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Sierra Mar - Big Sur, California, USA
This is one of my favourite eateries. Perched on a cliff top high above the Pacific ocean in Big Sur, this place has amazing views with floor to ceiling windows, whether it's for breakfast, dinner or lunch. I stopped here for a late lunch as I was doing the road trip from San Fran to LA along the Pacific Coast Highway route.
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The tables are small and intimate and there is a good choice of food, wines and cocktails. The food is upmarket, creative and mostly al la carte style so you don't get loads but the food is very tasty and the ambience is spot on. In my opinion, this really is a little gem, so if you are in the area or doing the road trip yourself, you should book yourself a table or rock up and hope they have a seat! Wherever you sit, there is pretty much a good view of the ocean.
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The restaurant is attached to the Post Ranch Inn and their website is below.
Two Oceans - Cape Point, South Africa
I went to this restaurant when I was visiting Cape Town, which is just over an hour south of the city in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at Cape Point. As well as the stunning views across the ocean, it's equally special in that it's unique location means it's at one of the most southerly points on the continent. If you keep going south, you'd end up in Antarctica!
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The name Two oceans comes from the fact you are at pretty much the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. You also have False bay in front of you as you dine. It serves an international cuisine and as you may expect being by the ocean, a great selection of sea food! There is a lighthouse trail nearby and the restaurant itself has had a large refurbishment recently and remains one of the most stylish in the area.
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Note that there is a small mandatory fee when you enter the national park, irrespective of whether you are dining at the restaurant or not!
Suzana's - Tel Aviv, Israel
I was recommended this restaurant by a friend when I was in Tel Aviv. So, off I went to try and find it on the day I chose to cycle around the city. To say I got lost was an understatement! Trying to read a map and cycle was not the best idea. The restaurant is not on any main strip but tucked away down a quirky side street on the corner of a crossroads about 100m from the sea front.
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The restaurant is situated around a huge Ficus tree which offers a welcome shade from the sun. The menu is mostly Mediterranean style food and offers a variety of warm and cold appetisers from Kibbeh soups to stuffed vegetables or meat dishes. There is a courtyard area that is roofed for comfort in winter and an outdoor bar that is open each evening.
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A nice little gem in the backstreets of Tel Aviv and another reason why I love this city!
Le Querce - Sorrento, Italy
This restaurant has stunning views of Sorrento and the Bay of Naples. Situated as part of the Grand Hotel in Sorrento, it has a beautiful terrace that is open during the warmer months and where the staff organise a weekly soiree with typical local dishes. The restaurant offers a wide range of Neapolitan traditional dishes as well as international cuisine.
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I just loved sitting here for lunch each day in the Italian summer watching the world go by and the boats pulling in and out of the marina below. Bellissima!!
Cabbages & Condoms - Bangkok, Thailand
This quirky restaurant in the Sukhumvit Road area has the tagline "Our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy". When I saw this is a guidebook I had to go and check it out!
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Not only does the restaurant offer excellent local Thai food, but they also promote the health and safety aspects of condom use in a fun and amusing manner. All proceeds from the restaurants are used to fund local social development programs. The first thing I noticed as I walked in, among other things, was a Santa Claus made out of condoms! So random! There is a 'sex wheel' you can spin too which highlights the importance of using a condom, or not, depending what you land on!
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The restaurant itself is outside under the trees with lanterns and lights hanging throughout. The only downside, despite the fans that are blowing, with the humidity of Bangkok, it can still feel quite warm. However, the quirkiness of this place is a real winner. When you leave, I wasn't offered a mint but pointed in the direction of selecting a condom instead. Of course I was, this isn't any normal restaurant!
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I loved the fun and quirkiness of this restaurant and suggest you check it out if you are in Bangkok.
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