Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is one of the most famous restaurants in the Maldives and remains a landmark of destination dining. Located at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, the intimate restaurant sits approximately five metres beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a transparent acrylic structure providing panoramic views of the reef.

When Ithaa opened in 2005, the idea of a permanent underwater restaurant was revolutionary. Its influence can now be seen in several underwater restaurants across the Maldives and beyond, yet the original retains a particular sense of occasion.

Guests descend a staircase from a small overwater pavilion before entering a curved dining room surrounded by the ocean. Fish, rays and other marine life can pass across the roof and alongside diners, meaning no two meals have precisely the same backdrop.

The culinary programme is designed to match the exclusivity of the setting. Carefully structured menus focus on refined contemporary cuisine, premium ingredients and elegant presentation. Seafood naturally complements the environment, although the experience is conceived as a complete fine-dining journey rather than simply a showcase for fish.

With only a small number of tables, Ithaa is intentionally intimate. Daytime dining provides the clearest views of the surrounding reef, while evening transforms the restaurant into a darker, more atmospheric space beneath the sea.

Its longevity is particularly significant. In a destination where new luxury resorts regularly introduce increasingly ambitious restaurants, Ithaa has remained relevant for more than two decades. It is not merely one of the Maldives’ best-known restaurants; it helped establish underwater dining as one of the country’s signature tourism experiences.

World Culinary Awards recognition has further reinforced its credentials, including being named Maldives’ Best Culinary Experience 2024.