Imagine descending 16 feet below the North Sea as you are led by your host or hostess to your dining table. In front of you is a magnificent, panoramic view of the ocean with schools of fish gently swimming by. This is no ordinary dining experience; this is Under, a captivating underwater restaurant in Norway.
Where in the World Is Båly and How Do You Get There?
Under is located in Båly, a coastal village on the remote southernmost tip of Norway. Getting to this area is no easy feat, but we consider it to be part of the adventure. We recommend flying into Kristiansand Airport and renting a car. The drive to Båly itself is along scenic coastal roads and takes approximately an hour to get there. Upon arrival, you will see a partially submerged concrete structure that extends out from the shoreline.
The Experience of Under
From the moment you arrive at the restaurant, you just know this is going to be a unique experience. From the outside, the exterior looks like a giant concrete structure leaning into the icy waters of the North Sea. In fact, this restaurant has reinforced walls built to withstand storms and the force of the ocean. Upon entering, you will experience a warm, serene space filled with oak paneling all around you, nudging your eyes to the main attraction, the windows of a real-life marine observatory. Here, you will get to take in an underwater world that is practically living art with fish, crabs, and other marine life casually joining you as your dining companions.
The Food: Nordic Cuisine With a Submerged Twist
Okay, so the atmosphere is great, but is the food good? Absolutely! Under holds a Michelin star for its high-quality cooking and thoughtful approach. Food here is minimalist but refined. They serve a seasonal tasting menu that changes according to what is fresh and available on the southern Norwegian coast. Here, you can expect a meal consisting of 11-18 courses with dishes built around local seafood with varieties of fish, lobster, scallops, mussels, etc. Along with this, there are curated wine pairings, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Meals are often paired with foraged ingredients from the immediate surroundings, like seaweed. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll be happy to know that they have a vegetarian menu as well.
Cost
Is it cheap? Well, no, but it’s also all relative. Tasting menu prices are around 2,450–2,500 NOK per person for the full experience without drinks. That translates roughly to $230–$250+ USD if you’re from the U.S. Wine pairings are an additional cost. So you could end up closer to 3,700–4,200 NOK per person or $360–$400+ USD.
Final Thoughts for Under
If you’re the kind of person who loves the ocean or if you’re just someone who loves a truly unique dining experience, this place is magic! A meal might last for a few hours, but the memories that you take away from this underwater restaurant in Norway will last you a lifetime!
If you enjoyed reading about this underwater restaurant, you’ll love this post about an unlimited sake experience in Japan!
