- Maldives DMC since 2006
- Direct contract with JA Manafaru
- Air + sea transfer coordinated
- CuisineInternational, Maldivian
- StyleBuffet and à la carte
- SettingMain island restaurant
- DressSmart Casual
- ReservationRequired
About Kakuni
Start your day at Kakuni with a diverse breakfast buffet of fresh fruit, wellness bowls, and homemade yoghurts. Lunch features international favourites designed to fuel active days on the island. Dinner includes themed nights each week, from the regal Maldivian Malaafaiy experience to lively Asian Street Night and a Sustainable Seafood BBQ showcasing responsibly sourced ocean flavours.
Part of the dining roster at JA Manafaru, this international, maldivian restaurant runs a buffet and à la carte format · main island restaurant setting. Dress code: smart casual.
Opens the resort's official menu
Kakuni Menu
As published by the resort, checked Sept 2026. Prices as listed; the kitchen confirms at the table.
Chef’s Recommendations
- Fin de Claire Oysters – Per PieceUSD 6
Classic condiments.
- Oscietra Caviar, 30 gUSD 106
- Sevruga Caviar, 30 gUSD 112
Hot Dishes
- Add Maldivian LobsterUSD 30
Optional addition to Eggs Benedict.
- Eggs Benedict
English muffin, poached egg, hollandaise sauce Choice of turkey ham or smoked salmon
- Eggs Florentine
English muffin, poached egg, hollandaise sauce, spinach Choice of turkey ham or smoked salmon
- Fresh Farm Eggs
Boiled, poached, scrambled or fried
- Three-Egg Omelette
Three-egg omelette or egg-white omelette Choice of fillings: mushrooms, spinach, turkey ham, cheese, onion, tomato, bell pepper and chilli
Bites
- Yellowfin Tuna Tartare28*
Avocado, tomato, coriander, spring onion, lime and garlic oil, sweet potato chips
- Reef Fish Ceviche26*
Green apple, lime, chilli, coriander
- Popcorn Chicken22*
Roasted garlic aioli, sweet chilli sauce
- Vegetable Crudités25*
Cucumber, carrot, tomato, bell pepper, radish, avocado, homemade hummus
- Crispy Coconut Prawns32**
Spicy mango sriracha
Salads
- Greek-Style Quinoa Salad (V, N)20* / 30*
Lettuce, Kalamata olives, feta, artichoke, avocado, cherry tomato, cucumber, herb vinaigrette, pine nuts
Vegetarian · Contains nuts
- Maldivian Barabo Mashuni18* / 28*
Pumpkin, home-smoked tuna, fresh coconut, onion, curry leaves, chilli, lime, homemade chapati bread
- Chef’s Tuna Salad22* / 32*
Yellowfin tuna, avocado, tomato, egg, potatoes, carrot, onion, red cabbage, Kalamata olives, lemon and olive oil dressing
- Caesar Salad (V)15* / 25*
Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, boiled egg, baguette croutons, shaved Parmesan
Vegetarian
Salad Add-ons
- Cajun-Spiced Chicken8* / 15*
- Garlic Prawns12** / 19**
- Seared Beef Salad (N)25** / 35**
Cucumber, tomato, shallot, mint, coriander, basil, toasted rice, Thai chilli dressing
Contains nuts
Soups
- Soup of the Day (V)18*
Vegetarian
- Maldivian Faru Mas Kiru Garudhiya23*
Reef fish, coconut milk, onion, garlic, ginger, curry leaves, pandan leaf, green chilli
- Tom Yum Goong25*
Hot and sour soup, prawns, fish sauce, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, straw mushrooms, tomato, fresh coriander
Sushi Rolls
- Crunchy California28*
Crab, avocado, cucumber, orange tobiko, mayonnaise, tenkasu
- Dragon38*
Tempura shrimp, sriracha mayonnaise, black tobiko, pickled onion, nori, spring onion, tenkasu
- Spicy Salmon35*
Sriracha, avocado, sesame, gochujang mayonnaise, chives
- Kaki-Age (V)22*
Vegetable tempura, cream cheese, truffle mayonnaise, tenkasu, sesame seeds, chives
Vegetarian
Sandwiches, Burgers and Wraps
- New York Club Sandwich33*
Grilled chicken, turkey bacon, fried egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, brioche bun
- Manafaru Beef Burger38*
Sesame brioche bun, lettuce, tomato, gherkins, caramelised onion, cheese, fried egg, mustard mayonnaise
- Crispy Fried Chicken Bao Bun35*
Kimchi coleslaw, pickled cucumber, honey sriracha mayonnaise
- Yellowfin Tuna Gyros35*
Grilled herb-marinated tuna, lettuce, tomato, onion, tzatziki sauce, pita bread
- Mediterranean Vegetable Panini (V, N)28*
Grilled aubergine, courgette, bell pepper, basil pesto, goat’s cheese, rocket, ciabatta
Vegetarian · Contains nuts
- Grilled Steak Sandwich45**
Sirloin steak, caramelised onion, tomato jam, rocket, baguette
Favourites
- Fish of the Day36*
Roasted garlic potatoes, green salad, lemon butter sauce
- Crispy Chicken Katsu38*
Japanese garlic rice, homemade tonkatsu sauce, coleslaw
- Maldivian Farumahu Dhon Riha33*
Reef fish, coconut curry sauce, jasmine rice, homemade chapati bread
- Butter Chicken (N)38*
Marinated chicken thigh, Indian spices, tomato, cashew cream, jasmine rice, Malabar parotta
Contains nuts
- Kadai Vegetable Curry (V)33*
Stir-fried vegetables, onion and tomato masala cream, jasmine rice, Malabar parotta, tomato and cucumber salad
Vegetarian
- Nasi Goreng Kampung35*
Southeast Asian fried rice, sambal chicken, fried egg, pickle, prawn crackers
- Phad Thai (N)38*
Stir-fried rice noodles, prawns, chicken, egg, tofu, chives, bean sprouts, peanuts, crispy shallots, tamarind, fish sauce
Contains nuts
- Teriyaki Salmon52**
Jasmine rice, sautéed broccolini, avocado, edamame, spring onion, sesame seeds
Desserts
- Toffee Date Pudding (N)20*
Salted caramel, cream, candied pistachios, dark chocolate
Contains nuts
- Chocolate Brownie Sundae (N)20*
Contains nuts
- Coconut and Mango Sundae19*
- Raspberry and White Chocolate Kulfi20*
- Fresh Fruit Platter18*
- Homemade Ice Creams9 per scoop*
Madagascan vanilla, Belgian chocolate, strawberry or island coconut
- Homemade Sorbets9 per scoop*
Mango, lemon and lime, or island coconut
Breakfast
- Classic Porridge
Steel-cut oats, maple syrup, cinnamon, toasted nuts Choice of full-cream, skimmed, almond, soya, oat or coconut milk
Contains nuts
- Coconut Rice Pudding V
Pandan coconut cream, mango, cinnamon and cardamom powder
Vegetarian
- Rice Congee
- Miso Soup
Seaweed, tofu, bonito flakes, spring onion
- Egg Noodle Soup
Choice of chicken or seafood with vegetables, sliced chilli, soya sauce and sesame oil
- Steamed Dim Sum
Seafood, chicken or vegetable dim sum, dumpling sauce
Sides
- Baked beans
- Beef or chicken sausages
- Beef or turkeybacon
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Hash browns
- Grilled tomatoes
Platters
- European
Choice of eggs: poached, scrambled, fried, omelette or boiled Chicken sausage, hash brown, baked beans, mushrooms and grilled tomato
- Maldives: Hendhunu Sai
Collard greens, tuna and coconut salad, chicken curry, chapati bread, tuna samosa, tuna and coconut ball, cabbage and egg roll
- India: Ghar Ka Nashta V
Masala egg bhurji, potato and green pea curry, Kerala paratha, plain yoghurt and pickle
Vegetarian
- Asian Breakfast
Prawn fried rice, Asian greens, barbecue chicken bun, prawn crackers and hoisin sauce
- Arabic Mezze
Shakshouka with eggs baked in tomato sauce, foul medames, hummus, labneh, tomato, olive, cucumber and halloumi salad, za’atar and pita bread
- Lavazza Coffee
Americano Cappuccino Flat white Café latte Espresso Ristretto Macchiato Decaffeinated coffee
- TWG Fine Teas
English Breakfast Earl Grey Oolong Prestige Chamomile – served on its own, with honey available upon request Sencha Moroccan Mint Moonfruit Black
Prices are quoted in USD and are subject to government taxes, GST and service charge. Menu items marked with (*) are included for guests on AI, FB, HB and BB meal plans. Menu items marked with (**) receive a 50% discount for those meal plans.
Signature dishes
- Breakfast buffet
- Maldivian Malaafaiy
- Sustainable Seafood BBQ
Menu rotates with seasonal sourcing — ask Resortlife for the current shortlist.
When the kitchen serves
- official_text
- Breakfast: 7am to 10:30am | Lunch: 12:30pm to 3pm | Dinner: 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Hours subject to resort operating calendar — confirm with a Resortlife specialist when booking.
Other restaurants at JA Manafaru
Ocean GrillGrillsÀ la carte grillBarefoot beach dining under the starsView restaurant
Andiamo Bistro and PoolItalianÀ la carteTropical garden beside the Jungle PoolView restaurant
White OrchidJapanese, South East AsianÀ la carte and teppanyakiOverwater terraceView restaurant
The CellarDining ExperiencesFine dining and wine pairingSubterranean wine cellar carved into volcanic rockView restaurant
Infinity Pool BarCocktails / Light BitesCafe/BarInfinity Pool, Ocean ViewsView restaurant
Veli BarCocktails, Light BitesBarLagoon-facing barView restaurant
Other International, Maldivian restaurants in the Maldives
Haa Alifu AtollMatheefaru (means "coral reef" in Dhivehi)at The Signature Collection at HideawayInternational, MaldivianBuffetSand-floored oceanfront — 2 overwater private dining pavilionsView restaurant
Gaafu Alifu Atoll (North Huvadhoo)The Treehouseat Park Hyatt Maldives HadahaaInternational, MaldivianFine DiningElevated treetop — panoramic ocean viewsView restaurant
The JA Manafaru experience
JA Manafaru occupies the private island of Manafaru in Haa Alifu Atoll, at the northern end of the Maldives archipelago. It is reached either by a roughly 75-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport or by a 45-minute domestic flight to Hanimaadhoo Airport followed by a 35-minute speedboat transfer…
Getting there
JA Manafaru is reached by domestic flight + speedboat (50 min domestic flight to Hanimaadhoo + 40 min speedboat / Seaplane option available) from Velana International Airport (MLE).
Daylight-only seaplane operations (06:00–15:30) mean late-arriving long-haul flights may require an overnight in Malé before continuing — Resortlife coordinates the full air-and-sea chain when you book through us.
Questions about Kakuni
What cuisine does Kakuni serve?
Kakuni at JA Manafaru serves International, Maldivian in a buffet and à la carte format, set main island restaurant. The menu rotates with seasonal sourcing — Resortlife can share current dishes on request.Do I need to reserve a table at Kakuni?
Yes — reservations are required at Kakuni, typically booked in-resort the day before. Resortlife can flag preferred slots to the resort before your arrival when you book the stay through us.Is there a dress code at Kakuni?
Kakuni operates a smart casual dress code. Most Maldivian resort dining errs on smart-casual after sunset; pack accordingly.What are the must-try dishes at Kakuni?
Breakfast buffet, Maldivian Malaafaiy, Sustainable Seafood BBQ. Sourcing varies by season — ask the maître d' on arrival for the current pick.Is Kakuni included in resort meal plans?
Inclusion depends on the board basis you book — full-board (FB) and all-inclusive (AI) packages at JA Manafaru cover the main resort restaurants, while specialty venues like Kakuni sometimes carry a per-cover supplement or sit on a paid dine-around credit. Resortlife confirms the current inclusion rules at quote.
Reserve at Kakuni
Specialty restaurants at JA Manafaru are typically reserved in-resort once you check in, but Resortlife can flag preferences (theme nights, chef's table, private dining) with the resort before arrival when you book your stay through us.