Summary

• McDonald's has a few unique and luxurious locations worldwide, such as the one in Sedona with muted blue arches and a retro feel.
• Some McDonald's restaurants are housed in historic buildings, like the one in Freeport, Maine, located in a Greek Revival-style house.
• There are also McDonald's locations with unusual features, such as a decommissioned airplane in New Zealand and a floating restaurant in St. Louis.

McDonald's operates more than 36,000 restaurants worldwide, and there's nothing particularly unique about most of them. In fact, part of the draw of those golden arches is that you know exactly what you're going to get. For the most part, a Big Mac tastes like a Big Mac, no matter what state or country you visit. You can expect fast service, free ketchup packets, and boring red-and-yellow decor.

But among the thousands of McDonald's restaurants, there are a few that stand out. You'll find some that are nestled in unusual (and beautiful) locations, some that have extraordinary facades or interiors, and even some that offer entertainment. These luxurious McDonald's restaurants may not exactly provide a 5-star dining experience, but they are definitely worth a visit if you find yourself nearby. You may even be surprised to find some unique menu items that aren't available elsewhere.

UPDATE: 2023/07/21 00:38 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Are Many Beautiful McDonald's Across The Globe To Dine At

We've updated this article with a new beautiful McDonald's location, as well as fresh information and address coordinates for each restaurant. Whether someone is in Australia, Times Square, Sedona, Maine, Paris, or even China: McDonald's doesn't always have to be a casual experience. Have fun and enjoy these beautiful locations!

Related: 14 Awesome McDonald's Food You Can Only Get In China

21 A Muted Blue Logo In Sedona

• Address: 2380 W US Hwy 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336

As the only McDonald's location in the world with a muted blue set of arches, Sedona's McDonald's is a sight to see. Notably, this location has a retro feel to it, often resembling other local restaurants in the area. Its location is somewhat tucked away, being surrounded by hotels and red rock formations. Sedona, Arizona, is known to be magical, often regarded as one of the most spiritually-connected destinations in the Southwest United States. Eating here is certainly fun, as there are always loads of hungry (and excited) tourists taking photos with the blue arches. This McDonald's location has repeatedly been on TV, social media, and news outlets for its obscurity, so it's one of the wackier ones on our list for all different reasons.

This is where the locals eat in Sedona (and where tourists should eat too).

This is the only McDonald's in the world with blue arches. Sedona refused to have the bright yellow and "distracting" original logo placed on the building, leading to its current, muted hue.

20 A Sea Captain’s Former Home In Maine

• Address: 11 Mallett Dr, Freeport, ME 04032

This McDonald's in Freeport, Maine, is practically unrecognizable. That's because it's located inside a Greek Revival-style house that was once the home of a sea captain. McDonald's purchased the property in the 1980s and planned to tear it down, but residents intervened and fought for the historic building to be preserved. The interior still resembles someone's home, with wooden chairs and tables, separate rooms, and a fireplace. Now, you can chow down on your Egg McMuffin and take in a bit of history at the same time.

19 An Airplane McDonald's In New Zealand

• Address: 48 Roberts St, Taupo, 3330, New Zealand

This is the only McDonald's location on this list that features a decommissioned airplane as part of the restaurant (as you can see in the photo above). That means you can enjoy your chicken nuggets and fries (or maybe a McFlurry?) in one of the twenty airplane seats without having to buy a plane ticket or even wear a seat belt. If you're curious, you can even check out the cockpit. This McDonald's is definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in Taupo, New Zealand, that is.

18 A Storefront-sized Happy Meal In Dallas

• Address: 13105 Montfort Drive, Dallas, TX 75240

This McDonald's in Dallas, Texas, is definitely a kid's paradise. Not only does it look like a gargantuan happy meal, but it also features a huge McDonald's Play-place inside. Surprisingly, this wacky McDonald's has a tasteful interior, with designer touches such as Ralph Lauren wallpaper, crystal chandeliers, and mahogany booths. There's nothing like a luxury setting that will also keep the kids occupied for a little while. All this McDonald's needs is a fancy adult happy meal to compliment its luxurious interior.

17 A 1795 Mansion In New York

• Address: 2045 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

This McDonald's may be the most luxurious fast-food restaurant you'll ever encounter. McDonald's purchased this mansion in New Hyde Park, New York, with the initial intention of tearing it down. But like the residents of Freeport, Maine, the locals in New Hyde Park fought for landmark status for this beautiful historic building. As a result, this is the only McDonald's with a glassed-in veranda where guests can enjoy their Quarter Pounders in style.

16 An Art Deco McDonald's In Melbourne, Australia

• Address: 199 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, Victoria, 3068

This McDonald's, located in Melbourne, Australia, was once known as the United Kingdom Hotel. McDonald's decided to preserve this gorgeous 1930s art deco building (which was definitely a great decision), which has intricate details like alternating colored bricks. This distinctive McDonald's is quite simply a beautiful place to eat.

15 A Decorative Tower In Paris

• Address: Pl. Louis-Armand 1, 75012 Paris, France

In France, a Big Mac is called "Le Big Mac," and you can get burgers on a ciabatta bun. Separate McCafes feature croissants and coffee in mugs. The food is locally sourced, so the quality is better, and France's franchises are designed to invite people to take their time. It's a step up from fast food, for sure. This McDonald's branch is located on Rue Saint-Lazare in Paris, and its facade is an extraordinary sight.

Related: These Countries Don't Have A McDonalds (& Why)

14 A UFO McDonald's In Roswell

• Address: 720 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201

Roswell, New Mexico, is famous for a long list of alleged alien sightings (and the TV show of the same name), so it's no surprise that this McDonald's is spaceship-themed. This bright neon-trimmed McDonald's even includes a Play-place that is shaped like a UFO and features the solar system and spacesuit-clad McDonald's characters inside. You might not see any extraterrestrial activity during your visit to Roswell, but this McDonald's is certainly the next best thing.

13 A Floating McDonald's In St. Louis

• Address: Located on the Mississippi River

This floating McDonald's in St. Louis, Missouri, was decommissioned in 2000, but it was a favorite local hot spot for 20 years before it was sadly closed down. Located on the Mississippi River, this gem will always be remembered as one of the finest McDonald's restaurants in history. It will be forever missed by St. Louis' natives and the ducks and fish, of course, who often benefited from the falling french fry crumbs.

After McDonald's, here's a complete guide to St. Louis, as well as the famous arch.

12 A Magnificent Drive-through In South Korea

• Address: 43 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

This tiny McDonald's, which is located alongside a gas station (which makes it all the more impressive, in our opinion), is made magnificent by the giant wing-like covering that hangs over the restaurant. The menu in South Korea is also pretty unique. You'll find shrimp burgers, McSpicy Shanghai burgers, and bulgogi burgers, among other special treats. The variety of flavors alone makes this McDonald's worth a visit and a quick snack while you're on the road.

11 An Observatory Lookalike In Tbilisi, Georgia

• Address: Tvaltchrelidze Street 2, Tbilisi, Georgia

This McDonald's in Tbilisi, Georgia looks exactly like an observatory, but you won't be doing any stargazing inside this restaurant, that's for sure. While the building has a unique facade, don't be fooled, as it isn't equipped with telescopes. You might not find any gadgets for stargazing, but you will find a unique Georgia menu in this location, however, and many of the meals include ice cream.

10 A Modern Architecture McDonald's In Sydney, Australia

• Address: 600 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

This beautifully-designed McDonald's was a project executed by Juicy Design. The glass and steel exterior is complimented by a colorful interior that goes beyond the basic red and yellow of a traditional McDonald's. Located on George Street in Sydney, Australia, this McDonald's features colorful graphic wall art, unique light fixtures, and modern furniture that make it look like an experiment in modern architecture rather than a fast food restaurant.

9 A Mountain Escape McDonald's In China

• Address: Yangshuo County, Guilin, China, 541900

Nestled in front of the beautiful karst peaks of Yangshuo is this McDonald's, which provides both waterfront and mountain views. How's that for a fine dining experience? There's nothing special about the interior of this McDonald's, but the menu will make your mouth water. You can get a burger on a black bun with white sesame seeds and black pepper sauce, or try a burger on a white bun with black sesame seeds and a sweet and spicy sauce.

8 An Entertainment McDonald's In Orlando, Florida

• Address: 6875 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819-9349

This McDonald's in Orlando, Florida, is one of the largest in the world and probably also the most fun. Inside this two-story McDonald's, you'll find a massive playhouse and dozens of arcade games. This massive location even features family-friendly concerts. The kitchen is equipped with a bar where you can sit and watch the staff prepare your food. There is also a pizza oven because, at this McDonald's, you can order customized pizza and pasta dishes. You'll also find a unique array of desserts, including sundaes that can be fully customized. If you're in the mood for something besides a burger, this McDonald's has it all.

Related: These Countries Have The Strangest McDonald's Yet

7 A Glitz And Glam McDonald's In Times Square

• Address: 1528 Broadway, Times Square, Times Sq, New York, NY 10036

Located in bustling Times Square, New York, this McDonald's is built to look like a vintage theater. The huge overhanging sign with countless lights adds a more-than-glamorous touch to this iconic fast-food location. It's a good thing that this McDonald's is all dressed up because inside, you'll probably pay more for your burger and fries than in other locations in New York City.

Here are ten places to park when visiting Times Square in NYC.

6 A Retro McDonald's In Illinois

• Address: 444 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016

When McDonald's first opened in the 1940s, you could get a hearty burger and fries for about 25 cents (imagine that...). Unfortunately, this retro McDonald's doesn't really offer retro prices, but it is designed to look like one of the original stores. The bright neon lights and vintage signage are nostalgic for a different time and place.

5 A Lion On The Sign In Austria

• Address: Carl-Zuckmayer-Straße 1, 5020 Salzburg

These tiny golden arches are carried by a bird with a lion on its back. We're not sure what this signifies, but it sure does look fancy. At this McDonald's location in Salzburg, Austria, you can try a McCurry Wurst, which is the McDonald's version of a popular German dish made with sausage and curry sauce. Bratwurst burgers are also available. In Germany, the locals call McDonald's restaurants "Mekki" or "McDoof."

Here is a complete guide to seeing Austria's capital city, Vienna, including ten fun things to do.

4 A 19th Century Town Hall In Ireland

• Address: Bray Town Hall, Main St, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 D2X9, Ireland

The Bray Town Hall building in Ireland dates back to the 19th century and now features a McDonald's inside. It looks out of place next to the historic architecture, but it is right at the heart of the city. Make sure to order a Shamrock shake if you're visiting during the month of February or March; it's the Irish thing to do!

3 An Eagle-topped Stained Glass McDonald's

• Address: Avenida dos Aliados, Porto 4000-322 Portugal

This McDonald's, located in Porto, Portugal, stands out immediately due to the large eagle statue that tops the restaurant's Golden Arches. It is housed in a 1930s building with a decadent interior that includes chandeliers, mirrors, and beautiful art deco stained-glass work. You can even enjoy a Portuguese custard tart with your coffee in the separate McCafe section. This historical McDonald's certainly takes fast food to a whole new level.

2 A Marble And Mosaic McDonald's In Rome

• Address: Piazza di Spagna, 46, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

This fancy McDonald's, located in Rome, Italy, is definitely a tourist attraction all on its own. Located by the Spanish Steps, you enter this McDonald's through a European chocolate shop. It's filled with marble and mosaic accents that help it blend in with its surroundings. The food items are unique as well, as you can buy pastries or even peruse the salad bar. You may even be able to put together a healthy meal at this luxurious McDonald's.