If your idea of a dream vacation involves indulging in world-class cuisine while soaking up breathtaking views, consider this your ultimate foodie bucket list.
From a glamorous celebrity-loved Italian institution making its debut on the Turkish Riviera to a feminist culinary haven on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, these epic new dining experiences are so extraordinary, they’re worth booking a flight for.
Whether you’re craving open-fire cooking with volcanic vistas in Guatemala or sipping custom tequila cocktails steps from the sea, these restaurants offer more than just a meal — they deliver an unforgettable journey for your taste buds. Here are eight new must-visit spots for your next culinary adventure.
Dine Like a Celeb at Aurora Capri
D Maris Bay, Turkish Riviera
One of Capri, Italy’s most iconic restaurants, Aurora, is bringing its century-old culinary heritage to D Maris Bay, a secluded and posh hideaway set along Turkey’s Datça Peninsula (aka the Turkish Riviera), this summer. Renowned for its signature take on classic Italian cuisine, Aurora is set to introduce the warmth and charm of Capri to Turkey. Founded in the 1890s by Maria Grazia De Luca, Aurora quickly became a symbol of the island’s gastronomic culture. Over the years, it has attracted a loyal clientele, including aristocrats and Hollywood stars, including Jackie Kennedy, Giorgio Armani, and Truman Capote among its distinguished guests.
Led by third-generation restaurateur Mia D’Alessio, Aurora will bring the elegance and flavors of Mediterranean cuisine to D Maris Bay. This exciting new chapter merges the restaurant’s storied past with the breathtaking natural beauty of D Maris Bay, surrounded by endless blue waters and lush pine forests — an essential destination for the summer season. Blending timeless elegance with the refined flavors of the Mediterranean, Aurora invites guests to experience an extraordinary new gastronomic journey on the Turquoise Coast at D Maris Bay.
A Culinary Masterpiece From the World’s Best Female Chef at Rubra
W Punta de Mita, Mexico
Having just fully opened at the beginning of this year, world-renowned female James Beard Award-winning Chef Daniela Soto-Innes debuted her first restaurant in Mexico: Rubra at W Punta de Mita! A Mexican Milpa-cuisine edible art gallery concept, this restaurant is Soto-Innes’ grand comeback since departing NYC’s Cosme, after leading the restaurant to the height of its success. There, she was recognized as the best female chef in the world. Soto-Innes left to bring her culinary dream to life on the magical coast of Riviera Nayarit, which was just completed after 3 years of thoughtful development. Rubra is Chef Daniela’s ode to feminine strength, her Mexican heritage, and the region’s natural beauty. A feminist hub, it is also overwhelmingly operated and staffed by talented up-and coming women, who together turn local, seasonal, home-grown produce from Rubra’s multi-acre onsite organic farm into edible masterpieces – fulfilling Chef Daniela’s goal of creating a world-class restaurant that also serves as an incubator for female culinary development in this historically male-dominated industry.
Chef poured herself into the creation of every detail of the guest experience – from molding her own plates and bowls alongside local artisans to personally designing each chair in her dining room (which mimic the whale tails that can be spotted from the restaurant if you are lucky!). The space itself was designed by sculptural artist Pablo Kobayashi and architects Ana Paula de Alba and Ignacio Urquiza, made entirely out of custom-rose-colored clay, shells, sand, and rock, giving the entire space a floor-to-ceiling chic pink hue that showcases femininity, while embodying a woman’s power with its structural lines. Rubra’s bar is the proud home of the biggest Agave spirit collection in Riviera Nayarit with 100+ different labels and even has its own custom flavor of Sazon Tepache – which is a mouthwatering regional fermented pineapple “beer” formulated with Chef Daniela! Casa Dragones has also partnered with Chef to create a one-of-a-kind tequila-tasting room set in Soto-Innes’ fairytale garden, from which she sources her seasonal produce for her ever-evolving menu.
Open Flame Meets Fire Views at Kinnik
Casa Palopó, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
A new open-fire concept restaurant, Kinnik, named after the Mayan Sun God, has debuted at the award-winning Casa Palopó in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. The space offers front-row views of the iconic lake and surrounding volcanoes. As the second onsite restaurant at this Relais & Chateaux property, Kinnik enhances the hotel’s culinary offerings by providing guests and the public with an elevated new dining experience rooted in Guatemalan culture. Executive Chef Jorge Peralta leads the restaurant, where he and his team have crafted a menu that blends open-fire techniques with the luxury of fine dining. With seating for 32 in the main dining room, private tables for seven, and a terrace for 12, Kinnik offers an intimate and interactive experience.
Guests can enjoy tableside carving and small grills for an immersive dining adventure that celebrates local ingredients and traditional flavors, many of which are drawn from the restaurant’s on-site garden. The menu features a variety of grilled meats such as tenderloin, skirt steak, and ribeye, served with chargrilled vegetables and specialty sauces like chipilin bernaise, chirmol, and chimichurri. Starters like the picoteo — a mix of chorizo and longaniza with melted cheese, beans, guacamole, and tortillas — offer a true taste of Guatemala, while drinks like the Cantarito tequila and Negroni Sbagliato pair perfectly with indulgent desserts like sweet crepes filled with goat milk caramel and caramelized pears. For travelers seeking new dining experiences where breathtaking views are as remarkable as the cuisine, Kinnik is the ideal destination.
Apres Adventure Dining at The Wild Sage
Rusty Parrot Lodge, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Upon entering the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa — fresh off a complete rebuild after a devastating fire destroyed the nearly 30-year-old mountain town staple in Jackson Hole, WY — guests will be immediately greeted by a view of the bustling Wild Sage Restaurant and its open kitchen. The Wild Sage Restaurant is complete with a wood fire pizza oven and a two-sided stone fireplace flanked by floor-to-ceiling glass wine cellars. Tradition and invention meet to make the Wild Sage unlike any other mountain town culinary experiences. A warm, welcoming setting with seasonally inspired dishes and locally sourced ingredients ensure a relaxed interpretation of sophisticated dining. Executive Chef Hugo Goodwin is at the helm bringing over 20 years of experience into this new role.
Guests can expect dishes that range from locally sourced Beef Tartare made with chili oil, lovage and balsamic, and pan roasted Long Island Duck drizzled in jus to Smoked Crème Brulé served with a side of local whiskey. Rotating flatbreads, vegetable-forward dishes, game meats and a classic burger will also be offered, alongside an ever growing and changing high quality selection of global wines, including old world and new, specialty craft cocktails and local beers. The breakfast menu includes Ricotta Pancakes with lemon curd and maple butter, as well as heartier fare like Snake River Rancheros with house-made roasted green chili sauce and pickled red onions.
A Heartwarming Taste of Tradition at Marriott Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Nestled on a sandy strip between the Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay, Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers a hacienda inspired beachfront retreat. Marriott Puerto Vallarta features PV’s largest infinity pool, the destination’s biggest spa, and a dynamic mix of foodie concepts — with everything from Jalisco-style ceviche-making classes to a Japanese teppanyaki house on the beach and a robust tequila program featuring the resort’s own tequila sommelier (or tequilera).
This foodie hotspot recently launched the ‘Las Recetas de la Abuela’ (aka Grandma’s Recipes) private dining experience where the Executive Chef uses his own grandmother’s recipes for a true taste of Mexico. In addition to the amazing meal, the Chef includes a story about each recipe so guests can feel truly connected. With Mother’s Day coming up, surprise your foodie Mom with a beach getaway with a heartwarming and delicious dining experience to top it off.
Southern Hospitality Meets European Brews at Barnsley Resort
Barnsley Resort, Georgia
Spanning 3,000 acres on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northwest Georgia, Barnsley Resort offers guests an elevated nature-inspired getaway complemented by the utmost level of Southern hospitality. In addition to the slew of unique activities and offerings available at the property, the lauded resort also boasts various five-star culinary experiences. New this year, is a reimagined and newly built Biergarten, guaranteeing a good stein.
Located in the center of the resort village, Biergarten boasts a two-sided stacked stone fireplace and a covered pavilion, allowing guests to enjoy an epic day of football and lawn games in an al fresco setting, rain or shine. A new kitchen and L-shape custom hand-hewn sycamore bar serve an evolving menu of regional German and European brews, paired with an all-day menu of biergarten classics, including pretzels and bratwurst. Barbecue favorites are slow smoked on the custom J&R Manufacturing Smoker, crafted specifically for this space. Whether one’s on the hunt for a spot to watch the big game or enjoy a beer, the pet-friendly Biergarten promises a good time for all.
Private Oyster Tasting at Ocean Edge Resort
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Located along the coast of Massachusetts, Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club provides guests with luxurious accommodations, amenities, and dining experiences that are true to its Cape Cod locale. For those staying in The Mansion’s Bay Pines Collection villa’s guests and want an authentic culinary affair, they can book the Private Oyster Experience. The culinary team will demonstrate how to shuck an oyster, explain the four types of oysters served, what makes each unique, and why the accompaniments to complement these flavors have been chosen.
Oysters are a delicacy in the region, and guests will get to taste Oysters grown in Cape Cod Bay, situated along the resort’s backyard. If so inclined, guests can embark on a guided tour of the resort’s own fleet of oyster beds at Bay Pines Beach — the resort’s private beach — to learn about aquaculture and the importance the tide plays in the farming of oysters. The tours run from Memorial Day Weekend through the end of summer. What better way to cap off your experience than with the private oyster tasting?
Gourmet Sailing with Ecoventura
The Galapagos Islands
Ecoventura partnered with fellow Relais & Châteaux-ranked Ecuadorian chefs to relaunch its series of specialty culinary departures with award-winning, prestigious “pop-up” guest chefs nationwide. These specialty culinary sails offer guests next-level breakfasts, lunches, four-course nightly dinners, and cooking lessons.
Beyond the kitchen, Ecoventura is the foremost leader in destination conservation on all fronts — including cuisine, sourcing over 53% of all ingredients used directly from the Galapagos, supporting the economic ecosystem, and their responsible growing practices (more than any other cruise in the destination). This guarantees that the food you taste onboard is not just authentic to the country’s flavors, cultures, and traditions, but also uses ingredients that carry the unique flavors of one of the most protected places on earth. Additionally, for the first time this year, Ecoventura will be partnering with 100% local Ecuadorian premium wine label Bodega Dos Hemispherios to showcase Ecuadorian wine making onboard our ships.
Your Next Culinary Adventure Awaits
From sun-drenched shores to mountain hideaways, these epic dining experiences offer more than just a meal — they promise a journey worth savoring. Whether you’re craving the glamour of a celebrity hotspot or the warmth of a family recipe passed down through generations, these new culinary destinations invite you to explore the world one bite at a time. So, where will your taste buds take you next?
