Anyone who knows me will know that I am a HUGE foodie. I’ll travel weird and wonderful places just to have the food – and believe me, I’ll try anything. Spaghetti Ice Cream in Germany? Done. Churros fried in a unsanitary barrel in an alley in Tijuana? That too. So I was having a coffee the other day and thinking: what would I say if someone asked me what my favourite restaurant in the world was?. Well, I thought about it and realised I could actually narrow it down to three! Yes, three of the best restaurants in the world. I’m sure I am probably missing a few other goodies out there, and of course by calling this a list of ‘restaurants’ that leaves out a lot of street vendors who dole out the good stuff on a regular basis.
In anycase, drumroll please – here’s the hitlist:
Number 1 of the best restaurants in the world: Louis XVI Restaurant in Patchogue, New York
Tucked away on the Long Island shore a good hour or two from Manhattan, Louis XVI is a stunning French restaurant that is in the sleepy town of Patchogue (pronounced “patch” + “ogg” for those of you unfamiliar with the odd place names in this part of the world). The small, intimate dining area is luxurious without being pretentious and the open windows to the ocean are a nice touch. They call it Versailles by the Sea and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate title. You must order the full three courses, although I’d more call it a six course meal as lovely free tasters arrive in between each serving. The wine list is to die for – even my friend Nat Maclean would likely agree – and there is one thing that they do better than anyone else in the world. Souflee. Wow. I had a grand marnier souflee that was simply the most esquisite baked good I have witnessed in my entire life.
Patchogue is near Fire Island and the Hamptons, so its possible to combine a visit to these more popular destinations with a meal at Louis XVI.
Number 2 of the best restaurants in the world: Awaroa Lodge, Able Tasman National Park, New Zealand
I suppose one could say that the food would taste food at any restaurant that requires marathon-like endurance to get to. The Awaroa lodge certainly qualifies – it’s in the depths of the Able Tasman National Park and has no roads leading up to it. Your options are to fly in via the hotel’s airstrip or walk. (I walked.) The coastal trail in the park is one of New Zealand’s loveliest, with crystal blue waters and desolate beaches. Because of its remoteness, the Awaroa serves up many items grown in the neighbouring garden – and as a nice touch each course is delivered with a wildflower accompaniment. Fresh Kiwi beers are on tap, as well as Kiwi wine of course. Their speciality, of course, is seafood, and they do it very, very well. The dining area feels a bit like a ski lodge, with wooden beams and a nice clean look.
If you’re walking to the Awaroa, be sure to research your trip before you go. There are tidal crossings that you will need to navigate, and you’ll want to book all your accommodation well in advance. More information is available from the Department of Conservation website.
Number 3 best restaurants in the world: Restaurant Salzamt, Vienna, Austria
If you look up gemütlich in the dictionary, this is what you should find. Vienna has some of the best cuisine of any capital city I’ve been to in recent memory, and Salzamt offers a wonderful blend of both the old world and modern Viennese kitchen. The interior is a cavernous, vaulted space but the best seats are outside, in an old cobblestone courtyard next to one of Vienna’s oldest churches. The atmosphere is almost electric as violins in the distance fill the area. Although every course is fantastic, this is no time to skip dessert as the pastry chef really makes miracles come true.
If you had to choose, what would be your favourite restaurant in the world?
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Greens, San Francisco, California, USA
Alfredo alla Scrofa, Rome, Italy
David’s Pizza, Spokane, Washington, USA
Dave2’s last blog post..Shredded
It was interesting to read about Salzamt in Vienna. In Vienna I esp like ‘Palatschinkenpfandl’ which offers a wide selection of pancakes.
@Travelwriter – Good one! I can’t wait to go back to Vienna and *eat*!