Dinner With a View: 20 Restaurants Made for Dusk

The best sunset dinners pair a great table with the golden hour — clifftops, rooftops and beach tables where the view is the main course. Here are 20 worth planning a night around, and how to book the right seat.

A world tour of sunset tables

• Santorini (Oia) — caldera-edge terraces; the benchmark.
• Positano & Ravello, Italy — clifftop tables over the Amalfi Coast.
• Uluwatu, Bali — dinner above the Indian Ocean.
• Mykonos & Naxos, Greece — waterline tables and “Little Venice” sunsets.
• Santa Teresa, Costa Rica — beach tables, bare feet in the sand.
• Cape Town, South Africa — Camps Bay strip facing the Atlantic.
• Dubrovnik, Croatia — cliff bars built into the old city walls.
• Key West, USA — Gulf-front tables and the nightly sunset ritual.

…plus rooftop restaurants in Bangkok, Lisbon, Marrakech, Mexico City, Istanbul and more — most cities have one great sunset table if you know to ask.

How to book the right table

• Reserve early and request an outdoor/window table with the sunset view — say it explicitly.
• Book a seating ~45 minutes before sunset.
• Check which way the terrace faces before you commit.
• Order a drink first, watch the light, then eat into the blue hour.

More ideas in romantic escapes, or learn how to photograph the sunset from your table.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book a table for sunset?

Reserve well ahead, ask specifically for an outdoor or window table with the sunset view, and book a seating about 45 minutes before sunset so you catch the light and then dinner.

What time is best for a sunset dinner?

Aim to be seated 30–45 minutes before sunset. You'll enjoy the golden hour with a drink, then dinner rolls into the blue hour afterwards.