Carne Diem Grill by Dharshan has been selected for the 50 Best Discovery 2026 collection, becoming the only restaurant in the Maldives to be included in this year’s global selection. The recognition introduces the restaurant to an international audience of travellers, luxury travel advisors, culinary professionals and food enthusiasts who closely follow the influential 50 Best network.
The achievement further strengthens the Maldives’ growing reputation as a diverse global tourism destination offering distinctive culinary experiences alongside its internationally recognised natural beauty, luxury hospitality and exceptional island resorts. It also supports the country’s broader efforts to enhance the quality and variety of its tourism products while promoting the Maldives to high-value international markets.
The 2026 edition represents the largest expansion of 50 Best Discovery to date, welcoming more than 650 new venues from around the world. The expert-curated platform now features more than 3,500 restaurants, hotels, vineyards and other hospitality establishments located across over 800 cities and towns, making it an influential reference for travellers seeking outstanding international dining and hospitality experiences.
Published by the organisation behind the prestigious 50 Best Restaurants rankings, 50 Best Discovery does not accept applications from establishments seeking inclusion. Venues are selected through votes cast by members of the independent 50 Best Academies, which comprise more than 3,000 chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, critics and hospitality experts representing different regions of the world.
Carne Diem Grill by Dharshan is located at The Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives, where it has operated since opening in 2020. Its location within the prominent integrated resort destination allows international visitors to enjoy its specialised dining concept as part of the wider Maldives resort experience. The restaurant has steadily developed into one of the destination’s leading culinary attractions by maintaining a clear focus on consistency, craftsmanship, high-quality ingredients and attentive hospitality.
The Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives has established itself as an important dining, leisure and hospitality destination, bringing together visitors from resorts and other parts of the Maldives within a vibrant waterfront environment. Carne Diem Grill contributes to this diverse tourism offering by providing a specialised live-fire dining experience that complements the destination’s international hospitality standards and strengthens the Maldives’ appeal to travellers seeking memorable culinary experiences.
Central to the restaurant’s identity is Ignis Maximus, a custom-engineered charcoal grill developed by Chef Dharshan Munidasa specifically for Carne Diem Grill. Capable of reaching temperatures of up to 750°C, the grill enables precise preparation while retaining the natural flavour and quality of carefully selected ingredients.
The restaurant’s philosophy, “Meat. Heat. Salt.”, reflects its focus on exceptional ingredients, accurate cooking techniques and balanced seasoning. Rather than following short-term culinary trends, Carne Diem Grill has continued to refine its specialised concept and maintain consistent standards, helping it earn recognition among guests and hospitality professionals.
The menu is distinguished by premium grilled selections, including porterhouse steak and an eight-rib rack of lamb, prepared through carefully controlled live-fire cooking. The combination of high temperatures, precision and specialised grilling techniques forms the foundation of the restaurant’s distinctive culinary experience.
The restaurant has attracted an international clientele, with visitors continuing to share their dining experiences after leaving the Maldives. Carne Diem Grill has also presented its signature live-fire concept outside the country through successful events in Colombo and Bangkok. For each international presentation, an Ignis Maximus grill was custom-built in the host country to reproduce the restaurant’s distinctive preparation methods and maintain the authenticity of the Maldives-based dining experience.
Chef Dharshan Munidasa described the selection as an important honour for both the restaurant and the Maldives’ expanding culinary sector.
“To receive recognition from our peers through 50 Best Discovery is a tremendous honour—not only for Carne Diem Grill, but also for the Maldives as a culinary destination,” Chef Dharshan said.
“Carne Diem has always been about doing one thing exceptionally well. We have never tried to be another steakhouse. We’ve remained committed to our philosophy of exceptional ingredients, precision cooking and genuine hospitality, and it is incredibly rewarding to see that recognised on a global platform.”
The recognition represents another significant chapter in Chef Dharshan’s international culinary career. His restaurant Nihonbashi became the first restaurant from Sri Lanka to be featured on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, while Ministry of Crab has maintained a presence on the Asia’s 50 Best rankings and extended list for more than a decade.
With Carne Diem Grill’s inclusion in 50 Best Discovery 2026, it becomes the third restaurant created by Chef Dharshan to receive recognition from the organisation behind the globally respected 50 Best rankings.
The selection provides further international exposure for CROSSROADS Maldives and the country’s hospitality sector, demonstrating the ability of restaurants operating within Maldivian resort destinations to compete at a global level. It also reflects the continued development of the Maldives’ tourism industry under national efforts to diversify visitor experiences, promote excellence in hospitality and position the country as a leading destination for luxury travel and world-class dining.
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