Like getting out over the water? You’re in luck, Lulu, because with summer’s seasonal splendour comes the opportunity to dine aboard river vessels and aquatic perches aplenty.
Here’s our pick of the fanciest floating fine-diners in the watery cities of Venice, New York, Amsterdam and Bangkok. All you need to bring is an appetite and your well-shod sea legs. Oh, buoy!
Lineadombra, Venice
No city marries marine and cuisine better than Venice, and while La Serenissima’s canals may be overflowing with naff touristy riff-raff, Lineadombra’s lagoon-side locale is anything but, serving time-honoured Venetian fare on a canopied, stilted terrazzo. Gaze across to glistening Giudecca as you enjoy flip-fresh catch of the day, homemade pastas and stellar pours. Be warned: she’s packed like Berlusconi’s boudoir during peak season, so book way ahead to secure a prime posi.
Ponte de l’Umiltà, Dorsoduro 19. +39 041 241 1881. ristorantelineadombra.com
Vinkeles on the Water, Amsterdam
Pedal power may rule in the Dutch capital, but the best way to get intimate with the old cheese is to get out onto its character-packed waterways. With designer romp n’ romancer The Dylan’s perfect canal-side location comes the hotel’s uber-luxe private barge Muze; an elegantly nip/tucked 19th-century saloon that hosts up to four for an intimate, six-course feast. Gallic-gastro portions are prepped and served on board, courtesy of Chef Kuipers and the Mich-spangled house resto Vinkeles, as you cruise on through Keizersgracht. Just be prepared to re-mortgage your house to do so…
The Dylan, Keizersgracht 384. +31 20 530 2010 vinkeles.com/en
Grand Banks, New York
You’ll have to brave the queues for an evening aboard this top sip-ship, but it’s worth it for a fun night. Sample nautical-tinged cocktails, superb summer sups whipped up by Kerry Heffernan and sustainably harvested East and West Coast oysters. Cin cin!
Equally vista-rific is the North River Lobster Company’s former Floridian gambling vessel spangled with New England charm and pant-dropper Manhattan views. Ring in happy hour with tipples and bucket-loads of fresh seafood. To avoid blushing a bright shade of crustacean, just add sunblock.
Grand Banks, Pier 25, Hudson River Park, Tribeca. grandbanks.org
North River Lobster Company, Pier 81, West 41st St, Midtown West. +1 212 6308 831. northriverlobsterco.com
The Golden Naga, Bangkok
The Siam Bangkok’s teak barge was once used to transport rice from the Thai provinces to the capital via the glistening Chao Phraya River. Now, the historic beauty can be yours for a sunset sojourn replete with cocktails and canapés. Ogle the gleaming Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Bangkok’s twinkling skyline from the comfort of Naga’s plush rooftop daybeds – either with up to eight friends, or secure a romantic dinner for two. Reservations are required at least one day in advance.
The Siam, 3/2 Thanon Khao. +66 2 2066 999. thesiamhotel.com
– posted 19th July 2016
