Gastronomy
Culinary sensations at Coco Collection
Coco Collection provides guests a diverse array of culinary experiences across all our properties. Whether you are looking for a succulent seafood BBQ on the beach, a romantic meal for two over the water or a personalised dish tailor-made to your exact specifications, Coco Collection’s culinary team offers it all.
Coco Bodu Hithi
Situated on an idyllic island, just 40 minutes by speedboat from Malé, and surrounded by turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, the 5 star Coco Bodu Hithi resort promises the ultimate tropical island getaway.
Coco Bodu Hithi’s gourmet dining options are provided under the expertise and guidance of Executive Sous Chef, Indhika Prasanna. Born in Sri Lanka, Chef Indhika began his culinary career 20 years ago within the five star hotel and resort industry in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. As a member of the opening team for Coco Bodu Hithi, and having been a part of the Coco Collection family for 10 years now, he is a culinary asset especially with his signature dish of green pea soup and goat’s cheese stuffed bread.
The resort’s all day dining restaurant, AIR, offers a delectable breakfast and dinner buffet with dishes inspired by both the East and West, and the á la carte lunch is perfectly suited for the open air casual setting. Seafood lovers, who enjoy a hint of spice, will delight in AQUA, a romantic venue set over the crystal lagoon offering dishes infused with Southeast Asian flavours. Following a dip in the resort’s infinity pool, LATITUDE is the perfect place for a light lunch with a live chef cooking station offering wok prepared noodle and rice dishes; whilst also offering an á la carte menu featuring pizza and Japanese bento boxes as well as specialised cocktails and fresh juices. As the night falls, enjoy an unrivalled culinary experience at STARS offering haute cuisine with wines to match and a true gourmet journey with the restaurant’s degustation menu. Fitting for the holiday spirit, WINE LOFT is the perfect place for guests to savour a glass of wine and take in the beautiful view of our sunset at the venue’s unique ‘Wine Dinners’. Coco Bodu Hithi’s Japanese restaurant, TSUKI is a dining highlight, with eclectic offerings of Sushi, Sashimi and Tempura and the finest seafood, fresh fish and Wagyu beef. As an alternative, the resort’s Lobster & Seafood BBQ at Latitude Beach offers a beautiful and fulfilling dining experience, fitting perfectly with its Maldivian surroundings.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.
Located on the breath-taking island of Dhuni Kolhu, a 30 minute seaplane transfer from the capital, Malé; Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has 98 charming Maldivian-inspired villas and offers luxurious living in an eco-friendly, tropical environment.
The warm service of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu’s staff, in combination with the array of culinary options available, ensures that guests receive delightful dining experiences throughout their stay. Cowrie Restaurant, located in the middle of the island, offers renowned buffet lunches, dinners and also is home to the delicious daily breakfast journey, with fresh pastries from the resort’s bakery. The Beach Bar is the perfect place to sit and sip a cocktail or mocktail and watch the sun set over the glistening ocean horizon. For freshly grilled meats and seafood including Indian Ocean Lobster and locally caught fish infused with local and Thai flavours, Cornus Restaurant & Grill is the ultimate venue and a hidden gem set within the island’s lush vegetation.
The resort’s Executive Sous Chef, Sumudu Surath Kadawata and his team create unique and unrivalled dining experiences, using the natural ambience and beauty of the island to their advantage. A unique evening spent enjoying dinner in the resort’s garden with handpicked, fresh ingredients or a private dinner featuring Chef Kadawata’s signature dish of pan roasted milk feed Veal tenderloin and minted risotto with mushroom ravioli, are just a selection of the special dining opportunities available to guests at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.
Shankhara Villas by Coco Collection
Situated in the picturesque village of Poste-la-Fayette on the East coast of Mauritius, Sankhara Villas by Coco Collection offers discerning travellers an authentic haven of tranquillity in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.
When staying at Sankhara Villas guests are able to savour the fusion delights of Chef Arlando René. Guests are spoilt as Chef Arlando and his team create tailor-made dishes according to each guest’s preferences, always surprising and delighting them with the unique and delicious outcome. Specialising in fusion dishes and with over 15 years of experience, Chef Arlando celebrates his individual style and talents, creating unique dishes that are sure to never disappoint.
Drink
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll introduces Omakase cocktail experience
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort has introduced its all-new Omakase Cocktail Menu at Nikkei Bar, an innovative beverage experience that reimagines the traditional omakase concept through the art of mixology. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of entrusting the experience to the expertise of the creator, the new menu invites guests on a thoughtfully curated journey of unexpected flavors, refined craftsmanship, and contemporary creativity.
Developed by the resort’s talented mixology team, the Omakase Cocktail Menu showcases a collection of distinctive creations, each designed to surprise and delight the senses. Every cocktail tells its own story through carefully selected ingredients, bold flavor combinations, and elegant presentation, reflecting Nikkei Bar’s signature blend of Japanese precision and Peruvian influence. Highlights from the collection include Wasabi Was Good, a vibrant interpretation that balances delicate heat with refreshing citrus notes, Kumo, inspired by the lightness and serenity of drifting clouds, and Pink Hanami, a floral creation celebrating the beauty of Japan’s iconic cherry blossom season. Guests can also discover Petals of Kyoto, an elegant expression of delicate botanicals, Shisho Garden, which captures the freshness of aromatic herbs, and Moon Over Tokyo, a sophisticated cocktail inspired by the city’s vibrant evenings.



The journey continues with Shizuku (Droplet), a refreshing composition showcasing purity and balance, Thai Green Curry, an adventurous cocktail that transforms the beloved Southeast Asian dish into an unexpectedly harmonious drinking experience, and Kakuremi (Hidden Taste), a layered creation that reveals new dimensions of flavor with every sip.
“We are delighted to introduce our new Omakase Cocktail Menu at Nikkei Bar,” said Arup Chakraborty, Director of Food and Beverage. “Each cocktail has been thoughtfully crafted to offer guests a memorable sensory journey, combining innovation, storytelling, and exceptional craftsmanship. It reflects our commitment to creating distinctive dining and drinking experiences that celebrate creativity while embracing the spirit of contemporary luxury.”


Available exclusively at Nikkei Bar, the Omakase Cocktail Menu offers an immersive exploration of flavor where every cocktail is carefully curated to surprise, inspire, and elevate the guest experience. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean, this latest addition further reinforces JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort’s dedication to delivering exceptional culinary experiences through thoughtful innovation and mindful luxury.
For more information, please visit the resort’s website.
Cooking
Just Veg Festival returns to Atmosphere Kanifushi for sixth edition
Atmosphere Kanifushi celebrates the return of its signature Just Veg Festival, marking a milestone 6th anniversary edition from 04 to 09 October 2026. This landmark celebration reaffirms the resort’s position as a pioneer in vegetarian fine dining in the Maldives, bringing together global culinary storytelling, immersive island experiences, and conscious gastronomy.
This year’s festival is curated around the theme “Family Style”, led by acclaimed Chef Fabrizio. Rooted in conviviality, simplicity, and exceptional ingredients, the concept transforms dining into a shared-table journey where guests are invited to gather, connect, and indulge in thoughtfully crafted vegetarian dishes designed to be enjoyed together, reflecting the warmth and joy of communal dining.

Chef Fabrizio is known for his refined approach to vegetarian cuisine, combining Mediterranean roots with global influences. His ingredient-led philosophy focuses on simplicity, balance, and flavour, elevating vegetables through techniques such as fire cooking and fermentation.
“Fine dining is changing,” says Chef Fabrizio Marino. “Today’s guests are searching for something more meaningful than complexity. They want authenticity, generosity and experiences that bring people together. Family Style is my interpretation of contemporary luxury—a table where exceptional ingredients are shared with warmth, conversation and genuine hospitality. The Maldives, with its natural bounty and rich cultural influences, provides the perfect setting for that story.”
Ram Bhoyroo, General Manager at Atmosphere Kanifushi, adds, “As we celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Just Veg Festival, we are proud to continue shaping meaningful culinary experiences in the Maldives. This milestone edition not only reinforces our commitment to innovative, ingredient-led dining, but also positions Atmosphere Kanifushi as a destination where gastronomy, sustainability, and immersive guest journeys come together seamlessly.”

Blending Mediterranean sensibilities with vibrant Indian Ocean flavours, the menu showcases seasonal produce through techniques such as fire cooking, smoking, citrus infusions, and herb-forward preparations, with highlights including shared antipasti, fire and smoke creations, regional inspirations, and family-style desserts. As part of the ongoing commitment to enriching guest experiences under the Kanifushi Plan, the Just Veg Festival brings thoughtfully curated culinary moments to all in-house guests.
As a key highlight in the resort’s calendar and a prelude to the festive season, the Just Veg Festival reinforces Atmosphere Kanifushi’s commitment to innovative, sustainable, and immersive gastronomy—celebrating six years of culinary excellence, the 2026 edition promises to be the most immersive yet—bringing people together through the universal language of food, in one of the world’s most breathtaking island settings. Guests can now book their stay to be part of this exceptional island celebration.
Cooking
Constance unveils Escapade Gourmande 2026 in Maldives with Michelin-starred chef and winemaker
From 17 to 22 August 2026, Constance Hotels & Resorts invites you to the Maldives with Escapade Gourmande, a culinary journey unfolding between two islands that exist in dreamlike stillness: Constance Moofushi and Constance Halaveli.
Here, the ocean does not simply surround the experience; it becomes part of it. Salt air, warm sand, candlelight, and the quiet rhythm of waves set the stage for a celebration where gastronomy is not performed, but felt.
This year, Constance Hotels & Resorts has the pleasure of welcoming three remarkable artisans of taste: French three-Michelin-starred chef Jérôme Banctel, whose cuisine speaks in precision and emotion; South African winemaker Donovan Rall, whose wines carry the quiet intensity of landscapes and sun; and Italian pastry chef Cesare Murzilli, whose creations linger like soft memories at the end of a journey.
Together, they will compose moments rather than menus, an unfolding dialogue between fire, fruit, soil, and sea.

At Constance Moofushi, the atmosphere is unhurried, barefoot, almost whispered. On 17 August, guests drift into experiences shaped by light and ocean breeze with a sandbank tasting and aperitif cocktail around the wines from Donovan Rall, where the horizon dissolves into infinity.
The following evening, on 18 August, a wine dinner by Jérôme Banctel and Cesare Murzilli meets the expressive depth of Donovan Rall’s South African wines.
Then the journey deepens at Constance Halaveli, a setting where refinement takes centre stage on 21 August with a special breakfast imagined by Cesare Murzilli.
On 22 August, guests are invited to the exceptional wine pairing dinner, an elegant encounter between Banctel’s culinary precision, Murzilli’s delicate artistry, and Rall’s expressive wines.

Framed by Constance Halaveli’s extraordinary wine cellar, home to more than 22,500 bottles and over 1,600 references, the evening promises a celebration where gastronomy, wine, and island beauty meet in perfect harmony.
More than a programme, Escapade Gourmande becomes a fleeting island language, one spoken through textures, aromas, silence, and shared wonder. It is also a passing of knowledge, as Donovan Rall guides Constance sommeliers through masterclasses that refine not only technique, but sensibility.
In the end, it is not simply a celebration of food and wine. It is a moment where the Maldives feels less like a destination, and more like a state of taste, memory, and light.
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