the 360-degree views from Peak restaurant with everything from dark oak floors to sustainable seafood.
At.mosphere
Dubai
Not for the faint of heart, At.mosphere is 442 metres up in the air, on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Seafood towers and platters, as well as Japanese wagyu tenderloin (at $600 for eight ounces) make it onto the very pricey, luxe dining menu in the restaurant. Meanwhile, the lounge offers a slightly more casual dining experience, DJ dance parties and the opportunity to have a very, very high tea.
Hungry for more? Read the entire Culinary Issue online for free here
