14 Strange McDonald’s Locations That Don’t Feel Real to Texans

Many Texans think they’ve seen it all when it comes to McDonald’s… until they spot one inside a castle or floating on a river.

Suddenly, your local drive-thru doesn’t seem so exciting.

Across the world, McDonald’s gets creative. Some locations let you ski up, eat inside an airplane, or dine under chandeliers. It’s the same fries, just a way fancier setting.

These wild McDonald’s look nothing like the ones many Americans know, and that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable.

The Futuristic McDonald’s in Batumi, Georgia

In Batumi, a city in the country of Georgia, McDonald’s decided that if they were going to build a restaurant, it might as well look like it came from 2075.

The glass building looks like a geometric spaceship, with sharp angles and a reflecting pond wrapping around it.

Inside, it’s minimalist and modern, like you’re eating lunch inside a tech company’s headquarters.

It’s so architecturally famous that it’s won design awards. Some visitors don’t even order food. They just come to stare.

McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish has never looked so futuristic.

The Airplane McDonald’s in Taupo, New Zealand

Yes, you can actually eat your McNuggets inside an airplane without having to deal with turbulence.

In Taupo, New Zealand, there’s a McDonald’s built into a decommissioned DC-3 airplane parked right beside the main restaurant.

It’s got full seating inside the fuselage, complete with porthole windows. Kids love pretending they’re flying while munching on fries.

The cockpit is still there, minus the pilot.

The plane was originally used for sightseeing flights in the 1960s, but McDonald’s decided to turn it into the world’s most Instagrammable dining room.

The Castle McDonald’s in Porto, Portugal

Imagine ordering a McFlurry while standing under stained-glass windows and crystal chandeliers. That’s what happens at the McDonald’s Imperial in Porto.

This ornate Art Deco building originally opened in the 1930s as a coffee house called Café Imperial.

When McDonald’s took it over decades later, they preserved the grand staircase, chandeliers, and soaring ceilings.

It’s less “fast food” and more “fine dining with fries.”

Tourists stop by just to take photos of the eagle statue above the entrance before even ordering.

The Ski-In McDonald’s in Lindvallen, Sweden

Most McDonald’s require a car or a walk through a parking lot. This one?

You literally ski into it.

At Lindvallen Ski Resort in Sweden, there’s a McDonald’s located right on the slope. Hungry skiers just glide up to the counter, order a Big Mac combo, and keep their skis on the whole time.

It’s the world’s first ski-through McDonald’s, and yes, it has a ski-up window.

Imagine gliding up with snowflakes in your eyelashes, sipping a Coke, and wondering how you got there faster than any drive-thru in America.

The McDonald’s Mansion in Long Island, New York

Not all the strange ones are overseas. In New Hyde Park, Long Island, there’s a McDonald’s that looks like a historical mansion.

Built inside a restored 19th-century Georgian-style home, this McDonald’s keeps all its white columns, staircases, and fireplaces. You can sip your coffee under crown molding.

It was almost demolished in the 1980s before McDonald’s decided to restore it instead, making it one of the most elegant locations in America.

Locals call it “the McMansion,” and honestly, that’s fair.

The Floating McDonald’s in St. Louis, Missouri

Speaking of American oddities, St. Louis used to have a floating McDonald’s on the Mississippi River. Yep—a literal McBoat.

It opened in 1980 as the “McDonald’s Riverboat,” serving burgers on the water with panoramic river views.

You could eat your meal while drifting gently downstream, which made even soggy fries feel fancy.

Unfortunately, it closed in 2000, but locals still talk about it like it was a lost legend.

If you’re from St. Louis, it’s basically your childhood fairy tale, “Once upon a time, there was a McDonald’s that floated.”

The Egyptian McDonald’s Overlooking the Pyramids

It sounds fake, but you really can eat a Quarter Pounder while looking directly at the Great Pyramid of Giza.

This McDonald’s in Giza sits just across from the ancient wonder, giving diners an unmatched view of 4,500 years of history.

It’s so close you can practically wave at the tourists on camels.

It’s a surreal blend of modern fast food and ancient mystery, like watching someone dip fries in sweet and sour sauce in front of a tomb built for a pharaoh.

The McDonald’s in a Train Station, Budapest, Hungary

The McDonald’s inside Budapest’s Nyugati Railway Station looks like it should be hosting a royal banquet.

Built inside a 19th-century train station designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel), it has chandeliers, tall arched windows, and elegant decor.

The coffee shop area could easily pass for a European café.

It’s one of the busiest McDonald’s in Europe, and probably the fanciest place to eat a McChicken while waiting for your train to Vienna.

The Neon McDonald’s in Las Vegas, Nevada

Vegas, of course, has its own version of “extra.” The McDonald’s on the Strip is covered in neon lights, including a massive glowing arch that looks like it could power a small city.

Open 24/7, it’s a haven for late-night visitors who suddenly crave fries after winning (or losing) at blackjack.

It’s loud, shiny, and unapologetically over the top, basically the McDonald’s embodiment of Vegas itself.

No chandeliers here. Just pure, buzzing neon energy and tourists wondering why their McFlurry is melting so fast.

The Glass House McDonald’s in Dallas, Texas

Dallas has a McDonald’s that looks like a crystal cube. Built entirely out of glass panels, this location feels more like an Apple Store than a burger joint.

Sunlight floods the entire dining room, which makes your fries practically glow in daylight.

The effect is cool and a little intimidating, like your Big Mac is under museum lighting.

Locals love it because it’s so un-Texas. Modern, sleek, and just a little pretentious. But hey, it photographs beautifully.

The Vintage McDonald’s in Downey, California

If you’re looking for time travel, Downey, California, has you covered. This McDonald’s is the oldest still-operating one in the world, dating back to 1953.

It’s got the original golden arches and a walk-up window instead of a drive-thru. No modern branding, no sleek kiosks, just a nostalgic slice of fast-food history.

It even has a tiny museum attached, filled with old uniforms and packaging.

Eating there feels like stepping into a scene from “Back to the Future,” minus the DeLorean.

The Beachside McDonald’s in Sydney, Australia

Imagine finishing a surf session and immediately grabbing a burger, with sand still on your feet.

That’s exactly what people do at the McDonald’s in Bondi Beach, Sydney.

It’s right on the waterfront, with huge windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Inside, it’s breezy, modern, and filled with people who look way too fit to be eating fries.

The vibe is so casual you half expect someone to skateboard through the door. It’s the ultimate sun-drenched version of fast food.

The McDonald’s in a Church, Bristol, England

Yes, this one used to be an actual church.

The McDonald’s in Bristol was converted from a historic building with gothic arches, stained glass, and tall stone columns.

Instead of pews, there are booths. Instead of hymns, there’s the sound of milkshake machines.

It’s strangely peaceful, though, like the fries are somehow holier here. People joke about “worshipping the Big Mac,” but honestly, the setting fits.

The Drive-Thru McDonald’s for Boats in Hamburg, Germany

In Hamburg, they took “drive-thru” a bit too literally. There’s a McDonald’s with a dedicated lane for boats.

You can paddle or motor up to the dock, place your order, and float away with your food.

It’s the perfect solution for people who’d rather drift than drive.

It’s wildly popular in summer, and yes, they’ve mastered the art of passing you a Coke without spilling it into the river.

The McDonald’s in a Palace, Madrid, Spain

Inside Madrid’s Plaza de los Cubos, you’ll find a McDonald’s that looks like a palace ballroom.

With marble columns, gold details, and elegant lighting, it’s one of the most luxurious fast-food restaurants anywhere.

Locals even host small parties there. Yes, really!

It’s almost hard to eat a Filet-O-Fish surrounded by that much grandeur, but somehow, the fries still taste exactly the same.

The Drive-Thru McDonald’s for Horse Riders in Australia

In South Australia, there’s a McDonald’s with a horse-friendly drive-thru. Riders can literally trot up to the window, place an order, and canter off with a bag of fries.

It’s one of those “only in Australia” situations that makes perfect sense there and nowhere else.

The horses seem unbothered, though, especially if they get a carrot or two as a side.

Try that in New York, and someone would call animal control.

The Hawaiian McDonald’s with Local Menu Items

In Hawaii, McDonald’s isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a cultural fusion experience.

They serve things you won’t find anywhere on the mainland U.S., like Spam breakfast platters, saimin noodles, and taro pies.

The menu looks familiar at first glance but quickly turns into a culinary curveball. It’s fast food with an island twist.

Tourists are always shocked when they see people eating noodles at McDonald’s, but locals know: this is how you do breakfast right.

The McDonald’s Inside a Treehouse, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has a McDonald’s so cleverly built into a tree-covered structure that it feels like a jungle escape.

Surrounded by greenery, wooden walkways, and soft lighting, it blends perfectly with the environment.

Inside, it’s sleek and minimal, like every other Tokyo café, just with fries.

It’s the perfect spot for people who want nature with their nuggets. And yes, you’ll see people taking selfies with their ice cream cones against the branches.

The Retro McDonald’s in Roswell, New Mexico

This one leans into its weirdness. In Roswell, the UFO capital of America, the local McDonald’s is shaped like a flying saucer.

It glows at night with neon lights and even has alien statues outside.

Inside, it’s filled with space-themed décor, making it one of the most playful McDonald’s on Earth.

If you’ve ever wanted to eat like an extraterrestrial, this is your spot. Just don’t be surprised if the fries disappear mysteriously.

The McDonald’s With a Museum, Orlando, Florida

Florida doesn’t do “small.” The Orlando McDonald’s on International Drive is one of the biggest in the world, complete with a full arcade, dessert bar, and pizza station.

You can build your own pasta, order a waffle, or grab a Big Mac, because why not?

There’s even a McDonald’s museum inside showcasing vintage Happy Meal toys.