JA Manafaru has introduced Kuri, an intimate treetop dining experience designed to showcase the authentic flavours, ingredients and culinary traditions of the Maldives.
Located within the secluded beauty of Haa Alifu Atoll, the luxury island resort is inviting guests to discover a different side of Maldivian culture—one rooted not only in the ocean, but also in the island’s food heritage.
Discover the Maldives Through Its Cuisine
While the Maldives is internationally known for turquoise lagoons, pristine beaches and overwater villas, its culinary traditions offer another important part of the country’s story.
Kuri, meaning “treetop” in Dhivehi, brings that story to life from an extraordinary setting high within the branches of a living banyan tree.
The intimate experience welcomes two guests as standard, or up to four guests for private celebrations, creating an exclusive setting where the natural surroundings become part of the dining experience.
Rather than focusing on international culinary trends, Kuri asks a simple question: What does the Maldives truly taste like?
A Five-Course Maldivian Tasting Menu
The answer is presented through a five-course tasting menu built around a genuine zero-kilometre philosophy.
Ingredients including reef fish, coconut, pandan, screwpine and other native produce are sourced from the surrounding atoll, with some travelling only a short distance from where they are grown, caught or harvested.
Traditional Maldivian flavours are then presented through a contemporary culinary approach, allowing guests to discover familiar ingredients in an elevated format.
The menu includes:
- Muru Muru – crispy tuna crackers inspired by the Maldives’ fishing heritage
- Cured snapper – a vibrant seafood course highlighting local flavours
- Pandan rice congee – served with grilled coconut and tuna floss
- Ihi Musamma – a Maldivian lobster curry accompanied by coconut crepe and locally inspired accompaniments
- Young coconut and screwpine ice cream – finished with candied Maldivian nuts
Together, the courses create a culinary journey through the flavours of the islands.
Chef Moosa Nazeeh Brings Maldivian Heritage to the Table
At the heart of Kuri is Executive Chef Moosa Nazeeh, whose culinary approach is deeply connected to his Maldivian heritage.
Rather than recreating international fine dining in an island setting, Chef Moosa focuses on traditional recipes, ingredients and techniques passed down through generations.
His menu offers guests the opportunity to experience Maldivian cuisine in a setting that is both refined and deeply connected to local culture.
Dining Beneath a Living Banyan Tree
The setting is just as important as the food.
Kuri is built around a living banyan tree, with a timber dining platform positioned beneath its natural canopy. After sunset, lanterns illuminate the space, creating an intimate atmosphere surrounded by the sounds and sights of the island.
The experience invites guests to look beyond the traditional oceanfront perspective of a Maldives holiday and instead discover the beauty of the island itself.
Locally Crafted Details
The connection to place continues through the tableware.
Every plate, bowl and cup used during the experience is handcrafted at JA Manafaru’s own on-island clay studio.
The ceramics feature delicate watercolour illustrations of the banyan tree that shelters the dining experience, adding another layer of local craftsmanship to the meal.
This attention to detail reflects Kuri’s wider philosophy: every element should contribute to telling the story of the Maldives.
A Playful Ending to the Evening
Despite its sophisticated culinary concept, Kuri also embraces the playful spirit of island life.
After completing the five-course experience, guests can take a curving slide from the treetop platform back down to the sand.
The unexpected finale adds a sense of fun to an otherwise intimate and refined dining experience, creating a memorable ending for guests.
A New Way to Experience Maldivian Luxury
Kuri represents a broader approach to luxury travel—one where exclusivity is not simply about privacy, but about authenticity, storytelling and meaningful connection with the destination.
By combining locally sourced ingredients, Maldivian culinary heritage, island craftsmanship and an extraordinary natural setting, JA Manafaru has created a dining experience that allows guests to discover the Maldives from a different perspective.
For travellers interested in Maldives culinary experiences, authentic Maldivian cuisine and unique luxury resort experiences, Kuri offers an opportunity to experience the island beyond its beaches and lagoons.
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