June 30, 2025
The top European destinations with the most scenic dinner settings
- Introduction
- Methodology
- The top 15 best European destinations for dinner with a view
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bruges, Belgium
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Vienna, Austria
- Senglea, Malta
- Riga, Latvia
- Barcelona, Spain
- Budapest, Hungary
- Trakai, Lithuania
- The rest of the top ten scenic dining destinations
- Conclusion
- Top related locations
When sitting down for a delicious restaurant meal, one thing that can really add to your experience is a beautiful view – and naturally, this applies all the more if you are on vacation! We have put together research that ranks the top 15 destinations where you can really take in the country and region’s unique scenery while you enjoy your meal. We have selected a restaurant with a view from at least one region or city of every country in Europe.
Methodology
In our ranking, the destinations with the lower number of points ranked better.
We gave each destination points to represent how well it ranked against the others based on several different factors. The destinations with the lower scores ranked higher on our list.
We selected a restaurant that offers views of the surrounding landscape in at least one area of every country in Europe.
We also selected a nearby hotel and gave each destination points based on the distance between the hotel and the restaurant. We gave each destination points based on whether on-site parking is available, as well as whether the journey involves any toll roads.
We ranked each destination based on the average cost of a night’s hotel accommodation in the area, as well as the cost to rent a car for a day.
Finally, we also ranked each destination based on how many Michelin-starred restaurants there are in the city or the surrounding area.
We added up all the points to create a total score.
We gave each destination points to represent how well it ranked against the others based on several different factors. The destinations with the lower scores ranked higher on our list.
We selected a restaurant that offers views of the surrounding landscape in at least one area of every country in Europe.
We also selected a nearby hotel and gave each destination points based on the distance between the hotel and the restaurant. We gave each destination points based on whether on-site parking is available, as well as whether the journey involves any toll roads.
We ranked each destination based on the average cost of a night’s hotel accommodation in the area, as well as the cost to rent a car for a day.
Finally, we also ranked each destination based on how many Michelin-starred restaurants there are in the city or the surrounding area.
We added up all the points to create a total score.
The top 15 best European destinations for dinner with a view
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Copenhagen, Denmark
In first place, we have Denmark’s capital Copenhagen with a score of 31. The restaurant we chose to focus on for this city is Restaurant Kanalen, which serves contemporary Danish cuisine with a view out over Christianshavn Canal.
Renting a car in Copenhagen costs €52.53 a day. There are 82 Michelin-recognized restaurants in the surrounding area, meaning that whatever cuisine you like the most, there will be a lot of choices for gourmet travelers.
Renting a car in Copenhagen costs €52.53 a day. There are 82 Michelin-recognized restaurants in the surrounding area, meaning that whatever cuisine you like the most, there will be a lot of choices for gourmet travelers.
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, Belgium, ranked in second place with a score of 39, with a restaurant that offers views of the city’s historic architecture – this restaurant was Zet’Joe, serving Belgian and French cuisine.
The cost to rent a car for a day in Bruges is €35.02. In Bruges and the surrounding area, there are 84 restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide (21 of which have at least one Michelin star).
The cost to rent a car for a day in Bruges is €35.02. In Bruges and the surrounding area, there are 84 restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide (21 of which have at least one Michelin star).
Amsterdam, Netherlands
In joint third place, scoring 41, is the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam. The Amsterdam restaurant we looked at was De Kass, which offers fresh seasonal dishes within a converted greenhouse in Park Frankendael, so guests can look out over the park.
In Amsterdam, renting a car for a day costs €56.91. This city has the second highest number of Michelin recognized restaurants in the whole ranking, at 109 – beaten only by another city, which you will read about shortly.
In Amsterdam, renting a car for a day costs €56.91. This city has the second highest number of Michelin recognized restaurants in the whole ranking, at 109 – beaten only by another city, which you will read about shortly.
Vienna, Austria
Also in third place with 41 points is Vienna, Austria. The restaurant we included in our study for Vienna is Das Loft, a skyscraper restaurant up on the 18th floor of the hotel SO/Vienna, which offers diners stunning views out over the city while they enjoy modern cuisine.
While Vienna is well-known for its red and white trams, driving is another way to easily navigate the city. It costs €56.91 to rent a car in Vienna. In this city and the surrounding area, there are 65 restaurants recognized by the Michelin guide.
While Vienna is well-known for its red and white trams, driving is another way to easily navigate the city. It costs €56.91 to rent a car in Vienna. In this city and the surrounding area, there are 65 restaurants recognized by the Michelin guide.
Senglea, Malta
Senglea, Malta also scored 41 points and ranks in third place. In Senglea, guests at Cugo Gran Macina Restaurant can enjoy modern Mediterranean cuisine as well as panoramic views over the Grand Harbour and the surrounding marina.
The cost to rent a car here is the same as in Amsterdam, €48.15. There are 41 Michelin-recognized restaurants in the surrounding area – very impressive considering this is the world’s tenth smallest country.
The cost to rent a car here is the same as in Amsterdam, €48.15. There are 41 Michelin-recognized restaurants in the surrounding area – very impressive considering this is the world’s tenth smallest country.
Riga, Latvia
The last of our four destinations tied for third place is the Latvian capital, Riga, with 41 points. We chose to highlight the Riga Islande Hotel Restaurant, which has amazing views of Riga Old Town and the Daugava River, and offers guests international cuisine.
The cost to rent a car in Riga is €43.77. There are 24 Michelin-recognized restaurants in Riga and the surrounding area, 2 of which have achieved a Michelin Star.
The cost to rent a car in Riga is €43.77. There are 24 Michelin-recognized restaurants in Riga and the surrounding area, 2 of which have achieved a Michelin Star.
Barcelona, Spain
Tied for fourth place, we have Barcelona with 42 points. One restaurant here with beautiful views is Terraza Martínez, serving traditional Spanish dishes with fresh market ingredients. This restaurant on the slopes of Montjuïc offers views of the city skyline as well as the sea.
In Barcelona, renting a car costs €65.66 a day, if you want to take a drive and explore the city and its surrounding countryside. This is the city with more restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide than any other, at 111, and 4 of them even have 3 Michelin Stars.
Drivers also chose Spain as one of the easiest countries to navigate, and it is home to the world’s best airports according to travelers as well.
In Barcelona, renting a car costs €65.66 a day, if you want to take a drive and explore the city and its surrounding countryside. This is the city with more restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide than any other, at 111, and 4 of them even have 3 Michelin Stars.
Drivers also chose Spain as one of the easiest countries to navigate, and it is home to the world’s best airports according to travelers as well.
Budapest, Hungary
Also with 42 points in fourth place is Budapest. One restaurant in the Hungarian capital where people can take in the city’s views is DNB Budapest, which serves modern Hungarian cuisine with views of the Danube and Buda Castle.
Renting a car in Budapest costs €43.77, with drivers seeing similar prices to those in Riga, Latvia. The Michelin Guide has recognized 36 different restaurants in Budapest, including 6 with a Michelin Star, and another restaurant that has achieved 2.
Renting a car in Budapest costs €43.77, with drivers seeing similar prices to those in Riga, Latvia. The Michelin Guide has recognized 36 different restaurants in Budapest, including 6 with a Michelin Star, and another restaurant that has achieved 2.
Trakai, Lithuania
The historic Lithuanian city and lake resort of Trakai comes in fifth place, with 43 points. At the very recently reopened and refurbished Esperanza Resort & Spa Restaurant, guests can enjoy fine dining with views of Lake Ungurys and the surrounding forests. There are two restaurants at Esperanza Resort, Olea, which serves Greek cuisine, and the Japanese fusion restaurant Mizu Beach by Heji. Lithuania is also the travelers’ choice for a spring city break.
Renting a car in Trakai costs €39.40, which might be especially important to those who are combining their visit with a trip to the nearby capital, as Vilnius is only half an hour’s drive away. In Trakai and the surrounding area, there are 29 restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide.
Renting a car in Trakai costs €39.40, which might be especially important to those who are combining their visit with a trip to the nearby capital, as Vilnius is only half an hour’s drive away. In Trakai and the surrounding area, there are 29 restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide.
The rest of the top ten scenic dining destinations
Conclusion
We hope that our round-up of destinations where you can enjoy a gorgeous view over dinner has given you some ideas about where your dream dinner on your next trip might be. Are you longing to look out over a bustling city from a glamorous rooftop terrace – or are you feeling more like spending time on the beach, enjoying fresh seafood with an ocean view? We also have articles on top locations with beautiful views and scenic driving destinations to help you choose. Wherever you want to go, we’d love to help you find the perfect rental car for your next vacation. Our services are available in over 145 countries, so please do consider booking with us.
Top Related Locations
Here are some destinations outside of Europe that are perfect for a meal with a lovely view (along with their nearest major airports).
- Cape Town, South Africa (Cape Town International Airport): dine with ocean and Table Mountain views.
- Queenstown, New Zealand (Queenstown Airport): lakeside meals surrounded by alpine peaks.
- Vancouver, Canada (Vancouver International Airport): waterfront dining with mountain backdrops.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (Ezeiza International Airport): steak and wine on charming outdoor patios.
- Sydney, Australia (Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport): harborfront meals with Opera House views.
- Marrakech, Morocco (Marrakech Menara Airport): rooftop terraces with medina and Atlas Mountains in view.
- Dubai, UAE (Dubai International Airport): luxury dining with desert or skyline views.
- Muscat, Oman (Muscat International Airport): seafood by the sea with mountain views in the background.
- San Francisco, California (SFO Airport): coastal views and the Golden Gate Bridge over fresh oysters.
- Banff, Canada (Calgary International Airport): rustic dining surrounded by towering Rockies.
- Amman, Jordan (Queen Alia International Airport): mezze with sweeping hilltop views of the city.
- Santiago, Chile (Arturo Merino Benítez Airport): rooftop wine bars with Andes views.
- Honolulu, Hawaii (Honolulu International Airport): beachfront dining with Pacific sunsets.
- Tulum, Mexico (Cancún International Airport): jungle-chic beach spots with turquoise Caribbean views.
- Denver, Colorado (Denver International Airport): mountain-view dining with Rocky Mountain sunsets.
- Las Vegas, Nevada (Harry Reid International Airport): rooftop or Strip-side dining with neon skyline views.
- Miami, Florida (Miami International Airport): beachside or rooftop dining with skyline and ocean views.
- Orlando, Florida (Orlando International Airport): lakeside restaurants and theme park views at sunset.
- Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport): desert-view dining with cacti and mountain silhouettes.
- Austin, Texas (Austin-Bergstrom International Airport): lakeside and rooftop dining with views of the skyline and Hill Country sunsets.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
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