Cooking
Soneva Jani unveils new seasonal menu at Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren
Soneva Jani, the iconic over-water resort in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll, has introduced a new seasonal menu at Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren.
The dining destination, which takes its name from its spectacular location in the Soneva Jani lagoon, celebrates the best of local ingredients – from seafood caught sustainably in nearby waters, to fruit and vegetables grown in the resort’s own organic gardens.
With its laid-back ambiance and remarkable ocean views, the restaurant offers a fun, casual dining experience for guests with an emphasis on high-quality cuisine and service.

One of Sweden’s most decorated chefs, Mathias Dahlgren’s menu focuses on modern pescatarian, vegetarian and plant-based dishes, with single plates, sharing platters and a Chef’s Choice menu served for lunch and dinner. More than half of the new menu was developed especially for Overseas, inspired by the abundance of exquisite locally sourced produce.
Highlights from the à la carte menu showcase Chef Dahlgren’s food philosophy, which he calls ‘natural cuisine’, where ‘fun dining is the new fine dining’.

With an incredible depth of flavour, a sharing plate of deep-fried corn is served with tarragon mayonnaise, smoked bell pepper powder and garlic oil.
The avocado toast, set to become a signature classic, is served with leaves, herbs, sprouts and flowers from the Soneva Jani gardens, flavoured with lime, jalapeno and sea salt.
A meltingly tender yellowfin tuna carpaccio is brushed with a piquant wasabi emulsion and served with cress, lemon skin and white onion.

Sides include deep-fried Brussels sprouts dressed with aromatic coriander and chilli, and mashed green peas, with chilli, brown butter, mint and black pepper.
The delectable choice of desserts includes a tempting cherry sorbet, teamed with fizz and freshly picked oxalis, and ice cream made from local coconuts, served in its shell with toasted coconut flakes.
With three savoury dishes, accompanied by one side and followed by dessert, the Chef’s Choice is a delicious way to experience Mathias Dahlgren’s culinary vision which lets the ingredients shine.

This tasting menu changes on a daily basis to reflect the very best produce sourced that day.
Running two acclaimed restaurants in his native Stockholm – the award-winning Matbaren and the vegetarian eatery Rutabaga – as well as the Green Rabbit rye bread bakery, and author of numerous best-selling cookbooks, Chef Dahlgren is considered one of Sweden’s finest chefs.
He is still Sweden’s only chef to have won the prestigious Bocuse d’Or, and has been named ‘Chef of Chefs’ eight times to date by the country’s top critics.
“I’m really inspired for a new season of cooking at Soneva Jani here in the beautiful Maldives,” says Mathias Dahlgren.
“Our concept of local greens and regional seafood remains the same, but this year we have incorporated more à la carte dishes and more flexibility into the menu for diners.”

Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren launched in 2020 as part of the new Soneva Jani Chapter Two. This exciting new era for the resort includes luxurious new Water Reserves and island villas, three innovative dining concepts and ‘Soneva Unlimited’, an indulgent new way to experience all that Soneva Jani has to offer.
Inspired by the Sanskrit word for ‘wisdom’, Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll.
Found within a 5.6-kilometre lagoon, it is one of the world’s lowest-density resorts, with uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. It is just a 15-minute complimentary speedboat journey from the nearby Maafaru International Airport, or 35 minutes by seaplane from Malé.
The resort has 51 over-water and three island villas, split between Chapter One, Soneva Jani’s original, iconic offering, and the newly launched Chapter Two.
In Chapter One, the Water Retreats range from one to four bedrooms, with large terraces, private pools and open-air bathrooms, with most featuring water slides straight into the lagoon. On the island, a Two Bedroom Crusoe Residence is a beachside hideaway, with a private pool and spacious open-plan living areas.
In Chapter Two, the Water Reserves offer even more space, luxury and privacy, while the vast three- and four-bedroom Island Reserves have extensive indoor and outdoor living spaces, private spa facilities and rainforest gardens.
All Soneva Jani villas come with a Barefoot Butler, offering a personalised service 24/7.
Every guest staying in a Chapter Two overwater or island villa will also benefit from Soneva Unlimited, an indulgent new offering that enables them to experience every facet of the resort within the price of their stay – including unlimited dining and drinks, limitless experiences, unlimited wellness therapies and more.
Magical experiences are designed to create unforgettable memories. Guests can explore the constellations with the resident astronomer at the Observatory, or watch a classic movie at the over-water silent Cinema Paradiso, using Bose headphones so as not to disturb the nearby nesting turtles. They can join the resident Marine Biologist to plant corals, spot dolphins on a sunset cruise, have a sunrise breakfast on a deserted beach, or explore the atoll’s best reefs with experienced dive masters.
Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, a three-storey structure at the heart of the Chapter One jetty, including the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and Wine Cellar.
Eleven dining concepts, both at The Gathering and around the island, offer a tempting array of cuisines for every taste, alongside an ever-changing line-up of Michelin-starred guest chefs through the Soneva Stars calendar. Guests can also indulge at the complimentary chocolate, ice cream and cheese and charcuterie parlours.
A haven for families, there is an ever-changing weekly programme of activities and experiences to keep children of all ages entertained. Older children and teens can also learn during their stay with Soneva Academy, which offers a range of fascinating courses, including the marine life of the Maldives and the Adventure of the Corbin, an ancient shipwreck.
Cooking
Baros Maldives’ The Lighthouse to present Duval-Leroy champagne pairing experience
Baros Maldives invites guests and discerning epicureans to an exclusive Champagne pairing dinner at The Lighthouse, the island’s iconic fine-dining restaurant, on 4 March 2026. Hosted for one evening only by Louis Duval-Leroy, family representative and Brand Ambassador of Maison Duval-Leroy, the intimate five-course experience celebrates the harmony between refined gastronomy and Champagne craftsmanship.
Perched above the Indian Ocean with panoramic ocean views, The Lighthouse is synonymous with Baros’ culinary philosophy. Long regarded as a benchmark for fine dining in the Maldives, the restaurant is known for its elegant setting, considered menus, and a focus on precision and technique. This one-night collaboration brings together Baros’ culinary team and the heritage of one of Champagne’s notable family-owned houses.
Founded in 1859, Maison Duval-Leroy is recognised for its Chardonnay-driven style, contemporary approach, and commitment to terroir and sustainability. Independent and family-owned for six generations, the House has been a pioneer in responsible viticulture, becoming the first Champagne house to achieve ISO 9002 certification in 1994, followed by Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification in 2015.
Representing the sixth generation, Louis Duval-Leroy brings both heritage and a modern perspective to the estate. With a background in business and extensive commercial experience, he has developed close relationships with chefs and sommeliers across the international fine-dining community. During the evening, he will personally guide guests through each cuvée, sharing insights into the philosophy, craftsmanship, and stories behind every Champagne.
The five-course menu has been carefully curated to complement the character of each pairing. Highlights include Smoked Goat Cheese Parfait with golden beets, paired with Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve; a Black Cod Mosaic matched with Brut Rosé Prestige Premier Cru; and a Lemon Meringue Tart served alongside Prestige Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs.
The Duval-Leroy Champagne Pairing Dinner offers an opportunity to experience Baros Maldives through destination dining, heritage Champagne, and an oceanfront setting.
With limited seating available, advance reservations are recommended. For bookings and enquiries, please contact +960 664 2672 or email reservations@baros.com.
Cooking
Michelin-starred Chef Jaume collaborates with One&Only Reethi Rah’s TAPASAKE for four-hands dinner
TAPASAKE Maldives, the destination dining restaurant set in the private island of One&Only Reethi Rah, will be welcoming Michelin-starred Chef Jaume to serve an exclusive four-hands dinner at the iconic overwater restaurant alongside their resident Chef Ahmed Jameel.
The first of its kind since the inception of One&Only Reethi Rah, TAPASAKE Maldives features breathtaking ocean views, bold contemporary design, and dining experiences that unite the precision of Japan and the soul of the Mediterranean in a flowing exchange of flavour, texture, and culture. In addition to the original restaurant in the Maldives, TAPASAKE also operates in Dubai, Mauritius, and Montenegro.
The exclusive collaboration features the authentic and sophisticated artistry of Chef Jaume, originally from Mallorca and Head Chef of Béns d’Avall in Sóller, Spain, awarded one Michelin star since 2021 and a Michelin Green Star in 2023. Chef Jaume’s cuisine is deeply rooted in family tradition, cultural heritage, and the Mallorcan landscapes, and with his meticulous eye for detail and instinctive sense of harmony, Chef Jaume transforms local, seasonal produce into refined compositions that evoke memory, place, and authenticity. Chef Jaume will be collaborating with the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Ahmed Jameel, a native of the Maldives whose culinary work is founded in balancing both traditional and contemporary Japanese techniques.

Set against the soothing backdrop of the azure Indian Ocean, the Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptionally curated menu celebrating Chef Jaume and Chef Jameel’s quiet artistry, refined technique, and harmonious blend of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines, with each dish shaped to honour the purity of ingredients and the emotional power of flavour.
“We are excited to collaborate with Chef Jaume on this exclusive dining experience,” says Jan B. Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah. “Paired with Chef Jameel’s refined techniques and Chef Jaume’s sophisticated creativity and philosophy grounded in a deep respect for nature, this Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptional evening to celebrate the fusion of soulful cuisine against the spectacular backdrop of the Maldives.”
The dinner will be held exclusively on 18 February at TAPASAKE Maldives, which will be open from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
For pre-bookings and more information, please email guest.information@oneandonlyreethirah.com or call +960 664 8800. For more information about the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com.
Cooking
ONDA debuts at The Standard, Maldives as new Mediterranean dining venue
The Standard, Maldives is making waves with the debut of ONDA. More than just a restaurant, ONDA (meaning “wave”) is an energetic, sophisticated take on Mediterranean cuisine, designed to be the most exciting dining destination in the region. Delivering bold, soulful food with a “come-as-you-are” vibe, ONDA flips the script on typical resort dining by replacing formality with pure, sun-drenched enjoyment.
“ONDA is a commitment to the playful, unconventional spirit of The Standard,” says Justin Swart, General Manager. “We aren’t just breaking the mold; we’re setting a new benchmark for fresh, flavorful experiences that are truly full of life.”

Led by Chef David Hartwig, a visionary with a Michelin-starred pedigree, ONDA is a passion project rooted in the philosophy of “Close to Nature, Close to Tradition.” His menu celebrates pristine Maldivian seafood through a Mediterranean lens.
Signature dishes include:
- Red Snapper Crudo: A tribute to local waters, utilising traditional curing methods paired with a high-umami citrus vinaigrette—the “hero” of Mediterranean fruit.
- Caramelle Scampi with Chives: Hand-crafted pasta paired with succulent scampi in a refined, chive-infused bouillabaisse foam.
- ONDA Bouillabaisse: A lighter, vibrant reimagining of the French classic, utilising a base of scampi heads and herbs sourced from neighbouring islands.
- Amalfi Lemon Cake: A moist, citrus-forward sponge that captures the aromatic essence of the Mediterranean coast.

The beverage programme at ONDA reimagines classics through house-made cordials, tinctures, and infusions. The aspiration is to treat every cocktail as a sensory voyage.
- Golden Drift: A smoky, citrus journey of aquavit, sherry, and pineapple, inspired by Mediterranean sunsets.
- ONDA Spritz: A sparkling ode to coastal gardens featuring tangerine sherbet and woodruff tincture.
- Mindful Drinking: A sophisticated 0% cocktail selection ensures every guest enjoys the same complexity and flair without the alcohol.
The wine programme at ONDA is curated to tell a story of heritage. From the crisp minerality of a Joseph Drouhin Chablis 2022 to the prestige of Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore, the list is designed for the discerning palate. Our team focuses on the “why” behind every bottle, explaining the significance of labels like Chapoutier’s 2017 Chrysopée to ensure perfect harmony with Chef Hartwig’s menu.

ONDA is here to stay, rewriting the rules for island dining. It’s the brand’s definitive answer to luxury without pretension, an anchor point for flavour and fun that promises to be just as fresh and exhilarating as the Maldivian waves it’s named after. The New Wave of Culinary Excellence has officially Arrived at The Standard Maldives, proving ONDA is exactly what The Standard does best: taking the typical resort dining experience and flipping it on its head.
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