8 of the Best Restaurant Views in the World

There was a time when the tops of mountains and watersides of glittering city rivers were home to cheap cafes and fast food. Yet, as the world's culinary scene has truly come of age, award winning restaurants have been capitalising on stunning locations so that diners may be treated to both world class views and meals. "It's a combination that was rare 10 or 20 years ago," said Tim Zagat, co-founder of the Zagat Survey restaurant guides. Across the globe, here are 8 restaurants where the food and the outlook match up:

1. Sanctuary Lodge: Cuzco, Peru

Sanctuary Lodge is the closest hotel to Machu Picchu and while its Tampu restaurant is all about high class service and fine dining, the restaurant stays true to its roots by offering a traditional Peruvian meal along with a contemporary menu. On the deck you'll have a sweeping panorama of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba River, and Machu Picchu.

2. Quay: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sitting beside Sydney's famous harbour, this 3 hatted restaurant shows off views from the gleaming sails of the Sydney Opera House to the famous Harbour Bridge. The city's lights reflect off the water and you catch the scent of salty ocean air coming in from the Pacific Ocean. Yet the dining is what caps Quay off as truly inspiring, with natural and seasonal ingredients expertly handled by chef Peter Gilmore and his team. Quay is also a Good Food Gift Card participating restaurant so you can give the gift of award winning food and wine combined with one of Australia's most spectacular views.

3. Eagle's Eye Restaurant: Golden, Canada

This restaurant really lives up to its name. You'll need to catch a gondola for 15 minutes until you're 7,700 feet above sea level among the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. French chef Alain Soret will take it from there with high class meals like roasted venison with almonds, pancetta, and juniper jus served with fig-saffron risotto, or perhaps some local wild salmon.

4. Le Jules Verne: Paris, France

Nothing says France like the Eiffel Tower, and now you can enjoy fine dining inside of it. Yes, you'll be sitting down within the Eiffel Tower itself, 125 metres up,  with sweeping views across Paris and the Seine. Star chef Alain Ducasse looks after the meals here so expect classic french cuisine.

5. The River Cafe: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Not all great views have to be up high. At the River Cafe you'll be tucked under the Brooklyn Bridge where you can look out across the East River, the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty. And don't be put off by the 'cafe' in the title – this is a restaurant with an award winning wine list, fine New American food with rare ingredients, and a charming decor complemented by live piano music nightly.

6. Piz Gloria: Mürren, Switzerland

Piz Gloria provides mountain top dining at its best. You can gaze out with 360 degree views across 200 Alpine summits, including the Piz Gloria, the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks and feel as cool as James Bond. Why? Because the 1969 James Bond 007 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service was filmed here! Be sure to order a Martini – shaken, not stirred.

7. Vertigo: Bangkok, Thailand

For a city view from the 61st floor, Vertigo is the place. This open air restaurant is situated in the heart of the business district so you'll have a backdrop of the city lights, the river and skyline. Signature dishes include roasted snow fish and Rosemary Scented oven Roasted Rack of Lamb

8. Delaire Graff Restaurant: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Located in the Cape Winelands, you can dine on the deck of Delaire Graff Estate and look out at the Simonsberg Mountain Range and Estate vineyards. Executive Chef Christiaan is a purist at heart and takes great care in selecting ingredients for perfectly balanced meals, such as the kabeljou fish or free-range beef with bone marrow and oyster mushrooms. After you've wined and dined you're invited to take a stroll and admire the restaurant's contemporary collection of South African art and sculptures.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.

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