Yes, it is a treat to have a meal by the sea, to the sound of the gently lapping waves (or a terrible hotel band) where you can feast on what lays beneath the pretty view. But have you ever entertained the idea of having a meal INSIDE the ocean? Don’t worry, you wont get a soggy sandwich or have to eat a live lobster.
Using state-of-the-art aquarium technology, these two restaurants have made it possible to do so – eat under the sea, that is, which is something I think we should all try at least once in our lives.
Ithaa, Hilton Resort, Maldives
Opened in 2005, Ithaa (pictured above) was the first of its kind to translate aquarium engineering to a restaurant of this size. Serving fine fusion cuisine, the entire restaurant except for the floor is made of clear acrylic makes this unique in the world, where sea-loving clientele can enjoy the environs of a real coral garden on the reef to add to the spectacular views of the rays, sharks and many colourful fish that live around the reef near the restaurant.
The five-metre by nine-metre transparent arch, which spans the entire room, seats 14 people and provides a feeling of being completely at one with the underwater world while submerged beneath the surface of the ocean. Set with the resort’s renowned house reef one side, and a clear lagoon on the other, diners enjoy their meal within Ithaa’s translucent shell as the underwater drama unfolds on all sides.
The Red Sea Star, Israel
An underwater gastronomic experience is waiting for you, about 5 meters below sea level, in the restaurant of the Red Sea Star. Enjoy a wide variety of exotic dishes in a magical atmosphere of beauty and peace, while observing through giant windows the colorful underwater coral garden and an endless shifting panorama of marine life in all their kaleidoscopic splendor.
Next to almost every table in the restaurant there are two personal windows through which guests can observe the underwater surrounding – one in the wall, to which the table is attached, and the other in the ceiling above it.
At night the underwater garden surrounding the “Star” is softly lit, without disturbing its natural inhabitants (using specific light colors, specific wave length etc.), offering the visitors a unique “dry diving” experience at night as they eat.
[tags]Unusual restaurants, Maldives, Red Sea, Underwater restaurants[/tags]