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Top 10 Best Restaurants in the Maldives for Food Lovers in 2024
Here are the top 10 best restaurants in the Maldives for food lovers in 2024, based on the traveler’s experience:
1. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant
The Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a remarkable dining establishment located five meters below the ocean’s surface. This unique underwater restaurant offers panoramic views of coral gardens and serves fusion menus paired with fine wines. Guests can enjoy set lunch and dinner menus that showcase local flavors blended with Western influences. The restaurant can be reserved for private dining, weddings, and special occasions, providing an exclusive and unforgettable dining experience.
Ithaa, which means “mother of pearl” in Dhivehi, is a 5-by-9-meter, mostly acrylic structure that can accommodate up to 14 people. Designed and constructed by M.J. Murphy Ltd., a design consultancy based in New Zealand, Ithaa opened in April 2005, making it the world’s first underwater restaurant. The menu at Ithaa has evolved over the years and currently offers contemporary European cuisine with a Maldivian-Western fusion twist.
Dining at Ithaa is not only about the culinary experience but also about the stunning underwater setting that provides guests with a truly immersive and unforgettable dining adventure. The restaurant’s unique location and innovative design make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the Maldives.
- Location: Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
- Reviews: 5 stars
Also read: Where is the Maldives located?
2. Reethi Restaurant
Reethi Restaurant at One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives offers a delightful fusion of Italian, French, and Asian cuisines in a vibrant setting. This innovative restaurant provides guests with a unique dining experience where they can savor a blend of flavors from different culinary traditions. With a focus on quality and creativity, Reethi Restaurant caters to those seeking a diverse and exquisite dining experience in the Maldives.
Additionally, Reethi Grill at Reethi Beach Resort offers outdoor dining by the sea, providing guests with live cooking, wood-fired grill specialties, and oven-prepared seafood dishes. This seaside dining experience creates a new dimension of fusion cuisine with grill, tandoori, and wood-fired pizza oven specialties. Guests can enjoy fine dining under the stars while listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean waves, making it the perfect https://www.instagram.com/p/CbKeho5IMB0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linksetting for a memorable culinary experience in the Maldives.
- Location: One&Only Reethi Rah
- Reviews: 4 stars
3. SEA Underwater Restaurant
The SEA Underwater Restaurant in the Maldives offers a truly exceptional dining experience where guests can indulge in fresh seafood and fine wines while immersed in an underwater world illuminated by enchanting lights. Located at Anantara Kihavah, this underwater restaurant provides a captivating view of the fascinating marine life beneath the ocean’s surface. Guests can explore the world’s first underwater wine cellar before entering a dining room completely surrounded by the sea, where they can watch sharks, turtles, and tropical fish swim by as they savor gourmet dining at its finest.
The menu at SEA features gourmet meals under the ocean’s waves, offering a variety of dishes such as Spiny Lobster Kunafa with poached Maldivian Rock Lobster mousse, lobster emulsion, raw kunafa, and black caviar, as well as Wagyu Striploin Tagliata with marinated wagyu striploin, garlic butter sauce, Eringi mushroom, pine seeds, arugula, and red wine jus. Whether enjoying a special lunch with impeccably plated Maldivian lobster or a romantic dinner with pan-seared Japanese wagyu, guests are treated to a culinary journey like no other in this underwater setting.
- Location: Anantara Kihavah, Maldives Villas
- Reviews: 4.5 stars
4. Treehouse (Soneva Fushi)
The Treehouse at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives offers a unique and enchanting experience for families and children. The island is a paradise for children, featuring a dedicated playground that is the largest in South Asia, spanning an area equivalent to six tennis courts. Children have access to two pools, a water slide, and various themed rooms for activities like dressing up, Lego building, and music. The Den, the largest children’s club in the Maldives and South Asia, covers over 1,365 square meters and offers a wide range of exciting and educational activities for young guests.
For older children and teenagers, The Den features a lounge area where they can relax and participate in weekly activities such as Junior Masterchef, beach volleyball, stargazing, and more. Families can choose from a range of spacious villas with private pools and gardens, some even featuring water slides into the pool or ocean.
Soneva Fushi ensures that families have an unforgettable holiday experience with special celebrations during festive seasons like Christmas and New Year.The Treehouse at Soneva Fushi provides a perfect blend of luxury accommodation, engaging activities for children of all ages, and unique experiences that cater to families seeking a memorable stay in the Maldives.
- Location: Soneva Fushi
- Reviews: 4.5 stars
5. The Cloud Restaurant
The Cloud Restaurant in the Maldives is an exquisite dining destination perched atop crystal waters, offering breathtaking views and a harmonious blend of elegance and sophistication. Inside, the ambiance is captivating, with soft music complementing the gentle lapping of waves. The restaurant’s menu features fresh seafood, and the service is impeccable, catering to every need. At sunset, The Cloud transforms into a magical atmosphere, and diners can choose private floating pods for an intimate, immersive dining experience under the stars. The restaurant is committed to sustainable practices, preserving the Maldivian ecosystem, and offering an extensive wine selection to complement the meal.
- Location: Samann Grand, Roashanee Magu, Malé 20004, Maldives,
- Reviews: 4 Stars
6. Feeling Koi (Amilla Fushi)
Feeling Koi at Amilla Fushi is an award-winning overwater signature restaurant that offers authentic modern Japanese dining with a playful Latin-influenced style. The restaurant presents shared dishes prepared using the finest quality ingredients, featuring a simple yet exquisite presentation with a Latin twist. Feeling Koi infuses the Japanese gastropub concept with warm service and a generous pinch of signature Amilla pizzazz, providing an informal and laid-back Izakaya-style dining experience in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
The restaurant’s menu features a variety of dishes, including sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese specialties. The dining area offers breathtaking views, and the service is impeccable, catering to every need. Feeling Koi is part of Amilla Maldives’ commitment to sustainability, with dining initiatives that include a banana plantation, hydroponic garden, mushroom hut, and coconut processing facility.
In addition to Feeling Koi, Amilla Fushi offers a range of other dining venues, including Barolo Emperor Beach Club, East Joe’s Pizza, Fresh Chill’d Café, Sunset Bar, Baa Bar, The Cellar Door, Mystique Garden, and Culinary Moments. These venues provide a variety of cuisines and dining experiences for guests to enjoy during their stay at the resort.
- Location: Amilla Fushi
- Reviews: 4.5 stars
7. Vilu Restaurant & Bar
Vilu Restaurant & Bar at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers a picturesque dining experience surrounded by swaying palm trees and breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. This Italian-inspired restaurant is the perfect setting for a leisurely breakfast or a romantic dinner under the starlit Maldivian sky.
Vilu prides itself on the art of food and wine pairing, providing guests with a traditional Italian menu complemented by an extensive wine list. The restaurant, beautifully situated on the edge of the lagoon, offers both indoor and outdoor dining options, allowing guests to enjoy their meal while taking in the stunning ocean views. Vilu Restaurant & Bar at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island promises a culinary journey that combines exquisite flavors with a serene and idyllic setting.
- Location: One&Only Reethi Rah
- Reviews: 4 stars
8. The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse Restaurant in the Maldives, located on Baros Island, is a legendary dining destination known for its intimate and magical ambiance. Situated on a circular dock with a floating marquee, this elegant gourmet restaurant offers stunning views over the lagoon and the seas. The restaurant’s iconic white sail rises above the water, creating a beacon over the ocean. Guests can enjoy Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, featuring fresh local seafood, tender steaks, and modern classics infused with exotic flavors. Dining at The Lighthouse promises to elevate culinary standards to new heights, offering a memorable experience that combines delectable cuisine with breathtaking views of the Baros Seas.
This restaurant provides an exceptional fine dining experience where guests can enjoy a glass of champagne at sunset in the lounge before indulging in a culinary journey filled with exquisite dishes. From local seafood like lobster, scallops, salmon, and cod to specially crafted desserts like Double Chocolate Espresso Truffle and Hot Soufflé, The Lighthouse’s menu caters to discerning palates seeking a gastronomic adventure. Additionally, guests can enhance their dining experience by allowing the resident sommelier to recommend the perfect wine pairing for their meal.
The Lighthouse Restaurant offers an enjoyable dinner under the stars or relaxing at The Lighthouse Lounge with live music and refreshing cocktails, Guests are sure to create unforgettable memories at this iconic dining venue
- Location: Baros, Maldives
- Reviews: 4.5 stars
9. 5.8 Undersea Restaurant
The 5.8 Undersea Restaurant at Hurawalhi Maldives is a unique dining experience located 5.8 meters below the ocean’s surface. This all-glass undersea restaurant is the world’s largest and offers a multi-course tasting extravaganza in a state-of-the-art location. The restaurant provides a modern fine dining experience, combining some of the world’s best ingredients in a truly unique setting. Guests can enjoy world-class food while being inches away from a natural spectacle of tropical fish. The restaurant opens for lunch (two sittings) and dinner (one sitting), with the ideal option being dinner to admire the surroundings in daylight and be stunned by the change of scenery during sunset.
- Location: Hurawalhi Island Resort
- Reviews: 5 stars
10. Bokkura Restaurant
Bokkura Restaurant, located at Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa in the Maldives, is a stylish and contemporary all-day diner offering a multi-cuisine dining experience. The restaurant’s name is derived from a type of Maldivian boat, reflecting its connection to local culture.
Bokkura serves a range of cuisines, including Continental, Indian, Pan-Asian, Middle Eastern, and Western dishes. Guests can enjoy lunch from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and dinner from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM, with an average price for two people of around $120 for lunch and $150 for dinner. The restaurant provides a sophisticated ambiance with mood lighting and diverse world music, creating a delightful setting for guests to indulge in a culinary journey that spans across various regions and flavors. With its diverse menu and stylish atmosphere, Bokkura Restaurant at Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa offers a memorable dining experience for visitors looking to explore a fusion of global cuisines in the beautiful surroundings of the Maldives.
- Location: Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa
- Reviews: 4.5 stars
Top 10 Best Restaurants in the Maldives for Food Lovers in 2024: Map
Maldives Restaurant Prices
The prices for dining in the Maldives can vary significantly depending on the restaurant and the type of meal plan you choose. For example, at the Reethi Beach Resort, food starts at about $75 per person per day if you’ve booked bed & breakfast only. Dinner at the Rehendi buffet restaurant is $55 per adult, while lunch is $35. For those on half-board or higher meal plans, the cost of dinner is discounted by 15%. The Moodhu Bar offers mains for $15–$25, with a selection of starters ($10–$15) and desserts ($5–$15).
The Saima Garden offers a choice of set menus for $79 per person ($149 for the ‘Lobster Sensation’), with a 15% discount for guests on half-board or higher meal plans. The Reethi Grill offers a la carte dining with mains starting at $15, but the real highlight here is choosing seafood or meat for the grill, which is charged by weight. There are several seafood options, ranging from local catch of the day at $12 per 100g up to langoustines and Maldivian lobster at $18 per 100g.
A lunch meal was $97, while dinner prices ranged from $135 to $275 per person, and in cafes and restaurants in Male, the capital of the Maldives, prices range from 25 to 45 MVR for sandwiches, 35 to 50 MVR for burgers, and 25 to 40 MVR for coffee. Overall, dining prices in the Maldives can vary widely, with upscale restaurants at resorts charging higher prices compared to local cafes and eateries. For more information, Visit Maldives
The Best Local Food to try in Maldives Restaurants
When dining in the Maldives, there are several local dishes that you must try to experience the authentic flavors of the region. Here are some traditional Maldivian dishes to try at local restaurants:
- Boiled Tuna with Rice: Considered a main dish in Maldivian restaurants, this meal consists of tuna served in a coconut milk and pepper curry sauce with lime, onion, and chili.
- Roshi (Bread): A local delicacy for Europeans, roshi is a type of bread that is popular in the Maldives.
- Saagu Bondibai: A traditional dessert made with sabudana or tapioca pudding cooked in coconut milk and condensed milk.
- Aluvi Boakibaa is an exotic coconut dessert that is a popular sweet treat in the Maldives.
- Hedika: Maldivian tapas featuring savory fillings like fish, spiced potatoes, and vegetables.
- Fish Curries: A staple in Maldivian cuisine, fish curries are flavorful dishes that showcase the region’s fresh seafood.
- Barbecued Fish: Enjoy barbecued fish basted with chili for a spicy and delicious meal.
- Masroshi: Fried fish cooked with chili and garlic, wrapped in roshi bread, and baked.
- Gulha: pastry balls stuffed with smoked fish, a popular snack in the Maldives.
- Kulhi Boakibaa is a spicy fish cake that is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
These dishes highlight the rich seafood-centric cuisine of the Maldives, incorporating flavors of coconut, chili, and local spices to create unique and delicious meals that reflect the region’s culinary heritage.
FAQ’s
Best restaurants in the Maldives on the beach
Some of the best beachfront restaurants in the Maldives include Batuta Maldives Beach Restaurant in Thulusdhoo, Beach Club Grill Restaurant in Hulhudhuffaaru, Sunset Pool Cafe in Utheemu, and Beach Shack in Malé, offering a unique dining experience by the sea.
Is Maldives expensive for food?
Food in the Maldives can be expensive, especially in resorts and tourist areas. A typical fast food meal costs around $10 USD, while a cheeseburger can cost $3 USD. Dinner prices range from $80 to $275 per person. Overall, dining in the Maldives can be affordable if you choose local cafes and eateries, but prices can be higher in resorts and tourist areas.