Many of us have come across a limp hotel buffet or seriously sad room service in our lifetimes. But there are some hotels around the world that have it all: they're a dream to stay at, and just as good to eat in. Whether they boast celebrity chefs, Michelin stars or world-class reviews – or all of the above – we've compiled the ultimate list of the world's best hotel restaurants.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover our ranking of the best hotel restaurants in the world.
Our selections and ranking are based on reviews, awards and accolades, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. This list is unavoidably subjective.
Altitude is an apt name for a restaurant you’ll find on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La hotel in Sydney. Its lofty location rewards diners with a bird's-eye view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The restaurant's menu – curated by several big culinary names – aims to bring the best of Australia to diners' plates. Guests can expect the likes of smoked cuttlefish, buttered corn and ricotta gnocchi, and rum-raisin gelato.
Overlooking Madison Square Gardens, The Clocktower serves up a slice of British elegance. The restaurant, located in the New York EDITION, was previously run in partnership with British chef Jason Atherton. Although restaurant and chef have parted ways, the menu continues to exemplify the UK’s love of breakfast, serving up a breakfast and brunch menu that includes a full English. Meanwhile, the dinner menu dishes out classics such as fish and chips, beef Wellington and shepherd’s pie.
The Copacabana Palace is a must-visit for those wanting to scout out a spot that’s hosted countless Hollywood celebrities over the years. It was also where Barry Manilow conceptualised his pop hit ‘Copacabana’. Ken Hom–helmed MEE – the only pan-Asian restaurant in Rio de Janeiro with a Michelin star – is another reason to stop by. Diners can taste their way through Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam at this luxurious restaurant, with booths in the style of Chinese teahouses. Think sashimi, nigiri, pad Thai, prawn tempura and dim sum.
One way to take in the city skyline of Hong Kong is to head up to Felix at The Peninsula. Diners can expect contemporary European-inspired dishes from chef Aurélie Altemaire, including silky lobster soup, ginger-glazed Iberian pluma (pork loin neck) and gelato with pistachios four ways (candied, crumbled, Chantilly and praline). The restaurant also plays host to DJ and mixologist showcases – so entertainment isn’t in short supply.
The Rosewood Hotel Georgia's The Hawksworth has received multiple awards and is recommended in the Michelin Guide. Its menu employs organic ingredients and seafood from across Canada in exciting contemporary dishes. While head chef David Hawksworth has deep roots in Vancouver, he’s also worked in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world – and he's brought his global experience back home. Those who dine here can expect dishes like burrata with quince and pistachio, slow-braised lamb shank with polenta and lemon gremolata, and 70% dark chocolate mousse paired with tonka bean ice cream.
Located on the Delaire Graff Estate in the stunning Cape Winelands, this restaurant is one for the wine aficionados. The food isn’t to be sniffed at, though, and the option to dine alfresco offers guests the chance to view the stunning vineyards from the peak of the majestic Simonsberg mountain. Head chef Clinton Jacobs has curated a French-style bistro menu with a South African flavour, showcasing local and seasonal ingredients – and including a plant-based option, too. Diners can indulge in creations such as coriander venison loin, broad bean risotto and passion fruit crémeux.
Marina Bay Sands may be famous for having the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool, but it’s also made a name for itself as the home of Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda. The restaurant holds a Michelin star, and the space itself was masterminded by award-winning designer Yohei Akao. Diners can expect Japanese dishes made with the best ingredients from around the world, including poached octopus, and salmon caviar and sea urchin with rice.
Experience some Art Deco elegance in The Foyer and Reading Room of Claridge’s in Mayfair, London. The main menu includes British classics such as chicken pie, lobster Wellington and tournedos of beef. However, it’s the afternoon tea that really draws in the crowds – serving diners unlimited plates of sandwiches and scones, as well as delicate pastries. Guests can also enjoy music from the in-house pianist and violinist while sitting under the restaurant’s impressive chandelier.
For scenic views of Perth and the Swan River, head up to COMO The Treasury’s rooftop, where you’ll find its restaurant, Wildflower. The menu aims to honour the Whadjuk Noongar people – the indigenous community that originally owned the land. The menu changes according to the six seasons of the Noongar calendar, following the natural seasonal availability of Western Australia. Head chef Paul Wilson uses native ingredients and foraging to form the basis of his dishes. Diners can discover exciting tasting menus featuring elements such as Manjimup marron (a type of crayfish), wattleseed and cinnamon myrtle.
Rome has an endless list of heritage sites to visit – the Spanish Steps, Castel Sant’Angelo and Villa Medici, to name a few. Diners can see most of these from Imàgo, The Hassler’s restaurant, which offers incredible views of the city. The Michelin-starred menu is inspired by Italian cuisine, with a focus on using traditional and seasonal ingredients. Think sweetbreads with anis, sea cucumber in green sauce, pork with clementines and mustard, and Mont Blanc, a classic Italian dessert of sweet and earthy chestnut purée topped with whipped cream.
Quilon, at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate in London, serves both Goan and Keralan cuisines. Head chef Sriram Aylur stays true to traditional recipes and practices, encouraging diners to share food to taste the variety of spices used in different dishes. Seafood sits at the heart of Quilon’s menu; guests should definitely try the halibut and prawns in a spiced coconut moilee sauce, the prawn masala and the restaurant’s signature Quilon fish curry.
If you're looking for authentic Cantonese dishes in a fine dining environment, T’ang Court at The Langham in Shanghai is for you. While other Langham hotels also host T’ang Court restaurants, this one is more exclusive, serving only 20 diners per sitting in the à la carte area. It also happens to have a Michelin star, something others in the franchise can’t boast. Some of the recommended dishes include pan-fried wagyu beef with black truffles, sautéed Australian lobster, and steamed grouper dumpling in matsutake mushroom soup.
Expect a history lesson in British gastronomy when visiting Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London, which holds two Michelin stars. Heston Blumenthal, renowned for his innovative dishes, has curated a menu inspired by historic cookbooks and the diets of kings – plus fictional dishes from British tales such as Alice in Wonderland. Everything on the menu dates to a specific period. Be prepared to tuck into the likes of rice and flesh (saffron, beef cheek and red wine) from 1390, spiced squab pigeon from 1790 and taffety tart (caramelised apple, rose yogurt cream, fennel and vanilla ice cream) from 1660.
QT Gold Coast offers guests a slice of Tokyo via its Japanese restaurant, Yamagen. Executive chef Adam Lane has designed the menu around informal izakaya (Japanese bar) dining – guests share its signature kushiyaki (skewered meat and vegetables), sushi and sashimi in a casual setting. Diners can expect hot dishes such as teriyaki chicken skewers and miso-glazed toothfish, as well as Hokkaido scallop and kingfish ceviche.
If you’re looking for a restaurant with historical significance, try Qunu in Johannesburg. This stunning restaurant can be found nestled in The Saxon, where Nelson Mandela wrote his autobiography; in fact, the restaurant now bears the name of his childhood village. Expect contemporary dishes made using homegrown seasonal ingredients, including pan-fried linefish, pineapple-glazed quail breast and beetroot Tarte Tatin. Pair your food with wine from the extensive cellar collection, sourced from South African regions.
Kerridge’s Bar and Grill hasn’t been around very long in comparison to some other fine dining restaurants; it opened in 2018. It hasn’t taken long for celebrity chef Tom Kerridge to build a positive reputation for the restaurant, though, and it’s now seen as one of the top hotel restaurants in London. Despite its fancy aesthetic, the menu has stayed true to Kerridge’s love of classic British dishes. Diners can expect elevated Sunday roasts, fish and chips and crab Scotch eggs, with a menu du jour offering a set price option.
Maison Boulud stays true to Quebec’s French heritage, offering local diners familiar foods such as wild mushroom risotto and tarte au poireau (puff pastry leek tart). However, chefs Daniel Boulud and Romain Cagnat also surprise guests at this fine dining establishment, which has three Michelin stars, with international elements such as hamachi sashimi, and sea bass with yuzu saffron butter. The restaurant is a popular spot for an elevated brunch, served every Saturday and Sunday.
Lona Misa's walls are covered with Renaissance paintings. The vegetarian restaurant, housed inside the Ovolo South Yarra hotel, is the product of well-known chefs Shannon Martinez and Pamella Tomio. Their collaboration has resulted in a Latin American set menu that includes delights such as roasted poblano pepper and Parmesan croquetas, peri-peri vegan ‘chicken’ and braised Spanish mushrooms – all of which can be washed down with kombucha or one of the restaurant's many Latin-inspired cocktails.
One way to admire Porto’s Douro River and historic city centre is to visit the two Michelin–starred Yeatman Gastronomic Restaurant, which offers a panoramic view. Head chef Ricardo Costa takes inspiration from the local area, serving up traditional Portuguese flavours accompanied by wines from across the country. The tasting menu remains a surprise as it’s updated regularly, but you can expect a spectacular showcase of local seafood.
Jason Bangerter, the head chef of Langdon Hall, doesn’t need to go far to find ingredients for the hotel’s award-winning restaurant. The menu is based on what’s growing in the chef’s garden, as well as wild edibles that can be foraged in Langdon Hall’s 75-acre estate. Guests can expect to dine on regional favourites such as cured salmon, beef short rib and orchard apple Savoy cake. Notably, Langdon Hall offers a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu – and it caters to children, too.
Indian Accent, housed in The Lodhi, is recognised as one of the best restaurants in Asia. Executive chef Shantanu Mehrotra – one of India’s most celebrated chefs – has curated a menu that aims to showcase Indian cuisine married with global techniques and flavours. A full selection of vegetarian starters, mains and sides means there’s something for everyone. Tempting dishes include burrata chaat, murgh malai (creamy tikka) meatballs, 100-layer paneer, and rice-crusted John Dory. The menu also features a ‘bread bar’ with a choice of delicious roti, naan and kulcha on offer.
If you’re keen to see the Acropolis, the Parthenon and Lycabettus Hill, head to Grande Bretagne’s roof terrace for spectacular views of all three. GB Roof Garden's menu, a combination of Mediterranean culinary tradition and modern haute cuisine, presents the finest ingredients in creative dishes such as red shrimp ceviche, and charcoal-grilled black pork with bacon chutney and quince purée. Special culinary experiences await guests across the hotel’s other venues too, including a 150th anniversary menu, and jazz and opera nights in the Winter Garden.
Despite its location in a tiny Virginia village, The Inn at Little Washington is internationally renowned; it's been awarded three Michelin stars, as well as a Michelin Green Star for sustainability. Head chef Patrick O’Connell serves up American-inspired cuisine using products sourced from local farms. Diners visiting the restaurant – in all its country house glory – can expect dishes such as duck three ways, tuna and swordfish carpaccio and coconut sorbet with a passion fruit and ginger granita.
Restaurant Vendôme at Hotel Schloss Bensberg is known for its precise presentation. Since 2000, it’s been home to head chef Joachim Wissler, a master of modern techniques and champion of regional German products. Here, guests can expect to taste Norwegian scallop and sea urchin, escalope of sweetbread, and cacao bean ice cream. The restaurant has two Michelin stars, and it offers both a menu with high-quality meat and fish, and a creative vegetarian tasting menu.
France is home to some of the best cooking techniques in the world, and they’re on full display at Epicure. Located in swish hotel Le Bristol Paris, the three Michelin–starred restaurant presents a true love letter to France and its culinary diversity, curated by head chef Arnaud Faye, who took the helm in 2024. The two tasting menus of six and eight courses meticulously note the regions from where each key ingredient originates; dishes include crab from Brittany with buckwheat and salicornia (marsh samphire), pigeon from Pornic with cabbage and black truffle, and ice cream made with honey straight from the restaurant’s own hives.
With three Michelin stars to its name, you can expect Atrio Restaurant to deliver formidable gastronomic skill. Located in the heart of medieval Cáceres, the modern restaurant was designed by award-winning architects Tuñón y Mansilla, and it offers contemporary cooking to match its aesthetic. The restaurant’s avant-garde creations, dreamt up by chef Toño Perez, include a tapioca crisp with a salmon emulsion, and a fried pork and taro empanadilla with butter and cumin.
Take a stroll into Dam Square in the centre of Amsterdam, and you’ll find Hotel TwentySeven – home to Bougainville. Its menu has been designed by award-winning executive chef Tim Golsteijn, who creates dishes that combine culinary influences from across Europe. Bougainville is certainly not short of tasting menu options, but its most notable menu is the breakfast experience, which offers diners a selection of sweet and savoury dishes to start the day in the best possible way.
The Maldives is already considered a place of luxury, surrounded by the bright blue Indian Ocean – and Out of the Blue at Soneva Fushi is certainly making the most of its paradisiacal location. The menu includes lots of fresh seafood, including spicy tuna poke, tempura and bánh xèo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes). The pan-Asian menu showcases Vietnamese, Japanese and Indonesian cuisine, but diners can expect a few surprises too, as highly regarded chefs regularly create secret menus for the restaurant. You’ll also find a dedicated chocolate and ice cream parlour here, as well as an all-day cheese and charcuterie room.
Previously the site of a successful restaurant headed up by Paul Kitching, the restaurant space below 21212 Room is now home to Lyla, a seafood restaurant launched by Stuart Ralston (who owns three more restaurants in Edinburgh). In 2024, its first year of opening, the restaurant quickly picked up awards and accolades, earning itself a spot in the Michelin Guide’s list of best restaurants in the city. Diners are treated to a tasting menu of sustainably caught fish and shellfish from the Scottish Isles, as well as organic produce from UK farmers.
Aqua, situated in The Ritz-Carlton, is the only restaurant in Wolfsburg with three Michelin stars. The restaurant’s aesthetic is inspired by its name, making it the ultimate place to go for a peaceful dining experience. Head chef Sven Elverfeld has expertly crafted a menu of modern European dishes, making use of locally sourced ingredients throughout. Dinner guests can expect foie gras with banana, saddle of venison, and celeriac with acacia honey and dulce de leche.
Isana Sushi Bar aims to create a minimalist and comfortable atmosphere for guests, both via its menu and its aesthetics – and it succeeds. The menu of exquisite Edomae sushi is served omakase-style, meaning diners put their trust in the chef to create a memorable experience. Guests rave about head chef Junichi Onuki’s amazing hospitality and willingness to explain each dish as he serves authentic sushi to his guests. Sake pairings are available too, chosen by the chef to match perfectly with each bite.