Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has once again been honored with the Award of Excellence for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator’s 2025 Restaurant Awards. This year, the recognition was awarded to the resort’s signature restaurant, Mar-Umi, celebrating its exceptional commitment to wine and dining excellence.
“We are incredibly honored to receive the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for our Signature Restaurant Mar-Umi,” said Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives. “This accolade is a testament to our passionate team at Mar-Umi, who have meticulously curated a wine list that not only complements our Nikkei and South American cuisine, but also enhances every guest’s dining experience. We are proud to be recognized among the world’s best restaurants for wine for the second year in a row.”
Mar-Umi, as its name suggests, is an ode to the flavoursome cultures of Peru and Japan, serving Nikkei and South American cuisine.
Under the guidance of Executive Chef Lalith Sharma and Ahmed Kamal (Chef Kimo), the chef de cuisine at Mar-Umi delivers the finest combination of South American cuisine for lunch and Nikkei cuisine for dinner. The recent addition of Teppanyaki to the beachfront restaurant enhances the dining experience by offering not only delicious, exceptionally prepared food but also interactive culinary showmanship during lunch and dinner.
Mar-Umi also features a variety of sake grades on its already impressive menu, enhancing the dining experience through expert pairings carefully curated by the resort’s Chief Sommelier, Samantha Kumara.
Set along a pristine beach, Mar-Umi offers stunning views of the turquoise lagoon, creating the perfect backdrop for savouring exquisite dishes prepared by the resort’s talented chefs and refreshing cocktails crafted by expert mixologists at the Mar-Umi bar.
“A wine list is a restaurant’s identity in print, and this year’s Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners reflect both deep knowledge and a passion for discovery,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator. “I proudly present the 3,811 restaurants worldwide that earned a Restaurant Award this year—we raise a glass to all our winners.”
Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,010; 1,704; and 97 winners this year in each respective category.
Mar-Umi has won the Award of Excellence, which recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.
