17 underwater dining spots worldwide

Dining beneath the surface of the ocean is no longer something reserved for science fiction. Around the world, restaurants have transformed the idea of a meal into an experience where guests sit surrounded by marine life while enjoying carefully prepared dishes. Each location offers something unique—some highlight luxury, while others focus on th
e novelty of being immersed in an aquatic setting.
Here is a list of 17 underwater dining spots worldwide that bring together food, design, and the magic of the ocean.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives

Located at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Ithaa is often recognized as the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant.

Guests dine sixteen feet below sea level while panoramic windows display reef fish drifting past. The menu leans toward fine dining, with multiple-course meals paired with wine. Its exclusivity and setting make it one of the most photographed dining experiences in the Maldives.

5.8 Undersea Restaurant, Maldives

Hurawalhi Island Resort is home to 5.8, which takes its name from the depth at which it sits. Its glass tunnel design creates a clear view of the Indian Ocean’s marine life on all sides.

The restaurant seats only a handful of guests, ensuring privacy while still feeling dramatic. With a focus on gourmet cuisine, it often highlights seasonal seafood caught nearby.

Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.

Subsix, Maldives

Unlike most underwater restaurants, Subsix doubles as both a dining and nightlife venue. Guests reach it by speedboat and descend a staircase that feels like an entrance into another world. Inside, modern decor inspired by sea anemones and shells sets the tone.

By day, diners enjoy light meals, while evenings bring cocktails and music in a glowing blue atmosphere.

SEA at Anantara Kihavah, Maldives

SEA combines a wine cellar and underwater dining hall, offering one of the largest wine collections in the Indian Ocean. Situated at the Anantara Kihavah Villas, it allows guests to watch reef sharks glide past as they sip rare vintages.

The curved glass windows create a feeling of total immersion. Meals often highlight contemporary European flavors with seafood and steak as staples.

Under, Norway

Europe’s largest underwater restaurant, Under, is partially submerged off Norway’s southern coast. Its minimalist concrete design looks like a tilted block half-sunken into the sea. Inside, diners enjoy views of the North Atlantic through a panoramic window.

The menu reflects the rugged landscape, focusing on local seafood and foraged ingredients prepared in a modern Nordic style.

Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.

Ossiano, Dubai

Atlantis, The Palm is home to Ossiano, where guests dine beside floor-to-ceiling aquariums filled with stingrays and sharks. The restaurant is known for its dramatic setting, blending fine dining with theatrical presentation.

With Michelin-starred chefs curating the menu, dishes often push creative boundaries. The constant movement of marine life adds a dynamic backdrop to every meal.

Al Mahara, Dubai

Another iconic Dubai spot, Al Mahara is located at the Burj Al Arab. While not technically underwater, it uses a massive aquarium that wraps around the dining area to create a similar effect. The design gives the impression of being submerged without leaving land.

Guests enjoy premium seafood in a setting that emphasizes elegance and exclusivity.

Poseidon Undersea Resort, Fiji

Still one of the most ambitious concepts, Poseidon offers suites and a restaurant located thirty feet under the sea. Its dome-shaped design makes diners feel enclosed within a living reef. Though limited in accessibility, it has become symbolic of futuristic luxury travel.

Meals often blend international flavors with Fijian influences, highlighting fresh island produce.

Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.

Red Sea Star, Israel

Located in Eilat, the Red Sea Star opened as one of the earliest underwater dining experiences. The restaurant’s windows face coral gardens and schools of fish native to the Red Sea. Its design combines futuristic shapes with subtle nods to marine life.

While it also operated as a bar and nightclub, the underwater view remained its main attraction.

Cargo Hold, South Africa

Set inside a replica ship at uShaka Marine World in Durban, Cargo Hold places diners next to an enormous shark tank. The restaurant’s theme ties directly into its location, giving guests the feeling of dining inside a vessel’s hull.

The menu blends South African flavors with international touches. Sharks swimming within feet of the tables make the experience unforgettable.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Florida

As the world’s only underwater hotel that requires scuba diving to enter, Jules’ lodge doubles as both accommodation and dining spot. Meals are delivered to guests who choose to stay overnight in submerged rooms. Located in Key Largo, it offers a mix of adventure and novelty rather than polished luxury.

Dining here is less about fine cuisine and more about the one-of-a-kind setting.

Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.

M6m, Maldives

Located at OZEN by Atmosphere, M6m (short for ‘minus six meters’) is another standout in the Maldives’ long list of undersea dining spots. Guests reach it through a private entrance before descending into a glass-enclosed hall.

The setting feels intimate, with only a few tables available. Fresh seafood dominates the menu, aligning with its ocean surroundings.

Aquarium Restaurant, Nashville

Though not technically submerged, this U.S. dining spot surrounds guests with a 200,000-gallon aquarium. Located inside the Opry Mills Mall, it creates an underwater feel while remaining land-based.

Families often visit to pair the unique view with casual meals. Sharks, rays, and colorful fish provide constant entertainment for diners of all ages.

Underwater Grill Café, Tanzania

Located on Pemba Island, this café is part of a floating hotel where guests can dine both above and beneath the surface. The underwater section offers views of coral reefs, while the above-water deck provides open-sea scenery.

Meals are simple but fresh, reflecting local island cooking. It blends rustic charm with the novelty of dining below sea level.

Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.

Aquarium Restaurant, Houston

This Texas destination combines a large public aquarium with a restaurant where tables face into massive tanks. Diners enjoy casual seafood dishes while watching stingrays and sharks glide past.

The setting is popular for families and date nights alike. While not fully submerged, it delivers a strong underwater atmosphere.

Reefworld Underwater Observatory, Australia

Located in the Great Barrier Reef, Reefworld allows guests to eat in a semi-submerged dining hall as part of its marine tourism facility. Meals are served with panoramic reef views, making it both educational and entertaining.

The observatory doubles as a conservation center, adding value beyond dining. Its focus is less on luxury and more on showcasing natural beauty.

Pearl, Brussels

Belgium’s Pearl restaurant is located inside the Radisson Blu Hotel, offering a unique design where diners sit within a massive aquarium feature. While not fully underwater, the visual effect captures the theme.

Meals lean toward European cuisine with fresh seafood options. The highlight remains the ambiance created by surrounding marine displays.

Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.

When dining meets the deep

These underwater dining spots highlight how creative design can transform a simple meal into a full sensory event. From luxury restaurants in the Maldives to aquarium-inspired venues in U.S. cities, each one captures the fascination of dining beneath the surface. They combine food with atmosphere, proving that location can elevate even the simplest dish.

While not every spot offers the same level of luxury, all share the same appeal: a chance to experience the ocean in a way that few settings allow.

More from Travel Pug

Image Credit: Travelling around the world — Photo by efks

Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.