You Won't Believe This Luxe McDonald's That Looks Like A 5-Star Hotel
McDonald’s is a global fast food giant, serving millions of customers daily. However, not every McDonald’s restaurant looks the same. Around the world, some locations are renowned for their remarkable design, historical relevance, and unusual features. Here’s a guide to the 11 most memorable, unusual McDonald’s locations worldwide.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is home to one of the worlds most stunning McDonald’s, which just officially reopened inside the historic Nyugati Railway Station. First opened in 1990 and temporarily closed in January 2024, this location has been dubbed the “world’s most beautiful McDonald’s.”
After eight months of renovation, the station, which was built in 1877, now boasts refreshed antique lamps, ornate painted stucco ceilings, and gleaming copper light fixtures. There’s also a newly added second gallery level, increasing the restaurant seating to over 280 guests, including the terrace.
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico, is famous for its alleged UFO crash in 1947, and their McDonald’s location has embraced the extraterrestrial theme. Known as the “flying saucer McDonald’s,” its space-themed interior, including statues of Ronald McDonald and friends in space suits, and UFO-shaped exterior celebrates the town’s otherworldly reputation in a playful way.
Taupo, New Zealand
New Zealand is home to one of the world’s most unusual McDonald’s: a restaurant set inside a Decommissioned DC3 Airplane. The plane was constructed in 1943 as a military transport aircraft, which operated transport flights around the Southwest Pacific during World War II. Now, it’s dubbed one of the “world’s coolest McDonald’s,” offering a full menu while guests dine in airplane-style seating and can even get a peek into the cockpit.
Paris, France
On Rue Saint-Lazare in Paris, a slender McDonald’s fits into a historic building was once housed a restaurant called Au Roi de la Biere (The King of Beer). Built in 1892 and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, this location thankfully preserves its original facade, which features a king holding a pint of beer, a stork on the roof, and the Strasbourg coat of arms.
Sedona, Arizona
This McDonald’s is the only one in the world with turquoise arches. Opened in 1993, the building fits into Sedona’s strict design guidelines to harmonize with its stunning natural surroundings, which includes red-rock mountains and canyon walls. Unlike the typical bright-yellow arches seen elsewhere, the turquoise color of this McDonald’s better complements the local landscape.
Dallas, Texas
Before it was remodeled, this Dallas McDonald’s was hard to miss: it looked like a giant Happy Meal box. Inside, the restaurant lived up to its larger-than-life exterior with Austrian crystal chandeliers, Ralph Lauren wallpaper, granite floors, and mahogany booths, embodying the bigger-is-better ethos of Texas.
Downey, California
This location holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving McDonald’s restaurant. Opened in 1953, it retains much of its original charm, including a vintage sign featuring the brand’s first mascot, Speedee, a chef with a hamburger head. The interior is very old-school, and the restaurant doesn’t even have a drive-thru. Instead, customers who visit must order at the window, giving the place a nostalgic feel.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is home to one of the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world. Designed in an Art Deco style and built in the late 1930s, this former United Kingdom Hotel now serves as a stunning McDonald’s restaurant and is celebrated for its architectural beauty. The two-story brick building features curved wings, rounded balconies, and slim metal railings that contribute to the location’s charm.
Freeport, Maine
This McDonald’s in Freeport, Maine, looks less like a fast-food restaurant and more like a house, blending in with the local town’s architecture. Converted in 1984, the restaurant was built inside a 150-year-old colonial mansion and is the seaside town’s only McDonald’s.
Hangzhou, China
The McDonald’s located in Hangzhou, China, is known as “the most controversial McDonald’s outlet in the world.” Located inside a 90-year-old villa, the historic building was once the residence of Taiwanese leader Chiang Ching-kuo. Many locals criticize the restaurant, citing it as a prime example of Western commercialism overtaking Chinese history and culture. Still, the location has become a notable tourist attraction since opening in 2015.
Independence, Ohio
Independence, Ohio, boasts one of the most opulent McDonald’s in the country. This location features gold chandeliers, a grand banister, and a luxurious interior that sets it apart from the typical fast-food environment, designed to fit the city’s upscale character.
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