Imagine dining amidst the stunning resort marine environment of the Maldives, where the boundaries between nature and luxury blur into an unforgettable culinary experience. At Hurawalhi Maldives, the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant invites you to indulge in a gastronomical adventure 5.8 meters below the ocean’s surface.
This extraordinary dining venue combines innovative architecture with a vibrant marine setting, creating an experience tantalising all senses and capturing the imagination.
How to get there?
The 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is on a captivating private island in the pristine Lhaviyani Atoll, Hurawalhi Island Resort. Among many resorts in the Maldives, that mirrors the perfect blend of serenity and excitement. This adults-only, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star resort embodies an intricate mix of intimacy and adventure, where guests are invited to bask in luxury, embraced by the tranquil beauty of the Maldives.
The 90-villa resort offers a paradise for couples, inviting them to revel in the breathtaking beauty of the Indian Ocean, kissing its beaches and the unique blend of contemporary design and barefoot bliss permeating the island. Every villa is meticulously designed to complement its natural surroundings, offering an idyllic retreat where guests can be wholly present in each moment.
The Underwater Dining Experience
The 5.8 Undersea Restaurant at Hurawalhi Maldives is a testament to modern design and nature’s splendour. As the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant, it offers an immersive experience.
Guests begin their journey by descending a spiral staircase into a realm where the Indian Ocean’s wonders unfold around them. The restaurant’s design accommodates no more than ten couples, ensuring an intimate and exclusive ambience.
Once submerged, diners are greeted by panoramic views of the coral reef, making the first impression as awe-inspiring as the meal.
Submerged in Luxury
Luxury permeates every aspect of the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. The elegant decor, featuring marine-themed accents and sophisticated lighting, enhances the underwater ambience. Attentive service ensures that each guest feels special, with staff expertly guiding diners through a multi-course tasting menu.
At 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, the culinary journey is as impressive as the setting. The menu, crafted by talented chefs, features a fusion of local Maldivian flavours and international cuisine.
Each dish is a masterpiece, combining the freshest ingredients with innovative techniques. Signature offerings include succulent seafood, artistically presented and bursting with flavour. The menu changes seasonally, reflecting the chef’s inspiration and the freshest available produce.
Lunch Seafood Menu
($180 per person, wine pairing +$130 per person):
The journey begins with the Maldivian Reef Fish Carpaccio, a dish that captures the ocean’s purity with dashi beurre blanc and finger lime, paired with Bruno Paillard Re/MS France. Next, Alaskan King Crab plays with contrasting textures and flavours, featuring crab cigar, celeriac espuma, and ocean trout roe, all highlighted by Wittmann 100 Hills Riesling. The Maldivian Saku Tuna provides a local flair, with chili garlic emulsion and avocado cream, perfectly complemented by Henri Bourgeois Quincy Haute Victoire.
Delicate Hokkaido Scallops surprise the palate, accompanied by textures of cauliflower and sea urchin cream, with Frescobaldi Castello Pomino Bianco enhancing the experience. Finally, the Canadian Lobster dazzles with its café de Paris butter, carrot puree, and lobster croquettes, enriched by Albert Pic Bourgogne Chardonnay. The decadent Golden Gem dessert crowns the meal with strawberry mousse and truffle ice cream, complete with Château Lions de Sauternes.
Vegan Menu
($220 per person, wine pairing +$130 per person):
The Variation of Seasonal Tomato introduces a spectrum of tomato textures with confit salsa, powder, and pesto, delightfully paired with Bruno Paillard Re/MS France. The Nut Foie Gras Parfait achieves sophistication with date gel, rhubarb, and laminated brioche, and Wittmann 100 Hills Riesling balances the flavours.
Next, asparagus arrives, a playful mix of chamomile butter and almond slivers matched with Henri Bourgeois Quincy Haute Victoire. The Miso Cauliflower with barley risotto and piquillo pepper sauce is an unexpected delight, uplifted by Frescobaldi Castello Pomino Bianco.
Wild Mushroom Ravioli is a treat, combining Jerusalem artichoke with pea velouté, enhanced by Albert Pic Bourgogne Chardonnay. The Soya Sweet Bread reimagines savoury excellence with cashew nut gravy and spinach emulsion, harmonized by Spätburgunder Trocken Pinot Noir. Exotic Fruit Cremeux offers a refreshing finish, layered with coconut crumble and yuzu ice cream, paired with Château Lions de Sauternes.
Meat Menu
($250 per person, wine pairing +$80 per person):
The rich Foie Gras Parfait opens the experience with cocoa powder, salted plum, and lavash, while Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut provides an elegant accompaniment. Kagoshima Wagyu Beef Tartare thrills with truffle emulsion and caramelized brioche, best enjoyed with Mud House Sauvignon Blanc.
Quail follows with quail farcie, artichoke puree, and truffle jus, while Spätburgunder Trocken Pinot Noir adds a sophisticated touch. For mains, diners can choose between Margra Lamb Saddle, which balances carrot puree and apricot gel, or Wagyu A4 Beef Tenderloin, layered with walnut, pumpkin fondant, and kumquat gel. Both are best paired with Predator Old Vine Zinfandel.
Golden Gem concludes the experience with strawberry mousse and truffle ice cream, matched with Deakin Estate Moscato.
Each menu is crafted to inspire diners with a memorable undersea dining experience, where flavours and ambience are interwoven to create an exceptional culinary journey.
The Underwater World Outside
The 365 views from 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is nothing short of breathtaking. Guests are surrounded by a living, ever-changing marine landscape, where colourful corals and diverse fish species create a dynamic backdrop.
From graceful manta rays to schools of vibrant parrotfish, the underwater world adds an element of continuous wonder to the dining experience. This close encounter with marine life transforms a meal into a spectacle of nature’s beauty.
Sustainable Dining Practices
Sustainability is a core principle at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. The establishment is committed to responsibly sourcing seafood, minimizing waste, and supporting local communities. These practices are woven into the dining experience, enhancing the meal’s quality and contributing to environmental conservation.
By prioritizing sustainable practices, the restaurant not only offers exceptional cuisine but also ensures that the surrounding marine environment remains vibrant and healthy.
Hurawalhi Maldives, through 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, actively contributes to marine conservation. Initiatives include coral reef protection, marine life conservation, and supporting research projects.
Diners can take pride in knowing that their meal supports these vital efforts. The restaurant’s commitment to conservation enhances the dining experience, allowing guests to enjoy their meal with a sense of purpose and connection to the environment.
A Feast for the Senses
From breakfast to dinner at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is a uniquely immersive experience that blends luxury, sustainability, and the wonders of the marine world. From its innovative design to its exquisite menu, every detail is crafted to offer an unforgettable culinary adventure.
As you savour each bite amidst the vibrant underwater scenery, you’ll find that dining at 5.8 is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of nature, gastronomy, and the extraordinary beauty of the Maldives.
This underwater gem is a must-visit for any traveller seeking a unique and memorable experience.
