Top 50 Restaurants with the Best View in the World

The view from inside the Eiffel Tower itself. Frédéric Anton's three Michelin trained kitchen now matches the most identifiable address on earth.

The view: The interior of the Eiffel Tower second platform with floor to ceiling windows looking down on Trocadero, Champ de Mars, the Seine, and the Paris skyline beyond.

Altitude or floor: 125 metres up on the Eiffel Tower second platform

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on three sides of the dining room

Light register: Sunset and blue hour are the foundational moments; the tower lights the city below at night

Weather factor: Indoor; the view is constant year round

Notre Dame framed in the window since 1582. Few rooms on earth carry this much accumulated dining gravity.

The view: Sixth floor view of Notre Dame de Paris and the Seine. The view alone has occasioned more proposals than any other window in Paris.

Altitude or floor: Sixth floor of the building at 15 quai de la Tournelle

Glass or terrace: Picture window dining room facing Notre Dame

Light register: Dusk into night reads strongest; spring and autumn light most flattering

Weather factor: Indoor; the view is constant year round

Rooftop of The Peninsula Paris with the Eiffel Tower at the centre of the view. The most cinematic Eiffel Tower dining angle in the city.

The view: From the rooftop of The Peninsula looking south across the 16th arrondissement to the Eiffel Tower at the centre of the view, with the Trocadero and the Seine framing.

Altitude or floor: 8th floor rooftop of The Peninsula Paris

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace plus glass-enclosed dining room

Light register: Sunset behind the Eiffel Tower; the tower lit at dusk; sparkles every hour after dark

Weather factor: Outdoor terrace April to October; indoor year round

Inside the Gare de Lyon. The 1901 Belle Epoque dining room with the original gold leaf, the painted ceilings, and the most architecturally cinematic train station restaurant in the world.

The view: Inside the Gare de Lyon railway station, looking up to the original 1901 Belle Epoque painted ceilings and gold leaf, with the brasserie service architecture intact.

Altitude or floor: Inside the Gare de Lyon, first floor

Glass or terrace: Indoor Belle Epoque dining room with original 1901 architecture

Light register: Quiet indoor light; the gold leaf glows under the original chandeliers

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

Four hundred candles light the room nightly. La Sponda at Le Sirenuse is the most consistently voted world's most romantic dining view for a reason.

The view: Terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the cliff stacked pastel houses of Positano, and the Faraglioni rocks beyond.

Altitude or floor: Cliffside above Spiaggia Grande, Positano

Glass or terrace: Open terrace with retractable awning; candle light only at dinner

Light register: Sunset and candle hour; no electric lighting at dinner, the candles and the night sea carry the evening

Weather factor: Outdoor terrace; closed in winter; weather is the variable

Palazzo Avino's hilltop restaurant in Ravello. The infinity pool, the cliff drop to the Amalfi Coast, the Belle Époque palazzo. The aspirational view dinner of the Mediterranean.

The view: Ravello sits 1,000 feet above the Amalfi Coast; Palazzo Avino's terrace looks down across a cliff drop to the sea. The infinity pool below frames the horizon.

Altitude or floor: 1,000 feet above the Tyrrhenian Sea, atop the Ravello cliff

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace; candle service at dinner

Light register: Sunset over the Amalfi Coast; the infinity pool reflection at golden hour

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October peak; closed in low winter

Carved into the cliff face of Positano. The terrace at Il San Pietro hangs over the sea. The most architecturally improbable view dinner on the Amalfi Coast.

The view: Hotel Il San Pietro is built into the cliff itself. The terrace dining room sits above the Tyrrhenian Sea with a private elevator down to the beach.

Altitude or floor: Carved into the Positano cliff face, 50 metres above the sea

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace; candle service at dinner

Light register: Sunset on the Tyrrhenian Sea; the cliffside lights below at night

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October; closed in winter

At sea level beneath the Faraglioni rocks. The famous limestone twin pillars rising from the sea above the lunch tables. Lunch only, no dinner. The most photographed lunch view in the world.

The view: At sea level on the Faraglioni rocks side of Capri with the famous limestone twin rocks rising directly above the dining tables and the Tyrrhenian Sea horizon at the long view.

Altitude or floor: Sea level beneath the Faraglioni twin rocks

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace at sea level

Light register: Midday Mediterranean light; afternoon golden hour

Weather factor: Outdoor; lunch only; April to October

The Capri Palace beach club restaurant on the cliff above the Faraglioni. The infinity pool, the cliff drop to the sea, and the same limestone twin rocks framed from above.

The view: Cliff terrace on the Anacapri side of the island looking down 80 metres to the sea and the Faraglioni rocks below.

Altitude or floor: 80 metres above the Tyrrhenian Sea on the Anacapri cliff

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace; pergola shaded at lunch

Light register: Midday Mediterranean light; sunset over the sea

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October; closed in winter

Two Michelin at the Capri Palace. The cliff terrace above Marina Piccola, the white-walled Anacapri palazzo, and the Mediterranean register at its most refined.

The view: Cliff terrace on the Anacapri side looking down to Marina Piccola and the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the Sorrento peninsula visible across the bay on clear days.

Altitude or floor: Atop the Anacapri cliff at the Capri Palace hotel

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace; candle service at dinner

Light register: Sunset over the sea; the white walls glow gold at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October; closed in winter

The lemon grove pergola dinner. Strung with hundreds of lemons hanging from a wooden canopy. The most photographed lemon-tree dinner setting in the world.

The view: Outdoor pergola covered with hundreds of fresh Sorrento lemons hanging on branches; the citrus canopy is the entire visual register.

Altitude or floor: Marina Grande district at ground level

Glass or terrace: Open pergola dining; lemon canopy overhead

Light register: Golden hour into evening candle light; the lemons glow gold at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October; closed in winter

On the Capri Piazzetta with the village's narrow lanes and the boats arriving below. The terrace umbrellas have been the canonical Capri lunch photo since the 1960s.

The view: Open umbrella terrace on the Piazzetta with the Capri village square, the church bell tower, and the marina below all visible from the table.

Altitude or floor: On the Capri Piazzetta at village level

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace under signature pink and white umbrellas

Light register: Midday Mediterranean light; the village square fills with golden tones at golden hour

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October; closed in winter

The Belmond Caruso infinity pool dining terrace. The most photographed infinity-pool view in the Mediterranean. Ravello cliffside above the Amalfi Coast.

The view: From the Caruso terrace 1,200 feet above the Amalfi Coast looking down across the cliff drop to Atrani and the sea, with the infinity pool framing the horizon.

Altitude or floor: 1,200 feet above the Amalfi Coast atop the Ravello cliff

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace; infinity pool foreground

Light register: Sunset over the Amalfi Coast; the infinity pool reflection at golden hour

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October; closed in winter

Rooftop pool dining at La Minerva. Marina Grande below, the harbour fishing fleet returning at sunset, and the Sorrento peninsula across the bay.

The view: Rooftop terrace looking down to Marina Grande, across the bay to the Sorrento peninsula, and up to the Capri village above.

Altitude or floor: Capri village rooftop level

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace with pool

Light register: Sunset over Marina Grande; the fishing fleet returning at golden hour

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October; closed in winter

Sorrento's old fishing harbour at sea level. The boats moored beside the table, the cliff of Sorrento above, and Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples on clear evenings.

The view: Sea-level dining at Marina Grande Sorrento with the moored fishing boats beside the tables, the cliff of Sorrento above, and Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.

Altitude or floor: Sea level on the Marina Grande Sorrento waterfront

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace at sea level

Light register: Sunset over Vesuvius across the bay; the fishing fleet at golden hour

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October peak

The 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa. The world's tallest building, the longest sightline of any restaurant, and a view that includes both desert and Persian Gulf in a single window pane.

The view: From the 122nd floor of the world's tallest building looking out across all of Dubai, the Persian Gulf to the west, and the Arabian Desert to the east.

Altitude or floor: 442 metres up on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, the highest dining room in the world by floor

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on every side of the dining room

Light register: Sunset over the Gulf is the canonical moment; blue hour reveals the city's full lighting

Weather factor: Indoor; weather affects visibility on rare sandstorm days

Sky Bar's older sibling on the 63rd floor of State Tower. The Bangkok skyline, the Chao Phraya river bend, and the gold dome that defines the building's silhouette.

The view: Open rooftop on the 63rd floor of State Tower facing the Chao Phraya river bend, the Bangkok riverside skyline, and the financial district lights.

Altitude or floor: 63rd floor, 247 metres up on State Tower

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace; no roof, weather-dependent

Light register: Sunset over the Chao Phraya is the canonical moment; the gold dome above the bar lights at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor; closed in heavy monsoon; November to February most consistently clear

Hutong on the 33rd floor of The Shard. The London skyline at the dinner, the red lanterns at the centre, and the most consistent skyline-view group dinner in the city.

The view: From the 33rd floor of The Shard looking north across the Thames to the City of London skyline, St Paul's dome, the Tower Bridge, and the Canary Wharf cluster.

Altitude or floor: 33rd floor of The Shard, London's tallest building

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on every side

Light register: Blue hour into the lit City skyline; the Thames lights below

Weather factor: Indoor; year round; rare fog days reduce visibility

The 31st floor of The Shard with the Tower Bridge centred in the window. The most identifiable London dining view.

The view: From the 31st floor of The Shard looking east across the Thames to Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and the City of London skyline.

Altitude or floor: 31st floor of The Shard, two floors below Hutong

Glass or terrace: Triple height atrium with floor to ceiling glass facing the Thames

Light register: Sunrise breakfast and blue hour dinner both work; the Tower Bridge lights at dusk

Weather factor: Indoor; year round; rare fog days reduce visibility

The 40th floor of the Heron Tower, open 24 hours. The Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie, and the post-dawn breakfast view that turned the City of London into a dining destination.

The view: From the 40th floor of the Heron Tower looking out across the City of London skyline with the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie, the Cheesegrater, and the Lloyd's Building all in the same window pane.

Altitude or floor: 40th floor of Heron Tower, 230 metres up

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on every side

Light register: Open 24 hours; sunrise and blue hour are the canonical moments; the City lights at night

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

The 61st floor of the Banyan Tree. Bangkok's most consistently photographed sunset rooftop, with the gold-lit Lebua tower visible in the long view.

The view: Open rooftop on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree facing the Bangkok financial district skyline, the Chao Phraya bend, and the Sathorn district.

Altitude or floor: 61st floor, 230 metres up

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace; no roof

Light register: Sunset is the canonical moment; the city lights at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor; closed in heavy monsoon

Two floors below Sirocco at the same Lebua State Tower. The Asian fusion register with the Chao Phraya river bend in the window.

The view: Open rooftop bridge on the 51st and 52nd floors of State Tower facing the Chao Phraya river bend and the Bangkok skyline.

Altitude or floor: 51st and 52nd floors of State Tower

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace with bridge spanning two floors

Light register: Sunset over the river; the gold dome lights at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor; closed in heavy monsoon

The Address Beach Resort 54th floor with the Marina, the Persian Gulf, and the Burj al Arab in a single window pane.

The view: From the 54th floor of the Address Beach Resort looking north across Dubai Marina, west across the Persian Gulf, and south to the Burj al Arab.

Altitude or floor: 54th floor, 220 metres up

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace plus indoor dining room

Light register: Sunset over the Gulf; the Marina lights at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor terrace closed in summer; indoor year round

The 102nd floor of the International Commerce Centre. Two Michelin Cantonese with the entire Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island skyline at the window.

The view: From the 102nd floor of the ICC tower looking south across Victoria Harbour to the Hong Kong Island skyline, the Peak rising above the financial district, and the Star Ferry crossings below.

Altitude or floor: 490 metres up on the 102nd floor of the ICC, the second tallest building in Hong Kong

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the harbour-facing side

Light register: Blue hour into the city's neon lighting is the canonical moment

Weather factor: Indoor; typhoon season July to September affects visibility

Danny Meyer's 60th floor view restaurant. The Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building. New York from the room's windows.

The view: From the 60th floor of 28 Liberty looking out across the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Financial District below.

Altitude or floor: 60th floor of 28 Liberty Plaza

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on three sides

Light register: Sunset and blue hour both read strongly; the city lights at night

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

The 65th floor of 30 Rock. Open since 1934. The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the rotating dance floor that defined the Manhattan skyline dinner format.

The view: From the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza looking south to the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the Manhattan grid of midtown.

Altitude or floor: 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 260 metres up

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass with the original 1934 art deco styling

Light register: Blue hour into the lit Empire State Building; the rotating dance floor dinners on weekends

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

The 36th floor of the Shangri-La Sydney with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge centred in the window. The most consistent harbour view in the city.

The view: From the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Sydney looking east across Sydney Harbour to the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and the eastern suburbs beyond.

Altitude or floor: 36th floor of Shangri-La Sydney

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the harbour-facing side

Light register: Sunset over the Opera House; the bridge lights at night

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

Aria sits directly across the cove from the Sydney Opera House. The white sails framed in the picture window. Sydney's most architecturally cinematic dining view.

The view: From the dining room at 1 Macquarie Street looking directly west across the cove to the Sydney Opera House sails, the Royal Botanic Garden behind, and the Harbour Bridge to the right.

Altitude or floor: Ground floor cove level at Circular Quay East

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the cove-facing side

Light register: Sunset behind the Opera House; the sails lit at night

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

Inside the Opera House sails themselves. Peter Gilmore's three Hat kitchen with the Harbour Bridge and the city skyline framed by the architectural icon.

The view: Inside the smaller of the Sydney Opera House sails, looking east across the harbour to the Royal Botanic Garden and the eastern shore, with the Harbour Bridge framed by the building's interior arches.

Altitude or floor: Inside the Sydney Opera House, ground floor

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass through the architectural arches of the Opera House sails

Light register: Sunset across the harbour; the bridge lights at night

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

Three Michelin French at the Four Seasons. The 6th floor harbour view with the Star Ferry crossings, the Kowloon waterfront, and the city's most consistent fine dining service.

The view: From the 6th floor of the Four Seasons looking north across Victoria Harbour to the Kowloon waterfront, the Star Ferry crossings, and the ICC tower beyond.

Altitude or floor: 6th floor of the Four Seasons Hong Kong

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the harbour-facing side

Light register: Blue hour into the harbour neon lighting; the ferry lights at night

Weather factor: Indoor; year round; typhoon season July to September affects visibility

Richard Ekkebus's two Michelin Modern European at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental. The harbour view through the bronze ribbon ceiling, and the kitchen pass theatre.

The view: From the dining room at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental looking out across Victoria Harbour with the Kowloon waterfront framed by the bronze ribbon architectural ceiling.

Altitude or floor: Inside the Landmark Mandarin Oriental tower

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass framed by sculptural bronze ribbons

Light register: Blue hour and city lights into the harbour neon

Weather factor: Indoor; year round; typhoon season affects visibility

Inside the Museum of Modern Art. The two Michelin dining room with floor to ceiling glass facing the MOMA sculpture garden, with the Picasso, Calder, and Rodin sculptures at the centre of the view.

The view: Floor to ceiling glass facing the MOMA sculpture garden with sculptures by Picasso, Calder, Rodin, and Giacometti directly outside the dining room window.

Altitude or floor: Inside the Museum of Modern Art at street level

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass facing the sculpture garden

Light register: Quiet daytime light; gallery lighting at dusk

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

The Marmara Pera rooftop with the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and Hagia Sophia visible from the same table. The most architecturally cinematic dining view in Istanbul.

The view: Rooftop terrace facing the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn waterway, the Hagia Sophia dome, the Sultanahmet skyline, and the Galata Tower foreground.

Altitude or floor: Eighteenth floor rooftop above Pera

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace plus indoor dining room

Light register: Sunset over the Golden Horn with the call to prayer; blue hour into the lit Hagia Sophia dome

Weather factor: Outdoor terrace operates April to October; indoor dining year round

The 40th floor of the Park Hyatt Tokyo, made famous by Lost in Translation. The Mt Fuji silhouette on clear winter mornings, the Tokyo Tower at night, the Shinjuku skyline below.

The view: From the 40th floor of the Park Hyatt Tokyo looking south to the Tokyo skyline, west to Mt Fuji on clear days, and the Shinjuku skyscraper cluster surrounding the hotel.

Altitude or floor: 40th floor of the Shinjuku Park Tower

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the city-facing side

Light register: Sunset over Mt Fuji on clear winter mornings; blue hour into Tokyo Tower at night

Weather factor: Indoor; year round; winter mornings clearest for Mt Fuji visibility

The Tokyo outpost of La Tour d'Argent on the 17th floor of the Hotel New Otani. The Imperial Palace gardens below, the Tokyo Tower in the distance, the same numbered duck service.

The view: From the 17th floor of the Hotel New Otani looking south to the Imperial Palace gardens, west to Tokyo Tower, and across the Akasaka skyline.

Altitude or floor: 17th floor of the Hotel New Otani

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the palace-facing side

Light register: Sunset over the Imperial Palace gardens; Tokyo Tower lit at dusk

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

Spago at the St. Regis Istanbul. The Bosphorus rooftop terrace, the smoked salmon pizza, and the most consistent international glam rooftop dinner in Nisantasi.

The view: From the rooftop terrace at the St. Regis Istanbul looking east across the Bosphorus and the Asian shore, with the historic Sultanahmet skyline visible to the south on clear days.

Altitude or floor: Rooftop of the St. Regis Istanbul

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace plus indoor dining room

Light register: Sunset over the Bosphorus; the Asian shore lights at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor terrace April to October; indoor year round

Daniel Calvert's three Michelin French in Marunouchi. The 7th floor view of Tokyo Station's red brick facade, the financial district skyline beyond, and the modernist dining room.

The view: From the 7th floor of the Four Seasons looking out across the historic red brick Tokyo Station facade and the Marunouchi financial district skyline.

Altitude or floor: 7th floor of the Four Seasons Tokyo at Marunouchi

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the city-facing side

Light register: Quiet daytime light into blue hour; the station lit at dusk

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

Massimiliano Alajmo's one Michelin kitchen on the Piazza San Marco. The orchestra below, the basilica's domes through the window, and the most architecturally institutional view in Venice.

The view: Window facing the Piazza San Marco with the Doge's Palace, the Campanile, and the basilica's domes all in the same view.

Altitude or floor: First floor of the Procuratie Vecchie facing San Marco

Glass or terrace: Window dining room with brocade and chandeliers

Light register: Sunset gold-hour over the basilica; the orchestra plays at sunset and again at dinner

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

The original Cipriani Bellini and the carpaccio. The 1931 ground floor with the Grand Canal foot traffic and gondolas through the window. Hemingway's, Truman Capote's, and the Aga Khan's Venice address.

The view: Ground floor view of the Grand Canal foot traffic, the gondolas, and the boats with San Giorgio Maggiore framed beyond.

Altitude or floor: Ground floor at Calle Vallaresso 1323

Glass or terrace: Window dining room facing the Grand Canal water entrance

Light register: Golden hour and dusk both read; gondola traffic carries the visual movement

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

Rooftop above the Centro Storico of Florence. Brunelleschi's Duomo at eye level, the Palazzo Vecchio tower, and the red tile roofs of historic Florence.

The view: Rooftop terrace level with the Duomo of Florence, looking across the red tile rooftops to Palazzo Vecchio, the Arno river, and the Tuscan hills beyond.

Altitude or floor: Rooftop of the Hotel Calimala in Centro Storico

Glass or terrace: Open rooftop terrace; covered bar in inclement weather

Light register: Sunset over the Tuscan hills; the Duomo lit gold at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor; April to October peak; covered bar year round

Chris Salans's modern Indonesian in Ubud. The garden dining among the rice paddies, the carved teak pavilions, and the jungle register that defined fine dining in Bali.

The view: Open garden pavilions among the Ubud rice paddies and tropical jungle, with carved teak pavilion architecture and ambient jungle sounds.

Altitude or floor: Ubud central highlands at ground level

Glass or terrace: Open jungle pavilions; covered in inclement weather

Light register: Golden hour into night candles; the jungle ambient sound carries the meal

Weather factor: Outdoor pavilions; covered in monsoon

Aman's flagship Italian on the cliff above Pansea Beach. The Andaman Sea horizon, the carved Thai pavilions, and the open kitchen pass with the wood-fired oven.

The view: Cliff terrace at Amanpuri 30 metres above Pansea Beach with the Andaman Sea horizon, Surin Beach to the south, and the tropical jungle framing.

Altitude or floor: 30 metres above Pansea Beach on the Surin cliff

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean terrace; carved teak pavilions

Light register: Sunset over the Andaman Sea; the jungle ambient sound at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor; November to April peak; rainy season May to October

Azulik's treehouse dining among the Tulum jungle canopy. Carved wooden architecture, the jungle 30 feet below, and the most architecturally improbable jungle dining setting in the Yucatan.

The view: Treehouse dining 30 feet up in the Tulum jungle canopy with carved wooden architecture, no electric lighting, and the Caribbean Sea visible to the east.

Altitude or floor: 30 feet up in the Tulum jungle canopy

Glass or terrace: Carved wooden treehouse with open balconies

Light register: Candle light only at dinner; the jungle ambient sound; the moon visible through the canopy

Weather factor: Outdoor treehouse; covered in rain

James Gaag's Cape Town flagship at Silvermist. The Constantia winelands, the Atlantic Ocean visible to the west, and Table Mountain rising above the vineyards.

The view: From Silvermist Wine Estate looking out across the Constantia winelands, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and Table Mountain rising above the vineyards.

Altitude or floor: Atop Constantia Nek in the Cape winelands

Glass or terrace: Open dining terrace plus indoor wine room

Light register: Sunset over the Atlantic; Table Mountain catches gold at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor terrace year round; weather affects winter visits

On the V&A Waterfront harbour. The fishing boats moored alongside, Table Mountain rising directly behind the harbour, and the seafood register at sea level.

The view: Harbour-level dining at the V&A Waterfront with Table Mountain rising directly behind the harbour, the fishing boats alongside, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Altitude or floor: Sea level on the V&A Waterfront pier

Glass or terrace: Open Mediterranean-style terrace at harbour level

Light register: Sunset over the harbour with Table Mountain catching gold at dusk

Weather factor: Outdoor terrace year round; weather variable

Heinz Beck's three Michelin rooftop on Monte Mario. Rome's only three star, with St. Peter's dome at the horizon and a rooftop terrace built for the romantic dinner.

The view: Rooftop view of the entire city of Rome with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica framed at the long horizon. The terrace operates May to September; the dining room runs year round.

Altitude or floor: Top of Monte Mario, the highest of the seven hills of Rome

Glass or terrace: Indoor dining room and an outdoor terrace; both have window-front Vatican views

Light register: Sunset over the Vatican; the city lights at night

Weather factor: Terrace operates May to September; indoor year round; Roman summer dusk is the canonical visit

Pedro Subijana's three Michelin clifftop kitchen with the Bay of Biscay below. The Atlantic, the cliff, the room's wall of glass.

The view: Floor to ceiling windows facing the Atlantic from atop Monte Igueldo. The Bay of Biscay sweep is the entire visual context of the meal.

Altitude or floor: Atop Monte Igueldo, 180 metres above the Atlantic

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the ocean side

Light register: Sunset over the Atlantic is choreographed to the dessert course

Weather factor: Indoor; the cliff hotel is open year round; ocean fog is occasional

Reykjavik's glass dome on the geothermal hill. 360 degree views of the city, the Atlantic, the Esja mountain range, and on clear nights the aurora borealis through the glass.

The view: Glass dome atop Oskjuhlid Hill with 360 degree views of the city of Reykjavik, the Atlantic Ocean, the Esja mountain range, and the aurora borealis on clear nights from September to April.

Altitude or floor: Atop Oskjuhlid Hill in Reykjavik

Glass or terrace: Glass dome with 360 degree windows

Light register: Sunset and aurora borealis; the dome reads strongest at blue hour

Weather factor: Indoor; year round; aurora visible September to April on clear nights

Spago at Bellagio. The fountain view through the dining room window, the smoked salmon pizza, and the most reliably tasteful Strip dining view.

The view: Window line dining room facing the Bellagio fountains directly across the lake, with the show choreographed every fifteen minutes during dinner service.

Altitude or floor: Ground floor of the Bellagio facing the fountain lake

Glass or terrace: Floor to ceiling glass on the lake-facing side

Light register: Sunset and blue hour; the fountains run every fifteen minutes choreographed to music

Weather factor: Indoor; year round

Jordan Kahn's avant-garde tower in Culver City. The vertical Eric Owen Moss architecture, the rooftop course, the herb garden course, the cellar course. Dining as cinematic choreography.

The view: Inside the Eric Owen Moss-designed Waffle building in Culver City with sculptural concrete and steel architecture, an open rooftop terrace course, and a sunken cellar course.

Altitude or floor: Vertical tower with rooftop, dining floor, and cellar courses

Glass or terrace: Sculptural Eric Owen Moss architecture; rooftop terrace open to sky

Light register: Each course has its own light register: rooftop sunset, dining room candle, cellar darkness

Weather factor: Outdoor rooftop; covered in inclement weather