Maldives Destination Dining: Taste the Unforgettable at Joali

This tropical archipelago promises travellers a luxurious culinary tryst sure to satiate even the boldest of appetites. Though most renowned for its tranquillity and pristine natural beauty, the world-class dining on offer at resorts throughout the Maldives provide a gourmet experience worth the trip. This is particularly true at JOALI Maldives, where you’ll find an exquisite selection of dining options for your gastronomic adventure.

INDULGE IN EPICUREAN TIME TRAVEL AT TUH’U

Gaze up at twinkling stars from beneath the glow of softly lit palm trees as a warm breeze caresses you through your linen apparel. You have arrived at TUH’U, JOALI’s newest restaurant. Let alfresco dining at TUH’U carry you across the expanse of time as you delight in the Moorish flavours of its signature dish which dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. This lamb stew, once a luxury dish reserved exclusively for the spring festival of Akitu in Babylon, inspired the restaurant’s name. It’s quite fitting that TUH’U is named after such a prized dish, as you will find the finest plates from eastern Mediterranean shores, like cumin lemon chicken and mezze, served here alongside ancient treasures. Allow the sumptuous fare of TUH’U ignite your imagination along a savoury journey through time.

Embrace light, atmospheric Japanese dining with a twist at Saoke. Beautifully balanced yet daring fusion dishes dreamed up by multi-award winning Chef Hidemasa Yamamoto, are served up beside classic sushi, sake and teppanyaki treats. In this over-water haven designed by world-renowned architect Noriyoshi Muramatsu, you can sample innovative creations inspired by the melding of the chef’s Japanese heritage with his French and Italian training. Handmade soba noodles topped with American Imperial Sevruga Caviar, miso and yuzu-marinated foie gras, and truffle egg flan with sea urchin and snow crab to name just a few are sure to whet any appetite. If you’re looking for a place to excite your taste buds without neglecting your wellness journey, Saoke will not disappoint.

EXPERIENCE ITALIAN FINE-DINING AT BELLINIS
Discover an authentic taste of Italy in the midst of the Indian Ocean at Maldives resort JOALI‘s Bellinis restaurant. Italian Michelin-star chef, Theodor Falser helms this elegant gem where you will encounter the magic of applying farm-to-table principles to producing exquisite food that expresses the very essence of being Italian, despite being crafted from ingredients a world away. From limoncello made with locally grown lemons to spectacular pasta and succulent freshly caught fish and seafood dishes, you will find divine “Italianita” flavours that won’t soon be forgotten at Bellinis.

EMBARK ON A FOODIE ADVENTURE AT VANDHOO
If you’re in search of a tide of flavours to lift all palates head to JOALI’s Vandhoo Restaurant. With its lineup of decadent dining options encompassing South East Asian, Chinese, Mediterranean, and Levant cuisines, even the choosiest members of your family are sure to be elated. If you’re a wine enthusiast, exploring their wine cellar is an absolute must. You’ll find a lavish range of hand-selected wines from around the world waiting for you there.

STEP INTO HER KITCHEN FOR A FLAVOURSOME LESSON
Ever notice how just an aroma can vividly transport you to a fond memory? This is perhaps never more true than when it comes to food. Learn to prepare and perfect the tantalizing flavours of Dhivehi cuisine in Her Kitchen. JOALI’s private interactive kitchen and dining room allows you to cook local recipes with experienced chefs to ensure you master recreating the luscious flavours of your holiday before you head home. After your visit to Her Kitchen, you’ll be ready to whisk yourself back to JOALI for a sensory adventure whenever you please.

Toast to the joy of living at JOALI’s poolside bar as the crashing waves of the Maldivian Sea sprinkle you with their invigorating spritz. This charming, breezy venue nestled beside the resort’s main pool and a beach overlooks a shimmering, unbroken stretch of ocean that stretches all the way to the horizon. Mura offers up much more than drinks, with an array of delectable snacks served every half hour, from little smoothies, popsicles and fruit, to lobster rolls and pumpkin salads. There’s more than one way to drink in the good life at Mura Bar.

SATIATE YOUR SWEET TOOTH AT LAJOIE
Give in to your saccharine cravings and pay a trip to LAJOIE, JOALI’s tiny tropical challenge to Willy Wonka. The irresistible sweet shop features artisanal chocolate and ice-cream treats fit for all ages, with an array of tastes for the simplest to the most complex of palates. Whether you prefer the refreshing tang of fruit, the richness of chocolate or the sweetness of vanilla, you will find it at JOALI’s chocolate and ice-cream store. Plus, if you’re into molecular gastronomy you may enjoy watching their ice cream made to measure in nitrogen dishes too.

Greet the sunrise with merrymaking at JOALI’s art immersive Manta Ray treehouse, to start your day on a delicious vibe over a curated selection of music and gourmet cuisines. Set out in the afternoon on a 56-foot luxury yacht for a private lunch on the water and revel in a taste of the finest things in life. Drift away with a picnic basket at dusk in a dhoni to dine on tapas and more on your choice of desert island. Or pamper your palate with a special menu in any location you can dream up. At JOALI Maldives, the experiential destination dining options are limited only by your imagination.