Kandolhu Maldives has opened its fifth dining outlet Ata-Roa, serving up Mexico and Peru’s best street food.

The menu is straightforward, simple and light, with classic and unique takes on ceviche and tacos on offer. Due credit goes to Executive Chef Mickaël Farina whose recent trek across South America last year helped develop the concept of mouth-watering dishes being served.

Open daily (except Wednesdays) from 12-4pm, Ata-Roa has a strong emphasis on intimate service and authentic execution using the finest ingredients with focus on local. It is located on the Noovilu Sports jetty; guests are invited to sit down grill-side to watch their food being prepared by the skilled team while enjoying a gentle sea breeze and beautiful ocean views, or grab their selections take-out style and head back to their villa to enjoy. All is perfectly paired with Mexican beer and craft mescal and pisco cocktails.

The design and branding of Ata-Roa draws inspiration from the “Day of the Dead” Mexican traditions, and Peruvian Nazca lines, which add an additional level of authenticity and is already receiving wide acclaim from guests. The space will also be used as a pop-up location for various food-related events, including Spanish wine and Basque pintxo nights, and exclusive degustations with Chef Mickaël.

Ringed by an intricate yet stunning coral garden teeming with colourful reef fish, Kandolhu is a patch of paradise hidden in the North Ari Atoll and accessible by a 25-minute scenic seaplane flight. The resort offers just 30 villas in five different styles — Jacuzzi Beach Villas, Pool Villas, Duplex Pool Villas, Ocean Villas and Ocean Pool Villas — that feature local architecture with modern interiors.

Kandolhu, a small island resort of only 30 villas, is cleverly arranged to offer maximum privacy yet all within the space of only 200 square meters. It is also home to four gourmet restaurants, boasting the highest restaurant-to-room ratio in the Maldives.

Presenting five unique dining experiences available to all Kandolhu guests, the ambience and menu of each restaurant varies greatly: be entertained with a live show in Banzai, the Japanese teppanyaki, delight in an array of fresh seafood on offer in Sea Grill, sit back and gaze at the sparkling Indian Ocean from the Market or enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner in Olive with modern Mediterranean dishes on the card.

The intimate island resort also has a spa, and offers a range of recreational activities, including diving, snorkelling, water sports and excursions.