The first-ever undersea restaurant in the world has been introduced at the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. Ithaa (which is pronounced “eet-ha” and means “pearl” in the language of the Maldives, Dhivehi) sits five meters below the waves of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef and encased in clear acrylic, offering diners 270 degrees of panoramic underwater views.
This innovative restaurant is the first of its kind in the world, and is part of a US $5 million re-build of Rangalifinolhu Island, one of the twin islands that make up Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. This re-build includes the construction of 79 of the most luxurious beach villas in the country as well as the Spa Village, a self-contained, over-water “resort-within-a-resort” consisting of a spa, restaurant and 21 villas.
And not to be outdone by the views, the food is as spectacular as the underwater setting.
The cuisine is dedicated to the fine balance of western food items with a Maldivian flavor, the wine concept is equally exciting, offering diners the perfect opportunity to discover the wines of the prestigious Champagne house Louis Roederer. (The average dinner price ranges from $187 to $220)
I wish we have something like that in my country too. Looks great!
This is dumb.
Sorry, an underwater restaurant was built in Eilat, Israel several years ago.
See: http://www.redseastar.com/restaurant-en.php
As such, the claims in this article that the Maldives project is “The first-ever undersea restaurant in the world” and the “first of its kind in the world” are manifestly false.
Indeed, considering the engineering effort that goes into a project like this, I find it impossible to believe the Maldives developers didn’t research the earlier project. As such, it makes me even more cynical toward these claims. Indeed a cursory Google search for “underwater restaurant” yields plenty…
first ever my ass. do your research! http://www.mendna.com/2006/07/14/underwater-restaurant/
Actually, this one was the first of its kind.
It was built in 2004.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithaa
This is an old story. This was open at least a couple years ago so it may have in fact been the first… I am headed to the Hilton Maldives for my Honeymoon and have read quite a few reviews dating back a while on this place…
Weeki Wachee has had an underwater snack bar for their underwater theater for, what like 60 years now?
I’d love to check this place out, but my wife would never go for it. It would be a nice change though, her cooking is so bad that we pray AFTER the meal.
i’m gonna swim naked around the restaurant and ruin their expensive dinner
i’d like to order… that fish. that red one over there
No Parties for 6
What if you fart?
Can you say “Jaws 2”
Spettacolare!!! *_*
where is the under water valet parking?
i wanna go there !!
great pictures.. wonder what happens if the glass windows break!
Great pics. I’d love to eat there.
Actualy this is the first underwater restaurent buit in the sea!!! Others are either build on lakes or made made waters
Look greats, wish I could go there
Looks great. Don”t think it would work in the north sea.
How is the view at night? I guess it becomes dark quite early in the Maldives.