The world is positively obsessed with mermaids at the moment. From the pastel shaded, glitter topped breakfast snack dubbed mermaid toast, the creation of mermaid gin and a full-blown mermaid themed café which gives customers their own tail to wear on arrival, it seems we’re being encouraged to embrace our inner Ariel in a big way – but this new aquatic offering has taken things to a whole new (sub water) level.

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Quite possibly the most realistic mermaid dining experience yet, the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is an enchanting eatery which has been completely submerged in water.

In fact, that’s putting it lightly: it sits a whopping 16ft below sea level.

The underwater establishment is located in the glamorous setting of the Maldives, surrounded by the coral gardens of the Indian Ocean. Which means that (to quote Sebastian) it gives diners that true ‘under the sea’ experience.

Rated the most beautiful restaurant in the world by the New York Daily News, Ithaa boasts just fourteen exclusive tables. From each of these, guests can enjoy 180-degree panoramic views of an array of tropical fish and marvel at the marine blue waves. 

Try not to get too friendly with Flounder, though, as the majority of the restaurant’s menu is, in fact, seafood.

Read more: Wannabe mermaids are losing it over this magical underwater-themed café

There’s no denying that this is a once in a lifetime experience, especially seeing as right now it is the only underwater restaurant in the world, but it will cost you a pretty penny.

The contemporary European themed cuisine is served in a six course set dinner menu, laden with lavish delights such as caviar, foie gras and reef lobster – and, yes, it costs £245 per person. However, while this seems a relatively large number to swallow, it’s something you probably won’t be doing every week.

The award-winning restaurant, which has picked up accolades for being both the global restaurant of the year and most luxurious unique experience, is part of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Hotel and can be booked and accessed through the resort.

And, for those lucky enough to be staying at the hotel, the adventure starts before you even reach the restaurant: guests are led to the end of a picturesque jetty, before descending a spiral staircase into the coral reef below.

No wonder it’s been dubbed the most “unique place on earth”.

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