Amazing restaurants shrouded in mystery

by | Feb 22, 2018 | Food & Drink

Ultraviolet, La Gruta & Classified

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The thrill is in the chase – and in the grub—in these exceptional restaurants

A little mystery makes for good novelty, and in this day and age where dining concepts pop up with great frequency, it’s a challenge to stand out from the crowd. There are however a select few restaurants that intentionally hide from customers, and oddly enough, end up attracting even more patrons.

Classified interior

Three Michelin-starred chef Paul Pairet is the genius behind Ultraviolet in Shanghai, an eclectic and experiential dining experience for only a select few. The restaurant is in an undisclosed location with a single table that seats only ten people. Diners are picked up by a private driver and taken to the secret restaurant. Ultraviolet offers a multisensory culinary journey that not only appeals to the taste buds but also compliments the eyes and other senses. The dining room’s walls are covered with video screens, surround sound speakers, customised lighting, and scent emitters – all integrated with each dish. More than 20 courses are prepared, so do arrive with an appetite.

Some 2,000 years ago, the ancient tribe of Aztecs created a 75-metre tall pyramid in the ancient city of Teotihuacan in Mexico, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Behind this historic site is La Gruta (The Grotto), situated three stories deep underground. The cave served as storage for the Mayans’ gold in ancient times; now, it is a restaurant known for mouth-watering Mexican fare consumed in a unique setting. The stairs that lead to the restaurant is illuminated by beautiful lights, and the restaurant itself features brightly coloured chairs. Select meals have special performances by a mariachi band or Ballet Folklorico.

United Airlines launched Classified, a by-invitation-only restaurant in Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The restaurant is behind Saison, a French bistro inside Terminal C. Delicious farm-to-table food are served, paired with sleek interiors and an air of exclusivity. Until now, United has not disclosed how they vet invited guests, which have ranged from company CEOs, celebrities, to regular flyers. It’s as random as it can be.

Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

World Travel Magazine Edition

Newsletter

The Weekend Singapore Turns Up the Lights

The barriers go up along Republic Boulevard in the last...

Venice Biennale 2026: A Collector’s Autumn Guide

Venice, In a Minor Key. The first thing you should...

Masai Mara Migration 2026: Private River-Crossing Safaris

The River Decides. In June, Wilderness built a footbridge...

Private Wine Barrels: Make Your Own 2026 Vintage

This September, the most valuable bottle in the world's...

Where to Go for Diwali 2026: Five Advisors Answer

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November. Five advisors on where their best clients are spending the festive week, what they booked, and why it was done in July.

From Dubai, Watching India Outgrow the Room

From a Dubai vantage point, the Editor-in-Chief on how Indian and Southeast Asian travellers quietly became the most fluent guests in the room.

Saudi Red Sea Resorts 2026: What’s Open and When to Go

Eleven resorts open, a dozen more coming. World Travel Magazine’s honest audit of Saudi’s Red Sea: what’s open, what’s still rendering, and exactly when to go.

Unmapped: The Coast That Hasn’t Decided What It Is

Somewhere in Southeast Asia right now, a shoreline is having the conversation Phuket had thirty years ago. Christine Lee went to Sumba’s west coast to listen.

7 Luxury Trips to Book Now for October to January

This is the page World Travel Magazine keeps for the...

Five Things That Died This Summer

Some things deserve to die. Not people. Formats. This...

Related Articles