The World’s Best Underwater Restaurants To Tick Off Your Bucket List
A lot of us have a bucket list for destinations, but for foodies, you’ll find our notes app is filled with a long list of restaurants we’re dreaming of trying. Right at the top of our list is visiting the world’s best underwater restaurants.
Metres deep in the ocean, these restaurants will immerse you in the underwater world with sea creatures, sharks and all, swimming around while you dine. Whether you’re a die-hard foodie or you fancy trying out a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, we’ve put together a guide to the best underwater restaurants worth diving into.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives
Located on the beautiful resort of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Ithaa Underwater Restaurant set off the whole trend, becoming the world’s first underwater restaurant.
Venture five metres below the ocean’s surface and this restaurant will see you dining with panoramic views of coral gardens and marine life. Boasting lunch and dinner menus, this underwater spot’s menu features local flavours with Western influences or simply head down for a mid-morning cocktail to catch the early sea life risers and marvel at your surroundings.
Ithaa Underwater Restaurant set off the whole trend, becoming the world’s first underwater restaurant.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is just one of the 12 restaurants and bars at Conrad and is well worth visiting while living your Maldivian island dream.
Al Mahara, Dubai
Brought to life by Chef Andrea Migliaccio of Capri’s two-Michelin star Ristorantre L’Olivio fame, Al Mahara is Dubai’s must-visit underwater restaurant. Lit up by the ocean by day, this space is transformed come nightfall. Expect to uncover a seductive spot perfect for proposals, date nights and celebratory meals to remember.
Expect to uncover a seductive spot perfect for proposals, date nights and celebratory meals to remember.
Located on the ground floor of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel, Migliaccio’s passion for Italian cuisine is emulated into a fine-dining menu. Opt for the tasting menu to really be wowed by the culinary excellence that’s seen him cooking up a storm across the globe in legendary restaurants and alongside high-profile chefs.
For those wanting to take their dining experience up even further, look to the ‘Romantic Experience’ package, complete with your own private dining space, a five-course menu, a bottle of Champagne and a Rolls Royce pickup and drop-off service.
Under, Norway
Five and a half metres below the surface, you’ll find Under on the end of Lindesnes, Norway. The semi-submerged restaurant has been designed to fully integrate into its marine environment over time, with thick concrete walls and a structure that can withstand the pressure of the sea conditions. Inside, the interiors are muted and minimalistic with views out over the marine ecosystem of the North Atlantic Ocean taking centre stage.
Heading up the kitchen is head Chef Bernt Sætre, and the menu regularly changes with the season. Using locally sourced ingredients, expect to experience a taste of Scandinavian cuisine with seafood playing a poignant part.
Koral, Bali
The first underwater restaurant to open in Bali, Koral Restaurant can be found hidden below in the ocean at The Apurva Kempinski hotel. Suited to diners of two, the tunnel area will see you gazing out at the ocean bed, with flutters of fish scurrying by as you eat.
Suited to diners of two, the tunnel area will see you gazing out at the ocean bed, with flutters of fish scurrying by as you eat.
The restaurant is headed up by Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Baptiste Natali, with dishes inspired by Indonesian coastal flavours made using local ingredients.
M6M – Minus Six Meters, Maldives
Located on the palm-painted OZEN LIFE MAADHOO island, M6M – Minus Six Meters is the resort’s specialty underwater restaurant. Set on the end of the stilted pier pathway, the restaurant is aptly named as it’s six metres below sea level.
You’ll find endless marine life swimming around you, from baby sharks to flurries of different species of fish. The circular design of the restaurant allows every table in the restaurant to have the best view in the house, with cosy oval booths designed for sharing couples.
The menu itself specialises in seafood, and you can enjoy an indulgent wine pairing alongside each dish. Head here for lunch with a turquoise view out over the corals or for dinner with a difference.
Ossiano, Dubai
From stingrays to sharks, Ossiano is a Michelin-starred restaurant inspired by the ocean and seas. Located inside Atlantis Dubai, the immersive space doesn’t do things by halves on both the interior and menu front.
Boasting a giant bar and dining area, every seat in the house has soaring views of oceanic life. The colour palette reflects the aquamarine waters, with plush velvet blue chairs, bright bar tiles and chandeliers glistening from above.
Chef Grégoire Berger draws menu influences from across the world. Expect every dish to be beautifully presented with Instagram moments in mind.
Subsix, Maldives
Back in its day, Subsix was a wild nightclub where the rich and famous would hang out, but nowadays, after an impressive revamp and refurbishment, it’s a mesmerising underwater restaurant.
Located at the luxury five-star Niyama Private Islands resort in the Maldives, it’s open for champagne breakfasts, oceanic lunches, decadent dinners and adults-only parties. Sitting here you’ll enjoy sweeping views over the reef, watching all of the theatrics as the marine life circles the space.
The giant Italian chandelier graces the whole of the space’s ceiling reflects light like a shining coral.
Not only is the panoramic view over the ocean beautiful, but the giant Italian chandelier that graces the whole of the space’s ceiling reflects light like a shining coral.
