Eat, Love, Stay: Honeymoon resorts for foodies

The tinkle of ice melting in a silver bucket, a starched linen tablecloth and the anticipation of a whirlwind culinary adventure...we take a look at some of our favourite honeymoon dining experiences.

Baros Maldives

The small island of Baros in the North Malé Atoll is one of the first and most elegant resorts to be built in the Maldives. With age comes reputation, and Baros’ striking Lighthouse restaurant has become world renowned as an icon of culinary style thanks to its tented canopy-style roof and enchanting location. With tables set up for al fresco dining on a generous circular deck, course after course is served overwater, above a sparkling lagoon. For something less formal, Cayenne has a wood-fired pizza oven and delivers a healthy line in light dishes including fresh-caught tuna carpaccio, prawn and reef summer rolls and deconstructed Caesar salads. There is even a dedicated Satay bar.

Insider Tip: To get closer to nature, why not arrange a picnic-for-two on a deserted sandbank? Pack a sarong and a wide-brimmed hat and you’re ready to go.

Zilwa Attitude, Mauritius

Bringing an element of boho-chic glamour to the Indian Ocean, Zilwa Attitude has plenty of attitude (in a good way) and prides itself on keeping its guests well fed with its six restaurants. There are local delicacies to try plusIndian, Chinese and European menus to choose from. Wannabe Nigellas can swat up with creole cookery lessons on the beach, and for a real dose of Mauritian magic, you can dine in the home of a local family or go fishing with the lads. The concept at Zilwa is to make visitors feel as much as possible like true islanders – so if you’re yearning to escape from the complications of city living and fancy a taste of the simple life, this could be the place for you.

Insider Tip: Drinks at the sunken boat beach bar are a must – ask for a Panacon (Tamarind, pineapple, apple, cardamom, rum and ginger), it’s an authentic Mauritian tipple.

Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Antigua

It might be an all-inclusive resort but here’s the unexpected twist: all the restaurants are à la carte (no standing in line at heaving buffet tables) and meal plans include all spirits and sparkling wines, which means you can spoil yourselves rotten without having the worry of a gargantuan bar bill. At the Barefoot Grill you can grab something light with the sand between your toes, and at Sea Grape, there are weekly barbecues with a steel-drum band. Afterwards, rocking chairs on the boardwalk provide somewhere to let your food go down. With herons, pelicans and frigate birds circling overhead, you’ll be in no rush to do much of anything.

Insider Tip: Reserve a candlelit dinner at Gauguin, where you’ll dine in your own thatched cabana just steps from the sea – about as romantic as it gets.

Celebrity Cruises: Florida & The Caribbean

Can't decide on which Caribbean island is right for your honeymoon? Consider a cruise instead. One of our favourite cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises, has a brilliant Caribbean itinerary, and for the gourmet traveller, life on board presents a whole world of possibilities. Contemporary continental flavours, al fresco grills or something more exotic and eastern – it’s all for the taking in a plethora of dining rooms. But the icing on the cake has to be Qsine. Here, creative chefs promise to send you on a gastronomic adventure through some of the most surprisingly presented dishes you’ll ever see. Little portions make them great fun for sharing – think sushi lollipops, lobster escargot and popcorn fish and chips. And menus come on iPads; very avant-garde...

Insider Tip: On board, you’ll find boutiques selling top designer brands including Bvlgari, Breitling, Armani, Calvin Klein, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana – and it’s all duty free!

Paradisus La Perla, Mexico

For sun, sea, sand and seriously good food, this adults‑only beachfront resort in Playa del Carmen is ideal for honeymooners. With a wide mix of dining options, including elevated fine dining and globally inspired menus, it’s made for couples who like to dress up and try somewhere new each night. There are plenty of bars too, so you’re never far from a cocktail, plus regular wine and tequila tastings to sample along the way. Balance it out with a morning workout, a fitness class or something different like a dance lesson – you can indulge as much or as little as you please.

Insider Tip: Upgrade your room category to The Reserve for access to more exclusive spaces, including quieter pools, dedicated lounges and extra perks.

One&Only Cape Town, South Africa

Home to Reuben’s, one of the city’s best-loved brasseries, as well as Nobu Cape Town, One&Only Cape Town is a standout for food lovers. Chef Reuben Riffel is one of South Africa’s most recognised culinary names, and his relaxed, flavour-led dishes are worth the trip alone. Then there’s the Wine Loft – a striking three-level space showcasing an impressive collection of South African vintages. The hotel’s sommeliers are on hand to guide you through standout bottles from Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, offering excellent value for money. With views of Table Mountain, contemporary interiors with an African edge and a prime position near the V&A Waterfront, it’s perfectly placed for exploring the city’s top restaurants.

Insider Tip: Movie star Penelope Cruz is a fan of Nobu Cape Town – keep your eyes peeled!

Castel Monastero, Tuscany, Italy

The beautiful hills of Tuscany – there is no better place to feed the body and soul. Set within a magnificent 11th‑century monastery, Castel Monastero is a mesmerising hideaway with all the hallmarks of a fairytale: romantic towers, deep forests peppered with truffles and views across rolling Chianti countryside. Food is a serious highlight here, with a Michelin‑starred restaurant led by Executive Chef Davide Canella, alongside a more relaxed Tuscan trattoria in the old wine cellar. Surrounded by olive groves and avenues of cypress trees, it’s the perfect place to introduce your palate to elevated Italian cuisine – and dining here is an experience you won’t forget.

Insider Tip: The traditional Tuscan cookery programmes at Castel Monastero are some of the best in Europe. Roll up your sleeves!

Rocky's Boutique Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand

Out of Thailand's many palm‑fringed islands, Koh Samui stands out for its food scene. Rocky’s Boutique Resort is a cheerful, under‑the‑radar tropical hideaway on the south‑east coast, where dining is a real highlight. The resort’s signature restaurant, The Dining Room, serves refined French‑influenced cuisine with a modern twist, all with a beachfront backdrop of long‑tailed boats drifting past. Thai cookery classes, snorkelling in nearby coral reefs and trips into Lamai provide plenty to fill your days, but it’s in the evening that the hotel really comes into its own. With soft, low‑level lighting and a warm, intimate feel, it’s easy to see why this family‑run resort has such a loyal following.

Insider Tip:  Book a private beachfront dinner or sala setup for a more intimate take on The Dining Room experience – one of the most romantic ways to spend an evening here.

Banyan Tree, Bangkok, Thailand

Boom! With stellar view like these, this has HAS got to be Bangkok’s sexiest address. Book a table at Vertigo Restaurant & Moon Bar and this spectacular open-air rooftop setting will be yours for the night. Located right in the heart of the city on South Sathon Road, Banyan Tree Bangkok gives you access to some of the chicest eateries this Asian metropolis has to offer. But right under your roof, there’s plenty to whet the appetite: classic Cantonese, teppanyaki or contemporary Thai fare, for starters. There’s even a riverboat anchored nearby should you wish to whisk your beloved away on a watery sightseeing tour of the city accompanied by a menu of crab claw coconut broth and steamed snow fish.

Insider Tip: Avoid being taken all round the houses in a tuk-tuk and stick to the Sky Train – there’s a station just 10-15 minutes walk from the hotel.

The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.