An Underwater Restaurant Just Opened On the Southern Coast of Norway

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Seafood always tastes better near the ocean. But it’s not just a freshness thing — there’s a mental element to it, too. When in Maine, I want a seat in full view of the harbor. The more fisherman’s caps I see before tucking into a lobster tail, the better that tail’s going to taste.

That means meals at Under — a seafood restaurant on the southern coast of Norway that’s half-submerged literally underwater — should be the best seafood we’ve tasted yet.

We wrote about the concept way back in October of 2017, and Under finally opened today after years of careful construction. Brought to life by Norwegian design firm Snøhetta, the restaurant rises out of the rocky Lindenes beach like a beached whale. But while the welcome area is above sea level, most of its environs are beneath the surface. The cocktail lounge sits just below the water-break and the 40-seat dining room is firmly 18 feet below the North Sea. To create a space that could handle years of an indomitable tide and stronger storms while housing a world-class kitchen, Snøhetta had to seal the restaurant in concrete three feet thick.