Velassaru Maldives has officially opened Sora, a new overwater Japanese restaurant designed to enhance the resort’s culinary offering with a dedicated teppanyaki counter, robata grill and sushi and sashimi bar. Suspended above the lagoon and built with clean, minimalist lines, Sora takes its name from the Japanese word for “sky” and offers diners uninterrupted ocean views from both the indoor open-plan dining area and the outdoor deck.

At the heart of the restaurant’s open-plan design lies the black-marble teppanyaki counter where guests can watch chefs preparing dishes to order. To one side sits a robata grill that adds a smoky depth to the menu, while the opposite counter houses a sushi and sashimi station. The interior design incorporates natural elements such as a thatched roof, rattan-strip ceilings and stone-patterned floors, paired with blonde wood furniture and folding doors that open to let in refreshing sea breezes, views of bright blue skies and colourful Maldivian sunsets.

At Sora, dining is more than just a meal, it’s a front-row seat to the ocean’s drama after dark. Sora’s menu is a refined fusion of traditional Japanese and Nikkei cuisine with vibrant Peruvian influences. Guests can choose from freshly made sushi and sashimi, signature sushi rolls, octopus nigiri and a selection of reef fish prepared using Japanese techniques.

Izakaya Small Plates include Korean Wagyu Tartare, Kimchi Tofu Miso Soup and Charred Corn with Coconut & Chilli. Elsewhere, the hot menu features steaming ramen bowls, crispy tempura, freshly prepared soba noodles, and a number of teppanyaki and robata dishes, including scallops in soy butter, miso-glazed eringi mushrooms and bacon-wrapped asparagus skewers, which combine the richness of the bacon with the freshness of grilled asparagus.

The restaurant also offers a weekly omakase experience, where chefs craft a multi-course tasting menu using the freshest seasonal and local ingredients. Featuring delicacies such as crab, tuna and Maldivian reef fish, paired with traditional flavours like sake and miso, each omakase menu changes regularly, offering guests a carefully curated journey through Japanese cuisine that delights the senses and creates memorable dining moments against the backdrop of sunlit skies and the gentle sea breeze.

Sake is at the heart of the experience, with an exceptional collection ranging from classic Junmai to premium Junmai Daiginjo brews. Guests can also enjoy expertly crafted, ready-to-serve bottled cocktails, such as the Matcha Martini and Sweet Sakura Negroni. Additionally, the menu features a range of Japanese spirits, including malts, vodka, shochu, and gin, offering something for every taste.

The opening of Sora is led by Cluster Executive Chef Pedro Pecego, who joined Velassaru in July 2025. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Pedro began his career as a sushi apprentice in 1997 and trained at École Ducasse before expanding his culinary experience across Brazil, France, Portugal, Zanzibar and the Middle East. His background spans classical French cuisine, Mediterranean flavours and extensive work in Japanese kitchens, allowing him to bring a broad, international perspective to his role at Velassaru.