At The Nautilus Maldives, Ocaso restaurant offers guests something quite unique – barefoot luxury in the truest sense. Guests can expect a range of gourmet masterpieces; of smoke-laden, aromatic dishes; all perfectly grilled and served al fresco on pristine sands – where ultimate fine dining blends beautifully with laidback, bohemian whimsy.
Below we share some of what makes Ocaso so special – features that are sure to whet your appetite.
Inspiration from distant shores ~ perfected on our own sandy shores
Ocaso’s cuisine draws on evocative flavours and inspirations from across the globe: The best of Japanese and Latin American styles are infused into the smoky, aromatic dishes we cook up on the grill – right here, in the heart of a tropical paradise, a haven of outstanding natural beauty and balmy nights, with soft sand underfoot and the glorious starlit skies overhead.
This is soul food at its best, boasting delicious spreads that gather your loved ones in feasts that delight the senses, celebrate life in all its big moments and smaller pleasures, and set the perfect scene for enduring magical memories.
The art of teppanyaki ~ dinner and entertainment
At this Maldives restaurant, teppanyaki is the star of the show, in more ways than one. The name “teppanyaki” literally means “iron plate” and “grilled” or “pan-fried”, and this cuisine of frying all manner of meat, vegetables, tofu, noodles and rice over high heat has been popular ever since its invention in the mid-1940s in Japan. This style of gastronomy brings to the fore everything that is great about cooking on the grill: the freshest ingredients, flavourful smokiness, and quick, skilled chef manoeuvring that is a marvel to behold – a veritable theatre of food.
Ocaso offers a range of highest quality meat, sustainably caught fish and seafood, as well as vegetarian options, with each plate showcasing fusion food at its best. Maldivian Coral Lobster, for example, combines the zesty-meets-fruity-meets-salty flavour of yuzu miso with the sweet peppery notes of simmered daikon (a kind of Japanese radish) to enhance the freshest of locally caught coral lobster. Or for a vegetarian option, how about a tamagoyaki with cheese? This delicious Japanese-style rolled omelette is seasoned with various Asian condiments and cleverly combined with the unexpected flavour of cheese. Of course, Japan is also known for its premium beef – so you can be sure to find wagyu tenderloin and A5 Kagoshima Beef on the menu too. Extra touches include the likes of gyoza (crispy pan-fried Japanese dumplings), manju dumplings, yaki onigiri rice balls, various broths and seaweed in a number of tasty forms.
Unscripted dining ~ creative, off-the-cuff and tailored to your tastes
This approach to food – and to our style of dining in general – is inherently creative and spontaneous, taking the lead from both the masterful creativity of our award-winning chefs and the tastes and whims of your mood. As such, you can choose a meal from the menu’s Omakase (literally meaning “I trust you, chef”) section, where our culinary maestros will prepare a gastronomic wonder based on the particular fresh ingredients of the season and the particular mood of the moment. Or you might want to conjure up an idea of your own, something completely off-script, whatever your wishes, in co-creation with our chefs.
A wine cellar of note ~ housing the world’s best
Ocaso also houses one of the most outstanding wine cellars in the Indian Ocean, with the world’s finest wines on offer. Our collection features over 70 of France’s most renowned wines as well as 45 premium champagnes from that famous French region. But that’s just the beginning: our collection is truly world-class, with reds, whites, rosés and ports sourced from 18 different countries in total – from Italy to South Africa – and even houses 26 different sakés from Japan. Our sommeliers are equal parts expert and passionate, and will happily guide you through our world of wine to help you choose just what will delight your tastebuds and perfectly complement your meal.
It’s time to take a journey to a dreamy Maldives hideaway – and across a world of diverse flavours. Get in touch with us at [email protected] or talk to us at +960 730 98 18 to start creating a world of your own making.