The smallest country in Asia by population and land area Maldives is a small island nation of 99 seas famous for its fine white sand beaches next to turquoise water villas in the Indian Ocean.
Don’t forget a romantic champagne candlelight dinner and a truly memorable and unique dining experience. Great underwater restaurant dinner under the sea This can be a private dinner on the beach with your toes in the sand or a table for two on the veranda of an underwater bungalow. This is a dining experience. You are guaranteed. Never do it. Forget it
The Food
Not only is the Maldives archipelago home to countless tropical islands, white sand beaches with swaying palm trees and crystal clear waters teeming with marine life – they also offer some of the region’s tastiest cuisine.
Traditional Maldivian Cuisine Dhivehi cuisine is very diverse and unique from mild spicy taste to exotic sweet sweetness and all cooking techniques are prepared using traditional techniques. Known for its taste and taste. This gil dish is rich in traditional flavors flavored with Indian and Arabic Sinhala influences.
The three pillars of traditional Maldivian cuisine are coconut fish and starch. Known as kurumba in Dhivehi the coconut is grown on the islands of the Maldives. The island’s thin soil makes farming difficult except for the coconut tree which is an important part of culture and cuisine and has been named the country’s national tree and is used in Maldivian cuisine in various forms such as milk and oil.
Fish is the star of the cuisine of coastal island nations where tuna is king and is used in every dish. Rihakur is a thick brown paste made of smoked tuna that is cooked for several hours daily in almost every home in the Maldives and is often eaten with rice (which has to be imported) taro sweet potato or breadfruit. .
The Maldives have their own curry paste or lonumiras which get their unique flavor by adding coconut and pandan to other traditional curry spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cumin.
The Experiences
1. Local Dishes
When traveling stick to comfort foods which are often easy and tempting. My first breakfast in Maldives was at JOALI Maldives and various options crossed my mind. Eggs Benedict was really interesting and the various smoothies with tropical fruit juices looked appealing but I decided to try the Mushuni Maldives breakfast.
Maldivian cuisine revolves around fish especially smoked tuna and coconut. Mashuni is a dish of grated smoked fish with onions and grated coconut. It was served with freshly baked Rosi (Indian/Sri Lankan flatbread similar to Roti or Paratha) which made for a very tasty breakfast and I am glad that it was my first experience with local food.
Later on our trip we were treated to a unique Maldivian dinner from Design Dinner when I was staying at Anantara Kewah Villas. The white tables by the beach were lined with twinkling lights and candles. We sat with our toes on the sand and enjoyed a selection of local dishes. A traditional coconut milk-flavoured seafood dish called Caro Garodia followed by a local steamed lobster salad followed by some spicy lamb with chili marinated fish and finally coconut milk and ground rice and a kerobokiba desert seasoned with lemongrass. Cinnamon sugar and rose water. Great culinary experience.
2. Floating Breakfast
After dinner on the beach in the morning we were woken up by a knock on the door. Liquid breakfast delivered. If you think breakfast in bed is decadent you should try the liquid breakfast. If you’re not familiar with the concept here’s what you need to know. Complete with baked goods Muesli Yogurt Honey Jam Egg Jam Fresh Fruit (optional) Champagne Juice and more. Imagine having enough wicker baskets for two to start their day. All of this floats on the surface of a private pool a few meters above the sea. Taste and beauty at the same time.
3. Underwater Dining
You’d be forgiven for thinking that floating breakfasts are hard to beat – what about underwater ones? Anantara Kihawa Villas Underwater SEA Restaurant gives you the opportunity to enjoy delicious food and an amazing underwater experience at the same time. The glass section of the octagonal restaurant allows diners to get a closer and clearer view of the beautiful marine life swimming around it. Think eating crab eggs Benedict or sipping champagne with turtles while diving in the Indian Ocean – this isn’t every day fish!
4. Underwater Wine Tasting
Our second exciting encounter will take place in the world’s first underwater wine cellar and restaurant. This time it was an underwater wine tasting with the resort’s sommelier who was knowledgeable and friendly. Arun told us some wine stories about profile bouquets and how they match different dishes and dishes. He told me that submerging champagne in the cellar would subtly change the taste of the wine and that the monthly period of wine soaking was equal to five years.
They also told us that guests arriving for special events asked for a bottle of Dom Pérignon to be bottled several months before their arrival. I’ve learned a lot but I have to admit it’s easy to get distracted when a group of turtles and eagle rays swim by your window.
5. Dining Under The Stars
The Rooftop SKY Bar at Anantara Kehawa Villas is a two-level lounge bar with comfortable chairs for stargazing from the open roof deck or for indoor stargazing at the Maldives’ most powerful hydro observatory.
Resort astronomers and SKY masters guide guests through a maze of stars and constellations. Guests exposed to light pollution will get a dramatic view of the planet’s stars and moons. Each session is limited to eight people and couples can order the special Honeymoon Stargazing option. This option allows you to name a star with the name of your loved one as a honeymoon gift.
6. Multinational Cuisines
Yes you are in Maldives. But that doesn’t mean you can’t eat as much as you can on the Mediterranean coast of Japan, Italy and Southeast Asia. JOALI Maldives is one of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives and this luxury is reflected in the dining experience.
There is a Japanese restaurant on Soke Island. Designed by world-renowned architect Noriyoshi Muramatsu this restaurant sits over the crystal clear waters surrounding the island for incredible views while the cast-iron skillet is the setting of choice for lovers to enjoy teppanyaki or katsu. .
Combine this with the experience of watching a great white tip shark circle the waters below the restaurant followed by fish attracted by the underwater lights and you have a very memorable meal.
7. Fine Dining With A Paired Menu
Japanese food one night Italian food the next. Want an Angus carpaccio seasoned by hand with truffle cream and truffle sauce and French champagne? How about Golden Crocus Risotto with Golden Brownies and Southern Chardonnay? Enjoy with a four course meal and wine pairing selected by LUX sommelier * Ari Atoll South.
Alegria Restaurant takes you from the Maldives to the Mediterranean. The menu is mostly Italian with fresh fish pasta, homemade gnocchi and wood fired pizzas. Alegria Winery can be ordered privately for a small group like us while tasting New World wines for a special occasion.
8. Cooking Course
On my first morning in this tropical country I enjoyed a traditional Maldivian breakfast and took a cooking class ending my trip to LUX* Atoll in South Ari and my Maldives culinary tour ended. Local food.
The avid chef demonstrates how the selective use of spices can enhance a very simple dish. Starting with bis chemistry like samosas we learned how to fill the dough with tons of sliced onions and stir-fried cabbage.
Next before the last dish we specialize in cabbage salad and coconut another unique traditional curry dish made with smoked tuna and coconut, mango anbu reha and chili.