Tired of your local brasserie and dreaming of a dinner that is out of the ordinary? It's a good thing, because every day some restaurant owners compete with each other in their ingenuity to make you taste their dishes in surprising universes, to say the least! In the air, in the ice or plunged into the dark, from Paris to Rome, here is our selection of 10 restaurants that bet on the unusual. And you, would you be ready to try the number 1?
N°10 - EspaiSucre in Barcelona, a gentle concept
Here, the unusual is not in the decor, which is quite modern, but rather in the concept. Fans of cold cuts, cheeses or other savory delights can go their way: at EspaiSucre, only desserts are served! Jordi Butrón, the restaurant's chef, defines himself as a "pastry chef": he offers chocolate menus to die for! A regressive restaurant where the list of sweets is endless..
N°9- Solo per due in Vacone, Italian romance
Located in the Lazio region, about 70 km from Rome, Solo per due is the smallest restaurant in the world. Indeed, as its name indicates, it only welcomes two people at a time! In a 19th century building, with a warm and very typical decoration, it is ideal for a candlelight dinner! The chef proposes a refined Italian cuisine, based on seasonal products. Given the size of the restaurant, it is advisable to book in advance!
N°8 - Dans le Noir? in Paris, discovering the senses
This Parisian restaurant offers a unique experience based on a rather simple concept: you will enjoy your meal in complete darkness and in the company of other guests. Guided by a blind man, you enter the room before starting the tasting. The lack of sight means that you have to be on the lookout for the slightest noise, the slightest smell and pay special attention to your plate. Once the meal is over and the light is back on, you will be able to discover the dishes you have eaten in pictures. Surprising!
N°7- The HR Giger Bar, in the lair of an alien
A feeling of déjà-vu invades you at the sight of the surprising decoration of this Swiss bar? Nothing more normal, it was designed by Hans Ruedi Giger, the designer of the movie Alien! The interior, entirely covered with bones, is totally from the artist's imagination: you feel like you're having a drink in the middle of a cemetery of imaginary creatures or in the belly of a ferocious beast!
N°6- Cencio la parolaccia in Rome, for the less sensitive
In Rome, La Parolaccia, in French "le gros mot", is a mythical restaurant! In Italy, the Romans are famous for their incomparable gouaille. Some restaurant owners were inspired by this cliché to propose an original concept: here, you will be served by an absolutely ungrateful and rude team. Don't be offended, it's part of the game! And we want more! The waiters/actors are brilliant in their roles! Recommended if you master a little Italian and Roman dialect though.
N°5 - The Marsden Grotto in South Shields, a cave dinner
In the county of Tyne and Wear, in England, The Mardsen Grotto offers you a seaside dinner... in a cave of the 18th century! If the outside does not pay mine, the inside is sumptuous! This cave would have served as a home for a famous smuggler, John the Jibber, who was killed after having denounced his accomplices. It is even said that he would often return to haunt the place of his death... Shivering!
N°4- The Wieliczka salt mine restaurant, a well-seasoned dinner!
Sometimes, to make your taste buds go to the 7th heaven, you have to go underground... At exactly 125 m! Welcome to Wieliczka, in Poland! 14 km from Krakow, the town is home to one of the country's main attractions: a salt mine classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this unusual setting, there is a restaurant that is not recommended for claustrophobics, but highly recommended for gourmets, since it serves some of the best specialties in the country!
N°3- LumiLinna Castle in Kemi, you won't stay frozen!
The LumiLinna Castle, in Finnish Lapland, is a totally unusual establishment: it includes a hotel, a restaurant, a chapel and a bar made entirely of ice! Rebuilt each year according to a new theme, it hosts fantastic sound and light shows. The menu, based on salmon and small vegetables, is typically Finnish. A tip: the temperature does not exceed - 5 °C, so dress warmly!
N°2 - El Diablo in Lanzarote, a light volcanic smoke
Located in the Canary Islands, on the island of Lanzarote, El Diablo seduces by the view it offers and the tasty and original cuisine it proposes. Indeed, the chefs cook here thanks to the heat produced by a volcano! Meat and fish are grilled before being served on the tables of the restaurant. Scientists and volcanologists have ensured the safety of this cooking process, which is considered totally healthy. During the meal, take the opportunity to admire the landscape of Lanzarote, at sunset the show is wonderful.
N°1 - Dinner in the sky, the head in the stars
This Belgian restaurant has been around the world... And we understand why! Its totally crazy concept appeals to gourmets and thrill seekers alike. Sitting on a platform more than 50 meters above the ground, you can enjoy a refined cuisine - the greatest chefs have participated - while enjoying a splendid view of the city. If you are not afraid of heights, the experience is unforgettable! The next event will take place in Antwerp, from September 19 to 23, 2017. It's time to book!
