The McDonald’s brand has evolved immensely since the first restaurant opened in Des Plaines, Illinois, on 15 April, 1955.
But we don’t just mean the menu. The restaurants themselves have taken all kinds of shapes over the last seven decades.
From ones that look like spaceships to others in decommissioned planes, it’s safe to say there’s no one-size-fits all for branch blueprints.
Many are even located in pretty bizarre locations – from the first floating McDonald’s restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri, to another in Paris found in a historic building.
We’ve rounded-up some of the most amazing McDonald’s locations around the world – covering the weird, the wonderful, and everything in between – so hold on to your Happy Meal…
Taupo, New Zealand
Taupo, New Zealand, is home to a McDonald’s that has a dining room inside of a decommissioned Douglas DC-3 plane.
Melbourne, Australia
This Art Deco McDonald’s is found in Clifton Hill in Australia’s Melbourne.
The building was designed by architect James Wardrop for Carlton & United Breweries in 1938 and operated as a hotel for 50 years before it became a Maccies restaurant.
Las Vegas, Nevada
There’s a great Golden Arches photo opportunity to be had at Metro McDonald’s on the Las Vegas strip, which – let’s face it – is as Vegas as they come.
Porto, Portugal
Dubbed as one of the ‘most beautiful McDonald’s in the world’ this one in Porto features Art Deco stained glass windows and chandeliers.
Los Angeles, California
This is the oldest existing McDonald’s restaurant on earth, found in a town called Downey – about a 15-minute drive southeast of Downtown Los Angeles.
It’s very much a time capsule in its own right, as it looks identical to the day it opened in 1953.
Lijiang, China
This McDonald’s in China has to conform to the local building style – as Lijiang old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sedona, Arizona
In Sedona, Arizona, you’ll find find the classic McDonald’s arches with a turquoise twist – and it’s the only one in the world to look like it.
The colour was chosen as it blends much better with the surrounding landscape.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
While it might look a little garish on the outside – with huge structures of fries and a Happy Meal box on the exterior of the building – the inside of the restaurant is pretty fancy, boasting walkways and a grand staircase.
Budapest, Hungary
Marvel at architectural grandeur while tucking into your Big Mac at this branch.
Set up in the impressive hall of Budapest’s Western Railway Station, this McDonald’s is a design-lover’s dream.
New York City, NY
Despite now being closed for good, this Times Square restaurant is worth a mention in the round-up for its unique setting.
Dallas, Texas
A McDonald’s in Dallas, Texas, used to be shaped like a Happy Meal – but sadly not anymore, as it was remodeled in 2016. Since then, it’s received a very plain, brown makeover.
Roswell, New Mexico
This ‘flying saucer McDonald’s’ can be found in Roswell, New Mexico and it’s the only one currently shaped like a UFO.
It also features a playland inside, which interrupts the saucer shape and sticks out from the side of the building.
Hangzhou, China
Perhaps one of the most controversial of all, this restaurant is located inside a 90-year-old villa, in Hangzhou, China, that once housed a former Taiwanese leader.
However, the fast food chain has been criticised for the move.
Paris, France
You’ll find this McDonald’s on Rue Saint-Lazare, in Paris, inside Alsatian house.
When McDonald’s moved in in 1998, there were rumors that the fast food chain would destroy the original architecture of the facade.
However, brand says it’s committed to respecting and preserving the building’s architectural heritage – and even contributed funding for its renovation.
Batumi, Georgia
While it might look like a fine-dining restaurant or museum, this is actually a McDonald’s. It’s located in Batumi – the capital of the Georgian republic of Adjara.
Rotterdam, Netherlands
This outpost was once voted ‘the ugliest building in the city’ by Rotterdam residents.
Since then, it’s been redesigned to feature a golden facade, internal grand spiral staircase, and glass cover exterior.
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