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The Maldives has always been a prime holiday destination, but the last decade has brought about a new sense of vitality to its tourism culture. Ever since the government allowed locals to open guesthouses on inhabited islands, the nation has become a hotbed of activity, attracting budget tourists and ardent travelers who want to experience the authentic Maldives.
As a result of this change in the travel market, islands such as Maafushi in Kaafu Atoll have come up as trendy, backpacker-friendly, albeit commercial, holiday destinations with an ever-growing supply of hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants.
When saying in Maafushi, you’ll find that most guesthouses either offer full board service or are happy to serve a filling lunch and dinner at prices as low as $10 per meal.
If looking for a change in the food scene, the best restaurants in Maafushi are surprisingly subtle in appearance but still manage to showcase a novelty factor. Most importantly, they pack a punch when it comes to the food, which is fresh and bursting with international flavors to satisfy various tastes.
Mr. Octopus
Address: Kaani Beach
As the only place where foreigners can lounge in “skimpier” clothes, Maafushi’s bikini beach, one of the best beaches in the Maldives, is full of movement, no matter the time of the day you visit. Mr. Octopus, considered the best seafood restaurant in Maafushi, is situated near this beach.
Plating flavourful treats, the staff here is extremely friendly. They typically come to the beach, take orders, and then deliver the food, so you don’t even have to leave that perfect spot on the sand.
Light on the pocket, a meal for two from Mr. Octopus, consisting of fish and chips, steak, fresh juice, and snacks, will cost you around $35. The must-haves at the restaurant are jumbo prawns, grilled baby octopus, chicken or octopus kotthu, and the mixed seafood platter.
Hot Bite
Address: Ziyaaraiy Magu Road
Situated near the northern tip of Maafushi, Hot Bite is a cute corner restaurant that serves comfort food. They have a small courtyard on the ground floor where you can sit with sand under your feet. The terrace seating area is ideal for enjoying the sun while you eat. Hot Bite is also one of the few restaurants in the area to stay open till midnight.
The menu at Hot Bite includes hotdogs, sandwiches, soups, and pasta. You should try some of the Maldivian delicacies here like garudhiya – fish soup, and mas huni. The tandoori chicken pizza and seafood fried noodles are also quite uplifting.
Fine Bake by Suzy
Address: Main Road in front of the football field
This one is for all you travelers with a sweet tooth. As the only bakery on the island, Fine Bake by Suzy is definitely a stop you have to make in Maafushi. It’s a quaint little shop with glass displays packed with mostly sweet but a few savory delights. Although the food at Fine Bake is cheap, you can also buy bread to make your own sandwich later.
A great option to pick up a snack, you can choose between a freshly made juicy chicken burger, yummy fish bun, or a crunchy egg and vegetable samosa. It doesn’t make sense to leave Fine Bake without trying their pastries, so keep some space in your tummy for Suzy’s delectable carrot cake, chocolate brownie, and pineapple upside-down cake.
Symphony Lagoon
Address: Crystal Sands beach hotel
Symphony is a well-known culinary brand in the Maldives, and thus Symphony Lagoon is unquestionably the finest place to eat in Maafushi. Boasting of contemporary décor, the color scheme follows a tropical theme of whites merging with azure furnishings and wood browns. The restaurant, situated near the jetty, also has alfresco dining, promises excellent service, and has the island’s highest food standards.
The dishes at Symphony Lagoon are eclectic in that you can pick out Lebanese chicken, Indian curries, fish and chips, and fried rice from the same menu. Still, the restaurant is famous for its breakfast and dinner buffet that costs $10 and $15, respectively. The buffet food includes grilled fish, vegetable dishes, ice tea and water, soup, Maldivian favorites, and the likes.
Kaani Princess
Address: Maafushi waterfront
Maafushi is a rare destination in the Maldives where you can enjoy alcohol, otherwise banned on inhabited islands. However, it is not available in the conventional go to a restaurant and drink manner. On land, alcohol is still not allowed, but there is a possibility to drink gin and beer on the Kaani Princess.
There are three “floating bars” anchored just off the mainland. Kaani Princess is considered the best. The vessel also has a free pick-up and drop facility from the jetty.
The boat setup is pretty straightforward and is meant for travelers wanting a little change from the island’s simple life. A beer on the boat costs around $5, whereas drinks like gin will set you back by about $8. Although you can go to Kaani Princess in the evening and enjoy the sunset, but remember that it doesn’t really come alive till much later. If you want food and more drink options, go after 9:00 PM when you can enjoy music and dancing.
Pizza and Pasta Mamma Mia
Address: Miskiy Magu Road
A lovely restaurant in Maafushi that comprises of two distinct seating sections. The enclosed area has a pizzeria look with a small arch in the middle that gives it character. The next-door alfresco space has a tin shed ceiling but an open front, perfect for when you wish to feel the gentle sea breeze.
Pizza and Pasta Mamma Mia offers an assortment of wood-fired-oven pizza options, but the menu is not limited to Italian food. The restaurant also has crepes, burgers, submarines, and Asian recipes like nasi goreng. The Maafushi or seafood pizzas are recommended for non-vegetarians, while vegetarians can enjoy vegetable pizza, noodles, or rice.
Stingray Cafe
Address: Ziyaaraiy Magu
The Stingray Café oozes a unique island vibe with its patio furniture, hammocks in the courtyard, and open-air dining space on the ground level and first floor. The restaurant is part of the Stingray Beach Inn but is open to walk-in customers.
The excellent seafood prepared at Stingray and its romantic night-time ambiance make it among Maafushi’s best restaurants. Try the tuna fried rice, jumbo prawns, seafood platter, and you won’t be disappointed. Do ask the staff for recommendations so they can guide you to what’s best at that time of the year.
Arena Beach Restaurant
Address: Ziyaaraiy Magu
The Arena Beach Hotel is a semi-luxurious property to stay in Maafushi, and its in-house restaurant follows suit by serving delicious preparations. There are plenty of covered and open tables at Arena Beach, and it is an idyllic spot for a romantic music-filled candlelit dinner close to the water. The service is immaculate, and the staff is happy to go out of their way and prepare dishes as per your requirement.
The dinner buffet at Arena Beach costs $15, which is the standard price in the region. It gives you more choice, but the a la carte menu is a better decision if you want food out of the ordinary. Go with the grilled lobster, the reef fish kebabs, braised cuttlefish for your mains, and end the meal with a pineapple dhoni – fresh pineapple, ice cream, and chocolate sauce.
N.B.: all information is correct as of the post publication date, and prices are subjected to change.
