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These "iron birds" are now used not only as a means of transportation, but in some places, they have been repurposed into ideal destinations for diners who enjoy unique experiences. Below are 8 restaurants built from airplanes that you should try at least once if you have the chance!
El Avión Restaurant, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
El Avión Restaurant and Bar serves only dinner and offers a history class. This unique restaurant is housed inside a Fairchild C-123 aircraft, situated in the heart of Costa Rica's jungle. Originally, it had a twin brother that served as a US cargo plane, but the other was shot down in Nicaragua in 1986 during the Iran-Contra arms deal. This aircraft was then abandoned and forgotten until 2000, when it was acquired, refurbished, and moved to its current location on a Costa Rican cliff. The name El Avión means "airplane" in Spanish.
Information: El Avion Restaurant and Bar, 22 Manuel Antonio Street, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; +506 2777 3378
La Tante Restaurant DC10, Accra, Ghana
Formerly a Ghana Airlines aircraft, this McDonnell Douglas DC-10 now serves Ghanaian cuisine daily from a prime location right next to its airport. The business class cabin is now a lounge area, while the economy class cabin serves as the main dining area for drinks or meals. Notably, the middle row of seats remains in its original layout, but has been redesigned and transformed into sturdy dining tables, just like in a standard restaurant. While the food served here may not earn La Tante DC10 a Michelin star, it offers diners a unique experience of an African airplane restaurant.
The La Tante DC10 operated as a passenger aircraft from 1983 to 2005.
Information: La Tante Restaurant DC10, Kotoka International Airport, Airport Road, Accra, Ghana; +233 50 704 0598
Adda Hawaiian Restaurant, Ludhiana, India
While most airplane restaurants consider the originality of the "iron bird" space as a valuable detail to attract diners, Hawai Adda chose to go against the grain with a completely redesigned, luxurious interior. The Air India Airbus 320's fuselage was refurbished into a luxurious space, while the menu remained true to traditional vegetarian dishes.
Inspired by the Maharaja Express – India's most luxurious train – the Hawaii Adda proves itself a formidable contender for the in-flight culinary experience and proudly stands as the first aircraft to pioneer this type of service in the South Asian nation.
Hawai Adda serves a variety of international dishes, including pizza.
Information: Hawai Adda, Verka Park, Ferozpur Road, Ludhiana, Punjab 141001, India; +91 70870 21031
Steaks on a Plane restaurant, Bolton, England
Constructed from the wingless nose section of a stolen Boeing 737, the Steaks on a Plane restaurant impresses with its prime location, clever design innovation, but most strikingly, its polystyrene-coated steel mesh. This restaurant model is set up as a convenient takeaway food truck. If you decide to dine inside, try to secure a good spot in the cockpit.
Information: Steakhouse on the plane, 120-126 Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5DL, England
Runway 1 Restaurant, Haryana, India
The father-son duo behind Runway 1 witnessed the success of India's first airplane restaurant, Hawai Adda, and wanted to create something similar. Opened in late 2017, the restaurant focuses heavily on a novel concept with unique "procedures."
Diners are required to present their boarding passes before reaching their tables, while the cockpit features India's only 3D flight simulator. However, once you move through the cabin, the refurbished interior of this former Airbus A320 will surprise you.
Information: Runway 1 Restaurant, Haryana, Mohri, Haryana 134003, India; +91 93064 51970
The Airplane Restaurant, Colorado Springs
Inside the hull of this massive Boeing KC-97 tanker, commissioned by the U.S. Air Force in 1953, 42 lucky diners can freely explore aviation history through valuable artifacts while enjoying seafood or sandwiches.
The owners decided to reopen the restaurant in 2002, making it a pioneering model in the United States for offering an airplane dining experience right on the ground. Diners must make reservations to secure a good spot to enjoy their meals on board.
The restaurant is located inside a 1953 Boeing KC-97 tanker.
Information: Airplane Restaurant, 1645 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916; +719 570 7656
McDonald's restaurant, Taupō, New Zealand
This is one of the most unusual McDonald's restaurants in the world.
One of the most striking features in Taupō, New Zealand, is the McDonald's fast-food restaurant inside a decommissioned airplane. This is a Douglas DC-3 from South Pacific Airlines in the 1960s. After being retired, it was leased by the famous fast-food chain in the 1990s and repurposed as a restaurant for around 20 diners, repainted in silver with red stripes and the iconic McDonald's lettering.
Inside the restaurant
Information: McDonald's, 48 Roberts Road, Taupō 3330, New Zealand; +64 7 378 8679
Space Shuttle Cafe restaurant, New York
The Space Shuttle Café's unique design resembles a spaceship in the middle of the street. But in reality, it was created by assembling parts from a Douglas DC3, not a rocket. For years, people have eagerly awaited a burger from this special food truck, the Space Shuttle Café. However, its current owner is now selling it with a starting price of $230,000.
Information: Manhattan Collision Garage, 428 W. 19th Street, New York
