'Under': Europe's amazing first underwater restaurant is already booked out

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This was published 5 years ago

'Under': Europe's amazing first underwater restaurant is already booked out

'Under' means 'wonder' and 'below' in Norwegian.

'Under' means 'wonder' and 'below' in Norwegian.Credit: Andre Martinsen

A dramatic new restaurant at the southernmost point of Norway has opened, and if you haven't booked yet, you could be in for a wait.

Created by designers Snøhetta, 'Under', which can hold around 40 diners at a time, is Europe's first underwater restaurant.

Over 7000 people have already booked in at the eaterie in remote Lindesnes.

The restaurant's 11 metre-wide panoramic window.

The restaurant's 11 metre-wide panoramic window.Credit: Ivar Kvaal

With metre-thick concrete walls, the structure plunges five metres into the icy seas and rest on the seabed below.

The structure is designed to integrate with its marine environment, functioning as an artifical reef. Marine species flourish here to produce a natural abundance of biodiversity at the site.

While the restaurant will also function as a research centre to this marine life, diners will be able to view it through an 11 metre-wide panoramic window, but it won't come cheap.

The structure plunges five metres into the icy seas.

The structure plunges five metres into the icy seas.Credit: Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge

But it won't come cheap. Bringing a team of 16 staff from Michelin-starred restaurants and acclaimed Danish chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard, a full 18-course meal will cost up to 3700 krone ($A609) per person including drinks.

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Gaute Ubostad is one of the two brothers who own the restaurant; they also own a nearby hotel.

"The goal is to get 50 per cent of the guests who eat there to spend the night in the hotel as well... We expect around 12,000 people eating dinner every year," he said.

Norway's new restaurant is sunken into the sea.

Norway's new restaurant is sunken into the sea.Credit: Snøhetta

Designers Snøhetta say the structure will "fully integrate into its marine environment over time.

"The roughness of the concrete shell will function as an artificial reef, welcoming limpets and kelp to inhabit it. With the thick concrete walls lying against the craggy shoreline, the structure is built to withstand pressure and shock from the rugged sea conditions."

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