Generations of hikers have ended their days at alpine huts, arriving as the sun sets, the wind picks up, and the promise of a warm meal is as spectacular as the golden-hour light. As far as ambience goes, white tablecloths are nice, but they can’t hold a candle to high-elevation views.

These establishments are a bit different. Not all require a hike, but they all offer something special that is tied to their topographic locations. Some bake pastries that would not taste the same below 14,000 feet. Some are built spectacularly into their natural environment. And others use active lava flows as their oven. In short, they’re unlike anything found down below.