Skip to main content

Dive In: Norway is Opening the World’s Largest Underwater Restaurant

As restaurants up the ante with evermore extreme dining experiences, it seems they could run out of new and unique avenues to explore. However, the designers of the soon-to-be-unveiled Under took a decidedly different approach altogether with a concept unlike any European restaurant before: they’re going underwater.

The semi-submerged restaurant will extend more than 15 feet below the waters of the North Sea in southern Norway. Upon entering the futuristic, tunnel-like structure, visitors will pass a cloakroom, then an upscale Champagne bar. Venturing farther down, diners will be seated at one of two long, communal tables or several smaller intimate dining tables — all positioned near a panoramic, 36-foot tall acrylic viewing window.

Recommended Videos

Under won’t be the world’s first underwater restaurant as similar eateries exist in Maldives and Dubai. However, it will be the first in Europe and — at roughly 6,500 square feet —— the world’s largest, with three levels and a 100-guest seating capacity.

snohetta underwater restaurant
Snohetta

The design of the underwater restaurant is spearheaded by Snøhetta. The Oslo-based architectural firm has long been renowned for ambitious projects around the world, including Egypt’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet.

The team’s latest creation pulls inspiration from, of all places, a periscope. From the outside, the industrial design borders on Brutalism; a stark concrete monolith jutting from the sea like a half-sunk container ship. Lead architect Rune Grasdal noted of the design that “[o]ne of the benefits … is how it links nature and land, and how you can come safe from the land and in a very dramatic way go down through this concrete tube to the nature at sea level, and experience what normally is not experienced.”

The submarine concept could well have served as the home of Jared Leto’s villainous character in Blade Runner 2049. Inside, the wood-clad dining space is set around a singular viewing window with thoughtful lighting to inspire a more organic feel. Grasdal underscored that the success of the layout hinges on restaurant guests feeling secure, but not claustrophobic.

The firm’s innovative approach to Under has made the restaurant’s integration into the natural marine environment a top priority. The rough concrete construction, for example, will encourage mussels to cling to the exterior shell. As thousands of invertebrates gather on the artificial reef, they will collectively clean and purify the water, thus attracting additional marine life. Additionally, when the restaurant is not in operation, the structure will serve as an aquatic research center for biologists.

With construction beginning in February 2018, the completion of Under is anticipated for spring of 2019. You may want to make your reservations soon after, however. We imagine the waitlist is going to fill up fast.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Topics
Myths busted: Why rinsing your beer glass matters more than you think
Beer glass rinsing 101
beer

Myths run riot in the land of drinks and we're on a mission to dispel them. Just ask the chill-able red wine or age-worthy beer. There are rules in beer, cocktail, and wine culture, sure, but there are also misconceptions and unknowns very much worth figuring out.

You know the sayings: Rum is only for tiki drinks, mezcal is just a smoky version of tequila, or you can't make a good non-alcoholic beer. We know these things to be untrue as we've tasted the evidence.

Read more
What is Gibraltar coffee? The trendy espresso drink you need to try
Where and how this tiny espresso drink began
gibraltar coffee

Found only at select coffee shops is the Gibraltar coffee -- a coffee menu item that will leave you saying, "What is that?" based on its name alone. This specialty coffee originated in San Francisco at Blue Bottle Coffee but has since spread to small coffee shops worldwide. I'd describe this coffee as similar to a Cortado, yet these two drinks have unique differences.

When I first saw a Gibraltar coffee at a coffee shop, I knew I needed to learn more about what this coffee was all about. I chatted with Gibraltar coffee expert Vadym Granovskiy, an expert in coffee Artistry, expertise and mentorship, and TEDx Kyiv Speaker, to learn everything about the Gibraltar coffee -- from how it's made to how it was invented. Granovskiy is especially inspired by the story behind the accidental invention of Gibraltar coffee, drawing inspiration as a coffee lover himself. In his free time, he loves to experiment with new coffee and espresso beverages.

Read more
World Whiskey Society is launching a bourbon that’s finished in a rare, Japanese cask
World Whiskey Society's newest bourbon was dubbed "Samurai Edition"
Whiskey in a glass

Fans of exceptional, unique whiskey know all about the World Whiskey Society's prowess. Founded in 2020, this brand strives to bring rare, ultra-premium expressions to whiskey drinkers' home bars and liquor cabinets. Its newest whiskey combines America's "native spirit" with the aging techniques popularized in Japan.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Japanese Mizunara Shochu Barrels

To say this whiskey is unique is an understatement. This 108-proof Kentucky straight bourbon dubbed the "Samurai Edition" begins with a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. Originating at the renowned Bardstown Bourbon Company, it's first matured in charred white American oak barrels before being finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks previously used to age Shochu.

Read more