Underwater Restaurants: Dining With The Fishes

Dining underwater is a unique experience combining great sea views with exquisite meals. Though they can be costly, underwater restaurants are once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave lasting memories. First among these is Ithaa in the Maldives, which has an acrylic tunnel letting guests view a rainbow of aquatic life while dining. Blue crab and Tasmanian smoked salmon are among the unexpectedly reasonably priced menu items as well.

1. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant in the Maldives

First underwater restaurant in the world is Ithaa, meaning "mother of pearl." Originally opened in 2005, it accommodates fourteen diners at a time from the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort. From the end of a jetty, guests climb a spiral staircase in a thatched pavillion into the restaurant. Built in Singapore first then transported to the Maldives, the whole 175-ton construction was The curved glass walls of the restaurant let patrons enjoy a prix fixe meal with local flavours mixed with Western influences coupled with great wines while seeing the coral garden and plenty of aquatic life. Commenting on the cuisine and experience, guests say it was the highlight of their Maldives trip.

2. SEA at Anantara Kihavah Maldives

Popular dining choice for visitors is SEA at Anantara Kihavah Maldives, the only restaurant worldwide with a wine cellar underwater. From lobster salad to Scottish salmon to grilled sea bass, diners savour a selection of mouthwatering seafood dishes and foreign cuisine. Beautiful coral gardens and aquatic life call the glass tunnel of the restaurant roughly 20 feet below the surface of the ocean. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner calls for just sixteen diners at a time from the modest eatery. Along with a great assortment of wines, the restaurant presents great European cuisine. Custom wine pairings for every meal are also created by the restaurant's sommeliers.

3. Al Mahara Dubai

Drawing guests through a golden tunnel to a dining space situated against a large aquarium, the otherworldly restaurant at Dubai's Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Andrea Migliaccio of Capri's two-Michelin star Ristorante L'Olivo has replaced former chef Nathan Outlaw with dishes like tuna tartare tagliolini and grilled spiny lobster with tuna tartare tagliolini and kaffir lime, so highlighting the tastes of the Mediterranean Sea. For the bar, Kristina Zanic has created oceanic Bohemian crystal light elements and two private dining rooms. Inspired one by gold pieces from sunken ships at sea; inspired the other by organic coral forms. For vegetarian and vegan visitors, this dream environment also provides plant-based choices.

4. Cargo Hold Restaurant in Dubai

Although Cargo Hold Restaurant is not really underwater, it sits on uShaka Marine World, the biggest marine park in Africa. Shark tanks surround this sleek, softly lighted area, and the menu of the restaurant offers seafood such Mozambique prawns along with substantial American classics like steak and clam chowder. For something a bit more private, eat at Cargo Restaurant on Pier 7. From sushi and crispy chilli beef to curries and steamed dim sum, this little restaurant presents excellent Asian cuisine. Match your dinner to a reviving cocktail from their large selection. On the terrace of the restaurant, you can also savour excellent pies and British staples including sticky toffee pudding.

5. Subsix in the Maldives

Found 16 feet below sea level in the Maldives, Ithaa is among the most amazing underwater restaurants in the world. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner can be eaten here, and guests can enjoy the surrounding lovely aquatic life. The eatery is also ideal for yoga and meditation! Arriving Subsix by speedboat, guests skip over the reef to reach 500-metre offshore point. They then go down a three-tier spectacular staircase. Italian-designed abstract chandeliers overhead highlight the fall like white stars glittering across the surface of the sea or gleaming coral. As they view the residents of the cerulean depths, guests can savour Western-Maldivian fusion cuisine. Valencian paella and ox steak with truffle dauphinoise potatoes abound on the menu among seafood.

6. Coral Reef Restaurant at Walt Disney World

Coral Reef Restaurant is a great and unusual experience situated at World Nature inside the Seas Pavillion and to the right of the Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction entrance. With a spotting guide supplied to visitors so they may hunt down some of the 2,000 fish that call this one of the underwater eateries at Disney home (and aren't on the menu). Lunch and dinner at the restaurant feature seafood choices. Carnivores will find creamed spinach, bercy butter, garlic and rosemary potatoes, and a 10-ounce top-grilled sirloin steak. A table service restaurant, Coral Reef takes the Disney Dining Plan.