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New menus at Baros Maldives’ iconic Lighthouse Restaurant, Cayenne’s new grill house concept
Baros is well-known for its exquisite dining experiences ranging from gourmet picnics on deserted island sandbanks, romantic Dhoni dinner cruises and champagne breakfasts on the piano deck, water below and all around. And now Baros’ dining experiences have become even more elaborate with the introduction of sophisticated grill house dining at Cayenne and a new à la carte menu with two new degustation menus at the iconic Lighthouse Restaurant.
Foodies can indulge in modern fine dining at the overwater The Lighthouse Restaurant which is perfectly positioned in the crystal-clear turquoise lagoon and fashioned after the lateen-sails of a traditional dhoni sailing vessel.
Chef Pasindu, Chef de Cuisine of The Lighthouse Restaurant, has created two new bold degustation menus and an exciting new à la carte menu. Highlights of the ‘Discover’ degustation menu include the Foie Gras entrée – nori poached duck liver with pistachio, cacao, fruit gastrique, brioche and acai berry which is complemented by Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2020 from South Australia.
The Prawn Carabineros and pan seared Kobe are inspired main course dishes. Guests will delight in the lightly charred prawns served with roasted sweet potato, seasonal baby vegetables and a spicy mango chutney bisque and paired with ‘M de Minuty’ 2020 Rosé from Côtes de Provence, France. The Kobe is served with potato and truffle puree, seasonal baby vegetables, crispy kale and a barbeque Jack Daniel jus which is brilliantly paired with Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend 2019 from Stellenbosch, South Africa.
A focal feature of the ‘experience’ degustation menu is the goat cheese mousse and textures of fresh fruit entrée paired with a Sileni Estates Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021 from Marlborough, New Zealand.
A highlight of the à la carte ‘Ocean’ selection is the Mahi Mahi dish – pan-seared dorado served with beluga lentils, cauliflower textures, beetroot and pineapple vierge and finished off with an umami fish emulsion and spiced coconut cream. For the ultimate ‘farm’ experience, the Iberico Pluma (pork loin) is marinated with Hawaii black salt and buttered toast and is served with beluga lentil risotto and finished with verde blu di buffalo cheese, celeriac textures and a tasty barbeque and kombu jus.
One of the biggest transformations to Baros’s vibrant dining scene is the new Cayenne Grill dining concept with a sophisticated grill menu inspired by the Maldives’s fiery sunsets.
Cluster Executive Chef, Ken Gundu, has created a whole new dining concept where every dish has an element of grilling – infusing meat, seafood, chicken and plant-based dishes with a perfectly balanced smoky flavour and melt-in-your-mouth succulence.
“It’s a smart evolution of Cayenne’s cuisine, keeping the emphasis on premium cut meats and authentic grill house specials. We wanted to create the ultimate grill house experience to match Cayenne’s mesmerising views and ambience,” says Shijah Ibrahim, General Manager.

The new Cayenne Grill offers an impressive selection of dry aged steaks ranging from Wagyu Beef Tenderloin to Black Angus Beef Striploin and a superior selection of the freshest seafood, including Yellowfin Tuna, Seabass and Jumbo Prawns.
Share the signature 1.2kg dry aged Tomahawk Wagyu Steak. The Pan Seared Scallops with Green Apples, Celery Juice, and Salmon Caviar is flavorsome and tasty, as is the slow roasted baby chicken with forest mushrooms served with a natural jus.
Set within an open sided thatched pavilion perched over the lagoon, Cayenne Grill inspires guests with its spellbinding ocean views. There is something for everyone to enjoy on the menu ranging from superb appetisers and soups to premium oysters. The vegetarian Tortellini dish is served with sweet potato, water chestnut, oven-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, mushroom velouté and parmesan cheese is delicious and will have guests coming back for more.
Cayenne Grill seeks to provide not only memorable cuisine but with its creative wine and cocktail selection stands for a truly memorable and multisensory dining experience.
The Maldives Icon – Baros is an award-winning luxury private island resort in the Maldives, a short 25-minute speedboat ride from Maldives International Airport. This tropical haven is home to 75 sophisticated villas framed by a seemingly endless powder-soft white beach and a glittering lagoon surrounded by a world-class house reef.
Welcoming guests since 1973, Baros has spent decades honing its services and cultivating its environment, making it the Maldivian Icon. An award-winning resort, and a member of Small Luxury Hotels Of The World, Baros is celebrated for its authentic spirit, legendary service, outstanding comfort, and understated elegance.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
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.
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.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
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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