Baros Maldives has introduced a new and unique pop-up à la carte restaurant on a sandbank, creating an unforgettable Maldivian experience for its guests.

In an announcement, Baros said guests are taken to the sandbank on a speedboat to be greeted with a glass of champagne in time to watch a magnificent sunset. Although this is a temporary “pop-up” event on a sandbank, it is presented and run as a gourmet dining experience typical of a fine restaurant, with exemplary attention to detail and guests’ requirements, it added.

“Pop up restaurants have appeared in city streets, wilderness parks and now, for the first time, on a secluded sandbank in the Indian Ocean. Dining on a sandbank under the stars as the sea gently laps the sand, a soft breeze cools the evening, lanterns flicker and chefs create gastronomic treats in the open air, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” the announcement read.

Baros said seven chefs are on hand to prepare guests’ choices from the a la carte menu of a Maldivian, Mediterranean or tandoori seafood platter for two, or a mixed grill platter of foie gras, beef, lamb and chicken. A salad bar, and a sushi and sashimi station are also setup on the sandbank, while a selection of premium wines from the cellar of the resort’s renowned Lighthouse Restaurant is available from the sandbank sommelier; all complemented with classic table service provided by attentive waiters, it added.

According to Baros, the first pop-up restaurant on the sandbank in March was such a success that it has now become a regular event, depending on guest demand and weather conditions. Guests have commented that they like the combination of being served gourmet cuisine under the stars in the simple setting of the sandbank, because this creates an unforgettable, pure Maldivian island experience, the resort said.

The evening begins at 5pm with a short cruise to the sandbank in time for sunset. Dinner is served as the stars start to twinkle in the night sky with the elegant event continuing in a leisurely fashion until the boat ride back to the resort at 9pm.

This unique pop-up restaurant is open to all guests of Baros, but reservations have to be made in advance as numbers are limited. The entire evening, including boat ride there and back, a glass of champagne, a delicious selection of salads and Japanese fare, a choice of platters and an enticing selection of desserts is from US$200 to US$250 per person (excluding beverages, service charge and taxes) according to the platter chosen.

Baros is a small coral island in the Indian Ocean ringed by a sandy beach and a living house-reef, just 25 minutes by speedboat from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport. It is an award-winning boutique resort renowned for discreet, personalised service excellence.