28 bucket-list speciality restaurants – including 10 in the UK

One-dish wonders

Feeling hungry – and maybe a little indecisive? Head to one of these speciality restaurants around the world, each of which doggedly focuses on one thing only. The laser-focused restaurants on our list offer incredibly streamlined menus all about one dish or ingredient, whether that's perfect pancakes, mac 'n' cheese served with any toppings you could possibly imagine, or a menu based entirely on avocado.

Read on to discover the most unusual speciality restaurants from around the world – counting down to the craziest of all.

We've based our ranking on diner reviews, how unusual each restaurant is, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

28. Pieminister, various locations, UK

Pieminister specialises in excellent pies. The menu includes chicken and ham, beef and stilton, mushroom and asparagus, vegan chicken and leek and many more besides. There are even lower-calorie Mediterranean-inspired filo pies. They can be served on their own or 'Mothership' style with smooth, creamy mashed potato or loaded fries and drenched in the signature gravy. Locations across the UK include Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester and Oxford. Brits can buy them in supermarkets, too.

27. Crepes & Waffles, various locations

In the mood for crêpes or waffles? Well, then, you should probably head to one of Crepes & Waffles' many locations in South America, Mexico and Spain. The menu at this Colombian chain offers plenty of waffle and crêpe toppings as well as Instagram-worthy inventions such as waffle sandwiches and crêpe burritos. Customers can also choose between multiple ice cream flavours – and even a few meal options that don't involve waffles or crêpes.

26. Honest Chocolate Café, Cape Town, South Africa

Those with a sweet tooth will be in heaven at Cape Town's Honest Chocolate Café, a chocolate-themed dessert café. There's an indulgent menu of chocolate truffles, brownies, ice creams, tarts, cakes and hot chocolate. There's also a list of vegan and dairy-free options available. Chocolate bars, cakes and experiences can be bought in-store or online, too.

25. La Maritxu, London, England, UK

La Maritxu co-founder Lucía Larragoiti Fisher comes from a Basque family and wanted to bring a taste of her homeland to London. The recipe for the Basque cheesecake that is the cornerstone of the shop has been in her family for generations. These crustless desserts are baked at a high temperature to achieve the perfect caramelised top while retaining a creamy middle. Customers can buy them (and nothing else) whole in three different sizes, or by the slice at La Maitxu's two London locations.

24. Ichiran Ramen, various locations

Ichiran Ramen only serves tonkotsu ramen – an aromatic pork-based broth with thin noodles and various toppings. It's known for its original, thick, spicy red sauce, which combines more than 30 different spices. You order at the ticket machine and eat in your own private booth, so you can 'focus on the flavours'. There are locations in the USA, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

23. The Meatball Shop, New York City, New York, USA

If you're a fan of meatballs, then The Meatball Shop is an obvious choice. The most popular dish is B'alls + Sauce: chicken, pork or veggie balls with sauce, Parmesan and focaccia. Other options include spicy pork, cheese, Buffalo, mac 'n' cheese, chicken pesto or a layered, lasagne-style creation that adds ricotta, mozzarella and tomato sauce.

22. Konnopke's Imbiss, Berlin, Germany

Konnopke's Imbiss is famous in Berlin for serving up the best currywurst in town. Max Konnopke first opened the sausage stall with outdoor seating in 1930, and since then it's become legendary, with people often queuing up and down the street to get their sausage fix. There's a selection of sausages available including currywurst, wieners and krautwurst, all served with fries, potato salad or simply on their own.

21. The Cheese Bar, London, England, UK

Fromage fans will be in heaven at London's The Cheese Bar, which showcases the finest cheeses in a variety of dishes. Feast on fresh burrata, a four-cheese fondue or Baron Bigod Brie (produced in Suffolk), before tucking into a cheeseburger with super cheesy truffle fries or perhaps ordering a raclette sharing plate. There are three cool London locations – including one in a barge on the canal – plus one in Austwick, North Yorkshire.

20. Yang’s Braised Chicken Rice, various locations

Yang’s Braised Chicken Rice serves a single Chinese dish: Huang Men, or braised chicken rice, based on owner Xiao Lu Yang's grandmother's recipe. Yang opened his first restaurant in Shandong Province, China, later deciding to trim the menu right back to what was by far the most popular dish. The chain has since franchised more than 6,000 locations across Australia, Singapore and the USA.

19. Burger & Lobster, various locations

Burger & Lobster prides itself on doing two things really well: prime burgers and Atlantic lobster (or Canadian lobster, in its US restaurants). On the menu are various-sized lobsters, served grilled or steamed with lemon garlic butter, lobster rolls, Nebraskan beef burgers and a burger topped with lobster meat for surf 'n' turf. Locations include New York City, London, Dubai and Bangkok.

18. Rabot, Soufriere, St Lucia

Hotel Chocolat's St Lucia estate has a hotel and a restaurant, Rabot, that serves dishes featuring cacao grown onsite. There are menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and previous options have included cacao cannelloni, filled with local vegetables and roasted pumpkin purée, and classics with a twist, such as fish coated in cacao nib and beer tempura. Of course, there's an indulgent dessert menu too.

17. Yorkshire Burrito, London, England, UK

Yorkshire Burrito takes one of Britain’s best-loved meals – a Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding – and rolls it into an easy-to-eat wrap. The light, crisp baked batter is usually served with roast meats, vegetables, potatoes and gravy. Customers can choose between roast beef, chicken and stuffing or cauliflower cheese, wrapped up with all the sides or 'trimmings'. There are five locations in London.

16. Pommes Frites, New York City, New York, USA

Sometimes only fries will do, as New York City's Pommes Frites will testify. The only things on the menu are drink, fries and sauce – but there's more than just ketchup. There are 36 toppings to choose from, such as wild mushroom, blue cheese, black truffle, and cheese curds and gravy. The tables even have holes to hold the cone of fries.

15. Lasagneria Italiana, London, England, UK

Lasagne is not the only thing served at London’s Lasagneria Italiana, but it is by far and away the house speciality. There are 21 styles to try, from Zucca e Gorgonzola – a roasted butternut squash, gorgonzola blue cheese, bechamel and Parmesan lasagne – to the Iberica, packed with chorizo, roasted chicken and Manchego cheese. If you can't decide, you can also order a trio of any three lasagnes of your choice.

14. Le Relais de Venise, various locations

You better be in the mood for steak frites if you visit Le Relais De Venise because that's all this restaurant serves. Once seated, you'll be given a green salad with walnuts and asked whether you want your accompanying steak blue, rare, medium or well done. The meat is served in a Porte Maillot sauce with fries. If you're still hungry, fear not – the restaurant happily offers famous desserts. You'll find locations in New York City, London, France and Mexico.

13. Nong’s Khao Man Gai, Portland, Oregon, USA

It’s relatively common for restaurants in Thailand to specialise in one dish, and Nong’s Khao Man Gai founder Nong Poonsukwattana wanted to bring this idea to her new home in the US. Khao man gai translates as chicken and rice, and Nong serves it with her signature sauce and a side of soup. There are two locations in Portland.

12. Poptata, London, England, UK

With three locations around London and a presence at many major festivals, Poptata serves gourmet loaded fries that are miles away from your standard cheesy chips. The fries themselves are hand-cut from premium potatoes, while the toppings are especially fancy. Choices include Parmesan and pink garlic mayo, guacamole and vegan cheese topped with BBQ pulled jackfruit and spring onions, among many more options.

11. S’MAC, New York City, New York, USA

Few culinary creations are more comforting than mac 'n' cheese, and the amazing S’MAC (short for Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese) is dedicated to the dish. It serves an array of inventive twists, including Mediterranean-inspired macaroni with goats' cheese, spinach, olives and roast garlic and a cheeseburger-style dish packed with American cheese and seasoned ground beef. There's plenty of choice for those looking for vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options, too.

10. Where The Pancakes Are, London, England, UK

Where The Pancakes Are serves buttermilk pancakes all day, alongside coffee, juices, cocktails, beers and wine. There's an array of sweet or savoury toppings available, including smoked salmon with poached eggs, hollandaise and asparagus, chopped banana, praline and marshmallow, poached pear and BBQ chicken.

9. Le Coq & Fils, Paris, France

Le Coq & Fils is dedicated to poultry and eggs. Its carefully sourced menu has starters including skewers of griddled hearts and gizzards, with an egg menu covering styles from devilled to fried. The main event is, of course, the chicken. Diners can choose how they'd like it cooked, how many people they're sharing with, and what sides they'd like from a choice of fries, salad, mac 'n' cheese or seasonal veggies.

8. Sambal Shiok, London, England, UK

Sambal Shiok is a restaurant in north London dedicated to the Malaysian noodle soup dish laksa. Specialising in a campur-style laksa from Malacca (each region in Malaysia has its own laksa style), the restaurant allows diners to personalise bowls with toppings of chicken, prawn or tofu. Plus, you can request a vegan broth.

7. Chả Cá Thăng Long, Hanoi, Vietnam

Chả Cá Thăng Long specialises in one thing: chả cá, which is a fish dish with noodles, herbs, vegetables and peanuts in a special sauce. Diners say it's the best meal you can have in Hanoi, with the chả cá prepared right in front of you at the table. All you need to decide on is what drink to order. The stunning restaurant is surrounded by bamboo and is located in a beautiful traditional building with mosaic floors, which adds to the experience.

6. Brooklyn Kolache, New York City, New York, USA

Brooklyn Kolache is a popular New York City bakery selling Texan kolaches: small-batch fruit or cheese-stuffed pastries with Czech origins. Sweet fillings include strawberry rhubarb, chocolate ganache and apple crumble, while egg and meat fillings are savoury options. This spot also serves amazing coffee, which makes the perfect accompaniment to the pastry.

5. Broken Eggs, London, England, UK

Broken Eggs is on a mission to bring Londoners the ultimate Spanish tortilla. The restaurant specialises in this iconic dish after its owners, Gabriel Larraz and Marta Verdu, spent hours perfecting the technique using only the finest and freshest ingredients. Tortillas here are served in four flavours – classic, ham, courgette or chorizo – as well as a monthly special. There are a few other Spanish specialities on the menu, but the tortillas are the star of the show.

4. Les 4 jeudis, Sint-Joost-ten-Node, Belgium

Les 4 jeudis serves just one daily changing 'dish of the day'. The only thing you can be sure of is that your meal will be vegan and made with organic ingredients. There's also a dessert and a children's dish of the day on the menu. To see what's being served, check out the Facebook page – or wait and see what's on the restaurant board when you get there. Example dishes include lentil meatballs with quinoa, beetroot and tomato cream and tofu with miso, peppers and sprouted rice.

3. Tartufi & Friends, Rome, Italy

Tartufi & Friends specialises in mouthwatering Italian truffles. Order anything off the menu – foie gras, beef tartare, burrata and even cocktails – and it'll come smothered in the stuff. For a high-end lunch or dinner packed with rich, earthy flavour, diners can choose anything from burgers to salads where black and white truffles are the main ingredient.

2. The Avocado Show, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Avocados take centre stage at The Avocado Show, which has a handful of cute locations in the Netherlands. Everything on the menu includes avocado in some form, always using responsibly sourced fruit. Choose from dishes including colourful salads, poke bowls, burgers with avocado buns and, of course, the dish that sparked a global obsession, avo on toast. There are even avocado desserts on the menu, such as molten chocolate cake with avocado icing and peanut butter and avocado ice cream.

1. Rice to Riches, New York City, New York, USA

Rice to Riches serves an array of comforting rice pudding dishes with interesting flavours. The menu includes delights such as Coconut Coma, The Edge of Rum Raisin and Raspberry Statement, and toppings such as chocolate brownie crumble, mixed nuts or cinnamon raisin crumble. Just choose your flavour, your topping and the size of your bowl.

Now discover the world's most unusual restaurants, from an old underground train carriage to a launderette

Last updated by Luke Paton.