The Craziest Places to Have a Meal

There's no doubt we'd go out of our way to visit a restaurant in an an amazing and unexpected location -- like the ocean floor, perhaps, or inside an ice castle...
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We love good food here at Condé Nast Traveler. But we can't lie -- location matters, too. And there's no doubt we'd go out of our way to visit a restaurant in an an amazing and unexpected location -- like the ocean floor, perhaps, or inside an ice castle...

By Sarah Bruning, CNTraveler.com

Restaurants in Crazy Locations
(01 of09)
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UNDER THE SEAIthaa Undersea RestaurantRangali Island, MaldivesSituated more than 16 feet below sea level in the Indian Ocean, this glass-enclosed spot cost about $5 million USD to construct. Patrons can scope 180-degree views of coral reefs and a wide variety of fish, as well as manta rays, sharks, and other aquatic inhabitants.
(02 of09)
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IN AN ICE CASTLELumiLinna Snowcastle RestaurantKemi, FinlandDon’t even think about ditching your coat once you’re inside; the food served may be warm, but the temp at this eatery is a steady -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Farenheit). Typically open from January through April—for as long as the weather hovers around -8 Celsius (about 18 degrees Fahrenheit)—this icy architectural wonder is reconstructed every year from a special set of molds.
(03 of09)
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IN A TREEThe Dining PodKoh Kood, ThailandIt’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s… lunch? Once you’re seated inside a giant open-air bamboo capsule with a table and cushioned seats, you’ll be raised up into the rainforest trees and have your food delivered by a zipline-riding waiter. (The ocean views are pretty impressive, too.)
(04 of09)
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ON A REMOTE ROCKThe RockZanzibar, AfricaWhat began as a fisherman’s post off the coast of Michanvi Pingwe beach has become the location of one of Zanzibar’s most iconic seafood restaurants. During low tide, guests can walk from shore, but during high tide, the eatery provides boat service.
(05 of09)
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ON THE SIDE OF A CLIFFAescherWasserauen, SwitzerlandThe Alpine altitude won’t be the only thing taking your breath away at this cliffside chalet; the cable car ride up is just as amazing/terrifying. But even if you’re wary of heights, the mountain views will be worth braving the trek.
(06 of09)
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IN A REFURBISHED GREENHOUSEDe KasAmsterdam, The NetherlandsIn 2001, Michelin-starred chef Gert Jan Hagemen prevented this glass structure from being demolished and transformed it into a farm-to-table restaurant, where many ingredients are picked fresh daily from the garden outside.
(07 of09)
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IN A CAVEGrotta PalazzesePuglia, ItalyTucked inside a limestone cavern, this summer-only spot (open May through October) has hosted elegant dinners since the 18th century, when Italian nobility held banquets in the space.
(08 of09)
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IN AN AIRPLANEThe Airplane RestaurantColorado, United StatesUsed in the 1950s to refuel other aircraft, this Boeing KC-97 tanker has been converted into a fully functioning restaurant in which 42 people can nibble on all-American fare.
(09 of09)
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HANGING FROM A CRANEDinner in the SkyLocations varyInviting friends to dinner is one thing, but hosting a fete, 160 feet up in the air? Now that’s a party. Offered in several cities as a pop-up restaurant, this roving soiree straps participants to chairs surrounding a fully set table. More on CNTraveler:This German Hotel Lets You Sleep in a MercedesThemed Hotel Suites that Put Regular Rooms to ShameCrazy Cool Glamping Sites Around the World

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