[imagesource:here]

It is immensely difficult to look at a body of crystalline water and not want to immerse yourself in it at once.

The same goes with exquisite food: how can one just look at it, without wanting to dive right in?

For these two reasons, Bali’s first underwater fine dining restaurant is everything anyone could ever want.

Opened in 2019, the Koral Restaurant is embedded inside an aquarium.

But it is not just about the fish, as it also comes complete with thoughtful design touches inspired by Indonesian culture. Honestly, I have not yet seen an experience of Bali that looks more immersive than this:

Besides the food, which is inspired by Indonesian coastal flavours and made from local ingredients, the interior design is also inspired by Indonesian history.

Take over, My Modern Met:

The walls are made of red clay bricks, which were also used in the Mahapajit empire [which reigned from the 13th to the 16th century]. These bricks, along with the teak wood ceilings, perfectly frame the aquarium.

The tegel tiles found on the floor are reminiscent of those used at the historic royal court. By using history as an inspiration, Kempinski has been able to raise the level of this unique restaurant and give it another layer of refined elegance.

Kempinski is the luxury and five-star hotel group that opened the underwater restaurant at its Apurva Kempinski hotel.

More about the food, coming right up.

All manners of marine life swirl around you while you nibble on gourmet dishes prepared by lead chef Andrea Astone:

 

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The minimum spend is around R1 000 per adult for food only at lunchtime, and R600 per child.

Granted, you get what you pay for, it seems:

 

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If eating with the fishes is not enough, there’s also a soundtrack that “captures the magic and mystery of life below the waves” for a full sensory experience.

To end off, take a look at this inside tour from a visitor who went in December 2019:

Cue a serious blowing up of your Instagram profile if you manage to catch a seat here.

[source:mymodernmet]