“Under” Norway – World’s Largest Underwater Restaurant
There are countless amazing underwater dining options, but none compare to Under, the world’s largest underwater restaurant.
This unique and captivating restaurant is situated in Lindsnes, Norway, approximately an hour and a half’s drive from Kristiansand, the region’s main city and transportation hub. Flights and ferries connect to Denmark, as well as train services to Oslo and Stavanger.
“Under” means “lowest” and “wonderful” in Norwegian.
Unlike other underwater aquarium-like restaurants, Under offers a truly authentic dining experience and has won numerous prestigious awards.
Forbes magazine named Under one of the most outstanding “new age” restaurants and praised its 18-course tasting menu, which showcases the finest Scandinavian cuisine.
The restaurant was named one of Forbes’ top ten restaurants of 2020 and has been awarded one Michelin star.
Founded by entrepreneur couple Stig and Gauthe Ubostad, the restaurant officially opened in 2016 at a cost of approximately NOK 70 million (US$8.5 million).
The largest underwater restaurant, the only one of its kind in Europe and only the third in the world, opened on March 20, 2019.
The 500-square-meter restaurant can accommodate 90 people at a time. It also serves as a laboratory, contributing to the advancement of marine biology research.
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The restaurant is renowned for its unique architecture, stunning interior design, and exquisite dining. Designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, it attracted significant media attention and received 7,500 reservations on its first day. To this day, people still have to wait days or even months to reserve a table.
Project Manager Ron Grasdal explained that the biggest challenge was achieving a simple yet aesthetically pleasing design while eliminating any elements that didn’t fit the concept.
The restaurant’s design prioritizes practicality, ensuring safe and easy access to the seabed. The restaurant’s materials were carefully selected to ensure its structure can withstand strong waves, currents, and stormy weather.
The firm also designed the restaurant’s colors, textures, and other interior details, including the furniture.
The restaurant was also recognized with the 2020 Wallpaper Best New Restaurant Design Award.
The restaurant features a large glass wall, offering stunning views of the diverse fish and the stormy sea.
It’s a unique experience, regardless of the weather or season, but a storm is a different story altogether.
Diners report a wonderful atmosphere, feeling safe, warm, and well-cared for. Local oak wood is a prominent feature of the restaurant. Chef Bernt Seiter prioritizes incorporating natural elements into his cuisine. He approaches his dishes with an open mind, skillfully blending tradition and modernity, and employing a dual approach.
The chef explains that the menu changes seasonally and consists of 10 to 12 courses. The restaurant reopened in 2024 with a completely new concept, but its philosophy remains the same: to provide diners with an unforgettable dining experience, featuring local ingredients from southern Norway.
Besides Under Restaurant, there are many fun things to do in Lindsnes.
One of these is visiting the Lindsnes Lighthouse, located at the southernmost tip of Norway. It’s a popular spot for watching the sunset, and many people come for the same reason. You can also visit the visitor center and even book accommodation.
If you want to admire the traditional whitewashed wooden houses and narrow streets of a southern Norwegian town, Mandal is a must-visit. It also boasts some of Norway’s best beaches.
