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Fifteen years of fine dining at Baros Maldives
The landmark Lighthouse Restaurant at Baros Maldives is celebrating its 15th anniversary of fine dining with a special degustation menu.
The iconic, pinnacle-roofed restaurant on the shore of the legendary Maldivian luxury island resort of Baros is visible from miles away. Its opening in December 2005 elevated dining in the Maldives to an unrivalled level. Since then, the resort’s guests have been able to enjoy the pleasure of epicurean dining in a unique over-water setting.
With its eclectic selection of succulent local seafood, prime imported meat and modern classics infused with exotic flavour presented and served with style, the Lighthouse quickly won fame as an excellent dining destination in a breath-taking setting above the Baros lagoon.
For guests of Baros, dining in the Lighthouse at least once and enjoying magical sunset moments from the gallery of the Lighthouse Lounge has become an essential part of their stay.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary, the Lighthouse Chef, Nathif, has chosen the all-time favourites of guests to create an ‘Anniversary Degustation Menu’. Many dishes that are featured have been on the menu since the very beginning of The Lighthouse, satisfying returning guests who always request them.
The Lighthouse Cognac Flambéed Lobster Bisque prepared table-side from the Guéridon has become a favourite that many guests enjoy every evening. This will form part of the anniversary degustation menu.
Other popular highlights that are included are Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna Steak with Pan Fried Duck Foie Gras and Seared Medallions of 300-Day Grain-Fed Black Angus Beef Fillet.
The Lighthouse menu has evolved over the years as Chef Nathif and his brigade of skilled chefs know and understand what guests seek for the perfect evening of gourmet highlights accompanied by great wine.
The Lighthouse team has been recognised and awarded, nationally and internationally. Chef Nathif, who has worked at Baros for 16 years, has collected several prestigious awards over the years for culinary excellence.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved and we value every award we have received,” Chef Nathif said.
“However, the most valued award for our team is to have guests returning to dine with us. It is merely the best encouragement and acknowledgement when guests come back to the Lighthouse every day during their stay. It is not just the food, it’s also the setting and the team that make the dining experience exceptional.”
The six-course 15th Anniversary Degustation Menu is a perfect way to discover the fine food served at Baros and is available only at the Lighthouse Restaurant for a limited period.
The Lighthouse sommelier will assist guests with individualised wine pairing.
Baros is a boutique, private island of 75 overwater and beachside garden villas and white sand beaches set in a turquoise lagoon, just 25 minutes by speedboat from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport.
Guests can relax in a tranquil, tropical setting, embark on an amazing culinary journey in Baros’ three restaurants and bars, dine on a secluded sandbank or the unique Piano Deck in the middle of the lagoon as well as take part in memorable snorkelling experiences around the flourishing house-reef.
The resort has been welcoming guests since 1973, and has spent decades honing its services and cultivating its environment, making it a legendary resort.
Baros consistently wins prestigious awards from guests and travel professionals for quality accommodation and outstanding service excellence, and is a member of The Small Luxury Hotels Of The World.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
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.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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