DINING

Glorious sunset dining in Hawaii, Tulum, Whistler, and the Amalfi Coast

There is something that elevates a fine dining experience to another level entirely and that’s enjoying an exemplary meal while the sun slowly sinks below the horizon. It’s magical and enchanting watching the sky burst into flames of gold, violet, and crimson as you’re enjoying a superb meal.

Following are some of the finest restaurants in Hawaii, Tulum, Whistler and the Amalfi Coast with the most mesmerizing and romantic sunset views:

Hawaii

La Mer

La Mer’s internationally acclaimed menu features local and tropical ingredients in dishes inspired by flavors from the south of France. Ingredients are sourced from across the Hawaiian Islands and are enhanced with unique, signature flavors. La Mer is Hawaii’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star restaurant. We suggest starting with caviar and blinis followed by poached Chilean sea bass, edamame mousseline, shimeji mushrooms, zucchini and sea asparagus in beurre blanc. For dessert, a must-try is the Kalamansi mousse with coconut meringue, lemon verbena Anglaise and white chocolate sorbet. Located inside the Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu.

53 By The Sea

This fine dining venue has become one of the island’s premier fine dining experiences since it opened its doors in 2012. From the iconic grand staircase to sweeping views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the rolling surf, each moment at 53 By The Sea is a celebration for the senses. The spectacular ambiance, service and sunset views will leave a lasting impression on you and your guests. We recommend trying the small plates for sharing oysters on the half shell with ponzu gelee, chives and calamansi. For the main, the Ora king salmon with brown butter, saikyo miso, ginger scallion relish, mushroom risotto and ikura. For dessert enjoy the spiced chocolate terrine with creme fraiche, roasted macadamia nuts, raspberry guimauve, and raspberry coulis. Located at 53 Ahui Street, Honolulu.

Banyan House

When enjoying the serenity of sunset dining in paradise you will want to retire at the end of the day an amazing home where you can relax. Banyan House is certainly one of the most exclusive and prestigious of Hawaii luxury accommodations. With lush foliage and stunning ocean and mountain vistas, this magical home is the consummate private oasis. Light and breezy with a rich spectrum of color, refurbished wood accents blend harmoniously with granite finishes and shimmering travertine flooring. This home is architecturally patterned with an innovative u-shape, with chic footpaths weaving through serene, reflective koi ponds and fragrant tropical foliage. The sliding pocket doors open onto the lavish pool and BBQ area, complete with an al fresco dining area and hot tub. Eight rooms can comfortably accommodate up to 16 guests.

Azure

This dazzling beachside restaurant has spectacular views on Diamond Head and Waikiki. Azure is a world-class restaurant perched along the Waikiki beachfront under the canopy of the resort's dramatic Spanish-Moorish architecture. The bejeweled oceanfront space is adorned with intimate candles and pristine table settings – creating an ambiance of exquisite relaxation and fine dining. We suggest the four-course dinner starting with a beet salad with red and gold beets, spiced orange, goat cheese, fennel orange marmalade and Nordic tuile, followed by poached scallops with cucumber, lemon confit, red peppers, coconut milk vinaigrette and basil oil. For the third course, try the Snake River Farm striploin and short rib with cauliflower, chive and nori tempura and pommes puree. Our choice for dessert is the Honu tart with walnut caramel, dark chocolate ganache, peanut butter mousse and chocolate tuile. Located at 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu.

Tulum, Mexico

Taboo

If you’re looking for a transcendent dining experience, Taboo is it. This beach club and restaurant is inspired by customs and traditions of ancient cultures, but keeps the bohemian and rustic Tulum style reminding guests of a past full of mystery and magic; strongly tied to nature, the earth and the elements. Taboo is a place where culinary traditions and quality products lead part. Taboo is on a wide white sand beach in front of the ocean. Ample tiered terraces with amazing views and delicious Mediterranean cuisine come together to bring an integral life experience full of flavors, parties, cocktails and a totally wonderful experience. Start with cold appetizers of tuna tartare and hummus with paprika and wood-fired artisan pita bread. Go with the catch of the day for your main accompanied by chambray potatoes. Ricotta orange cheesecake with caramelized oranges is a must for dessert. Located at Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Zona Hotelera.

Mezzanine Thai Restaurant & Bar

The Mezzanine Thai vibe is unmistakable and created by sweeping panoramic views of Tulum's beach, relaxed house music, and exceptional service. Offering tantalizing, authentic flavors balancing fragrant herbs and spices with fresh coconut milk to produce traditional dishes have made Mezzanine Thai an iconic Tulum spot for years. All dishes are prepared fresh when ordered. Chefs don’t use MSG or processed sugar. Sweetness in dishes comes from “piloncillo,” a raw form of sugar cane juice. Chefs also produce freshly squeezed coconut milk for curries. For starters, we suggest chicken satay with peanut sauce and pickled cucumber salad. Mains should be for sharing and we recommend the pad Thai with shrimp, rice noodles, egg, bean sprouts, cabbage, garlic, onions, peanuts, chili and tamarind; massaman curry with beef, potatoes, cardamom, cinnamon, onions and peanuts; and panang curry with chicken, green beans, red peppers, carrots, basil, peanuts and kaffir. If you have room for dessert, try the Thai flan with lychee and rum sauce. Located at Carretera Tulum-Bocapaila, Zona Hotelera Tulum.

Hacienda Palancar

Hacienda Palancar is a grand estate embraced by the Yucatan's mystical jungles. A few barefoot steps from ethereal white sand beaches, this palatial residence presents a magical tropical oasis spanning 86 acres between Capechen Lagoon and the Caribbean sea. Interiors resonate with imperial grandeur and opulence. Nine fantastic, distinctly furnished ensuite bedrooms, with room for 18 guests, offer private jungle terrace access, lush jungle views, and private balconies. Hacienda Palancar is accessible by an onsite helipad and its wraparound verandas connect each of the property's five buildings. Surrounded by technicolor greenery, take comfort in more than a half-mile of private white-sand beaches. A private pool flanked by glorious palms provides the ultimate shade for unforgettable al fresco dining.

Mi Amor Restaurant

This venue is sensual, sexy and playful. The unique setting of the rocks, breaking waves and reflection pools set the stage for an endearing experience of design and style. Inspired by Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine, the Mi Amor team are passionate about technique, flavor and sourcing the best quality products and ingredients available. Pair your meal with an insignia champagne cocktail or create your own with the “Tu Amor'' collection. For dinner, start with citrus-packed ceviche with fish, scallops and smoked leche de tigre. Share a beef ribeye for the main which is accompanied by salsa romesco and glazed onions with red wine. Add mashed potatoes. Dessert has to be the Italian job – spongy and wet tiramisu tucked inside silky meringue and torched for a freshly baked flavor. Located at Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila, Zona Hotelera Tulum, Zona Costera.

Whistler

Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar

James Walt, culinary director at Araxi, is one of Canada’s leading chefs and cookbook authors. He continues to inspire Araxi guests by creating compelling regional cuisine based on local, sustainable ingredients. Walt is Whistler’s only chef to cook at the celebrated James Beard House in New York City on four separate occasions. He has been voted best chef in Whistler by Pique News magazine and was inducted into the British Columbia Restaurant Association Hall of Fame in 2011. To start, we suggest you try the seafood trio for two with 10 oysters on the half shell, six chilled prawns, albacore tuna “zuke,” marinated seaweed and jellyfish salad, ceviche, spicy tuna roll, smoked wild sockeye salmon. For your main, try the Red Deer venison loin with black pepper crusted with orange braised endive, local morel mushrooms, mushroom puree, radicchio, blood orange dressing and sauce diable. The Okanagan cherry praline cake with yogurt mousse layered with almond sponge cake, fresh cherries, candied almonds and praline ice cream is perfect for dessert. Located at 4222 Village Square #110.

Bearfoot Bistro

Dining at Bearfoot Bistro is more than a meal – it’s a culinary journey. Cuisine is a combination of a familiar flavor with a new technique, a local ingredient given an international twist. The exceptional seafood and wild game found in British Columbia is complemented by the best of the best available from around the globe: Wagyu beef, Perigord truffles, Berkshire pork and more. For starters, you might choose the smoked Kuterra salmon with rye caraway crouton, mustard crème fraiche, grilled cucumber, dill and maple. For the main, our choice would be the Québec veal striploin with green bean salad, apricot, burnt brioche and Dijon espuma, veal pancetta and almond. For dessert, go all out and try the nitro ice cream prepared tableside with Tahitian vanilla bean, sundae toppings (minimum two people). Located at 4121 Village Green.

Belmont Estate

After enjoying sunset dining in Whistler on your luxury Whistler holiday, you will be glad you chose Belmont Estate as your home-away-from-home. This fantastic mountain retreat is nestled atop seven acres of coveted terrain in Stonebridge. Prestigiously poised in Whistler's most exclusive area, you will revel in pure alpine majesty. The interiors present a masterclass of ultra-chic alpine design, a stunning network of exposed beams weaving across the vaulted ceilings in the majestic great room. With more than 8,100 square feet of exquisite living space, this beautiful mountain residence can accommodate up to 14 guests in utmost luxury. Belmont Estate embraces the majesty of the outdoors with a fire pit and barbecue grills. An all-season stunner, ward off the cold in the home's steam room and hot tub fit for 12. Dine al fresco on the terrace embraced by fragrant mountain air under an impossibly starry night sky. A private helipad gives new meaning to highlife living, inducting this residence as one of the world's only true Heliski-in/Heliski-out properties.

Christine’s on Blackcomb

Christine’s is all about mountain-top dining in style. Enjoy panoramic views, along with classic dishes prepared with the finest ingredients, and a diverse wine list to complement. You will have a choice of mountain comfort dishes prepared with local ingredients inside or on the sunny patio overlooking the most breathtaking view imaginable. Order a wine flight for a sampling of new local and international wines for a complete experience. After an adventurous day skiing or hiking, you might choose the charcuterie of cured Italian meats, fig jam, pickled vegetables, Castellano olives, cornichons and grainy mustard to start. For your entrée, we recommend the seared Albacore tuna lemon ranch with buttermilk fried scallion, heirloom tomatoes and a soft-cooked organic egg. For dessert, how about a fresh coconut sundae with wild blueberries and mint? Located 4545 Blackcomb Way.

The Amalfi Coast

Rada Beach Bistrot, Positano

Al fresco dining at sunset on the beach at Rada Beach Bistrot provides an ambiance like no other. This is the ideal setting for a most romantic meal. Servers are attentive and polite and the cuisine is Italian divinity. As an appetizer, we suggest going all out for the Beluga caviar. On to the first course and we recommend the fusilloni di gragnano with seafood, piennolo cherry tomatoes and sea asparagus. For the main entrée, try the beef fillet with potato mille feuille with spinach and truffle sauce. For dessert, definitely the savarin with Chantilly cream and berries. Located at Grotte dell'Incanto, 51, 84017, Positano.

Marina Grande

This restaurant overlooks the wonderful sea of Amalfi on the bay embracing the historic center of Amalfi – a place with a 1,000-year history which can be seen in its museums, ancient buildings, in the characteristic alleys and in the traditions of local folklore. The waves of the sea break not far from the covered terrace of the restaurant on which you can enjoy seafood delicacies of all kinds for lunch or dinner, between enchanting scenery and magical sunsets. Marina Grande offers you a careful selection of dishes combining elegance of the presentation with harmony of flavors and freshness of ingredients. We suggest the shrimp in puttanesca sauce for starters. For your first course, try the spaghetti with sea urchins and tuna carpaccio. Our choice for a main course is the amberjack with crispy skin, zucchini scapece and burrata sauce. Our sweet selection is caprese with lemon cream and lemon sorbet. Located at Viale della Regione, 4, 84011 Amalfi, Salerno.

Villa Rondinaia

This gorgeous historic residence is embraced by terraced gardens and the extraordinary Gulf of Salerno. This exquisite Amalfi Coast luxury vacation rental is spread across a natural park of over six acres of majestic coastal terrain. Villa Rondinaia is the ideal home in which to relax while you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast. The home's dramatic setting embedded in a rock face is of unparalleled natural beauty, is the most elegant setting for lavish entertaining. Stately interiors abound with 19th century aristocratic prestige, finely arched ceilings, and regal stone fireplaces. Six glorious ensuite bedrooms accommodate up to 12 guests with the utmost comfort and discretion. Astounding exteriors offer an enormous private pool, set on a marble-paved terrace, presenting the ultimate respite from the midday heat. This stunning outdoors is dotted with aromatic Mediterranean flora, meandering pathways, flower-entangled pergolas, and fine neoclassical sculpture.

Franchino il Ristorante

Franchino il Ristorante welcomes you on a charming terrace overlooking the Bay of Conca dei Marini. Every morning, elegant servers prepare the terrace tables for lunch and in the afternoon, for dinner. Franchino il Ristorante says, “every course, from swordfish rolls, to the eternal grill of fresh fish of the bay, passing through eggplant ravioli, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, invites you to eat ‘amalfitano’, with your mouth, with your eyes, and with your heart.” With that, for an appetizer we suggest cuttlefish tagliatelle pasta mixed with lemon sauce, glasswort and salty hazelnuts. For your first course, we suggest homemade black tortello pasta, shrimp, eggplant and provolone cheese. For your entrée, we suggest the seared catch of the day with potatoes and lemon mayo. If you fancy some sweetness afterwards, try the ricotta cheese and pear cake. Located at Via Terramare, 3, 84010 Praiano, Salerno.

Watching an enchanting sunset is one of life’s most dazzling treasures. When you combine it with another wonderful element like fine dining, it’s a recipe for pure joy. Should you desire to plan a trip where you can dine and shine in the glow of dazzling sunsets, LVH will certainly take the reins. With LVH, not only will you be staying in phenomenal homes where you will receive full services and support, but we will also plan a tailor-made itinerary for you reflecting only things aligning to your desires and likes. We understand your time is a cherished commodity and your itinerary will reflect that. We invite you to reach out to an LVH client relations professional to get your sunset holiday planning underway!