7 Unique Room Service Meals You Must Try

The Original Imperial Torte

An exceptional house-crafted dessert is a true pleasure for hotel guests in Vienna, a city known for its unique and original torte recipes. The birthplace of the celebrated Imperial Torte, the exclusive Hotel Imperial in Vienna, offers 24-hour in-room delivery of its special house treat. The Imperial Torte is a kind of chocolate truffle that was first made in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1873. It's unlikely you'll get the chance to recreate the flavor at home: The property's Imperial Torte recipe is a closely guarded secret. But you can have your fill—around the clock—via room service at the Hotel Imperial.

Gourmet Meals for Your Best Bud

When ordering your eggs Benedict and coffee for in-room consumption, don't forget about Sir Barksalot. The room service menu at Houston's Hotel Derek reminds us that suitcase-toting bipeds aren't the only hotel guests in need of a good meal. The hotel's special Pup Menu lists an assortment of mouthwatering treats for canine companions, ranging from $6 to $12. Items include the Mid-Day Bark, a peanut butter cookie for dogs, and the Country Breakfast, which consists of three eggs with chicken, rice, veggies, and a fresh biscuit. There's even a vegetarian option: It's a plate of Yukon gold potatoes, English peas, sweet corn, and carrots.

Curated Washington Wines

If you're staying at Hotel Vintage, Seattle's wine-themed boutique hotel, it's a safe bet you appreciate the vino. (After all, the property is awash with nods to wine culture. Its guest rooms are named after local wineries, and the place hosts complimentary evening wine hours.) It naturally follows, then, that you'll enjoy the property's collection of house wines available for in-room purchase by the glass or bottle. In the lobby of Hotel Vintage, you'll find two large wine racks filled with bottles curated from the hotel's 12 Grand Cru Partners, which are comprised of local wineries. Relax with a glass of Washington Wine Country's best—delivered straight to your room, any time, day or night.

Healthful Food … at Any Hour

Returning to your hotel room after reveling in local nightlife can result in a booze-fueled room service order of French fries, burgers, and pizza. Late-night room service meals are a leading cause of vacation weight gain, according to a study I just made up. (It's probably true.) That's why I love the uniquely healthful (and tasty) late-night options on offer at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Chicago. Executive Chef and former Top Chef competitor Heather Terhune has put together a wholesome late-night menu featuring nutritious dishes like rainbow salad (a crunchy mix of raw veggies, sunflower seeds, and apple-cider vinaigrette), Mediterranean quinoa salad, trail mix, and freshly popped popcorn—all available at unholy hours. Order the nutrient-rich nighttime snacks Monday through Saturday from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and Sunday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Book and Cocktail Pairings

The obvious highlight of this room service menu: a good book and a stiff drink. Guests at the James can order book and cocktail pairings cleverly curated by author Joel Stein and mixologist Johnny Swet. At James properties in Chicago, Miami, and New York, specially selected books that have a connection to each city are given to guests alongside cocktails crafted to correspond with each tome. The books are available in paperback and digital editions.

Pierre Herme Macarons

Go to a Pierre Hermé boutique on a summer Saturday in Paris and expect to deal with an awfully lengthy line. The Parisian pastry chef, whom French Vogue dubbed "The Picasso of Pastry," is world-famous for his macarons. Hermé shops are destinations for travelers from all over. But you can skip the queue and order Pierre Hermé macarons right to your room at Le Royal Monceau, a luxury hotel located near the Champs-Elysée. Pierre Hermé is a resident pastry chef here, and his creations are, naturally, a very noteworthy inclusion on the room service menu. You'll also find Pierre Hermé macarons on the property's new 15-Minutes Menu, a selection of quick meals designed especially for busy travelers on the go.

Local Craft Beer on Tap

There's way more to Anaheim than an amusement park. The area has a pretty impressive craft beer scene in addition to its kid-friendly attractions. Get some local flavor at Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove, which has partnered with the Tap-Hunter app to offer guests an amazingly easy way to order fresh, on-tap beer in seconds. Use the app to browse the selection of local beers on tap at the property's Trinitas Wine Bar. (Tap Hunter offers real-time info on the types of beers on tap at bars and restaurants.) Then give room service a call to request your pick. Anaheim Garden Grove stocks beers on tap from seven craft breweries in Orange County, all roughly within a 10-mile radius. Post–Disneyland fun, enjoy a tasting tour of the region's craft breweries in the privacy of your guest room—no pub crawl required.

What's the best room service you've ever had?

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