When you think of McDonald’s or any fast food restaurant for that matter, words like 'luxury' or 'elegance' rarely spring to mind.
However one well-travelled couple have shown that the Golden Arches can sometimes surprise you, and not everyone knows how to feel about it.
Logan and Audri, a full-time travel duo, recently shared a video on Instagram that’s left the internet talking.
The pair stumbled upon what they called 'the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world' while exploring Italy - and it’s hard to argue, as it's certainly a cut above the rest.
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Located on Piazza di Spagna in Rome, the fast food spot sits right in the heart of the city's historic centre, at the foot of the Spanish Steps. From the outside, it looks like something straight out of a Roman postcard.
Inside, it’s even more impressive, with marble walls, elegant columns, glowing golden arches and a gleaming white statue that wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery. Yeah, Rome might have a long list of 'must see' landmarks, but this is also certainly one of them.
In their post, Logan and Audri explained that this McDonald’s was 'designed to fully blend with Rome’s historic centre', describing it as an 'upscale experience' offering 'a little piece of history, and pastries'.
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This particular restaurant isn’t just pretty though, it’s historic, too. Opened in 1986, it was the first McDonald’s in Italy and boasts a whopping 394 seats. The menu goes far beyond the usual Big Mac and fries, with items like tiramisu, chicken wings, tomato and mozzarella panzerotti, and even beer, making it a far cry from your standard pit stop after a night out.
But as with most things on the internet, the comments section was quick to divide and not everyone is a fan.
One unimpressed foodie wrote: “I don’t care how fancy it is. I don’t go on vacation anywhere and eat McDonald’s.”
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Another simply said: “Still a McDonald’s though, isn’t it?”
Someone else added: “Visiting Italy and having McDonald’s is really a crime.”
Others, however, were captivated. “This is crazy!! Looks so good,” one user gushed.
Another agreed: “It’s true. McDonald’s in Italy is on another level.”
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One traveller chimed in: “I’ve been there - it’s incredible.”
Fans have also pointed out that McDonald’s menus vary wildly around the world. In France, you can grab fresh pastries that are 'never frozen'. In Japan, presentation is said to be 'top notch', and one user claimed it’s home to 'the best fast food fish sandwich' they’ve ever had.
In Italy, the coffee culture even extends to McCafés, where barista-level espresso and freshly squeezed orange juice are the norm.
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So maybe it’s not that surprising that Rome’s McDonald’s feels like something special, given the city's rich heritage and decadent buildings.
Whether you see it as a fast food chain dressed up in marble or a clever fusion of modern and ancient, it’s undeniably unique and this isn’t your average stop for a McFlurry.
As Logan and Audri’s video racks up thousands of likes and comments, it seems the world can’t decide if it’s a McMasterpiece or McMadness.
Niamh Spence