Review of 5.8 Undersea Restaurant
This is our honest review if 5.8 Undersea Restaurant in Hurawalhi Maldives.
Our island stay, at Komandoo Maldives, was a short boat ride away from sister resort Hurawalhi, where the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is located. According to their website. 5.8 is the world’s largest undersea fine dining restaurant, with a seating capacity of 16. There are two separate sittings for lunch and one sitting for dinner.
The allure of having a dining experience under the sea is easy to see. I have always loved going to aquariums and having the time to enjoy the sea life whilst dining seemed like a perfect way to spend a day of our honeymoon. Having the chance to have this experience, with my husband surrounded by the famed coral reefs, was hard to turn away from.
Initially, we weren’t sure whether the restaurant would be right for us, we are not that interested in fine dining or seafood. However having a great experience at Aqua, at Komandoo, the night before, we were truly excited about 5.8 Undersea Restaurant.
Even though it was an incredibly high price tag for lunch for two. We took the risk. This is our honest experience of the food and overall impression of 5.8 as an experience.
How Much Does It Cost to Dine at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant?
225 USD per person for a 5-course Lunch. Dinners start at 280 USD per person for a 7-course menu.
Personally, the pricing of the food was the only factor that put us off from visiting the restaurant. Both of us are fussy eaters, and we have very specific expectations of the food we eat. We felt like we were taking a gamble, being of south Asian heritage, our taste tends to lean towards spice. Whereas the finest dining opts for simpler flavours, championing techniques, and certain ingredients.
It is by far the most expensive meal for two we have eve had.
Our experience at 5.8 Undersea
The reception at Komandoo arranged the reservations for 5.8. The boat was also arranged by the reception. There is a charge for this, which is taken from the reception when booking or added to your bill for the end of the stay.
The boat picked us up before 1 pm, to allow us to arrive at Hurawalhi. A staff member, who led the way to the restaurant, greeted us. We walked a short distance to the restaurant. On arrival, we could take off our shoes and put them in lockers. As we arrived earlier than some of the other guests, we had a chance to look at the beautiful surroundings and enjoy a drink
We passed through a glass floor walkway, allowing us to look at the water below around 200ft in the sea. The experience of arriving at the restaurant is a spectacular feeling as you go down a spiral staircase, the windows showcasing how deep you are getting as the spiral descends. I was the first in the restaurant. Entering, I was enveloped with blue, with glittering fish above, the surreal surroundings a highlight of the experience.
The restaurant itself is minimal in decor. The feel created is as if you are inside the water. As the first in we got to pick our seats at the front of the restaurant unobstructed view of the glass into the sea and coral reef. As someone afraid of going in open water, it is the only way I got to experience the great Maldives sea life without putting on a snorkel.
The spa-like music played was almost serene, and the service allowed us time to take photos and videos whilst everyone settled into their seats ready for food. The service explained the variety of set menus depending on diet requirements and drink menus. We were both very happy with our choice of splurging up to this point.
The real test of whether the experience was worth the money. Is the food.
What’s on the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant menu?
We decided to go for the 5-course lunch. My husband and I are not fans of seafood, so we opted for the non-seafood menu.
What’s the Non-Seafood option for 5.8 Undersea Restaurant Menu?
The Non-Seafood Menu at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant consisted of:
- FOIE GRAS TERRINE – apricot, dry figs, pistachios, served with fermented plum, confit lemon
- MIYAZAKI WAGYU CANNELONI – a trio of seaweed, shallots, and capers, served with sour cream and tonburi caviar
- RAW CELERIAC RIBBONS – brown onion foam, potato velouté, shaved truffle, almonds
- MARGRA LAMB SADDLE – sweet potato puree, spicy red cabbage pickles, asparagus and dukkah, lamb jus with fresh mint
- GOLDEN GEM – strawberry and white chocolate mousse, mixed berry compote, truffle ice cream, golden chocolate sphere, caramel and chocolate sauce
I personally have an allergy to pistachios. One of the dishes had to be altered. In general, the food was of high quality, with excellent presentation. However, I felt the meal was underwhelming. As someone who’s new to fine dining, the food at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant didn’t engage or enthuse me.
Does the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant Menu have a Vegan option?
The Vegan Menu at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant consisted of:
- RAW KING BROWN & PARIS MUSHROOMS – layered with silky tofu and hazelnut, granny smith apple brunoise, dusted with tangerine powder and served with pitacou gel
- GREEN APPLE CANNELLONI – quinoa and barley with goji berry, green mango brunoise, coriander and apple juice
- RAW CELERIAC RIBBONS – brown onion foam, potato velouté, shaved truffle, almonds
- FERMENTED AUBERGINE – smoked & fermented miso enriched aubergine sous vide, lemon grass cauliflower & potato purée, turmeric coconut broth, hints of coriander & galangal
- CARAMELISED BURNT POACHED PEACH – marinated in sweet wine, cinnamon, star anise, coconut sorbet, wild berries topped with honey nut brittle
The dishes are prepared well and beautifully presented, but my husband didn’t like them. The quality of ingredients and style of cooking is of the highest quality, however, my husband has a preference for simpler dishes and fine dining isn’t something he enjoys in general. Granted, he much preferred the food we had at Aqua Restaurant, a review for which you can read here, to 5.8 Undersea restaurant.
Final Thoughts
The food, which was largely similar tasting and incredibly European-bland, was incredibly underwhelming. Even the dessert, which tasted like something you could locally get in London and not anything special, was underwhelming. I can’t recall one plate that I felt, I am glad that I had tried something new.
Despite the food, and despite the small disappointment we felt, we did not regret the decision to spend the money on the experience. Both of us agreed we would have felt a tinge of regret or FOMO if we hadn’t booked the experience so we are glad.
The experience at the Maldives summarised as “expensive food in a glamorous aquarium”. I love aquariums, and being underneath the Maldives sea life was something I won’t be quick to forget.
When visiting 5.8 Undersea Restaurant if you feel you would be upset if the food is not to your taste for the price, then I would opt to avoid it. However, if you are there for fun and a new unique experience, then it is worth it.
Find out more about underwater restaurants in the Maldives in our guides.
