The world’s wildest dining experiences

If veal is all you can offer as your ‘exotic’ Sunday roast, you know that it’s time to upgrade your gastro credentials. Here are some incredible epicurean experiences that will help to reset your definition of adventurous dining. 

Contrary to popular belief, the Arctic Circle is not just a bleak icescape. Aside from being the home of Santa, other magical delights on offer include husky sledging, skidoo adventures and, of course, the majestic northern lights. Temperatures are sub-zero so you may need a hip flask full of Swingers ‘Hot or Not’ cocktail to warm your cockles. If you’re looking for a real fisherman’s tale however, you can literally break the ice, make like a gnome and drop your fishing rod in before you head back to your frozen cave or fancy hotel to have the salmon or Arctic char cooked to your taste. 

This titan range spans five countries across 1,500 miles, and provides some exquisite vistas in which to enjoy a host of ‘back to nature’ activities. In the heart of India, yoga and holistic retreats are de rigeur, so there is nowhere better than to continue to cleanse your chakras as you tuck into delicious picnic fare amongst the breathtaking mountains. 

Jordan has some of the world’s oldest documented history and traditions, which are still being kept alive today through a responsible travel initiative that helps preserve the Beduin heritage. History and artisan cuisine will fuel your Lawrence-of-Arabia fantasies, and the joy of sleeping under a blanket of stars will remind you of how beautiful mother nature can be.

Not content with having some of the most spectacular ocean settings on the planet, the Maldives was also home to the first undersea restaurants. Once you get used to the wild setting, the exquisite range of food almost becomes secondary. The only question is whether you order the catch of the day, since one of its relatives may swim by… 

For lovers of amazing Japanese food and immersive theatrical experiences, this is a brilliant night out. Hidden below ground in New York’s Tribeca, the inimitable Ninja restaurant provides a unique service and top cuisine, and it’s something that could only be delivered to this detailed level in the city that never sleeps. 

As far as eco credentials are concerned, Costa Rica leads the way. This extends to the jungle-to-table gastronomy that artist Noam Kostucki  has created. His restaurant HiR – an integration of ‘Him’ and ‘Her’ – comes complete with howler monkeys who live close by, and a selection of beautifully crafted dishes using the freshest of seasonal local ingredients. Noam’s passion is to make money from doing good, which is a great mantra to live by in the land of ‘Pura Vida.’  

One of the best things to do in Colombia is to go to jail in Cartagena. Run as a social enterprise, the ‘Interno’ restaurant is a bastion of rehabilitation – not revenge – within the prison system. Located in the San Diego Penitentiary, the female inmates are given a second chance by retraining them for their eventual release. And not just as regular cooks, but highly skilled chefs and high end restaurant staff, often mentored by top guest chefs who love to give back to this community. Great food that makes you feel as good in your heart as you do in your belly. 

Of course. Just because what Dubai wants, Dubai gets. And, the best part is that in addition to serving hot food and drinks plus cleverly designed cocktails, the Chill Out is also home to really impressive ice sculptures, crafted by some of the best artists in the world.

Japan (where else?) perfected the food experience called Nyotairomi (female body plate,) which was originally the sexy eating of sushi, using beautiful naked women as a table. They have now taken this one step further, and created what looks like a woman, however you cut her open to eat what’s inside. ‘Blood’ comes out as you slice into the body, and all the internal organs are edible. Can’t see many franchise opportunities for this one, to be honest.  

This writer’s international street-food Russian roulette game came to an undignified conclusion after eating this questionable delicacy in a South Korean market. Where could she have possibly gone after penis fish? Of course, you have questions:  Yes, it was wiggly, yes it was chewy and salty. No, she would not like to try it again.