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The Ultimate High-Altitude Dining: 5 Highest Restaurants In The World (And The Current Guinness Record Holder)

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The quest for the world's highest restaurant is a fascinating journey that takes diners from the thin air of the Bolivian Andes to the dizzying heights of Shanghai's supertalls. As of late 2025, the title is split into distinct categories, but the overall record remains with a historic, albeit largely abandoned, mountain chalet. This article provides the most current, updated, and definitive list of the highest restaurants on the planet, answering the question of which establishment truly offers the most elevated dining experience.

The distinction between the "highest restaurant" overall and the "highest restaurant in a building" is crucial for accuracy. While the latter is a modern marvel of engineering and luxury, the former is a testament to human endurance, perched at an altitude where simply breathing is a challenge. Prepare for a culinary and geographical ascent as we explore the world's most sky-high eateries.

The Definitive List of the World's Highest Restaurants

The title of "highest restaurant" is complex, often depending on whether the structure is a natural mountain or a man-made building. Here is a breakdown of the top contenders and the current official record holders, providing clarity on their incredible altitudes and unique offerings.

1. The Overall World Record Holder: Chacaltaya, Bolivia

The undisputed holder of the overall altitude record, as recognized by Guinness World Records, is the former restaurant at the Chacaltaya Ski Resort in Bolivia. This establishment is not a modern, luxurious high-rise, but a rustic chalet located near the summit of Mount Chacaltaya.

  • Location: Mount Chacaltaya, La Paz Department, Bolivia (near the former Chacaltaya Ski Resort).
  • Altitude: 5,340 meters (17,519 feet) above sea level.
  • Status: The restaurant, which was part of the ski resort's chalet, is no longer fully operational as a commercial dining venue but remains the official record holder. The ski resort itself closed due to the complete melting of its glacier.
  • Significance: Its altitude is higher than the Everest Base Camp (South Base Camp at 5,364m, North Base Camp at 5,150m), making it an extreme high-altitude location. The views are unparalleled, offering a panorama of the Cordillera Real mountain range.
  • Entity Count: Chacaltaya, Bolivia, Guinness World Records, Cordillera Real, La Paz.

While the Chacaltaya restaurant may be a relic of a bygone era, its sheer elevation secures its place in history. Visitors today can still reach the site, but the dining experience is more about the extreme altitude and the breathtaking Andean vistas than a multi-course meal.

2. The Highest Restaurant in a Building: Heavenly Jin, Shanghai, China

For the modern, luxurious, and fully operational dining experience, the current Guinness World Record holder is Heavenly Jin. This restaurant represents the peak of skyscraper dining, situated in one of the world's tallest buildings.

  • Location: J Hotel Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China.
  • Altitude: 556.36 meters (1,825 feet 3.94 inches) above ground.
  • Floor: 120th Floor of the Shanghai Tower.
  • Cuisine: Refined Huaiyang cuisine, which is one of the four main traditional Chinese cuisines, along with contemporary international dishes.
  • Record Certification: Certified by Guinness World Records on February 22, 2022.
  • Experience: The restaurant boasts a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the Shanghai skyline, including the Huangpu River and the city's other supertalls. The interior design features an impressive 30-meter-long silk print of an Italian mosaic.
  • Entity Count: Heavenly Jin, J Hotel Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China, Guinness World Records, Huaiyang cuisine, Huangpu River, Lujiazui, Chinese cuisine, Italian mosaic.

Heavenly Jin offers a dining experience that is as much about the architectural wonder as it is about the food. Its position on the 120th floor of the Shanghai Tower—the second-tallest building in the world—makes it a global icon of high-rise gastronomy.

3. The Highest Revolving Restaurant: Drehrestaurant Allalin, Switzerland

The category of the highest revolving restaurant offers a unique experience, allowing diners to enjoy a constantly changing vista without leaving their seat. This record is held by a stunning European establishment nestled high in the Alps.

  • Location: Mittelallalin, Saas-Fee, Valais Canton, Switzerland.
  • Altitude: 3,500 meters (11,482 feet) above sea level.
  • Feature: This restaurant is located atop the world's highest funicular, the Metro Alpin. The dining room completes a full 360-degree rotation in approximately one hour.
  • Cuisine: Traditional Swiss and international cuisine, with a focus on local produce and hearty mountain fare.
  • Experience: Diners are treated to breathtaking views of 38 surrounding peaks, including the Allalinhorn, the Dom, and the Weissmies. The location is a popular stop for skiers and summer tourists exploring the glacier.
  • Entity Count: Drehrestaurant Allalin, Mittelallalin, Saas-Fee, Switzerland, Valais Canton, Metro Alpin, Allalinhorn, The Dom, Weissmies, Swiss cuisine, Alps.

The combination of high-altitude dining and a slow, mesmerizing rotation makes Drehrestaurant Allalin a bucket-list destination for those seeking both culinary delight and panoramic mountain views.

4. The Former Record Holder and Dubai Icon: At.mosphere, UAE

No discussion of the world's highest restaurants is complete without mentioning the former record holder, At.mosphere, located in the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Although surpassed by Heavenly Jin for the "highest in a building" title, At.mosphere remains a global symbol of ultra-luxury dining.

  • Location: Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  • Altitude: 441.3 meters (1,450 feet) above ground.
  • Floor: 122nd Floor of the Burj Khalifa.
  • Cuisine: European fine dining, specializing in modern French cuisine with a contemporary twist.
  • Significance: It held the Guinness World Record for the highest restaurant in a building from its opening until 2022. It is still one of the most exclusive and highest-priced dining experiences in the world, offering spectacular views of the Persian Gulf and the Dubai Fountain.
  • Entity Count: At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE, European fine dining, French cuisine, Persian Gulf, Dubai Fountain, Guinness World Record.

The sheer scale of the Burj Khalifa and the prestige of dining on its 122nd floor ensures that At.mosphere remains a major contender in the high-altitude culinary scene, despite losing the official record.

5. Highest Mountain Restaurant in the UAE: 1484 By Puro

While not a contender for the global title, 1484 By Puro is an important entity in the regional high-altitude dining landscape, offering a contrasting experience to the high-rise luxury of At.mosphere.

  • Location: Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
  • Altitude: 1,484 meters (4,869 feet) above sea level.
  • Feature: The restaurant is uniquely named after its exact height above sea level. It is the highest restaurant in the UAE that is located on a natural mountain peak, rather than a skyscraper.
  • Cuisine: Contemporary international cuisine with a Middle Eastern influence.
  • Experience: It provides a relaxed, casual dining atmosphere with stunning, rugged mountain views, a stark difference from the urban jungle panorama of Dubai. It is located near the Jebel Jais Flight, the world's longest zipline.
  • Entity Count: 1484 By Puro, Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Middle Eastern cuisine, international cuisine, Jebel Jais Flight, mountain dining.

The Future of High-Altitude Gastronomy

The competition for the title of "highest restaurant in the world" is a constant reflection of global architectural ambition and luxury dining trends. The record for the highest restaurant in a building, currently held by Heavenly Jin, is likely to be challenged as new supertalls are completed in cities like Dubai, Jeddah, and Kuala Lumpur.

The technical challenges of operating a restaurant at extreme heights are immense. Logistics, from transporting fresh ingredients to managing the effects of low air pressure on guests and staff, require specialized engineering and meticulous planning. Furthermore, the cost of dining at these elevations often reflects the exclusivity and engineering marvel required to make the experience possible. Whether you seek the historical extreme of Chacaltaya, the modern opulence of Heavenly Jin, or the rotating views of Drehrestaurant Allalin, high-altitude dining offers a perspective on the world that few can claim to have experienced.

The Ultimate High-Altitude Dining: 5 Highest Restaurants in the World (And the Current Guinness Record Holder)
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