Discover 5 Unique Aquarium Restaurants Around the World

Imagine dining beneath the ocean's surface, surrounded by the mesmerizing dance of tropical fish and the calm of the marine ecosystem. This dream becomes a reality at unique aquarium restaurants around the world, where glass walls and underwater tunnels offer panoramic views of the ocean floor, allowing you to enjoy gourmet cuisine as sea creatures glide beside your table. These establishments blend fine dining with the extraordinary beauty of marine life, creating a dining experience that is as unforgettable as it is unparalleled. From the vibrant coral reefs of the Maldives to the bustling marine life of Dubai, aquarium restaurants offer a unique window into the underwater world, making every meal a memorable adventure.

This article will take you on a tour of five spectacular aquarium restaurants located in some of the world's most exquisite destinations, including the Maldives, Dubai, and various US locations. You will discover the enchanting Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, marvel at the Cargo Hold Restaurant in Durban, South Africa, which allows diners to dine alongside the ocean's giants, and gaze in awe at the floor-to-ceiling windows of Ossiano at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. We will also explore SEA at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and the widespread appeal of the Aquarium Restaurant in several US locations, showcasing their sea-inspired menus, underwater ambiance, and the innovative underwater architecture that sets them apart. Embark with us on a journey through these magnificent dining venues where fine dining meets the aquatic setting, offering a unique dining experience that goes beyond the traditional restaurant environment.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant Location and Setting

Situated on the stunning Rangali Island in the Alif Dhaal Atoll, Maldives, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant offers you a unique dining experience five meters below the ocean's surface. Accessible by seaplane or speedboat from Velana International Airport, this restaurant is part of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort. The journey to Ithaa itself is an adventure, crossing breathtaking oceanic views before descending into the restaurant's all-glass structure ^[1].

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant Menu Highlights

At Ithaa, the menu is a celebration of the ocean's bounty, featuring dishes like seared yellowfin tuna with wasabi dressing, lobster carpaccio with caviar and saffron dressing, and Maldivian reef fish with coconut curry sauce. For a truly curated experience, the five-course tasting menu includes delicacies such as sea scallops with cauliflower puree and truffle oil, and spiced duck breast with sweet potato gratin. Vegetarian options and dishes like lobster can be requested to accommodate dietary preferences ^[1][2].

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant Unique Features

Dining at Ithaa is not just about food, but an immersive encounter with the marine world. The restaurant's cylindrical, all-glass structure provides a 180-degree panoramic view of vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine life. Designed to offer both intimacy and spectacle, the restaurant hosts only 14 guests at a time, ensuring a private and exclusive atmosphere. Open since 2005, Ithaa stands as the world's first underwater restaurant, combining luxury dining with extraordinary views of the underwater ecosystem ^[1][2].

Cargo Hold Restaurant in Durban, South Africa

Cargo Hold Restaurant Location and Setting

Located in the heart of Durban's bustling harbor, the Cargo Hold Restaurant offers you an exceptional dining experience within the confines of an actual ship's cargo hold. This unique setting not only immerses you in a maritime atmosphere but also surrounds you with the industrial chic of exposed beams and nautical accents, creating a captivating ambiance reminiscent of a bygone era of maritime trade ^[3][4].

Cargo Hold Restaurant Menu Highlights

The menu at the Cargo Hold Restaurant is a celebration of the sea, featuring a variety of seafood dishes that highlight the freshest local catches. You can indulge in the grilled line fish, savor the rich flavors of seafood platters, or try the signature Cargo Hold seafood curry. Each dish is crafted to offer a taste of the ocean's bounty, ensuring a memorable culinary journey ^[3][4].

Cargo Hold Restaurant Unique Features

Dine alongside sharks in one of Durban's most spectacular settings. The Cargo Hold Restaurant is nestled in the stern of the Phantom Ship at uShaka Marine World, providing stunning views of the ocean and a shark tank. This world-class venue, laden with flavors from all corners of the world, offers not only a dining experience but also an adventure into the splendor of the maritime past ^[5][6].

Ossiano at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai

Ossiano Location and Setting

At Atlantis, The Palm, located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island, Ossiano offers a unique dining experience not actually underwater but with a wall that's a massive aquarium ^[7]. The approach to the restaurant is as lavish as Dubai itself, complete with valets, bell boys, and a grand entrance ^[7].

Ossiano Menu Highlights

Ossiano's menu, inspired by Chef Grégoire Berger's travels and expertise, features a progressive fine dining experience with a focus on seafood. The menu includes creatively named dishes like "the soup," "the seafood," and "the meat," each prepared with a high level of culinary technique and a dash of theatricality ^[7][8]. Notable is the 'Escale' tasting menu, which offers a journey through 11 "waves" of dishes, showcasing the best of the ocean's offerings ^[9].

Ossiano Unique Features

The restaurant is recognized for its floor-to-ceiling aquarium walls, providing diners with the sensation of dining alongside marine life like stingrays and sharks ^[10][8]. The ambiance is further enhanced by dim lighting and twinkling chandeliers, making every dinner a special event. Ossiano's commitment to excellence is underscored by its accolades, including a MICHELIN star and recognition from the Wine Spectator ^[8].

SEA at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

SEA Location and Setting

At Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, the SEA restaurant offers a mesmerizing dining experience 5.8 meters below the surface of the Indian Ocean. Located in the Baa Atoll, this underwater marvel is not just a place to eat but a passage into the aquatic universe. You'll be surrounded by panoramic views of vibrant marine life as you dine, making every moment unforgettable ^[11].

SEA Menu Highlights

Indulge in a culinary journey that begins with a four-course Champagne breakfast and extends into a lunch featuring dishes like fresh lobster and sashimi. The dinner menu at SEA is equally impressive, showcasing specialties such as Australian Wagyu sirloin and Hokkaido scallop tartare, each dish accentuated with luxurious caviar. The restaurant's signature four-in-one course menu, SEA.FIRE.SPICE.SKY, offers a unique taste of the ocean's diversity ^[12][13][11].

SEA Unique Features

SEA is not only the world’s first underwater wine cellar but also a multiple award-winning dining venue, voted the World's Best Underwater Restaurant for four consecutive years. The restaurant's architecture allows you to feel immersed in the ocean while enjoying a meticulously curated wine list that includes very rare and fine wines. Whether it's a private celebration or a casual meal, SEA provides a backdrop that transforms dining into an extraordinary event ^[13][11].

Aquarium Restaurant in various US locations

Aquarium Restaurant Locations and Settings

Discover the Aquarium Restaurant in various US locations including Denver, Colorado; Houston, Texas; Kemah, Texas; and Nashville, Tennessee. Each location offers a unique underwater dining adventure where you're surrounded by a floor-to-ceiling aquarium tank, creating the illusion of dining at the bottom of the sea. These settings provide an intimate yet spectacular view of hundreds of species of marine life, making your dining experience unforgettable ^[14][15].

Aquarium Restaurant Menu Highlights

The menu at each Aquarium Restaurant location features a variety of signature fish and seafood specialties, alongside steaks, pasta, and desserts. Notable dishes include the Broiled Fisherman's Platter, Shark Attack Dessert, and Louisiana Cajun Pasta. For those seeking a unique taste, the Seafood Tacos and the seasonal homemade desserts are must-tries. Each dish is crafted to enhance your underwater dining experience ^[15][16].

Aquarium Restaurant Unique Features

Aquarium Restaurant stands out not only for its dining experience but also for its commitment to sustainability. All food service areas work to eliminate single-use plastic, with food served in environmentally-friendly packaging. Moreover, the restaurants offer more than just dining; they feature Aquarium Exhibits, rides, interactive Stingray Reef, and Mystic Mermaids shows at select locations, providing fun for the whole family ^[17][15].

Conclusion

Embarking on a journey through the world's most unique aquarium restaurants offers a tantalizing escape where the boundaries between dining and the majesty of the underwater world blur. From the enchanting depths of the Indian Ocean at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant to the vibrant marine life showcased in the Aquarium Restaurant's various US locations, each venue presents an unparalleled dining experience. These establishments not only captivate with their breathtaking views and exquisite sea-inspired menus but also stand as testaments to the innovative architecture and commitment to sustainability that enhance our connection to the aquatic universe.

As we conclude this exploration, it's clear that dining in the company of marine life adds an extraordinary dimension to the culinary adventure, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the ocean while savoring world-class cuisine. These aquarium restaurants are more than just places to eat; they are destinations that offer a memorable journey into the heart of the ocean's splendor, promising an unforgettable experience that goes beyond the plate. So, as we reflect on the wonders that these magnificent dining venues offer, it beckons food enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike to dive into the depths of the marine world, if only for a meal.

FAQs

1. How many underwater dining venues exist globally?
Underwater dining provides a unique culinary experience, with several establishments located in the Maldives where guests can enjoy meals beneath the Indian Ocean. Additionally, theme parks like SeaWorld and Disney World offer similar underwater dining options.

2. Where is an underwater restaurant located?
The underwater restaurant named Under, designed by Snøhetta, is situated five and a half meters below the ocean's surface in Southern Norway, making it a distinctive dining destination.

3. Which is the largest underwater restaurant in the world?
The largest underwater restaurant in the world, Under, is located off the coast of Lindesnes at the southern tip of Norway. It is notable for being Europe’s first underwater restaurant.

4. Where is the world's first underwater restaurant situated?
The Ithaa Undersea Restaurant holds the title of the world's first underwater restaurant and is a major attraction at the Conrad Rangali resort. Dining here offers a remarkable experience of eating under the ocean.

References

[1] - https://tabl.com/magazine/interesting-facts-about-the-ithaa-undersea-restaurant-maldives
[2] - https://wanderon.in/blogs/ithaa-undersea-restaurant
[3] - https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g312595-d804092-r716643627-Cargo_Hold_Restaurant-Durban_KwaZulu_Natal.html
[4] - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g312595-d804092-Reviews-Cargo_Hold_Restaurant-Durban_KwaZulu_Natal.html
[5] - https://ushakamarine.com/cargohold/
[6] - https://www.myguidedurban.com/restaurants/the-cargo-hold
[7] - https://www.businessinsider.com/visit-underwater-restaurant-alone-awkward-ossiano-dubai-2020-2
[8] - https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/dining/ossiano
[9] - https://reportergourmet.com/en/news/5929-ossiano-the-michelin-starred-restaurant-inside-an-aquarium-with-65000-fish-a-unique-gourmet-experience
[10] - https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/dubai-emirate/dubai/restaurant/ossiano
[11] - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g3612478-d7716266-Reviews-SEA_Underwater_Restaurant-Kihavah_Huravalhi.html
[12] - https://www.anantara.com/en/kihavah-maldives/restaurants/sea
[13] - https://www.seaunderwaterrestaurant.com/
[14] - https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/
[15] - https://www.landrysinc.com/brand-listing/aquarium
[16] - https://nyaquarium.com/plan-your-visit/dining/seaside-cafe/menu
[17] - https://nyaquarium.com/plan-your-visit/dining