The Ba’theli at Milaidhoo- Dine on a Boat from 5000 Years Ago

Sunday 7th of June 2020

The Ba’theli at Milaidhoo- Dine on a Boat from 5000 Years Ago

Over 3 years ago, dining in the Maldives was taken to another level with the opening of the first modern Maldivian restaurant by Milaidhoo Island. This was no ordinary restaurant. It is an architectural masterpiece that reflects heritage and continues a story dating back to over 5000 years ago in Maldives.

The Ba’theli by the Reef at Milaidhoo is the first and only Maldivian gourmet restaurant, not only featuring epicurean dishes of inspired island cuisine from the Maldivian Spice Route, but is also unique as it has been created in three replicas of the ancient ba’theli sailing vessels. While one of the wooden boats is the restaurant, a second boat is the bar-lounge and a third boat is the kitchen.

The history of the traditional wooden sailing boat began long before tourists discovered the Maldives. It was during the first millennium when the Maldives became a key port of call for traders sailing from Indonesia and India to Arabia with cargoes of cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, ginger and pepper. Maldivians bartered coconuts, sun-dried fish, cordage and sails woven from coconut fibre, and cowrie shells (which became currency) for spice, rice, ceramics and silks. The ba’theli sailed throughout the archipelago with these goods, spreading knowledge about different lands, their customs and cuisine.

Experience Maldivian culture like no other on the Ba’theli. With such a stunning location and design, the resort’s culinary team ensures that the food onboard is as unique as the architecture. Examples of the highlights of Maldivian cuisine are featured in the Ba’theli Maldivian Heritage Degustation Menu, including Havaadhuli Mas – island-spiced Maldivian yellow fin tuna loin seared medium rare, kullha fila (local mustard leaf plant) and copra essence. There are also dishes of Maldivian lobster curry, Northern archipelago slow braised Lamb curry, Southern Maldivian chicken curry and much more.

The Ba’theli restaurant concept is part of the Milaidhoo ethos to give guests a very Maldivian holiday with a real sense of island life.