Europe
Norway To Get Europe’s First Underwater Restaurant
The future holds a lot of full-fledged fine dines situated under water (and some even below hard ground). The first of many more such underwater wonders to come up in Europe is being planned by a Norwegian architecture firm. Christened ‘Under’, the restaurant will be situated near the Norwegian village of Båly, under the North Atlantic Ocean. Here’s all you need to know about the underwater eatery.
Three Levels of Wow
Under will pack some exquisite attractions like a wardrobe area (or lounge) on the first level; a champagne bar one level down; and the dining space on the lowest level. In addition to a number of brilliant features, the three-level restaurant will pack a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea floor in southern Norway.
With concrete walls 1 meter thick in order to withstand the waves of the North Atlantic Sea, the structure very interestingly puts a reverse spin on the placement of aquariums in seafood restaurants by placing the restaurant inside a natural aquarium. “More than an aquarium, the structure will become a part of its marine environment, coming to rest directly on the sea bed five meters below the water’s surface,” writes Snøhetta, the architecture firm designing the restaurant.
Under Wonder
A tribute to the Norwegian coast and to Lindesnes – the wild fauna of the sea and the rocky coastline of Norway’s southern tip, Under will also double up as a research center for marine life. The restaurant also aims at imparting a learning experience on diners, with informational plaques positioned along a pathway to the restaurant’s entrance.
However, the restaurant’s blueprints and location aren’t its only attraction. For starters, the name ‘Under’ signifies more thing than one. Apart from the obvious meaning of being situated below the sea, ‘under’ translates to ‘wonder’ in Norwegian. Currently an “ongoing” project, Under is scheduled for inauguration in February, 2018.
Although the first in Europe, Under is not the first underwater eatery globally. Israel, Dubai, and Maldives already boast of similar structures.