LAVA: From Ocean’s Bounty to Fire’s Embrace

Amid the tropical beauty of Phú Quốc, where sunsets melt into shades of gold over the sea, a dining destination awaits that is as much about architecture and storytelling as it is about cuisine.

Not simply a restaurant but a curated marine experience, LAVA at InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort is a journey where fire, ocean, and artistry come together in an unforgettable odyssey.

An Architectural Masterpiece

LAVA is a visual marvel designed by celebrated Vietnamese architect Võ Trọng Nghĩa, renowned for his poetic use of bamboo. The restaurant's sweeping bamboo arches rise like fishermen’s huts along the white sands of Long Beach, paying tribute to Vietnamese heritage while reflecting contemporary elegance. The structure seems to breathe with nature, an ode to craftsmanship set against the rhythm of the sea.

At LAVA's heart glows the fossilised coral bar, radiating with a surreal blue hue and drawing the eye as the restaurant’s luminous centerpiece. Guests may choose the intimacy of a private dining area overlooking a serene water fountain, ideal for treasured moments, or embrace the openness of the beachfront terrace, where the sea breeze drifts through and the sunset paints the horizon in molten gold.

A Feast of Freshness

At LAVA, freshness is philosophy. The seafood display draws inspiration from Phú Quốc's traditional fishing village markets, awakening a spirit of discovery in every guest. Huge fish with shimmering silver scales, crabs, oysters, and other treasures are laid out in abundance. The rustic beauty of the ocean is elevated into a work of art, a celebration of nature’s generosity and boundless plenty.

Guests are invited to choose their favourite seafood from the live tanks or an abundant display, then decide how their selection will be prepared, from delicately steamed to preserve purity of flavor, to seared over charcoal for smoky depth, to complemented with sauces such as butter and garlic, sweet and sour, or fragrant herbs. For those who crave simplicity, sashimi platters reveal the island’s essence in its purest form.

Flame and Culinary Artistry

Fire lies at the center of LAVA’s cuisine. The menu is a dance between flame and ocean, where the primal elegance of charcoal transforms the day’s catch into dishes of depth and character. But beyond the sea, LAVA is also proud of its fine meats, from premium cuts like the tomahawk steak with marbling melting into smoky tenderness, to other selections crafted with precision and care.

Local treasures such as Phú Quốc pepper, sim berries, island honey, and herbs from the resort’s own garden are woven through each dish, marrying authenticity with refinement. The result is cuisine that speaks to both palate and spirit, each plate a work of art and a dialogue between chef and diners.

A Tailored Culinary Journey

What truly distinguishes LAVA is its ability to craft deeply personalised dining experiences, with the Chef’s Table as its most coveted expression. More than a meal, it is an unfolding theatre of taste where the menu is never written, only imagined. Guests share their preferences, inspirations, or even just a mood, and the culinary team responds with a spontaneous symphony of courses, in which each one is a matter of surprise executed with artistry and passion.

When it comes to the Chef's Table, creativity knows no bounds. From the first delicate amuse-bouche to the final flourish of dessert, every dish reflects both the chef’s imagination and the island’s seasonal bounty. At times, the chef emerges to personally introduce a dish, sharing its story before completing the final step at the table. A garnish becomes a flourish, an ingredient transforms into decoration, and what might have seemed purely aesthetic is suddenly revealed as the last touch of flavor, a playful surprise that deepens the connection between diner and creation.

Service, too, plays its part. Attentive yet unobtrusive, the team choreographs each detail with quiet elegance, ensuring that every gesture complements the journey. For those marking a special occasion, or simply indulging in the extraordinary, the Chef’s Table is an unparalleled experience, an intimate encounter with creativity in its purest form, dedicated entirely to you.

The Perfect Pairing

LAVA’s extensive wine cellar honours both old-world and new-world regions, offering prized vintages alongside bold newcomers to complement the menu’s depth of flavor. Equally captivating are the signature cocktails, inspired by the Five Elements: wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. Crafted with homemade syrups and infused with narrative, each creation embodies its element. The must-try, Molten Amber, represents fire, drawn from the blazing heart of LAVA, rich in red hues and warm spice. Infused with spiced botanicals and a whisper of smoke, it unfolds in layers of heat and brightness, finishing with a lingering burn that ignites the senses and captures the elemental spirit at the core of LAVA.

An Experience to Treasure

At LAVA, every detail, from the iconic bamboo arches and the glowing coral bar to the artistry of its cuisine, transcends the notion of a fine meal, becoming a journey that lingers in both memory and emotion. Whether raising a glass at sunset on the terrace by the sand, discovering the surprises of a Chef’s Table menu, or simply savouring the pure essence of Phú Quốc in each refined layer of flavor, the experience at LAVA is one to be cherished. It enriches every holiday with moments of delight, leaving guests with memories to hold close long after their stay.

Written by Queenie Tran.