12 Beachside Restaurants and Bars To Visit Before You Die
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Few things are more relaxing than a day spent lying on the beach, whether it’s a summer day trip or a midwinter getaway. And while there’s something to be said for packing a picnic to enjoy on in the sand, sometimes you want to eat, drink, and take in the sun without doing any of the work—or keeping an eye on the encroaching tide.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of beachside restaurants where one can drink or dine while listening to the waves lap against the shore or glimpsing a once-in-a-lifetime sunset. Better yet, some of these splendid spots will let you leave dry land behind by dining perched above the ocean itself.
So whether you daydream about sipping a daiquiri on the sand or eating seafood by the shore, here’s a global view of some of the world’s best beachside and waterfront restaurants. From Italy to India and from Saint Bart’s to the Seychelles, you’re sure to find a hidden gem, no matter your plans or your palate.
Photo: Marion Butet Studio1/12Le Plongeoir, Nice, France
Nice has no shortage of beach clubs serving a decent Niçoise salad, but, for those who want to pair elevated eats with an elevated view, look no further than Le Plongeoir. Once the site where a perched fishing boat served Belle Époque diners, René Livieri nuded this restaurant on a freestanding rock towards its current form in 1941, including the namesake diving boards in his design. The diving boards may be gone, but this high vantage point (which is technically in the Mediterranean Sea) is the perfect place to soak up some Cote D’Azur ambience as the sun goes down.
Photo: Courtesy of Rockhouse Restaurant2/12Rockhouse Restaurant, Negril, Jamaica
Cabo isn’t the only place where cliffside dining is on the menu. Where the Caribbean Sea meets volcanic cliffs at the fittingly named Pristine Cove, you’ll find Rockhouse Restaurant, a Negril hot spot from sunrise to sunset. With a mix of both modern and classic Jamaican cuisine on the menu and brilliant blue water crashing against the rocks just below your table, it’s easy to see why this little hideaway offers more than enough justification to visit the West End of Jamaica.
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Photo: Courtesy of Rayavadee Krabi3/12The Grotto at Rayavadee, Krabi, Thailand
In the shadow of a limestone cliff on the shores of Phra Nang beach sits The Grotto, a magical hideaway that’s a must-see for anyone staying at Rayavadee. By day, The Grotto’s natural shade offers a respite from the sun without sacrificing stunning views. But to get the full experience, book a Twilight Set Dinner to enjoy a special menu built on fresh, local ingredients while watching the sun’s last rays fade away over the ko in the distance.
Photo: Brecht Vant Hof4/12Roof Deck Bar & Restaurant at The Surfrider, Malibu, CA
Pull off the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu to find The Surfrider, a converted 1953 motel whose roof-deck bar and restaurant is where the best of roadside and beachside dining converge. The menu’s mix of clever cocktails and well-curated foods made lovingly from local farm ingredients offers a quintessentially Californian dining experience, and the space’s emphasis on comfortable seating matches the tranquil soundtrack of First Point Malibu’s soothing surf. Whether you’ve spent the day riding the waves or you’re just passing through, this guests-only oasis is worth the Surfrider’s price of admission.
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Photo: Courtesy of LXR Hotels & Resorts5/12Azido, Mahé, Seychelles
You might not think the middle of the Indian Ocean is an ideal destination for traditional Japanese cuisine. Azido, a restaurant at the Mango House resort in the Seychelles, is here to prove you wrong. Found on the west coast of Mahé, the remote archipelago’s biggest island, guests can enjoy sushi or sukiyaki wagyu served with a view of the Anse a la Mouche. Even just lounging comfortably with a cocktail is enough to convince you that every minute spent schlepping to the Seychelles was worth it.
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Photo: Courtesy of Baros Maldives6/12Lighthouse, Maldives
Why eat near the ocean when you can eat in the ocean? That’s the allure of The Lighthouse Restaurant at Baro Resort, which has drawn in diners from around the world with its promise of unspoiled, panoramic ocean views from this circular platform perched above a lagoon. As if a menu full of modern, adventurous renditions of local seafood under the stars wasn’t already enough, head upstairs to the Lighthouse Lounge, where a nightcap serves as the perfect excuse to make your unforgettable evening last a little bit longer.
Photo: Courtesy of Giacomo al Lago7/12Giacomo al Lago at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
True, Giacomo al Lago is technically lakeside dining, but that semantic distinction shouldn’t disqualify it from your northern Italian itinerary. By day, Giacomo Al Lago is perfect for enjoying a mix of sunshine and sashimi by the pool. But it’s at its most brilliant under the lights at night, when dazzling views of Lake Como’s famed waterfront and the nearby village of Bellagio pair with contemporary Italian cuisine and Milanese elegance.
Photo: Courtesy of Jake Rosenberg8/12Terraza, Islas Secas, Panamá
Located on an archipelago off Panama’s Pacific coast, Terraza invites diners to take in the sights along the Gulf of Chiriquí under a soaring, cathedralesque thatched roof. Beyond what’s on your plate, the star attraction at this Panamanian destination is undoubtedly the pods of whales who patrol the area from June to September. No matter the time of year, however, Terraza’s inspired take on the isthmus’s cuisine—not to mention stunning sunsets over the Pacific—make it worth a visit.
Photo: Courtesy of Sereno Hotels9/12Le Sereno Al Mare, Grand Cul de Sac, Saint Barthélemy
There isn’t a bad seat in the house at Le Sereno Al Mare, maybe because this open-air restaurant doesn’t put up any walls. That means everyone can enjoy an unspoiled view of St. Barts’s Grand Cul de Sac, whether you choose to dine on lobster spaghetti from the elevated deck or enjoy a tasty cocktail under a coconut tree with your toes touching the sand. Either way, there’s no doubt this spot is putting part of the resort’s 600 feet of near-private beachfront property to excellent use.
Photo: Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton10/12The Beach Club at Ritz-Carlton Abama, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
You came to the Canary Islands to relax, so why stray too far from the sand? With the Beach Club at the Ritz-Carlton Abama, you don’t have to. This recreation of a Spanish chiringuito serves up fresh fish and grilled meats. With its view of La Gomera island across the waves, it’s the perfect way to break up a beach day or see the sun set over the Atlantic with a refreshing cocktail in hand.
Photo: Steven Woodburn11/12Icebergs Dining Room and Bar (Bondi Beach, NSW, Australia)
Even if you live a hemisphere away from Sydney’s Bondi Beach, you’ve probably seen a photo or two of waves crashing against the edge of Icebergs saltwater pool. What you may not have seen is Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, a magnificently appointed space situated just above Australia’s most iconic pool. Recently redesigned by Lazzarini Pickering, floor-to-cieling windows look out on Bondi Beach, while an aquatic color palette creates harmony between interior and exterior worlds. With its new Pacific Private Dining Room offering sweeping ocean views, guests have a jaw-dropping backdrop worthy of even the most special events.
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Photo: Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal12/12El Farallon, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Carved into cliffs where the mountains meet the Pacific, El Farallon at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is a showstopping spot for sea-to-table fare. Seemingly a world away from the rest of Cabo San Lucas, the crashing of the waves and the slicing, dicing, and sizzling emanating from the open-air kitchen serve as each meal’s soundtrack. Add in a beautiful sunset, a little sea breeze, and an excellent wine pairing, and you have everything you need for an evening by the beach you’ll never forget.
