NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, a newly opened luxury getaway in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, has opened the doors to Caravela. This new restaurant offers an immersive dining experience inspired by the historic sea voyages that shaped global food culture.

Caravela mixes Spanish culinary traditions with fresh Maldivian ingredients. Each course is presented as a chapter in a story about exploration, trade, and cultural connection. The restaurant gets its name from the caravel, the fast Portuguese ship used during major sea expeditions between the 14th and 17th centuries.

An Intimate Culinary Journey on a Protected Island

Designed as a small, dinner-only experience for just 12 guests at a time, Caravela features a communal table where people can connect and share the evening together.

The restaurant’s first menu, The Atlantic Voyage of 1487, follows the path of early explorers who sailed from Spain and Portugal, down the coast of Africa, and toward the Cape of Good Hope to find a sea route to India.

The five-course meal features:

• First Light of the Atlantic: Crispy King Crab fritters served with ikura and a lime-yuzu vinaigrette.
• Winds of the Cantabrian Sea: Torched Maldivian tuna loin paired with escabeche and Moroccan spices.
• Crossing the Madeira Currents: Fresh local job fish with a confit plantain purée and a prawn coral tuile.
• Benguela Shores at Dusk: A 12-hour sous vide pork belly glazed with smoky chili and a Spanish chorizo jus (preceded by a green apple sorbet palate cleanser).
• Triumphant Return to Iberian Coast: An olive oil cake with port wine and blood orange gel, served inside a delicate sugar sphere shaped like an old navigation instrument.

To finish the night, guests are served small treats like caramelized torrija, coffee chocolate bonbons, and South African milk tart, hinting at the historical journeys that later led to the Americas.

Menus Rooted in History

The story at Caravela will keep changing as the restaurant introduces new historical chapters in the future, such as The Pacific Voyage of 1492 and The Indian Ocean Voyage of 1498. Every new menu will bring a completely different flavor profile to the table, giving guests a reason to come back and learn more about the history of food.

Resort Manager Melroy Fernandes created the concept alongside the resort’s kitchen team, driven by a shared love for the Age of Discovery. Fernandes, who is also a Master Sommelier, worked with the resort’s wine experts to pair each course with the perfect wine.

On the launch of Caravela, Fernandes said, “NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort is designed for travellers seeking meaningful and memorable experiences. Whether exploring the natural wonders of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and nearby Hanifaru Bay or embracing the tranquillity of our island, Caravela offers a journey of a different kind, one that connects history, culture and cuisine in a truly immersive way.”

Caravela is the newest addition to the resort’s dining options, joining the all-day restaurant Jumla, the main dining spots Alifaan and Kaiyo, several bars, and their private beach dining option, Adrift.

The Atlantic Voyage tasting menu with wine pairings costs USD 190++ per person and requires booking in advance.

Read More: Gastronomy