Home>Blog>The Standard, Maldives’ Onda earns World Culinary Awards 2026 nomination for Mediterranean cuisine
27 July 2026
The Standard, Maldives’ Onda earns World Culinary Awards 2026 nomination for Mediterranean cuisine
Onda at The Standard, Maldives, by Hyatt has been nominated for Indian Ocean's Best Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant at the World Culinary Awards 2026, less than six months after opening its doors.
For chefs and hospitality professionals, the nomination highlights how a clearly defined culinary identity, consistent execution and strong guest engagement can quickly establish a restaurant among the region's leading dining destinations.
Opened in April 2026, Onda has built its concept around the coastal cuisines of the Mediterranean, combining premium seafood, seasonal ingredients and contemporary techniques with a menu designed to encourage shared dining experiences.
The nomination places the restaurant alongside leading Mediterranean dining concepts across the Indian Ocean and reflects growing international recognition for the Maldives' increasingly diverse restaurant scene.
At the heart of Onda's menu is an emphasis on ingredient quality and restrained cooking techniques that allow flavours to remain the focus. Signature dishes include Bouillabaisse Scampi, Red Snapper Crudo with Citrus and Daikon, and Wahoo Carpaccio, each illustrating the Mediterranean philosophy of celebrating fresh produce and seafood through simple yet technically precise preparation.
For culinary professionals, the menu demonstrates how classic Mediterranean traditions can be interpreted within a Maldivian setting by incorporating locally sourced seafood while remaining faithful to the cuisine's defining characteristics of freshness, balance and seasonality.
Commenting on the nomination, General Manager Justin Swart said the restaurant was created to offer a Mediterranean dining experience that combined outstanding food with genuine hospitality and the spirit of island living.
Director of Culinary Nandakumar Dharuman said repeat patronage had been one of the restaurant's most rewarding achievements since opening.
He noted that many guests returned to Onda several times during their stay, either to revisit favourite dishes or explore new additions to the menu, adding that guest feedback consistently highlighted the combination of food quality, atmosphere and hospitality.
For chefs, the nomination also underlines the importance of continuously refining menus in response to guest preferences while maintaining a strong culinary identity. Dharuman said the team remains committed to evolving its offerings to ensure every dining experience feels fresh and memorable.
Beyond the kitchen, Onda's design contributes to the overall dining experience. Inspired by life along the Mediterranean coast, the restaurant combines ocean-facing views with indoor-outdoor spaces, creating an environment that complements its food and beverage programme.
Presented annually, the World Culinary Awards recognise excellence across the global culinary and hospitality sectors, celebrating restaurants, chefs and dining concepts that set industry benchmarks.
For the Maldives culinary community, Onda's nomination reflects the growing international recognition of restaurants that bring specialised global cuisines to the destination while maintaining high standards of execution and hospitality. It also demonstrates how newly established dining concepts can achieve industry recognition through a combination of culinary vision, technical consistency and guest-focused service.
