Gare (La) Paris, France

Once part of Paris' Petite-Ceinture circular railway line, this station was transformed into a bar and a restaurant in 1996. The station concourse has become a cocktail bar, with salsa music replacing the booming voices of ticket collectors. Railway platforms serve as a dining room, old carriage seats are recycled as chairs and there's even a terrace that looks onto the rails. The food is well regarded (especially grilled chicken, steak and lamb dishes) and the service is first class all the way.