Are you traveling soon, love gastronomy, but don’t know exactly where to go for a special culinary experience? In this blog, we showcase our top 10 casual-upscale dining restaurants of 2025. S tuk by tuk places where taste, atmosphere and experience come together. Perfect to combine with a customized Untamed journey. Where the world can’t find you….
Culinary, comfort and atmosphere
Last time, we talked about the top 10 award-winning restaurants from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. Do you love gourmet dining, but are looking more for a casual-upscale dining experience? If so, a visit to one of the restaurants below may better suit your needs on your next trip.
1. La Mar Cevichería – Lima
La Mar is a household name in Lima. Led by culinary icon Gastón Acurio, this vibrant cevichería brings the best from the Peruvian sea to the table. Always daily fresh, pure and prepared with love. Daily between noon and 5:30 p.m., La Mar serves an abundance of ceviches, starring the catch of the day. Reservations are not possible, but the line at the door is part of the deal and well worth the wait. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the flavors of Lima, do so with a classic ceviche.
2. Gresca – Barcelona
Gresca is a beloved tapas spot in Barcelona, a cozy and casual neighborhood restaurant that is always in demand. As you watch the chefs at work, enjoy grilled eggplant, cod bitterballs and the best anchovies in town. Opt for one of the affordable tasting menus at the main restaurant, or go à-la-carte with top wines at the Gresca Bar next door.
3. Tamawarai – Tokyo
Tamawarai’s chef believes that the taste of soba depends mainly on the flour. He grinds his own fresh buckwheat from his own garden and from local farmers, so the aroma is well preserved. The coarsely ground soba is served on a traditional bamboo basket and has a pure, wild taste. Also try the soba with tofu, inspired by staff food, and the hot soba with a light sauce and egg, which makes for a surprising taste experience. At night, there is a set menu with special dishes such as buckwheat puree and soft, rolled omelets.
4. Saint Peter – Sydney
In the heart of Sydney’s Grand National Hotel, chef Josh Niland is taking Australian seafood tradition to a new and higher level. Using unusual techniques, he creates a daily menu that precisely matches that morning’s catch, always accompanied by a selection of outstanding regional Australian wines. A unique experience for lovers of seafood and craftsmanship.
5. Wolfgat – Cape Town
Wolfgat takes its name from an ancient cave beneath the building and is a small, intimate 20-seat restaurant in Paternoster, about two hours north of Cape Town. Here, everything revolves around nature and rich local ingredients. Chef Kobus van der Merwe serves a seven-course “Strandveld” tasting menu, bringing together seafood, meat and game with wild herbs, seaweed from the rocky pools and homegrown vegetables. Overlooking the golden beach and Atlantic Ocean, this is quite an experience.
Downstairs in the taqueria is often crowded and standing eating is the norm, but upstairs at Maizajo you can sit quietly and enjoy the cool, industrial atmosphere. Tostadas are served at the table while you explore chef Santiago Muñoz Moctezuma’s carefully curated menu. The dishes are creative and full of flavor, with a nice balance of different textures and surprising combinations. Here you will experience Mexican cuisine in a modern and refined way, without losing authenticity.
7. Neighborhood – Hong Kong
Hidden in a small alley, this bustling spot is the creative work of owner chef Lai, a Hong Kong native who learned his craft in the United States. The seafood-rich menu offers a changing selection of about 20 tapas-style dishes. The daily seafood special is always a highlight, especially try the smoked fish with spices if it’s on the menu. Large platters must be ordered in advance.
8. Rezdôra – New York
In the heart of New York, in the Flatiron District, chef Stefano Secchi brings the pure flavors of Emilia-Romagna to life with his beloved osteria. This atmospheric space is all about the classic Italian region, with changing specials and pastas that impress. The pasta tasting menu is an absolute favorite. The meal begins with an airy gnocco fritto with mortadella and Prosciutto di Parma and ends with a sophisticated parmesan cheesecake with citrus jelly. Here you taste Italy at its most genuine and flavorful.
9. Mürver – Istanbul
Take the elevator to the top floor of the Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus and enter the world of Mürver. Start with a cocktail at the bar, get carried away by the warm atmosphere of the restaurant and end on the terrace, where the view over the city enchants. In the open kitchen, the focus is literally on fire: fish and meat are smoked, dried and grilled before your eyes. Mürver is an ode to fire, flavor and to Istanbul itself.
10. Khufu’s – Cairo
In the middle of the legendary Giza pyramid complex, with panoramic views of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Khufu’s invites you on a culinary journey through time. Chef Mostafa Seif, winner of Top Chef Arabia, brings traditional Egyptian flavors to the present with refined techniques and deep respect for his culinary heritage. The extensive cocktail menu, vegetarian menu and iconic pyramid-shaped dessert complete the experience.
KLM summer promotion
Is summer the perfect time for you to think about your next special trip? Then our summer promotion is definitely something to consider. In fact, when you book a trip with Untamed in July or August 2025, you will temporarily benefit from a free upgrade to a KLM Economy Comfort seat.
