Drink
Soneva Fushi opens new overwater dining destination Out of the Blue
Soneva Fushi has opened Out of the Blue, its latest dining destination.
The two-storey overwater structure houses five brand new dining experiences, from intimate settings of just five diners presided over by world-famous chefs, to large alfresco shared dining areas.

Aerial view of Out of the Blue. PHOTO/ SONEVA
Central to this new dining outlet is the eponymous 50-seater, all-day dining area Out of the Blue, which hosts a number of different kitchens offering international dishes such as pizza, salad, grilled meats and seafood. This space shares a seating area with the Chinese and Modern Japanese Kitchens and lets guests choose between sitting under cover or on the open deck. Here guests will also find So Hot, which includes the Tandoor Oven, Robata Grill, Josper Grill, Pizza Oven and So Chilled, the chocolate and ice-cream parlour. So Fresh is the first overwater organic greenhouse in the Maldives, where guests can hand-pick the ingredients they wish to have in their salad themselves. Soneva Fushi’s cheese room, So Cheesy, is also part of the offerings.
Some of the most famous names in the culinary world will be hosting dinners at Once Upon a Table, only open for dinner. The unusual horseshoe-shaped table seats a mere eight diners for up-close and personal dining experiences with Michelin-starred chefs and chefs from San Pellegrino’s Top 100 list. Included in this lineup are more than 30 of the world’s top chefs. Once Upon a Table has no menu, meaning dinners are always a surprise.

Ounce Upon a Table at Out of the Blue dining destination. PHOTO/ SONEVA
So Hand’s On is the dedicated sushi counter, seating five diners for lunch and dinner. This outlet will see some of the world’s best sushi chefs visiting it throughout the year, notably Chef Kenji Gyoten, who is cooking in August at So Hands On. He is the youngest three Michelin-starred chef in Japan, and one of the four three-starred sushi chefs in the world. During the rest of the year, Chef Akira Koba, a highly-trained sushi chef, will be running the table.
Soneva Fushi opens its first Teppanyaki table with So Bespoke, an open-air restaurant with western views of the Baa atoll. Chef Katushiro To, a famous Teppanyaki chef from Japan, will be grilling and barbecuing year-round for just eight diners, for lunch and dinner.
The Chinese Kitchen will be serving modern Chinese cuisine. The Modern Japanese Kitchen, run by Soneva Fushi’s Chef Nikki, is set to serve delicacies such as modern sashimi, torched wagyu, black cod and other Japanese favourites, all with a contemporary twist. Both of these outlets are open for lunch and come with a wine selection of 250 varieties of magnums, as well as a large selection of sakes and wines by the glass.

Finally, the Bar and Cellar is where guests can choose from the extensive beverage encyclopaedia, that includes a selection of 200 expertly chosen high-end wines by the glass. A wide selection of beers, spirits and cocktails will also be on offer, as well as freshly squeezed juices and specialty teas and coffees. Open all day, every day, the Bar and Cellar seats 30 pax.

The new launch forms part of Soneva’s Festival of Colour, where a different activity is celebrated each month across Soneva’s resorts.
Soneva Fushi’s Out of the Blue is set to further expand upon the resorts already extensive dining options, visiting chefs from around the world will be showcasing their culinary skills and creations for guests year round as part of Soneva’s Festival of Colour.
In February, Soneva launched its first ever year-long campaign known as a ‘Festival of Colour’ to celebrate the diverse array of guest activities and experiences on offer this year. Soneva has confirmed a huge line-up of visiting experts, including chefs, authors, wine producers, world-champion free-divers, astronomers, artists, wellness practitioners, tennis coaches and more at all resorts. Soneva’s Festival of Colour runs from February 2018 – February 2019.
Established in 1995, Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 65 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden amongst dense foliage.
The iconic resort has bagged several international awards for eco-friendly tourism and green initiatives, including the 2017 Green Hotelier Award for the Asia Pacific region and the Sustainable Hotel Award by the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) as well as a spot in the Gold List compiled by Condé Nast Traveler China as the Best Hotel in the Maldives and amongst the best resorts in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.
Drink
Lily Beach announces guest bartender residency featuring Vyacheslav Kasitsyn
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced an exclusive guest bartender residency featuring Vyacheslav Kasitsyn, one of the most prominent figures in Moscow’s contemporary bar scene, from 2nd to 10th May 2026.
Vyacheslav is the Bar Manager of The Carlton Lounge & Bar at The Carlton, Moscow, one of the city’s most sophisticated social destinations. He began his career at the award-winning City Space Bar, recognised both in Russia and internationally, before contributing to a number of standout bar and restaurant projects at Lucky Group.
Renowned for crafting modern classics with precision and narrative depth, Vyacheslav’s cocktails reflect refined technique, contemporary elegance, and a strong sense of place. Each creation tells a story-balancing innovation with timeless style, elegance and style.
During his residency at Lily Beach, guests will experience a curated cocktail menu inspired by Moscow’s dynamic bar culture, reimagined within the island’s luxury setting. Exclusive evening showcases and limited-edition signatures will highlight his artistry.
This special collaboration underscores Lily Beach’s commitment to delivering elevated culinary and beverage experiences -where global expertise meets barefoot Maldivian luxury.
At Lily Beach the Platinum Plan seamlessly unites exceptional dining with premium inclusions, creating one of the Maldives’ most distinguished all-inclusive experiences. Guests indulge in diverse buffet and à la carte offerings across multiple restaurants, complemented by an extensive selection of premium wines, spirits, signature cocktails, and a replenished minibar. Elevating the culinary journey further, Les Turquoise d’Aqua proudly received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2024, underscoring the resort’s commitment to world-class wine curation. From elegant beachfront dinners to relaxed overwater settings, every moment is thoughtfully crafted to deliver refined flavour, variety, and effortless luxury.
For reservations and further information, please visit the resort’s website.
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi showcases mixology collaboration during Easter programme
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort hosted a two-day Behind the Bar experience as part of its Easter programme, bringing together contemporary mixology and craft-led guest experiences.
The event featured collaborations with Modernhaus, led by Bar Manager Upay Aldi, and The Cocktail Club, represented by Co-Founder Mirwansyah Bule, both from Indonesia. Over two evenings, guests were invited to engage with the bartenders’ techniques, flavour profiles and creative processes, with Modernhaus recognised among Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
The programme included a curated selection of cocktails prepared using ingredients such as cempaka-infused whisky, hibiscus ginger maple, wasabi spirit, jasmine peach, coconut chai milk, salted tamarind, yuzu whey, salted fino sherry, sake gomme, guava vodka, Thai tea liqueur and malic. The offerings reflected a combination of tropical elements and contemporary mixology methods.
The first evening took place at Kata, the resort’s Japanese-fusion restaurant, where the experience was set against sunset views over the lagoon. The second evening was held at Raha Market in a beachside setting, offering a more informal atmosphere while maintaining the focus on crafted cocktails.
The event formed part of Sirru Fen Fushi’s ongoing programming, which centres on curated guest experiences and collaborations with international talent in food and beverage.
Cooking
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch
Modern travellers increasingly view a destination as a collection of flavours to be explored, often reserving their dining experiences at the same moment they book their stay to ensure a true sense of discovery.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has embraced this trend, aligning its “Premium Island Experience” with exclusive chef residencies that transform an island stay into a sophisticated, curated sensory adventure. This approach reflects the resort’s core philosophy in reimagining the guest experience in its 15 dining venues and bars.

Central to this refined vision, the resort’s Easter programme debuted with a bespoke four-course residency masterminded by Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch. Collaborating closely with Executive Chef Putu Wijana and Beverage Manager & Sommelier Sunil Kumar, Pietsch ensured every ingredient achieved a sensual harmony with its chosen vintage pairing—a true study in the art of culinary chemistry.

The residency was hosted at Islander’s Grill, the resort’s beachfront destination, where the “Land & Sea” menu showcased technical precision through signatures such as Hand-Cut Beef Tartare finished with a silken yolk and garden botanicals; Lightly Cured Cod jewelled with Beluga Caviar; and a succulent Beef Cheek with Seared Foie Gras and winter truffle.
The experience concluded with a Topfen Dumpling accented by papaya, yogurt, and almond. The menu featured curated pairings, including French Champagne and a selection of prestigious French and Italian wines.

“We strive for a synergy between Michelin-standard precision and the evocative pulse of local and regional provenance. This marriage of world-class craft enables us to elevate our flavour profile, establishing a new lineage of bespoke dishes that honour our heritage while setting a sophisticated benchmark for the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi dining experience,” highlighted Abdulla Atham, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort Manager.
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