Private Island Dining and Barefoot Beach Bars at Kurumba Maldives

Please could someone take me back to the Maldives? I’ve fallen head over heals with this part of the world and in between writing all about my recent trip, I’m planning my second next year – visiting new hotels, but also revisiting my favourites. All will be revealed! If you read my resort review on the stunning Kurumba Maldives, just a 10 minute speed boat journey from the main island of Male, you’ll know I fell in love with it – though I haven’t told you near enough about its gastronomic side. I took something away from each hotel I visited and what I took away from Kurumba is that the food they cook is in one word – incredible.

Food is everywhere here. Step off the jetty and into the resort and you’re surrounded by food, all of which is conveniently place around the outdoor swimming pool. A total of eight restaurants make up this resort and cover just about every part of the world. A simple cafe for snacking, an international daily changing buffet, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese, Italian and seafood galore. You really are spoilt for choice.

As soon as we arrived on the island and checked into our beautiful room, overlooking the ocean – we took a walk down to the islands teppanyaki restaurant, Hamakaze. By night this restaurant on stilts in the ocean is home to the islands lively fresh sashimi and live grill theatrics. By day the restaurant has a different purpose and hosts a traditional Maldivian cookery course. It’s something you’ll find on the weekly resort itinerary and is open to all guests. We were astounded by not only the quality of the ingredients being used here, but just how easy some of the dishes are to make. Traditional tuna curry from this part of the world is life changing stuff. Our young and talented chef, Rana – the Maldives first celebrated female chef who is pioneering the way for female chefs, showed us how to cook up the Maldivian tuna curry. Something we’ll most certainly be cooking back at home. That silky glazed sauce with a hint of chilli and coconut really was outstanding.

After our cookery course and a glass of wine later we popped into Vihamanaa. Located at the centre of the island this is the main restaurant for those on a dining package and offers an International buffet whose offering changes daily. From Mexican and Spanish, right through to Asian and Russian staples. You really could eat in this one restaurant every day and never get bored. I’m already reminiscing back to the fantastic Korean chicken wings I piled my plate high with. Head to the main Kandu bar for a relaxing cocktail after or glass of wine on the beach at Athiri – perfect for those unforgettable sunsets.

One thing you have the remember about the Maldives is that almost 80% off its food is imported. These are islands in the middle of nowhere and with a tropical climate. But you don’t notice that. Much like the UK so much has to be imported and here in the Maldives, quality is always at the forefront and the chefs on this island work best with what they have. Given us only being here for one night, we unfortunately couldn’t quite manage our away around every restaurant, but during the evening for dinner we did our best and first up was the gorgeous Al Qsar. An exotic Middle Eastern inspired restaurant, covering a selection of Lebanese and Moroccan favourites. The mezze here is absolutely stunning. From gorgeous lamb fatayer patties, stuffed with spiced minced lamb, to some of the best hummus, moutabel and baba ghanoush you’ll find in this part of the world. The favourite was the falafel with tahini sauce. Crispy, but with a touch of sweetness running through it.

For mains we walked a few short steps over to Thila, the signature restaurant of Kurumba. It’s a stunning place to spend the evening, perched over the ocean which is illuminated by subtle lighting that revealed all the ocean had to offer. We were lucky enough to watch reef sharks hunting during our entire meal. Aside from the scenery, we divulged into the best prawns we experienced during our entire stay in the Maldives too. Incredibly juicy and marinated in a garlic butter sauce. Even the home-made brioche bread was fantastic, served with an olive oil mousse for spreading. If grilled meats and seafood is your thing then Thila will be your new home when staying at Kurumba.

After a little too much wine later we took in the nights sky and made our way over to Italian restaurant Isola for dessert. Again another perfect setting, this time in the courtyard of the restaurant with our feet sinking in the sand below us. Isola isn’t just your ordinary Italian, but one with a twist that turns classics into modern creations and our Magnum cassata was testament to that. A Valrhona caramel chocolate outer, filled with caramelised apple, almond sponge, cedro and clementine ice cream. It was absolutely stunning.

The next morning, after a dip in the ocean we booked ourselves in for breakfast back at Thila. While the morning meal can also be taken at buffet restaurant Vihamanna, Thila can be booked for those staying in deluxe rooms and it’s well worth the upgrade. From the a la carte menu we ordered a Maldivian style omelette, filled with flaked reef fish, coconut sambal and curry leaves. One of the best omelettes I’ll probably ever experience. It was all washed down with free-flowing bubbles and once again our feet sinking into the sand below us – this place is after my own heart.

You’ll also find a selection of pastries and cakes to help yourself from, as well as fresh tropical fruits, cereals and jams galore. The mini lime sugared doughnuts and berry pastry twists were utter heaven.

There was even fresh honeycomb to help yourself too, which was incredible. Alongside the slab of honeycomb, we discovered an array of infused honeys which are easy to get carried away with, wanting to try them all. Honey had been infused with flavours such as thyme, lemon, rose and my favourite – cardamom. Even the selection of set yogurts and rice puddings were fantastic. Breakfast here is nothing short of legendary.

We really didn’t want to leave Kurumba that afternoon and as food goes, it’s unbelievably good here. You’d think with such a vast selection of restaurants that the food couldn’t possibly be any more than good – but somehow they make it incredible instead. If you’re excited about the food here just as much as me, then reading just what else I discovered this resort has to offer is your next step in booking a holiday here to remember. You wont regret it.

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Kuoni (01306 747008 or www.kuoni.co.uk) offers 7 nights with breakfast at the 5-star Kurumba, Maldives in a deluxe room, including flights with SriLankan Airlines (we loved the airline) from Heathrow and group transfers in resort. Lead-in prices for May 2017 are from £1,408 per person, based on two sharing. To book please quote: IO0021

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NB: I was invited to review and my food was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.