Travel Bloggers’ Picks for Budget-Friendly Restaurants With a View

Do you remember my recent post about restaurants with a view in Podstrana, Croatia? Great weather always makes me long to be outside and today I’m sharing budget-friendly recommendations for amazing restaurants with a view along with relaxing outdoor dining. What could be more perfect for enjoying the summer? Some of my travel blogger friends have shared their favorites and I added a few of my own picks. Today we’re going to do some hop-scotching around the globe, from the U.S. to San Marino, the Czech Republic, Greece, and back to America.

The Benefits of Alfresco Dining

Great chefs and restauranteurs understand that eating is both a physiological and psychological experience. Because of that, where you eat can be just as important as what you eat. Superb restaurants with a view and natural light can undeniably make the food look and taste even better.

One study suggests that spending 20 minutes in the open air gives your brain an energy boost comparable to a cup of coffee.

Sitting in the sun boosts Vitamin D in your system. This vitamin helps us absorb calcium to build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. It also reduces inflammation. Sunlight has also been shown to protect against cancer, depression, heart attacks, and strokes.

Dining outside is more relaxed, more playful, less fussy, and much more of a treat.

The lack of walls allows the feeling of more freedom, the view carries farther into the distance, and delicious scents waft through the open air.

I’m not sure where your region is right now with COVID-19 restrictions, but our corner of Virginia opened up a few weeks ago to allow outdoor seating at 50% capacity at their restaurants. Of course, there were other requirements like seating 6 feet apart and the need to wear face coverings. Just like everyone else, we’d been cooped up at home essentially since March, so we weighed the risks and decided to meet another couple at one of the cool restaurants with a view in nearby Norfolk that we hadn’t been to before.

Rooftop Dining and a View of the River – Norfolk, Virginia USA

The Grain is a rooftop “Beer Garden” and restaurant on the 5th floor of the Hilton Norfolk – The Main. The image above gives a peek at the terrace looking up from Main Street. The outdoor space is very roomy with a large fire pit in the center that normally seats more than a dozen people at the countertop that surrounds it. Small trees and umbrellas are sprinkled throughout the terrace.

This casual Beer Garden focuses on Virginia’s rich history of 400 years of craft brewing and offers 100 different draft beers. They also offer flights of beer so you can sample several different labels. Being near several military bases and universities, I can only imagine how packed this place could get on a “normal” night (pre-COVID). The weather was absolutely perfect to be outside when we were there. We had a soft breeze off the Elizabeth River and a gorgeous view of the sun setting over the harbor. Massive military ships and shipbuilding ports can be seen in the distance.

Our food was tasty and especially nice to have someone else cooking and serving after being home for so long. These Korean BBQ wings were delicious! Not too spicy and very meaty. There were live musicians playing inside with speakers on the terrace so we could enjoy it too. They have live music Wednesday through Sundays. Happy Hour drink discounts are also offered Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 PM. You won’t want to be sitting around waiting for a table, so reservations can be made in advance.

Looking for more to do in Virginia? Check out more posts about my home state here at Traveling With Purpose.

Pizza With a Panoramic View – San Marino

Do you know what’s better than Italian pizza? Pizza at 2,500 feet up in San Marino overlooking the vast Italian countryside. After driving down the Amalfi coast, the micro-country San Marino greeted us with open arms. We spent a night here during our road trip through Italy in May. Since most of our group hadn’t heard of San Marino, we were captivated by the history packed into this tiny country. After exploring the castles, hunger started to kick in. 

The oldest country in the world has had some time to perfect its dining scene. The Nido del Falco restaurant sits atop the mountain, with almost 360-degree views of the terrain. The castle was also in view of the restaurant! We chose this restaurant simply because of its location and view. Crisp local wine was a great way to refresh at the end of a long day. However, the gem of this restaurant was the four cheese personal pizza. 

Made with local ingredients and hand-tossed while we watched, it was a delight for our eyes (and stomach).  When the friendly staff brought the pizza out, it lived up to expectations. Dining on delicious pizza with local wine on a mountaintop was a memory I’ll never forget.

You can read more about Pamela and her travels at The Directionally Challenged Traveler and on Facebook here.

A Salty Sea Breeze on the Greek Island of Ios – Cyclades

Located at the edge of the Ios Port, The Octopus Tree adds to our list of restaurants with a view. This taverna blends traditional Greek food with Spanish influences to offer a variety of dishes that will enchant your taste buds. While there are plenty of seafood dishes, vegetarians & vegans will also find a lot of options. The tavernas on the Island of Ios usually open right before the travel season kicks in. In a normal year, that would be in late May and stay open until mid-September. Given the current circumstances in 2020, they plan to open up in early July.

At the time of my visit, I was transitioning from mostly being a vegetarian to vegan, so my food choices were a bit…odd. I loved the many mezedes (appetizers) available and I strongly recommend the classic Greek salad (make sure to ask for the local cheese to be added alongside the traditional feta).

Another traditional mezede you shouldn’t miss is tzatziki (cucumber & yogurt dip). It comes served with some lovely pita. They also serve a mouth-watering potato salad with a Spanish flair and my favorite, beet salad. There are plenty of other dishes offered, but we always preferred to try 3-4 different mezedes each day. After all, that’s how the Greeks do it. It’s fun to share plates of food with friends!

The location makes it perfect for dinner during sunset. That’s why we chose it for our wedding anniversary dinner (in 2017) and we were delighted with our choice. Their prices are affordable and the staff makes you feel very welcome (we became regulars during our stay on the island).

Cristina Puscas shares more ideas about Where to eat in Ios at LooknWalk Greece. You can also follow her on Twitter @WhyGoGreece

Old World Views from a Rooftop in Prague

There are few travel joys greater than rooftop bars. My favorite restaurants with a view are covered with flowers, overlooking European old town centers—bonus points if you can see a castle. T-Anker in Prague, Czech Republic, is one of my favorite places to eat and drink outdoors. Besides being in a clutch location in one of the prettiest cities in Europe, it’s also affordable (shout out to my fellow budget backpackers)!

I first found T-Anker on Google, searching for Prague’s best rooftop bars. The panoramic views looked amazing; I added it to my itinerary. Turns out finding it would be easier said than done, but it’s worth it. The entrance is tucked away in a stairwell—look for the bright yellow sign. Walk up the stairs until you reach the top (they’re sketchy looking, but go with it). You’ll emerge to a welcoming rooftop terrace with wooden decor and colorful flowers.

Summer will likely be the best time to visit T-Anker, as those flowers really add to the environment. You may have your choice of tables, especially if you don’t go during the dinner rush. Try to sit near the edge! You’ll be so entranced with the views you’ll barely remember to look at the menu.
A cold Czech beer here costs about 50 Koruna ($5 US), and simple Czech fare is all pretty reasonably priced as well. With panoramic views of Prague’s iconic orange roofs and architecture, you will want to come back again and again.

To see Kaisa Lee’s Four Day Prague Itinerary visit her at Glam Granola Travel. She’s also on Instagram @GlamGranolaTravel.

Casual Eating at Sedona Arizona’s Red Rocks

Here’s another low-cost casual eatery with an amazing view overlooking the spectacular red rock formations of Sedona, Arizona USA. The good news is that the lower prices don’t reflect any skimping on quality. Wildflower Bread Company serves up amazing bread, muffins, desserts, and other fresh-baked goodies. Their salads are crisp and creative. Hearty soups, wonderful sandwiches, and a variety of pasta dishes are available too.

When you step inside, you’ll order at the counter, pick up your beverage, then find a seat. If the weather’s nice (which it usually is) be sure to grab one of the tables on the balcony to take in the gorgeous view of Sedona’s famous red rocks. Soon a server will bring out your food. Most locations are open from breakfast through dinner time, so you can grab a quick meal or snack whenever the mood strikes.

Sedona weather is mild year-round, but my absolute favorite time to visit is in October through early December when the Cottonwood, Sycamore and Oak trees put on a brilliant show of fall colors with the red rocks as a backdrop. The photos here are both after a rainstorm but believe me, the rocks are brilliant shades of orange.

Grand Canyon National Park is only 2 hours from Sedona, so these two destinations make an awesome road trip. Find out more about the Grand Canyon here.

What are your favorite spots for budget-friendly restaurants with a view? I’d love to hear about it so I can pass your tips along to other readers.