Where to Find the New Cuisine in Maldives

Underwater 'Caviar Indulgence' at SEA, Anantara Kihavah

Already regarded as the finest underwater restaurant and wine cellar in the Maldives, SEA Underwater Restaurant is taking its discerning guests on a gustatory journey of discovery six metres beneath the waves as it seeks to elevate the dining experience at Anantara Kihavah to new levels with the launch of 'Caviar Indulgence' at SEA on 18 June 2024. Signature dishes curated by Executive Chef Joachim Textor includes the Chilled Champagne Soup with Caviar, Fresh Lobster Ceviche, Australian Wagyu Striploin, Greek Kataifi, Hokkaido Scallop Tartare, and desserts such as the Mango Crème Brûlée and Pistachio Praline Cheese Tart.

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The newest French La Belle Vie bistro at Kuramathi

Designed to evoke the charm of a traditional Parisian bistro in Maldives, La Belle Vie at Kuramathi offers a warm and cozy environment where guests can savour classic French cuisine. The focus is on homemade dishes prepared from traditional recipes, ensuring every meal delivers an authentic taste of France. The menu at La Belle Vie features a variety of dishes, and guests who have booked the Select All-Inclusive package at Kuramathi Maldives will find this delightful dining experience included in their stay.

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SALA, Vegan restaurant at Dusit Thani Maldives

Dusit Thani Maldives elevates its menu with the launching of SALA, a new vegan restaurant with a dazzling array of plant-based offerings made from premium locally sourced ingredients and produce grown in the resort’s own organic gardens. In 2024 the resort elevated its menu with the launching of SALA, a new vegan restaurant with a dazzling array of plant-based offerings made from premium locally sourced ingredients and produce grown in the resort’s own organic gardens. The new restaurant offers a carefully curated ‘plant-powered’ menu, with standout dishes like Greek orzo salad, baked spiced pumpkin, and eggplant steak a la plancha. A variety of salads, soups, and mains are also thoughtfully crafted to provide a delightful culinary experience for vegan and vegetarians in Maldives.

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Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine at JOALI BEING

JOALI BEING, the first wellbeing destination of its kind in the Maldives, has unveiled a new Japanese restaurant conceptualised by the Michelin-acclaimed talents of Chef Hidemasa Yamamoto. The menu, crafted with the finest ingredients from both land and sea, aligns with the wellbeing island’s Earth-to-Table and Ocean-to-Table culinary philosophy. Guests can indulge in a variety of gastronomic delights, ranging from Zensai appetisers, Sashimi, Sushi, and Temaki hand rolls to sensory salads, Robata grills such as Charcoal-grilled Wagyu and Seafood Toban Yaki, and exquisite desserts of Japanese heritage.

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Olives & Vines at Furaveri Maldives

With an open-air terrace, and a menu inspired by Mediterranean flavors Furaveri Maldives has elevated the island’s dining scene with the opening of Olives & Vines restaurant this August. This new fine dining venue, installed on the stilts over water, promises an extraordinary dining experience against the backdrop of the stunning ocean views. The restaurant’s menu promises a culinary journey through the Mediterranean, showcasing an array of fresh meats and the finest global produce, each dish crafted with top-tier ingredients and expert skill. The guests can enjoy a curated set menu featuring Seared Scallops, Steamed Scampi, Raspberry Sorbet, Butter Poached Lobster Tail, a selection of fine cheeses, and a delightful Berry Mille-Feuille for a harmonious blend of flavours and textures.

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A New Maldivian Restaurant at Siyam World Maldives

Siyam World, Maldives has introduced “back to the roots” cuisine and opened a signature Maldivian restaurant showcasing delicacies and dishes from different atolls of the Maldives. Guests at Siyam World can now be immersed in the vibrant history of the island nation with the authentic essence of Maldivian cuisine that brings together the unique tastes from the southern atolls to the northern reaches of the country.The menu includes local white fish soup, Tuna carpaccio, 3 Varieties Of Mashuni, Creamy Spicy Curry Risotto, Black Angus Sirloin Steak, Pumpkin Ravioli Dhonriha Velouté and much more. Included in the resort's unbeatable WOW! 24-hour premium all-inclusive plan the Kaage restaurant boasts a menu that pays tribute to the time-honored recipes passed down through generations.

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Madi Hiyaa at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru proudly presents its latest architectural gem, Madi Hiyaa, an exceptional standalone overwater Yakitori Restaurant and Bar, featuring an incredible sea saltwater infinity pool, breathtaking sunset panoramas, and offering an authentic Japanese culinary experience with a Maldivian influence, all crafted from locally-sourced ingredients. 

Guests can satisfy their palates not only with diverse selections of sushi rolls, sashimi, and Madi Hiyaa’s signature yakitori creations but also with authentic Japanese classics. They can also revel in the delectable Omakase set menu, using local fishers’ catches and freshly harvested herbs from the resort’s garden. Each meal is concluded with mouthwatering desserts like Anmitsu, Japanese cheesecake, or Shinsen’na Kattofurūtsu featuring locally grown organic fruits. To enhance the dining experience, wine pairings is also available.

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The Nest at Niyama

A multi-island destination in the Maldives, Niyama Private Islands reopens its tree top restaurant, Nest, with reimagined jungle dining reinforced with bold, new flavours. With a relentless pursuit of the novel and intriguing, a new menu boasts with flavours of the avant garde by new Executive Chef Thierry Vergnault. Highlights include the wagyu and sea urchin tataki (Japan), sizzling bo lok lak (Vietnam), and chilli reef lobster from local waters (Singapore). Hard-to-find Asian herbs and spices come from the island’s own garden, which also inform the experimental cocktail list by consultant Mathew Atkinson of Bruff Drinks.

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New Plant-based menu at vegan-friendly Flames, Nova Maldives

The bright new star resort Nova presents a tempting new menu of delicious plant-based dishes for guests who are determined to be healthier and happier in 2024. How about Pumpkin Salad to start with, featuring grated coconut, Maldivian spinach, lime dressing and pumpkin seeds, followed by Kofta Quinoa, a quinoa dumpling with Maldivian spiced rich tomato sauce served with saffron rice? To finish, guests can choose a Coconut Tasting Platter of young coconut mousse, coconut candy and coconut truffle…

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Celebrate fresh, local ingredients with Le Meridien Maldives’ new menu

Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa has announced its brand-new menu, crafted with passion, precision, and a sprinkle of innovation. The culinary team has been hard at work, sourcing the finest ingredients and experimenting with flavours to bring guests an unforgettable dining experience. The new menu is a celebration of ingredients, where European classics with a local twist take centre stage. All lettuces and fresh herbs come directly from the resort’s very own hydroponic garden, and by collaborating with Maldivian fishermen, the resort ensures that its seafood is not only of the highest quality but also supports the community and promotes sustainable fishing practices.

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White Orchid at JA Manafaru

JA Manafaru has announced the launch of its refreshed menus at White Orchid Restaurant. This revamped dining experience is set to combine modern Japanese cuisine with a firm commitment to sustainability. For entrées, guests can indulge in the Reef Octopus, prepared with ginger, scallion, lemon, soy, mirin salmon roe, chili crisps, sesame, and microgreens freshly harvested from the on-site garden. The mains feature the Yellowfin Tuna Steak, accompanied by roasted tuna jus, lemon, teppan-fried onion, broccolini, and a crisp myoga salad. The tuna is freshly caught by local fishermen, ensuring top quality and promoting sustainable seafood practices while supporting the local fishing community.

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Teien at Cora Cora Maldives

Teien®, the award-winning Japanese Restaurant in the Maldives at Cora Cora resort, has unveiled its eagerly anticipated new menu, promising an unparalleled dining experience for guests seeking the epitome of Japanese cuisine infused with innovation and tradition. Exciting new additions include Wakame & Edamame, variety of Japanese soups, enhanced kushiyaki selection, and exclusive special menu options. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, pork-free, low-salt, low-carb and alcohol-free options are always available at Teien®.

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Overwater Bar at Gili Lankanfushi

Gili Lankanfushi has announced a brand-new menu for beloved Overwater Bar restaurant, created by Executive Chef Hari and his talented brigade. A fusion of international cuisine, traditional Maldivian dishes and beachside classics, the menu provides the ultimate relaxed yet refined all-day-dining option. The new offering includes the introduction of a new ‘Gili Grandma’ curry menu, which draws inspiration from cherished family recipes that have been passed down through the generations across different regions in Asia. For the Gili Grandma menu, each chef presents their favourite family recipe from back home, which range from Chef Samiu’s Maldivian reef fish curry to a spicy Sri Lankan pumpkin curry by Sri Lanka native, Chef Isuru. Elsewhere on the menu, a selection of inventive salads and healthy soups provide the perfect lunchtime pick for breezy beach days. Meanwhile, lovers of international cuisine can travel the globe from their dining table with Indonesian nasi goreng, locally caught reef fish sashimi, teriyaki chicken and more. Delicious!

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Shoreline Grill Chef’s Table at Milaidhoo Maldives

As a premier culinary destination in Maldives Milaidhoo Island has unveiled a new dining concept, 'An Evening with the Chefs'. This exceptional gastronomic event allows guests to enjoy a bespoke five-course gourmet dinner, carefully curated by the island’s talented chefs and paired with fine wines selected by the resident sommelier. Designed to captivate food connoisseurs and showcase Milaidhoo’s commitment to creating extraordinary experiences, a key feature of “An Evening with the Chefs” is the personal connection between guests and the culinary team. Throughout the event, guests are encouraged to ask questions, share stories, and explore the rich culinary traditions and innovative techniques that set Milaidhoo’s cuisine apart.

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Vista restaurant at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort

An adults only island Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort has announced the reopening of Vista restaurant after an extensive renovation. The newly launched menu celebrates the rich and diverse flavours of authentic Italian cuisine, curated to perfection by the expert chefs. Highlights from the new menu: antipasti, insialate & zuppe, a variety of pastas, classic pizzas, secondi and dolci.

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Social House Theme Nights at Ifuru Island resort

Newly opened Maldives all-inclusive resort Ifuru Island has unveiled its latest culinary offering: Social House theme nights, inviting guests to indulge in a gastronomic journey inspired by the world’s oceans. Each night of the week, guests can immerse themselves in a feast of flavours, expertly curated to showcase the diverse cuisines found along the shores of the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, South China Sea, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Oceans, and beyond.

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Jumeirah Olhahali Island Welcomes Renowned Culinary Expert as Executive Chef

Jumeirah Olhahali Island is delighted to announce the appointment of Chef Nurmaningsih Tejapermana, known as Chef Nonky, as the Maldivian resort’s new Executive Chef. At Jumeirah Maldives, Chef Nonky will lead the culinary vision across the resort’s four waterfront dining outlets. Guests can look forward to a reimagined experience at the award-winning Kayto, where Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine is presented in a relaxed setting. Shimmers, known for its Mediterranean and Greek flavours, will delight diners with its homemade artisan pizzas served in a blissful beach club atmosphere, while Glow will continue to offer global flavours with a focus on health- conscious options for all-day dining. In addition to these signature restaurants, Chef Nonky will also oversee an extensive array of curated set menus, ranging from Maldivian and Indian to Middle Eastern and beyond, ensuring that every meal at Jumeirah Olhahali Island is a celebration of flavour and artistry.

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