The World's Most Remote Dining Destinations That Are Completely Unique

Choosing where to get a delicious meal is an important decision when traveling — after all, you're only going to eat a finite number of meals while you're away in this fabulous destination! Alternatively, you may just need to eat to sustain the energy required to explore a fascinating place. When this is the case, a quick meal can sometimes be the best option.

But eating great food in a new setting can take on a special role when traveling, especially when you're able to incorporate something unique into the plan. For instance, many travelers exploring the history and beauty of Zanzibar will book a table at The Rock, a one-of-a-kind restaurant that's literally built on top of a gigantic rock off the island's eastern shoreline. A dinner here — especially as the sun begins to set — can add a new dimension to your Zanzibar experience. The same is true for each of these other remote dining experiences. 

Perhaps the most remote dining experience you'll find anywhere on the planet is on the Earth's seventh and least visited continent. The Vernadsky Research Base was built by the British in 1947 as an expeditionary hub, which was originally called "Base F," to study the Antarctic. During their tenure, British researchers constructed a pub at the base, and in 1996, when decommissioning the facility, the station was sold to Ukraine for the truly unbelievable price of one British pound. 

Today, you can order a round at the pub and sit next to the actual coin that was used to purchase the station. A specialty of the facility is the onsite-distilled vodka, and the scenery and environment of the pub raise the experience to an entirely new height. If you're ever able to plan a trip to the white continent at the bottom of the world, sea kayaking and a sip of vodka at this unique dining lounge should be a part of your itinerary.

[Featured image by Lewnwdc77 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 3.0]

Zanzibar is a scenic and historic island off the coast of East Africa. A part of Tanzania, Zanzibar is an infamous former slave port, and the island's main city, Stone Town, remains a popular destination for history buffs. On the other side of the island, though, you'll find a lengthy stretch of beach that's coated in reefs that make for a perfect smattering of diving and snorkeling sites. One chunk is home to the unique dining experience that is The Rock.

The Rock sits on an outcropping that remains above the waterline, even at high tide. When the water recedes, you can walk out to the staircase leading to the restaurant's dining room. Otherwise, you'll have to rely on a complementary boat service. Seafood is prominent on the menu, as you might expect, and the cuisine reflects the island's multicultural influences. Offering a dimly lit maritime vibe, the restaurant provides both indoor and outdoor seating. If you're ever exploring the island of Zanzibar, The Rock is a must-dine destination. 

Palacio de Sal offers a novel take on the trend of building with unique materials, as it's a hotel constructed from salt. Palacio de Sal is located right on the banks of the Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest in the world with an expanse stretching more than 4,000 miles. It's near the Bolivian borders with Chile and Argentina, and travelers looking to check into this one-of-a-kind, luxury experience will likely need to schedule multiple days of travel to rest and eat in this wonderous, salt-filled environment.

But for those who take the plunge, the rewards are plentiful. The Bolivian buffet found in the Tika Palace restaurant goes a step beyond the typical dining experience. Following a "zero-kilometer food" concept, many of the dishes use ingredients that come directly from nearby fields and farms to your plate. Local agriculture is the backbone of many fantastic eateries around the world, and Tika Palace takes this philosophy seriously.

The town of Seyðisfjörður is found on the complete opposite end of Iceland from Reykjavik. While it's a remote destination that many travelers stopping through Iceland may not visit, Iceland boasts intense natural beauty and a unique landscape worth exploring. By taking a road trip on Iceland's Ring Road, you'll go by Seyðisfjörður, and once here, you'll have the opportunity to try world-class sushi. 

Norð Austur is a sushi restaurant that incorporates fresh catches from the community's streams and Atlantic coastline into its sushi creations and small Japanese dishes. Of course, in order to grab a roll of locally caught fish, you'll first need to get here. It's an eight-hour drive from Reykjavik, making it a major voyage for someone just seeking a bite of sushi. However, on the other end of Iceland's coastal shores, there's a lot to do. Along with offering the ultimate Icelandic sushi experience, Iceland's eastern coast is home to some of the country's most scenic fjords. 

Mil is hidden away in the landscape seeped in Incan history near Cusco. It's a trek to get here, but the experience is one that will leave you in awe of Peru and its rich history. The Mil Immersion experience isn't cheap, currently at $550 per person, but it includes a day-long tour of the community. You'll start with an exploration of the Moray ruins. The circular terraces leftover from Incan times remain shrouded in mystery, but the sheer expansiveness of their construction and the surrounding mountain vistas are sure to make you stare in wonder. 

After a few other stops along the way to explore the area's farmlands and meet with local artisans, you'll indulge in an eight-course meal created by Virgilio Martínez, a celebrated Peruvian chef. His dishes reflect the altitudes and environmental zones that surround Mil, enshrining the day's experiences in a culinary delight that's sure to dazzle your senses. The experience is phenomenal, but getting to the area will take some effort. If you're arriving from Lima, you'll need to take about an hour-long flight followed by a 90-minute drive.

Located on Saldanha Bay, right by Langebaan Beach on South Africa's West Coast, Die Strandloper is a beachside institution of seafood, coastal cooking, and fun times. The restaurant is known for its ten-course seafood feast, which takes place over an entire afternoon, as well as its open-air atmosphere and lively beach bar. Die Strandloper is right on the beach, and the energy of the place is truly electric.

You can expect a range of food options, including mussels, fish curry, and grilled harders (a local variety of mullet). The seafood is caught locally and cooked on open fires. The ten-course meal is a laid-back affair that blends local cuisine with a beachy atmosphere. There's something special in the air here. Since it's a good drive north of Cape Town, Langebaan isn't a place you might otherwise visit, but it's certainly worth the trip to dine, relax, and laugh at Die Strandloper.