There restaurants in Venice and Munich offer extraordinary vistas and vantage points. With the arrival of summer, their terraces are all set to welcome guests to unwind and linger over meals and cocktails.
Text: Amy Van
The magic of Venice
Set against a backdrop unlike any other, The St. Regis Venice offers a front-row seat to the city’s ever-changing beauty. The views transform throughout the day from dusk to dawn. When the morning mist clears, the Grand Canal comes to life with the gentle rhythm of gondolas and vaporetti (water taxi) drifting past. On warmer days, the gilded glow of sunset reflects on the shimmering water.
Across the canal, the magnificent Santa Maria della Salute Basilica, Venice’s first and most iconic Baroque monument, stands sentinel alongside the triangular-shaped Punta della Dogana. The latter, once a centuries-old customs house, now houses a contemporary art museum. It was restored in 2009 by Japanese architect Tadao Ando and converted into an exhibition space.
Gio’s, the hotel’s signature restaurant, recently launched new à la carte and tasting menus highlighting Italy’s regional flavours. Gio’s is named after San Giorgio Maggiore, the culture-rich island across the Grand Canal, renowned for its dedication to preserving Italian heritage.
Executive Chef Giuseppe Ricci, a native of Puglia who has long called Veneto home, expertly marries the bold, sun-drenched flavours of the south with the elegant, nuanced tastes of the north. Savour refined dishes like delicate fish crudo, troccoli pasta with native cuttlefish in a walnut sauce, and monograno mezzi paccheri, spiced and laced with blue lobster and anise-scented bisque. Regional highlights include Garronese Veneta beef, charcoal-grilled octopus, and lagoon seabass in a rich anchovy sauce. End the meal with gin-infused brioche with lemon ganache and juniper gelato, or dark chocolate soufflé paired with almond gelato and pear compote.
At the adjoining The St. Regis Bar, you can enjoy vibrant sunset or rose-coloured cocktails (think: red negroni or refreshing orange spritz) topped with stellar views of the waterscape. Guests can also choose to sit at the terrace in warmer weather. Ginori Terrace is the charming outdoor extension of The St. Regis Bar. Complementing the all-day menu by Chef Giuseppe is a bespoke selection of Italian cocktails, crafted by The St. Regis Bar’s team of mixologists.
In April, the hotel in collaboration with Ginori 1735, celebrated the restyling of the terrace. The first Ginori 1735 Terrace at The St. Regis Venice debuted in 2023, marking the beginning of a collaboration that has since expanded into a global partnership. The current design features curated pieces from Ginori 1735’s brand-new Oriente Italiano collection in the colours Castagna brown and Meringa beige, including porcelain pieces as well as the fabrics of table runners, cushions, and parasols. For a nightcap, head over to the Arts Bar whose avant-garde selection of art-inspired modern and classic cocktails is served in a plush setting. The seasonal cocktails are inspired by artists from Monet to Banksy who have helped shape the culture of Venice.
Munich’s modern landmark
Contemporary architecture meets the spirit of Bavarian tradition at Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich. Designed by architectural firm Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, the striking hotel takes pride of place in the heart of Munich.
On the ninth floor, the hotel’s signature restaurant Greta Oto affords sweeping views over the city’s rooftops and the historic Karlsplatz, known as Stachus. This bustling square, established in the 18th century after the demolition of the medieval city walls, comes alive in summer. The grand fountain in the centre is a popular gathering point for locals and visitors alike.
Greta Oto’s menu features South American flavours such as tacos, tostadas, and ceviche marinated in leche de tigre. For heartier appetites, there are dishes like beef ribs with Peruvian slaw, soft tacos with salsa roja, grilled octopus, and tender pork belly.
As evening falls, the restaurant transforms with a sultry energy, making it one of Munich’s most stylish dining destinations. When the weather warms, the Greta Oto Terrace becomes the perfect perch to enjoy the city’s panorama.
In spring/summer, the terrace menu will feature relaxed fare, including seafood cocktail, cured roast beef with marinated herbs and caramelised butter, and Gillardeau oysters with jalapeño salsa and chilli ponzu. Sip on a special edition Koenigshof Bellini or a classic pisco sour, and take in Munich’s vista from this angle.