Seafood, Spice & Everything Nice

Some meals linger in your memory long after the last bite—the ones where setting, flavor, and atmosphere collide in perfect harmony. Sun Star at Villa Park is one of those places. Suspended above the Indian Ocean, this overwater restaurant is more than a dining destination; it’s an immersion into the Maldives’ deep-rooted relationship with the sea, reimagined through the bold, aromatic lens of Thai cuisine.

For centuries, the Maldivian way of cooking fish was shaped by necessity and instinct. Freshly caught reef fish were grilled over open flames, preserved with sea salt, or marinated in coconut and citrus to enhance their delicate flavors. The spices were never overpowering, just enough to complement the ocean’s natural salinity. At Sun Star, this philosophy remains, but with a twist—layered with the sweet heat of Thai chili, the sharpness of lemongrass, and the umami depth of fish sauce.

Picture a whole reef fish, its skin crisp from the grill, infused with lime and coriander, flaking apart with the touch of a fork. Or plump tiger prawns, fire-kissed and drenched in a tamarind glaze, their sweetness balanced by just a whisper of Maldivian chili. Even the simplest dishes—seared tuna, a coconut-infused seafood curry—feel like an exploration of flavors, a fusion of island traditions that spans across the Indian Ocean.

But Sun Star isn’t just about the flavors—it’s about the feeling. The scent of grilled seafood drifts through the salt air as the waves murmur beneath the deck. A reef shark glides past in the moonlit water, and for a moment, everything is still. Here, suspended between sea and sky, dinner becomes something more—a quiet ritual, a moment to exhale, a taste of the wild, untamed Maldives.