Sea breezes drift among the rustic woods under high palm roofs at Laamu’s six bars and restaurants, most set over water. Edible memories at each are enhanced by exquisite tropical vistas, from pulsating equatorial sunrises above translucent turquoise waters to romantic rose coloured sunsets into the inky evening sea.
LEAF
Wander through flourishing gardens and across the gently swaying bridge to reach Laamu’s signature restaurant, perched to appreciate the organic aromas and oceanic panorama. European chefs work closely with Maldivian fishermen and farmers to source local ingredients picked or caught just hours before creative transformation into inventive Mediterranean dishes like tomato gazpacho with cucumber jelly and seared rainbow runner with parmesan gnocchi, piquillos and provençal sauce . Dine among friends or make new ones at the Chili Table, set among the dozen varieties thriving in our chili patch.
Longitude
Along Hithadhoo Kandu, a natural waterway for bottlenose dolphins to the open sea, this open air, two story dining space begins each day with Parisians’ approved croissants and fresh from the oven breads, best topped with our own passion fruit, banana or fig jam. Add pancakes, waffles or eggs made to order. There’s even ice cream for those who wish or save that for after dinner’s a la carte international menu of fresh catch, grilled meats, pastas and Asian flavours.
Es’sense
Our humble, over water cooking hut turns out a global array of authentic fare from spicy Indian curries, pad Thai and Chinese stir fry to piping hot pies from the wood fire pizza oven. Guests willing to take their eyes off Laamu’s oceanic landscape long enough to follow a recipe or two may take cooking classes here from chefs who hail from around the world.
Altitude
Rising 6.4 metres above the Indian Ocean, this one-of-a-kind sunlit, spun glass wine tower holds 400 Old and New world vintages, half of which are organic. Many are otherwise unavailable in the Maldives. Tastings take place at the intimate, elevated table. Down below, the Deli stocks imported European charcuterie and cheeses, plus inventive chutneys and sushi fresh from the surrounding sea.
Ice
An al fresco ice cream parlour with forty plus ever-changing flavours on a tropical isle might encourage some to stick with sorbet. For them we make enticing licks like mango jasmine and pink guava. Everyone else can indulge daily and nightly too in more decadent homemade ice creams including banana dark chocolate, green apple and salty caramel. Top that freshly made waffle cone with gooey chocolate sauce, sliced nuts or colourful candies. Crave more sweet treats? Enter the chilled Chocolate Studio where the pastry chef infuses chocolate truffles with cinnamon, green tea, lavender and mint mojito.
Chai
Afternoons are for taking tea high above the white-capped waves, on colourfully padded day beds and chaises overlooking the Indian Ocean.For even better views, gaze through the professional telescope. Snack on what Maldivians call ‘short eats’ at this second story lounge & bar where the menu of teas and coffee appears almost as limitless as the encircling horizon.
Chill
Early mornings find Helen our resident mixologist in Laamu’s organic gardens, picking rosemary, mint, lemongrass and ripe fruits for homegrown cocktails like the Rhubarb Bamboo and a Maldivian Bloody Mary with Laamu’s chili and basil. Next the young Londoner bicycles over sand towards the kitchen, to slow roast tomatoes and dry herbs for her Rosemary Smoked Red Snapper. She makes mangosteen and screwpine jams, apple purees and syrups of ginger, chili and tea to mix into liquid delights. By nightfall, you’ll find Helen, smoking gun in hand, decanting molecular concoctions behind the sunken over water bar while visiting DJs and jazz musicians provide equally inspired acoustics.
Deck-A-Dence
Further into Laamu’s lagoon where Napoleon wrasse and parrotfish swim along aspectrum of thriving coral, these six glass aquarium tables above the sea are the only spot in the Maldives to dine on a zero carbon menu. While stars illuminate the scene from above and waves lap soothingly underneath, feast on inventive, entirely local fare like grilled reef fish over a fire of coconut shells with Maldivian spices, coriander and lime, a memorable meal as groundbreaking as it is gourmet.
