Nest at Niyama: Maldives' Unique Jungle Dining Haven Returns with Exquisite Flavors

Niyama Private Islands Maldives welcomes back its exclusive Asian restaurant, Nest, unveiling a reimagined jungle dining experience enriched with bold, new flavors.

Tucked within the heart of Play, Nest delivers a dramatic touch to Asian fine dining, surrounded by wild, indigenous flora that creates an enchanting, otherworldly atmosphere.

The journey begins with a leisurely stroll along a winding boardwalk, surrounded by overgrown jungle vines. The magic of Nest unfolds beneath the canopy of a decades-old banyan tree. On the ground floor, tribal thatched-roof huts encircle the showcase teppanyaki, promising fiery culinary delights. Alternatively, guests can ascend a spiral staircase, crossing a bridge to reach their dining platform suspended six meters in the air.

Originally conceptualized in 2013 by Poole Associates and landscape architect Drew Anderson of TOPO Design, Nest's multi-level treehouse design has evolved over a decade. The recent enhancements, led by Chief Engineer Michael Selvin, feature denser, more dramatic landscaping, immersing each table fully in nature and exclusivity. As night falls, the trees come alive with hundreds of lights, casting an exotic glow reminiscent of Saigon, Tokyo, or Bangkok.

Complementing the revitalized setting is a new menu curated by Executive Chef Thierry Vergnault, featuring avant-garde flavors. Highlights include wagyu and sea urchin tataki (Japan), sizzling bo lok lak (Vietnam), and chilli reef lobster from local waters (Singapore).

Chef Thierry's culinary creations, marked by innovation and freshness, incorporate hard-to-find Asian herbs and spices from the island's garden. The experimental cocktail list, crafted by consultant Mathew Atkinson of Bruff Drinks, adds an extra layer of excitement.

Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives, expresses excitement about the revamped Nest, stating, "The reimagined concept, coupled with Chef Thierry Vergnault’s culinary brilliance, promises to take our guest experience to another level, and we invite the adventurous from around the world to come experience the magic of Nest for themselves."

Nest is open daily, offering teppanyaki lunch from 12:00 noon to 2:30 pm, teppanyaki dinner from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm, and a la carte dining from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.