Unveiling the Globe's Most Exquisite Waterfront Restaurants, with Greece Securing the Coveted 2nd Place

According to Instagram data, new research has revealed the world’s most beautiful waterfront restaurants.

Nobu Malibu in California is named the world’s most beautiful waterfront restaurant, followed by Lycabettus in Santorini, Greece and Nautika in Dubrovnik. Alemagou in Mykonos is ranked 14th.

New research reveals that Nobu Malibu in California is the world’s most beautiful waterfront restaurant, followed by Santorini’s Lycabettus in second place and Dubrovnik’s Nautika placing third.

The research, compiled by the swimwear experts at Pour Moi, analysed Instagram hashtag data to discover the world’s most idyllic waterfront restaurants that holidaymakers can enjoy on their summer vacation. 

The World’s Most Beautiful Waterfront Restaurants 

Nobu Malibu in California tops the list with over 60,000 images. Nobu is an internationally renowned Japanese restaurant with locations worldwide and has long been associated with premium dining service and high-quality dishes. The Malibu branch not only offers diners an Insta-worthy bar and lounge but also comes with the sprawling California coastline and awe-inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s no wonder that Instagram users quickly inform their followers that they have dined here.

Lycabettus in Santorini follows up in second place with just shy of 50,000 images. Sure to be an unforgettable dining experience, the restaurant is an instant jaw-dropper as it’s situated upon a stunning cliff-top terrace with views of the Aegean Sea twinkling on the watery horizon. There’s no better destination than to take an Instagram picture of the famous Santorini sunset while dining on delicious Mediterranean cuisine. 

Finishing up narrowly behind Lycabettus with close to 50,000 images is Nautika, located in Dubrovnik, southern Croatia. With a reputation as one of the world’s most romantic restaurants, visitors can enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience with views of both the calming Adriatic Sea and the historic fortresses of Lovrijenac and Bokar close by. Making it the perfect spot to take a picture for the ‘gram.

Mama’s Fish House, located in Maui, Hawaii, is among the top five in fourth place. It is closely followed by Cova d’en Xoroi on the Spanish island of Menorca, with over 35,000 Instagram images to its name, placing fifth. 

The rest of the top 10 features waterfront restaurants from all around the globe; the USA claims another spot with Miami’s Seaspice in sixth place, and Italy, Bali, Singapore and New York City all make appearances.

Top 20 Most Beautiful Waterfront Restaurants 

Continent by Continent: 

Europe

Europe proves to be the most popular continent for stunning waterfront restaurants with eight making up the top 20. The number one sea-view eatery is revealed to be Lycabettus in Dubrovnik with close to 50,000 hashtags.

Overall, Italy proves to be the most popular country in Europe for aesthetically pleasing waterview restaurants with four locations placing within the global top 20. La Pergola Restaurant is seventh with its prime positioning in Positano, whilst 12th and 13th place is occupied by Puglia’s Grotta Palazzese and Venice’s Hotel Danieli, respectively. Completing the top 20 is Il Riccio in Capri, which has been visited by the likes of Paris Hilton, Kourtney Kardashian and fashion designer Marc Jacobs. 

North America 

Much like Europe, North America also proves to be a popular continent for waterfront restaurants worthy of the Insta grid, with Seven locations making the top 20.

California ranks as the state with the most restaurants within the global top 20 with seven different locations making appearances across cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Monica. Nobu Malibu claims the top spot in the world with a massive 60,000 images to its name, Seaspice in Miami is sixth, Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica is 16th, and Zuma in Miami is 17th. 

Oceania

Two restaurants from Oceania make the top 20 of the world’s most popular waterfront restaurants, with both entries being based in Australia. The most popular restaurant is revealed to be the much-loved Ormeggio at the Spit (15th most beautiful in the world) with 17,118 images sharing the stunning surroundings and impeccable pasta dishes.

Flora Harris, Buyer for Sports & Swim at Pour Moi commented: 

“As the peak holiday season is upon us, we wanted to shine a light on the most spectacular places people can visit when they are taking a well-needed break. We know that taking the perfect holiday wardrobe and swimwear is important to so many people, but travelling to taste local cuisines and capture breathtaking surroundings is also part of any trip. So, whether you are going on a long or short-haul journey - or even a staycation - we hope everyone gets the chance to dine with the view of a lifetime.”