Cooking
Amilla Fushi adds Mystique Garden to magical destination dining locations
The evolution of the island dining experience continues apace at maverick Maldivian home from home, Amilla Fushi, with the unveiling of its newest destination dining space: the magical Mystique Garden.
Wreathed in banyans and coconut palms in the lush heart of the island, this hidden, lantern-lit glade is a reflection of the fresh, creative approach of Amilla’s chefs, offering guests an enchanting new personalised private dining experience with a dash of Amilla’s signature sparkle.
Guests entering the Mystique Garden can let their imagination run wild with a bespoke menu tailored to their personal tastes by a dedicated private chef, or delve into Amilla’s carefully crafted, family-style destination dining set menus. Mouthwatering options include a succulent Seafood BBQ where oysters, prawns, squid and reef fish take centre stage; an Asian inspired feast featuring Peking duck, Hong Kong noodles and a Royal Tandoori selection; or an Arabian grill showcasing shrimp majboos, lahem meshwi, kofta, shish taouk, lamb ouzi and fish sharmola. The vibrant Vegetarian BBQ menu includes gnocchi, wild mushroom risotto, mixed tandoori with fruit chat, BBQ baked sweet potato and marinated vegetable skewers.
Providing a fairytale, festival-inspired sylvan counterpoint to the Robinson Crusoe vibes of destination dining on the island’s sandbank, the new Mystique Garden is the latest chapter in the story of culinary creativity currently unfolding at Amilla.
The resort also recently announced a year-long series of pop-up residencies by some of the hottest names in the business, kicking off with a four-stage partnership with Gordon Ramsay’s celebrated Bread Street Kitchen at Barolo Grill at Baazaar. The first Bread Street Kitchen pop-up is underway right now, with three more confirmed for October 16-27, December 19 to January 10 and March 23 to April 7, 2018.
The upcoming calendar of residencies further underlines Amilla’s deserved reputation for culinary excellence and creativity, complementing the sophisticated, gourmet Emperor General Store café-deli, the carefully curated fine wines and artisanal cheeses at the island’s The Wine Shop and Cellar Door. Amilla’s fabulous 60-cover, signature over-water restaurant Feeling Koi — brainchild of the resort’s curator and CEO of the Small Maldives Island Co., Mark Hehir — showcases a selection of artfully crafted sushi, nigiri and sashimi in Japanese-inspired minimalist surroundings, with a private open-air dining room and open deck seating by the water’s edge and an open kitchen.
Located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Amilla Fushi offers guests a choice of 71 rooms with the smallest measuring a generous 200 square metres, and the largest a palatial 3,000 square metres. The Javvu Spa, located in the silent, verdant garden of the Wild Grove, offers 15 treatment rooms as well as yoga and fitness pavilions.
Cooking
Kandolhu Maldives announces culinary collaboration with Chef Fabrizio Zanetti
Following a season of culinary collaborations, Kandolhu Maldives has announced that Executive Chef Fabrizio Zanetti will visit the resort this October for a series of dining events.
The resort said the programme would offer guests an opportunity to experience Zanetti’s cuisine through a number of exclusive dining experiences.
Originally from St Moritz, Zanetti has led the kitchens at Hotel Suvretta House in St Moritz for more than a decade. The five-star Suvretta House, built in 1912 by Swiss hotelier Anton Bon, recently opened a new 4,670-square metre spa for the 2025-2026 winter season.
Zanetti has also worked at Michelin-starred establishments including Baur au Lac in Zurich and Savoy Grill in London. His work has been recognised with 17 points in the Gault-Millau Guide 2025 and the Mérite Culinaire Suisse award. In 2024, he was also named Gault-Millau Rising Star of the Year.
The collaboration at Kandolhu Maldives will begin on Wednesday, 14 October, with a three-course à la carte lunch at The Market.
A four-course dinner will follow on Saturday, 17 October, at Olive Restaurant. The evening will begin with a meet-and-greet with Chef Zanetti before dinner is served.
On Wednesday, 21 October, Olive Restaurant will also host a five-course Wine and Dine event, which will include a personal introduction from the chef.
Kandolhu Maldives said each evening event at Olive Restaurant would be limited to 22 guests, offering an intimate dining setting overlooking the Indian Ocean. The resort has encouraged guests to reserve early for the programme.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents a new chapter in destination dining with the launch of its Secret Garden concept, a thoughtfully designed experience that brings guests into a secluded setting surrounded by nature, soft lighting, and carefully curated details.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, Secret Garden is created for those moments that deserve more than a traditional dinner. The space is styled with flowing drapes, warm candlelight, and natural greenery, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels both personal and special. It is a setting that invites guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
At the centre of the experience is a seven-course menu, crafted to guide guests through a balanced journey of flavours. Each course is presented with care, with live cooking moments adding a sense of theatre and interaction throughout the evening. The service remains attentive yet discreet, allowing the experience to feel seamless and uninterrupted.
Guests can choose between two tailored offerings. The Romantic Escape focuses on the dining experience itself, complemented by a beautifully arranged setup and personalised service. For those looking to extend the evening, the Ultimate Romance Experience adds thoughtful touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, a private cinema moment under the open sky, in-villa breakfast the next day, and special bed decoration to complete the occasion.
The concept also allows for additional customisation, from floral arrangements to bespoke messages and decorative details, giving guests the flexibility to shape the evening around their celebration, whether it is a birthday, proposal, or simply a meaningful time together.
With Secret Garden, Kuredhivaru continues to expand its dining experiences beyond traditional venues, offering guests something more personal and immersive. It reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, where every detail is considered, and each experience is designed to feel natural, effortless, and quietly memorable.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 6563000.
-
Action1 week agoEri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
-
Honeymoon1 week agoCentara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers secluded island experiences for couples
-
Awards7 days agoKuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
-
Awards1 week agoAngsana Velavaru achieves 4.8 rating in British Airways Customer Awards
-
Action1 week agoFour Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa to stage 14th edition of Surfing Champions Trophy
-
Cooking1 week agoBaros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
-
Drink1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi showcases mixology collaboration during Easter programme
-
Featured1 week agoGrand Park Kodhipparu to host lunar-themed experiences in May


