Connect with us

Gastronomy

PER AQUUM Niyama launches Nest – the wildest restaurant in the Maldives

Published

on

Nest - Niyama

Maldives.net.mv – A short trek from your luxury villa where you’ve cast away in the Dhaalu Atoll, you emerge in the heart of the jungle. Beneath the ancient branches of the banyan trees, you walk the planks of wooden pathways and wind through the forest trunks. Ascend spiralled stairs and step through the canopy along bridges flanked by bamboo rails. Leaves dance in an ecstatic shimmy. Tropical birds call out with sirens echoing through the treetops. Then a chilled sculpture of sashimi arrives in a globe of ice, a modern vessel for one of many Asian delicacies you will savour in your expedition at one of the Indian Ocean’s leading dining destinations.

Recently unveiled to the world’s connoisseurs, Nest at PER AQUUM Niyama in the Maldives invites the resort’s guests as well as gourmands from further afield to experience one of the wildest culinary journeys to be found in the Maldives. Despite being freshly hatched, Nest is already attracting attention and has been shortlisted for international design awards including ‘Sexiest Design’ at LE Miami.

Nest - Niyama

Design: Exploring the Surreal

Nest twirls and towers in the green heart of its island home. Conceptualised and brought to life by Singapore-based design firm Poole Associates, the multi-level tree house unfurls as a labyrinth of wooden paths, dining pods immersed in jungle greenery and thatched huts. Tables are nestled amongst the dense foliage and serpentine vines on the forest floor or on platforms elevated six metres up in the treetops.

Dining huts, one housing a teppan table, shelter guests beneath cavernous rooftops. From within, guests gaze up at a dramatic vaulted ceiling that soars high above in a steep dome of latticed beams and bamboo. At table level, accents of red lacquer and woven green furnishings merge oriental influences and an island aesthetic. 

Cuisine: Asian Avant-garde

To amuse your bouche, Nest begins each party’s meal with welcome nibbles that elevate Southeast Asia’s local-loved snacks. Lift off in the first moments with house-made prawn crackers, spicy sambal dips, and nut savouries kicked up a notch with crispy celery and kaffir lime leaves. Then delve into a selection of Asian regional fare from the groundbreaking menu.

Chef Jayadi Suwito explains, “My goal for this menu was to push and tease. Guests will find dishes from Asia’s most celebrated cuisines like Thai, Cantonese, Japanese – but they will also get a chance to discover lesser known culinary traditions with must-try sensational dishes from places like Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar.”

Guests revel in layers of flavours in salads, soups, curries, modern woks and Nest-only seafood specialties. The raw ingredients comprise freshly caught and flown-in harvests as well as seasonal produce from the Chef’s own island garden. Highlighted just-picked greens and other cultivars include mint, sweet basil, eggplants, cucumber, chilies and morning glory.

For a theatrical meal, the teppanyaki stage is the most desired table in the house. Guests may also go communal in typical Asian style with hot pot dining. Soon-to-launch highlights include the Korean grill and soju experience as well as Black Ivory coffee, the world’s most expensive roast.

The dessert menu indulges patrons with sweet finales fusing European confections and Asia’s lush tropical delights. No visit would be complete without an order of Nest’s signature dessert, Luwak Coffee Brûlée. Chef Jayadi infuses the rich cream custard with a secret recipe featuring Kopi Luwak essence and serves it accompanied by roasted banana ice cream.

Nest - Niyama

The Culinary Team

With such varied cuisines spanning the East, Nest requires a team of specialists to capture and re-imagine the intricacies of each tradition. The restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Jayadi, leads the brigade. Born on Indonesia’s exotic island of Lombok, he possesses nearly two decades of expertise gained in Asia’s finest kitchens. A trio of right-hand men lend their own genius and head up the restaurant’s Teppanyaki, Chinese and Thai offerings. To round out the artisanal cadre, a Sake master replaces the expected Sommelier position and curates an inspiring collection of Asian spirits.

Securing a Spot

Nest at PER AQUUM Niyama is open daily from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm and welcomes guests for its savage-chic fine dining experience with a smart-casual dress code. First-priority reservations go to PER AQUUM guests, but outside parties are welcome to contact the resort to secure a table and glimpse life on ‘Nature’s Playground’.

As one of the hottest gourmet destinations in the Maldives, other dining options at PER AQUUM Niyama include Tribal, the innovative African dining experience, fine dining at Edge, which is only accessible by boat, Subsix, the underwater playground and BLU, the laid-back beachfront restaurant where Miami meets the Mediterranean.

For more information on Nest go to: http://niyama.peraquum.com/dining/Nest/

Cooking

Michelin-Star magic: Chef Igles Corelli to host exclusive culinary week at Lily Beach Resort

Published

on

Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announce an exclusive culinary collaboration with renowned Italian chef and Gambero Rosso TV personality, Michelin-Star Chef Igles Corelli. This special event will take place from 11th to 18th August 2025, bringing Corelli’s award-winning expertise and distinctive culinary philosophy to the Maldives for an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Chef Igles Corelli rose to national and international prominence during the 1980s and 1990s as the head chef of the legendary Il Trigabolo in Ferrara, where he earned two Michelin stars and played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era of Italian cuisine. He later founded La Locanda della Tamerice, which earned another Michelin star, and served as executive chef of Atman, further solidifying his reputation for innovation and excellence in the culinary world.

In 2012, Chef Corelli introduced the concept of Circular Cooking on the Gambero Rosso Channel—a zero-waste culinary philosophy that aligns seamlessly with Lily Beach’s commitment to mindful, ingredient-focused cuisine.

Lily Beach is internationally celebrated for its pristine natural beauty, five-star hospitality, and world-class dining experiences. With a wide array of restaurants and bars, the resort offers something to please every palate—from refined à la carte dinners and vibrant live cooking stations to fresh, global cuisine served in relaxed, beachfront settings. Culinary highlights include gourmet international buffets at Lily Maa and signature overwater Asian fusion at Tamarind, each meal elevated by breathtaking ocean views and genuine Maldivian warmth.

During his stay, Chef Corelli will conduct a full-day training session with the resort’s in-house culinary team, culminating in a one-night-only Signature Dinner for guests. In addition, he will curate a daily ‘Dish of the Day’ featured on AQVA Restaurant’s lunch menu throughout the week.

This collaboration reflects Lily Beach’s ongoing dedication to providing exceptional gastronomic experiences. Guests will enjoy the rare opportunity to explore the artistry of a chef who has shaped the course of Italian cuisine and inspired generations of culinary professionals.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Maldives’ South Ari Atoll, this culinary event promises a week of elevated dining, innovation, and unforgettable flavours.

Continue Reading

Drink

Tea meets tradition: The Art of Tea cocktail collection debuts at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo

Published

on

In celebration of World Cocktail Day (May 13), Mercure Maldives Kooddoo has introduced ‘The Art of Tea,’ a curated menu of tea-infused cocktails crafted in collaboration with Art of Tea, the award-winning luxury tea brand founded by renowned Master Tea Blender and CEO Steve Schwartz.

This exclusive menu seamlessly blends organic small-batch teas with premium spirits and island-inspired ingredients, offering guests a slow, sensory cocktail experience.

Art of Tea is internationally recognised for its dedication to organic sourcing, sustainable practices, and hand-blended selections that honour both ancient traditions and modern wellness principles. While its teas are available throughout the day at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, the new cocktail collection adds a fresh layer of discovery.

Steve Schwartz, Founder and Master Tea Blender at Art of Tea, explained, “At Art of Tea, we believe in the transformative power of tea. Bringing our handcrafted blends into the cocktail experience at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo is an invitation for guests to explore tea in a new, sensory way — where tradition meets innovation in every sip.”

Tea-based cocktails are not merely a twist on the familiar; they represent a transformation. The inclusion of tea introduces natural complexity, depth of flavour, and subtle health benefits, resulting in drinks that are both sophisticated and refreshing. Each blend offers unique tasting notes, ranging from floral to smoky, spicy to citrusy, balancing seamlessly with spirits and house-made syrups.

Featured Cocktails from The Art of Tea Menu

  • Coco Bloom – White coconut tea, rum, Malibu, coconut and strawberry syrup, lemon juice
  • Velvet Noir – Dark chocolate peppermint tea, vodka, triple sec, mojito syrup, lemon
  • Sunrise Spiritz – Bright Eyed tea, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, sugar syrup
  • Masala Mule – Masala chai tea, Armagnac, triple sec, sugar syrup, lemon
  • Mint Mirage – Pacific Mint tea, beer, blue curaçao, mojito syrup, lemon
  • Grey Royale – Earl Grey tea, whisky, cucumber and mojito syrup, lemon juice

Whether guests are sipping Velvet Noir at sunset, enjoying Coco Bloom under the palms, or winding down the day with Earl Grey and whisky, The Art of Tea menu offers an elegant way to pause, reflect, and experience something new, all with the Indian Ocean as a backdrop.

Continue Reading

Cooking

Ifuru Island Maldives’ Social House introduces authentic Indian Thali experience

Published

on

Ifuru Island Maldives has unveiled its newest culinary journey: the Indian Thali at Social House. This signature dining experience pays homage to the vibrant flavours, diversity, and cultural warmth of Indian cuisine, reimagined in the heart of the Maldives.

Inspired by Ayurveda’s Six Taste Theory, the Indian Thali is designed to provide a perfectly balanced meal that nourishes both body and soul. Guests can savour an array of authentic dishes that reflect India’s culinary soul, presented with the modern flair and island elegance that define Ifuru Island.

The Thali includes a generous spread of delights such as Jhinga Laziz, Butter Chicken, Boti Masala, Dal Makhani, Palak Paneer, Chana Masala, Tomato Rasam, served alongside Jeera Rice, Paratha, Mango Chutney, Masala Onion, Papadum, and a decadent Gulab Jamun Cheesecake.

“Crafting this Indian Thali has been a labour of love,” says Nadedja Bouacha, Executive Chef at Ifuru Island Maldives. “Each element is carefully prepared to honour India’s diverse culinary heritage while offering our guests a rich, comforting, and authentic experience in a setting as extraordinary as our island.”

The Indian Thali is now available at Social House, the resort’s popular dining venue known for blending global flavors with local flair and laid-back luxury.

Whether you’re a fan of Indian cuisine or a first-time explorer, the Indian Thali at Ifuru Island is a celebration of culture, taste, and mindful eating.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.