If you thought revolving restaurants had become a little passé since their 1960s inception, you'd be wrong.
Not only do many revolving venues still provide a major tourist draw in cities all over the world, but new ones continue to be built each and every year.
Offering the unique experience of an unhindered 360-degree view that changes while you chew, these restaurants also happen to be some of the best places to view a city skyline, mountain range or seascape.
The Sky (Tokyo, Japan)
Located on the 17th floor of the Hotel New Otani, The Sky boasts a stunning panorama of the Tokyo skyline.
The concept is unique in that diners design and create their own dishes-from a variety of teppanyaki, sushi and other Chinese and Western dishes-which are then cooked or prepared fresh in front of them. Essentially, it is like an upscale buffet with the benefits of a live stage kitchen and rotating city views.
360 Restaurant (Toronto, Canada)
The city of Toronto fans out more than 1,100 feet below this restaurant, which is situated atop the world famous CN Tower.
The menu focuses on Canadian cuisine and fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, which changes twice a year to reflect the seasons. The extensive wine selection-which features over 550 bottles-has won the award for highest restaurant wine cellar in the world.
An added bonus: You can get complimentary access to the tower lookout and glass floor when each guest purchases a prix fixe menu.
READ MORE: Insider Tips for Travel to Toronto
Top of the World (Las Vegas, USA)
You knew Vegas had to make an appearance, right?
This restaurant shines in more ways than one, offering diners a sparkling 360-degree view of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding mountains from the popular Stratosphere Hotel. Located 844 feet in the air, it's the city's only revolving restaurant and prides itself on its sommelier-picked wine list.
360 Restaurant Piz Gloria (Mürren, Switzerland)
Revolving restaurants aren't always located above dazzling city skylines as this one is situated atop the Swiss Alps. A short walk from the charming village of Gimmelwald, Piz Gloria offering staggering views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks.
The restaurant was actually part-funded by the production team behind the Jame Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service-they used it extensively as a backdrop for the film.
This 360-degree dining den offers a snowy backdrop and a menu that focuses on traditional Swiss cuisine. Some dishes also reflect the venue's brush with fame, such as the Spaghetti James Bond (a sausage-based tomato pasta dish).
READ MORE: Traveling Seamlessly in Switzerland
Restaurant 181 (Munich, Germany)
Named after its height off the ground (181 meters/600 feet), Restaurant 181 is a revolving venue with a twist.
It is situated within the Munich's iconic Olympic Tower-which overlooks the unusually-designed Olympic Stadium-and features a modern French-inspired menu and an extensive wine list.
The reasonably-priced three-course lunch menu is a must for any weary sightseers looking for some scenic respite above the Bavarian city.
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