Historically, the resort buffet is maybe seen as probably the most fundamental (however undoubtedly yum) possibility in most resort set-ups, proper? The Island Kitchen, discovered on the central hub of the Westin, is something however that. The truth is, it is a buffet at breakfast time – however what a buffet it’s. Small however mighty, select from fluffy eggs cooked to order, contemporary yoghurt, fruit and pastries or freshly-made pancakes and waffles… and in step with the resort’s wellness ethos, a plentiful alternative of inexperienced juices and smoothies.
At lunch and dinnertime, the Island Kitchen strikes over to an à la carte menu, which undoubtedly provided a few of our favorite dishes of the entire journey. A fusion between Asian, Indian and native flavours, highlights have been the sticky glazed pork stomach and roasted octopus with black rice, in addition to the most moreish calamari I’ve ever had (one in all my common re-orders throughout our keep, FYI). I am not an enormous drinker, so I used to be further impressed with the selection of contemporary juices, smoothies and mocktails. A beloved Maldivian native dish, the aromatic tuna curry, is a must-try, too.
Courtesy of Fiona Ward
Courtesy of Fiona Ward
Impressively, the Westin can also be dwelling to an much more elevated meals providing – Japanese restaurant The Pearl – which provides a five-course tasting menu, overlooking the ocean from an atmospheric decked space. Solely open for dinner, I needed to pinch myself (once more) as I watched the solar go down from our alfresco desk – by dessert, we have been stargazing. Right here, we loved ultra-fresh sashimi, crispy tempura and tender meat skewers, rounding out the meal with clean matcha ice cream. Though it was a memorable expertise, my solely criticism right here can be whether or not I felt the refinement of the meals matched the expectation of a ‘tasting’ menu – which was bought as a extra luxe eating possibility out of all of the eating places.
Our favorite eating expertise on the Westin truly took us fully abruptly. One lunchtime, throughout a tropical downpour – they do occur within the Maldives, after all, though our expertise was temporary – we strolled with our umbrellas to Hawker, the resort’s informal seashore restaurant.
Right here, the kitchen is open and the vibe is chill, so I suppose I believed the meals is perhaps just a little extra low-key too. I used to be proper, form of. Undoubtedly, the menu is maybe just a little extra rustic – assume sizzling soups and stir fries, once more with Asian affect – however the flavours are massive. My husband’s Tom Yum soup was the very best he is had outdoors of Thailand, sizzling and bitter with further chilli and lemongrass, whereas my nasi goreng was extremely flavourful, too. A shoutout to my ‘Maldivian Lassi’ too, a neighborhood tackle the Indian yoghurt drink with added coriander, coconut water, lime and honey. I nonetheless give it some thought now.
Courtesy of Fiona Ward
What to do on the Westin Maldives
Regardless of its secluded location, there’s lots to maintain you busy on Miriandhoo, should you so want. I used to be tremendous impressed by the wellness actions on supply – from the resort’s luxe gymnasium to the usually scheduled yoga lessons.
