12 Unique McDonalds Stores Around The World Featuring Vintage Planes, Neon Lights & Stained Glass Windows

Eunis Ong

Last updated 24 Jan 2023

Photo Credits: @paulfuentes_photo, @sammi_csu, @cecilxu

Our Collection Of The Most Unique McDonald's Stores Across The Globe

From a store housed in a plane to one nestled in the mountains of China overlooking a beautiful lake, the earth is home to a handful of McDonald's stores with the coolest architecture and concepts! The next time you hop on a plane, be sure to add these unique McDonald's stores onto your travel list. Let us know which one's your favourite!

1. McDonald's Taupo, New Zealand

Imagine eating a Big Mac and fries in a vintage luxury plane. The owner of the McDonald's store in Taupo, New Zealand bought over a disused DC-3 plane that has been sitting next to their store for over 20 years. The plane was refurbished and repainted, but most of it has been left in its original state, including its propellers and cockpit. The space can comfortably fit 20 hungry patrons at 10 small tables!

Opening Hours: 24 hours
Address: CNR Roberts & Puapehu Streets, 48 Roberts Street, Taupo 3330, New Zealand.

2. McDonald's Orlando, Florida

This store in Florida is the world's largest McDonald's! The three-story, 19,000sqft restaurant is definitely not your common McDonald's, it is also known as an "Entertainment McDonald's", and earned its nickname Epic McD. The store boasts an extensive and unique menu, and you can get things like customized omelettes, brick oven pizza, Belgian waffles, as well as pasta here. It also houses a huge PlayPlace and an arcade filled with over 100 games! Outside stands a 30-foot Ronald McDonald (the tallest in the world) lined with LED lighting.

Opening Hours: 24 hours
Address: 6875 Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States.

3. McDonald's Downey, California

This is the oldest operating McDonald's in the world, and the third store that was ever built. Opened in 1953, the store is a short 15-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles. It still retains much of the original features of the store, that may look unfamiliar to the modern McDonald's stores we see today. A moon-faced, winking chef named Speedee is outlined in neon lights and smiles at patrons who visit - Speedee is the original mascot of McDonald's, before Ronald McDonald's took his place! The store also only has a single gold arch as opposed to the common double arches we see today.

Opening Hours: 6am - 12am
Address: 10207 Lakewood Blvd, Downey, CA 90240, United States

4. McDonald's Imperial, Porto, Portugal

McDonald's Imperial has often been named the most beautiful McDonald's store in the world. The store opened in 1995, taking up the renovated space that was previously occupied by Cafe Imperial, a famous cafe that served coffee to people in the city since the 1930s. It retained much of the main architectural features of the previous tenant, including an iconic giant bronze eagle that will welcome you at the entrance. The interior of the store is filled with beautiful stained glass windows and crystal chandeliers, and you can feast on pastries including delicious Portuguese egg tarts.

Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm
Address: Praça da Liberdade 126, 4000-322 Porto, Portugal

5. McDonald's Fuzhou SanFang QiXiang, China

SanFang QiXiang (which translates to Three Lanes And Seven Alleys) is a historic and cultural area in the city of Fuzhou. The charming historic enclave is filled with a mishmash of traditional and modern buildings, including a McDonald's and Starbucks store with an old-fashioned charm, blending right in with the vibe of the street. As with many other countries, the McDonald's stores in China serve some localized items that you can only get in the country, including boba milk tea, burgers with sichuan spicy sauce, and pineapple pie.

6. McDonald's Birch House, Penang, Malaysia

Did you know that Malaysia is also home to a unique McDonald's store housed in a historical building? The Birch House in George Town, Penang is a colonial mansion that once served as a 19th-century tin smelting firm. The 24-hour outlet fits right in with the cultural charm of Penang and retains much of the original building's architecture. In case you've already had enough of char kuey teow, make sure you pop by for some good old fast food the next time you're in Penang!

Opening Hours: 24 hours
Address: No. 73, Jalan Dato Keramat, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang

7. McDonald's Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Australia

This one's another store housed in a historical building. McDonald's Clifton Hill took over the space of the United Kingdom Hotel, a beautiful specimen of the Art Deco style and historic era, that operated for 50 years before closing down in 1988. The building has curved wings, deep rounded balconies, and bands of different coloured bricks.

Opening Hours: 24 hours
Address: 199 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North VIC 3068, Australia

8. McDonald's Yangshuo, China

Yangshuo is a county in China known for its dramatic natural landscapes, winding rivers, and old-town charm. It offers a handful of charming temples, bars, and laid-back eateries - including a picturesque McDonald's store. Though this store has a pretty normal interior, it earns a spot on this list with its surrounding views. Nestled in a mountain valley overlooking a beautiful lake, you'll be guaranteed a breathtaking view of the natural landscape while you dine here!

9. McDonald's Rue Saint-Lazare, Paris, France

Wedged between two ornate buildings along the bustling Rue Saint-Lazare, this unique McDonald's store in Paris may be one of the most charming ones on earth! The store is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is housed in a historic building built in 1892. The antique timbered facade of the restaurant is ornamented with intricate carvings that belonged to the original building.

Opening Hours: 630am - 2am
Address: 119 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75008 Paris, France

10. McDonald's Dallas, Texas

This store in Dallas, Texas is famous for its giant Happy Meal Box-shaped exterior! The interior of the restaurant is just as fancy as its exterior, complete with funky granite floors, crystal chandeliers, Ralph Lauren wallpaper, mahogany booths, and a huge playroom. We bet you'll be taking tons of pictures when you're here!

Opening Hours: 5am - 1am
Address: 13105 Montfort Dr, Dallas, TX 75240, United States

11. McDonald's Belém, Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a pink lover's dream-come-true! The city is dotted with sweet spots for you, including a pink street filled with pink buildings and even a pink pavement! The dreamy salmon pink McDonald's here is quite simple overall but oh-so-cute.

Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm
Address: Tv. da Praça nº2-14, 1300-469 Lisboa, Portugal

12. McDonald's Roswell, New Mexico

This is one trippy UFO-themed McDonald's, shaped like a flying saucer! The town of Roswell in New Mexico is known for rumours of a mysterious UFO incident back in 1947, and McDonald's hopped on the bandwagon by building a UFO branch right here. The store even has a huge mural of aliens and spaceships outside, and a space-themed playroom indoors! How cool does that sound?

Opening Hours: 5am - 12am
Address: 720 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201, United States