When it comes to traveling to luxury resorts around the world, one of the best things to look for (aside from elegant accommodations and beautiful settings) are outdoor restaurants with magnificent views. From star-gazing on a moonlit veranda to watching the twinkling lights of the city from an outdoor restaurant patio, nothing beats dining al fresco in a romantic resort.
5 Incredible Hotels for Dining Al Fresco
Whether your dream is to be swept away to Italy with your loved one, or you imagine being wined and dined by your beau in Mexico, these stunning resorts offer some of the best places to dine outdoors. From locally-inspired cuisine paired with award-winning wines to tranquil garden settings and sweeping ocean vistas, here are 5 incredible resorts for dining al fresco.
Dining Al Fresco in Guatemala
As featured above, nestled in the Guatemalan highlands on the shore of Lake Atitlán, Casa Palopó offers breathtaking views of the lake and the three majestic volcanoes across the shore. At 6.8 Palopó Restaurant, guests can enjoy recently appointed Chef Mario Alcazar’s Guatemalan-inspired dishes infused with an international twist that feature ingredients sourced from farms around the lake. From watching sunsets over the volcanoes to beholding the twinkling lights of Mayan towns around the shore, it’s the perfect backdrop to an unforgettable, intimate meal.
What to order: Black Bean Soup and Pepián, a typical Guatemalan sauce made with dried pumpkin seed, chicken and vegetables, accompanied by Jasmine rice.
Dining Al Fresco in Florence, Italy
What could be more romantic and intimate than a trip to Florence, Italy? When you head out that way, make to sure to visit the stunningly restored 14th century villa, Il Salviatino – situated within the sloping hills of Fiesole surrounded by 12.5 acres of private park. The 5-star property boasts an elegant organic vegetable, fruit and aromatic herbs garden, which are used in Executive Chef Carmine Calò’s dishes at in-house restaurant, La Cucina. Guests can reserve their stay in Il Salviatino’s majestic Greenhouse Suites which offer direct access to the villa’s Italian gardens, perfect for those seeking peace and privacy, and break taking views of Florence and it’s famed Duomo.
What to order: Homemade ravioli (because when in Italy…) filled with fresh ricotta cheese, egg sauce, zucchini, spring onions and summer truffle. Buon appetito!
Dining Al Fresco in Peru
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco was built on the 16th century San Agustin Convent, which was meticulously restored to preserve an amazing amount of the site’s history. This includes the hotel’s courtyard, which keeps the original dimensions as the convent, with the original arches and columns restored. Here guests can wine and dine from a new menu that Chef Thais Rodriguez created at in-house restaurant, Pirqa. This young, bold chef takes Cusco’s culinary scene to new heights — at a city already 11,150 feet above sea level. Her “culture-to-table” concept involves incorporating as much of the country’s history, art and culture, while putting the wholesomeness and diversity of the region at the forefront.
What to order: When visiting this resort, make sure to try the Mushroom Ceviche! The dish includes thinly sliced sauteed button mushrooms, red onions, fresh lime juice, julienned aji pepper, and chopped cilantro.
Dining Al Fresco in Tuscany, Italy
When on vacation in Italy, one of the most popular things to do is eat. From authentic pasta to delectable desserts, plan on wearing a comfortable outfit, as you’ll want to get a bite of every decadent item on the menu while dining al fresco at the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa. With two restaurants and a lounge offering international and local dishes and snacks, this resort stays true to the region’s gastronomic offerings.
On property at Le Salette, small groups can enjoy an authentic Italian meal that they’ve cooked after taking part in one of the many culinary experiences the property offers. With the Day’s Experience With the Chef, you’ll visit a local market or alimentari (small super market) to choose the ingredients for a menu you’ve designed with the chef, then you’ll put your cooking skills to the test in the kitchen and dine outside overlooking the valley or even by candle-light.
If guests prefer to dine a la carte, then the property’s on-site restaurant, La Veranda, is the place to go. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with indoor and outdoor seating on the terrace with a 180 degree view of the valley. Here it’s easy to find an authentic Tuscan meal with fresh hand-picked ingredients by the resort’s chefs. Sommeliers are also on hand to assist with choosing the ideal wine pairing. Make sure to sample one of the wines from the nearby biodynamic vineyards, like Podere Concori.
What to order: Some of the best dishes to try at La Veranda include the spelt soup, eggplant and scamorza cheese, and the Tiramisu for dessert!
Dining Al Fresco in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Located between Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre Mountains, CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta offers an exclusive private dining experience for guests in its very own Herb Garden. Resort guests can enjoy dining al fresco at the handcrafted wooden table (along with 9 of their friends), while taking in the scents of the surrounding fresh herbs (including rosemary, peppermint, thyme, and more). The hotel offers garden tours guided by chefs who explain the way the spices are used in local cuisine, followed by a cooking demonstration and a four-course dinner.
What to order: The new “Dine Around Mexico” six-course tasting menu with dishes from different states of Mexico, including Tlayuda, a traditional dish from Oaxaca, Lime Soup from the Yucatan and Crab Enchiladas from Veracruz.
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[Images c/o featured resorts.]
