Gastronomy
Baraabaru: Simply “Excellent” Cuisine at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
 
																								
												
												
											Maldives.net.mv – At the northwestern edge of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, occupying a dramatic Kerala-inspired pavilion and torch-lit overwater deck, sits one of the world’s top Indian restaurants.
Recognized as one of the 101 Best Hotel Restaurants by The Daily Meal, USA in 2012, Baraabaru – meaning “excellent” in the local language, Dhivehi – also played a role in Kuda Huraa’s placement as Best Hotel for Food: Africa, Middle East and Indian Ocean in theCondé Nast Traveller UK’s 2012 Annual Gold List.
It’s a classy yet laid-back establishment, with an atmosphere as notable as the food. And as its name suggests, the food is remarkable indeed.
The menu focuses entirely on made-to-order homestyle Indian cuisine. From the kebabs and charcoal tandoors of the North to the curries and spices of the South, the emphasis is on fresh, authentic flavours. Of more than 100 dishes on the menu, more than half are vegetarian, with many of those inspired by the recipes of the father and grandmother of Baraabaru’s own Chef Kapil Sharma – a Punjabi-born culinarian with a particular prowess for Sattvic, Jain, vegan and organic cuisine, all of which feature heavily on the menu.
“At Baraabaru, we’re all about homestyle authenticity, not fusion,” explains Chef Kapil. “That means fresh food, with as little fat and oil as possible. It’s very light and easy to digest. It keeps the flavours. And it replicates the traditional habits of making food fresh from scratch on a daily basis. Focusing on just this one element enables us to do it very well.”
To help ensure optimum authenticity, Baraabaru sources raw organic spices from nearby Kerala, in addition to lamb from organic farms in India. “The source of our ingredients is essential,” adds Chef Kapil, whose upbringing included producing the family’s own organic milk, butter, cheese and yoghurt. “It’s my target to always use the best available produce.”
In addition, a philosophy of “cooking to order” enables Baraabaru to offer its guests an elevated level of customization and flexibility. Individual diners are always asked their “spice levels” so that their dish can be tailored accordingly, while the restaurant’s chefs will happily accommodate requests for different meats or ingredients than those detailed on the menu. “Just like at home, guests have the option to tailor their exact preferences,” explains Kapil. “We want them to think it’s the best Indian food they’ve tasted. When they say it is, it makes us feel so proud.”
Despite running Baraabaru’s kitchen, Chef Kapil is not the only one driving the restaurant’s homestyle ethos. Every member of the Baraabaru kitchen team contributes to the menu, identifying specialty dishes from their own family or upbringing, which are then trialled for the restaurant. “If it’s your dish, you always want to present it as best as you can,” Chef Kapil continues. “Our approach gives the team such pride, as well as an ability to master and be in charge of their own dish to ensure perfect quality. Everyone takes charge of something and works together towards a higher purpose. That’s what makes Baraabaru such a success.”
Guests wishing to improve their own success in the kitchen can also book a half-day cooking class with Chef Kapil – a memorable and educational addition to any vacation – during which they will learn to blend spices, make breads, appetizers and mains, and then critique their meal.
Baraabaru is open for dinner at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa from 7:00 to 10:30 pm six nights a week (closed on Tuesdays). Inspired by the architecture of Kerala, its open-sided pavilion, Tandoor Bar, spectacular torch-lit deck and private dining pavilion offer a wealth of oceanfront dining experiences. Teak wood and richly decorated cushions imbue an easy Indian air, while a live sitar band plays nostalgic Indian music each evening – the perfect complement to the restaurant’s authentic, homestyle food.
Drink
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI celebrated for wine perfection at global awards
 
														The luxury Maldivian retreat OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has been recognised among the world’s finest dining destinations at the prestigious World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025. The private island resort received dual honours at London’s legendary Savoy Hotel, winning both the ‘Best All-Inclusive Wine List in Asia’ award and the coveted ‘Jury Award’ for its outstanding wine programme.
The World of Fine Wine, a prestigious British publication, website, and app for a global audience of wine enthusiasts, hosts the World’s Best Wine Lists Award. An independent panel of judges consider entries based on criteria like breadth, depth, balance, and originality across 21 categories to celebrate the finest wine lists globally, with winners being recognised by region.
This remarkable achievement places the Maldivian sanctuary alongside the most celebrated restaurants and hotels worldwide, confirming its status as a true destination for wine lovers. The awards come from one of the most respected judging panels in the wine world, featuring Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine and other leading experts who assessed wine lists from across the globe.
“To be honoured with this global recognition for a second consecutive year is both thrilling and deeply humbling,” shares Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines for Atmosphere Core.
“We believe that a perfect holiday should be paired with a perfect glass of wine; it must not feel like an extra, but a natural part of the journey and always available to guests throughout the entire resort. Seeing our team’s dedication, from curating over 100 labels to integrating them seamlessly into the RESERVE™ Plan, celebrated like this is incredibly rewarding. It confirms a simple truth: that world-class wines belong in every instant of a guest’s stay, from their very first toast to their last sunset sip.”
At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, the art of wine is woven into the very fabric of your stay. The journey begins from the time you settle into your villa, where your personal maxi bar with daily refill offers a curated introduction to the resort’s acclaimed collection. This is the essence of the RESERVE™ Plan, a seamless tapestry of over 100 premium wines, champagnes, and spirits that flows effortlessly from the very moment you reach our shores, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.
For those with a passion for discovery, the dedicated CUVEÉ wine library serves as the heart of wine-focused offerings. Here, the expert sommeliers become storytellers, hosting intimate tasting dinners where every exquisite wine is thoughtfully paired with gourmet cuisine, creating memorable chapters in your holiday narrative.
This passion for viniculture extends across THE OZEN COLLECTION. Both OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO bring the vines to the tropics through exclusive events, welcoming renowned vintners like Champagne Guy Charbaut from France and Bodegas Viñátigo from Spain’s Canary Islands for masterclasses and conversations that bring the world’s great wine regions to our shores.
Ultimately, this international recognition affirms something guests have long known, that OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers more than stunning vistas and luxurious accommodations. It provides a complete sensory experience where every glass poured reflects the same dedication to excellence that defines this Maldivian paradise – proving that true luxury lies in these perfectly curated moments.
Drink
Constance Moofushi Maldives celebrates fine wine excellence with Creation Wines
 
														Constance Moofushi Maldives has announced an exceptional wine journey this October, welcoming internationally celebrated winemakers Carolyn Martin and Glenn Martin of South Africa’s acclaimed Creation Wines.
At Constance Hotels & Resorts, gastronomy and wine are at the very heart of the guest experience. Renowned for its award-winning culinary philosophy and meticulously curated wine cellars, the group has established itself as a true pioneer of refined dining in the Indian Ocean. Each experience is designed to celebrate the harmony between exquisite cuisine and world-class wines—a passion brought to life this October at Constance Moofushi through the presence of two remarkable visionaries.
Founded in 2002 on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge of South Africa, Creation Wines has grown into one of the world’s most admired estates. Visionary couple Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin transformed a remote farm into a globally recognized winery, uniting Swiss-trained precision with inspired creativity. Today, their estate is lauded for excellence, sustainability, and immersive guest experiences, earning accolades such as the 2021 Global Winner of the Great Wine Capitals Award for Innovative Wine Tourism.
At Constance Moofushi, the Martins will guide guests through a curated journey of wine and food pairings—an elegant masterclass in storytelling through flavour.
Further affirming its passion for exceptional wine experiences, Constance Moofushi Maldives was recently recognised at the 2025 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards, where its Alizée Restaurant was nominated for and proudly won the “Best All-Inclusive Wine List”.
This accolade highlights Moofushi’s distinctive wine philosophy—an extensive and carefully curated selection of exceptional wines rarely found in all-inclusive resorts, particularly in such a pristine and remote destination.
“This collaboration with Creation Wines offers our guests exclusive tastings and immersive experiences, while also enriching the knowledge of our passionate sommelier team. It is a true reflection of Constance Hotels & Resorts’ spirit—where gastronomy, passion, and timeless moments of indulgence come together in paradise,” said Mevin Ramasamy, General Manager, Constance Moofushi Maldives.
Cooking
Atmosphere Core, BBM to host Michelin-starred events with Chef Pasquale Palamaro
 
														Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, a brand by the international hospitality company Atmosphere Core, presents “Mediterranean Soul, Maldivian Heart”, a culinary series in November 2025 that brings international expertise to the Maldives. Italian One-Michelin-Star Chef Pasquale Palamaro will host events at RAAYA by Atmosphere, VARU by Atmosphere, and in Malé City, where Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) will run a special masterclass session for the country’s culinary professionals. The series gives travellers and hospitality professionals a chance to connect, collaborate, and share their love of food.
Chef Pasquale Palamaro, celebrated for his artistry at Indaco Restaurant in Amalfi, Italy, shares, “Cooking, to me, is a dialogue with nature — an art of transforming simplicity into beauty. Bringing Indaco’s spirit to the Maldives is an opportunity to merge two coasts and two cultures through taste, technique, and emotion.”
At RAAYA by Atmosphere, on 18th and 19th November, guests will savour specially curated harvest-to-table-to-soul experiences. On the first day, hands-on farm activities, introduce guests to the cultivation of local produce, followed by a five-course dinner at Seb’s Farm showcasing freshest seasonal ingredients. The following day, guests can participate in a masterclass led by Chef Pasquale, learning firsthand the techniques and philosophy behind his creations, before enjoying an exquisite five-course dinner at The Village restaurant.

Following the RAAYA experience, Chef Pasquale will host an exclusive Culinary Masterclass organized by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) on 24th November at Hulhule Island Hotel (HIH). The event will bring together 100 chefs from leading resorts and restaurants across the Maldives for an immersive, learning experience. Participation will be on a registered, first-come, first-served basis, ensuring dedicated interaction and focused learning from the Michelin-starred chef himself.
As the authorised distributor of world-class hospitality brands, BBM continues to drive culinary innovation and professional development in the Maldives through its signature Masterclass Series, empowering local talent and strengthening industry standards.

Over at VARU by Atmosphere, it’s all about a feast for the senses that honours sustainability, storytelling of the rich Maldivian fishing tradition, and culinary artistry. Guests can indulge in a 4-Hands Dinner at speciality restaurant Kaagé on 27th November, recently recognised as winner of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025 for the fifth consecutive year, followed by a masterclass and five-course dinner at the overwater restaurant NÜ on 28th November.

Known for transforming fresh coastal ingredients and garden produce into refined, soulful dishes, Chef Pasquale brings a culinary philosophy shaped by innovation, sustainability, and respect for nature. His approach mirrors Atmosphere Core’s commitment to ethical gastronomy. “All our island resorts have long been recognised for their culinary offerings,” says Anupam Banerjee, Vice President, Food & Beverage, Atmosphere Core. “Through Chef Pasquale’s artistry and our island-inspired ethos, we are crafting an evocative dialogue between Mediterranean and Maldivian gastronomies that not only captivates the palate but also champions environmental stewardship and celebrates the cultural richness of both regions”.
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