Visiting the Buddha Bars Around the World

The first Buddha Bar opened in Paris in 1996, and soon became a hit for its high ceilings, giant buddha, fantastic asian fusion food, and vibrant atmosphere. When we were planning our family vacation to Paris, our friend HH Lifestyle Travel suggested we have dinner at the Buddha Bar and we immediately fell in love with the food, the vibe and the general theme of the place. It is zen, it is hip, it is foodie-forward, and so cool! So we are now on a mission to visit all the Buddha Bars around the world – here’s our progress…

Paris : the original Buddha-bar

Paris, the original Buddha-bar and our first experience of the brand and the reason we fell in love with it. The atmosphere and the food were both impeccable.

The menu was almost overwhelming with so many options. We decided to order multiple small plates to share so we could sample many different things. It was definitely a great option because everything was amazing!

The upper level offers laid back lounge-style bar seating, and downstairs open to a grand high ceiling, chandeliers, asian-influenced decor, and of course, a giant buddha.

Buddha-bar Dubai

Our second Buddha-bar experience was in Dubai. Dubai is an ideal location for a Buddha Bar – chic, fancy and a perfect fit for this brand. Inside the gorgeous Grosvenor House luxury hotel, it is a match made in heaven. We loved the huge windows and views of the harbour.

We were really surprised by the expansive variety of sushi available here. It was tempting to order one of each. Our favorite was the yellowtail and tuna. Our favorite entree was the seared octopus.

John ended his meal with a traditional Old Fashion smoked table side. It was a special treat while we enjoyed dessert.

Buddha-bar Beach in Mykonos

This location (so far) is our favorite. For starters the beach view is fantastic. The atmosphere and decor are modern, chic and so amazing.

However, what makes this one our favorite is the staff. They were phenomenal. Never did we want for anything. They literally read our minds and were always one step ahead of us. The staff to guest ratio felt like one to one the service was so personal and amazing.

Buddha-bar Beach, Mykonos – Food

I have to talk about the food at the Buddha-bar Beach in Mykonos because it was outstanding. Another reason that this location is currently our favorite. Everything was so fresh and it was the most extensive menu we have experienced within the brand. In addition to the regular dinner menu they offer 2 family style dinner options.

To our surprise our two favorite caviars, Beluga and Ossetra, were on the menu as well. In addition to a variety of sushi, our favorite dishes were the lobster salad, the Wagu beef fillet tataki, and the sea bass ceviche.

Buddha-bar Beach in Santorini

Since I am always honest in my reviews I have to say that this Buddha-bar has been our only disappointment so far. The view was absolutely amazing sitting high above overlooking Santorini and the water.

However, the food was just ok and so was the service. I am not complaining because there was nothing to complain about. But the food and the service was not what we have come to expect from the Buddha-bar name.

Not to mention the prices. For the cost of the meals we expect to be blown away by exceptional food and service that can’t be found anywhere else.

Buddha Bar New York

Buddha Bar NYC embodies the brand’s signature aesthetic: a mix of dim lighting, rich textures, and grand décor with Asian-inspired influences. While it has a chic, upscale vibe, we never felt out of place as a family. The music added to the experience, creating a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere.

Naturally, when we found ourselves in New York for Payton’s 15th birthday, stopping by the Buddha Bar NYC was a must. They treated Payton like royalty and really made her evening special.

One of the best things about traveling with an adventurous eater like Payton is that we get to try all sorts of dishes, and Buddha-Bar’s menu in New York didn’t disappoint. We shared a mix of sushi, dumplings, and their famous miso black cod. The flavors were bold but balanced, and even some of the more unique dishes were a hit with the whole family.

Other Buddha Bar Locations

Buddha-bar restaurants can also be found in Baku, Belgrade, Caracas, London, Manila, Marrakech, Monte-Carlo, Prague and Sharm El-Sheikh.

Buddha-bar Beach style lounges can be found in Abu Dhabi, Bodrum, Crete, Malta, Mauritius, Mazagan, Milos, Montenegro and Vevey.

There are also lots of other Buddha adjacent places like hotels and spas around the world. We will update this post when we visit more of this cool brand of restaurant!

Why visit a Buddha-bar somewhere around the world?

Traveling with a teenager leaves us with constant challenges to come up with fun and interesting places to eat and relax. The Buddha-bar vibe has great music, amazing decor and views, and most importantly, food that Payton loves! It’s interesting, yet accessible, and not to mention, delicious.

If you’re visiting anywhere with a Buddha-bar, they represent an elevated evening out, so remember to book!

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