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When traveling to a foreign country, one of the best ways to gain insight into its culture and lifestyle is to indulge in the local food scene. Whether you spend only a day in Maldives’ capital or plan to stay for a longer duration, eating at restaurants in Malé is convenient, cheaper, and also the perfect way to enjoy different cuisines along with traditional Maldivian delicacies.
Malé is among a handful of inhabited islands that has conventionally styled restaurants. While you won’t find alcohol or pork dishes at these eateries, they do serve an array of tasty bites influenced by Indian, Thai, Italian, and Continental cooking.
As is the case elsewhere, different restaurants in Malé appeal to different budgets. Most cafes and sai hotaas (Maldivian tea shops) are pocket-friendly, with individual dishes costing under $5. You can have a tummy-filling meal here for as low as $10. At the slightly more established and specialty restaurants, lunch or dinner will cost around $20 to $30 per person.
So, without much further ado, let’s visit the best restaurants in Malé where you can find everything from unique Maldivian street food to international dishes presented in a sophisticated setting.
Sala Thai
Address: Buruneege Boutique Hotel
The most loved restaurant in Malé is also one of its few “fine dining” establishments. Sala Thai has been a part of the local culinary scene for over a decade and continues to wow customers with authentic Thai preparations. Aesthetically decorated, the best place to sit in Sala Thai is in its high-walled courtyard. However, the airconditioned dimly-lit interiors are ideal for rainy days or an intimate dinner.
The food at Sala Thai is prepared using a mix of local products and ingredients that are flown in regularly. Amongst the must-have dishes here are Tom Jued Woon Sen – minced chicken and glass noodles in a clear broth, Kaow Neuw – sticky rice in bamboo, Gang Pha Nua – spicy beef curry pot, and Kaow Niew Tao Dum – a dessert made using black beans and sticky rice.
Jazz Cafe
Address: Haveeree Hingun
The restaurant in Malé for music lovers, Jazz Café, isn’t just about jazz. Instead, its atmospheric interiors create a space that evokes creativity, which comes easy when you have delectable comfort food available from morning till late evening. Featuring an area to host live music and open mic events, Jazz café is a chic spot in Malé, perfect for an exciting night out.
Adding to the appeal of Jazz Café is its drool-worthy breakfast menu with French toast, eggs, and banana pancakes. Many regulars skip over the mains choosing to indulge in the restaurant’s hot-selling cream and chocolate-filled donuts or Gelato ice-cream. If wanting more, try their lasagna or Sloppy Joe burger for a yummy lunch.
Belle Amie Bistro
Address: M. Melaa, Keneree Magu, Near National Museum
Belle Amie Bistro, a part of the Somerset Hotel, is one of the most highly-rated restaurants in Malé. Boasting a contemporary ambiance, friendly service, and a multi-cuisine menu, it is amazingly not too hard on the wallet either. Belle Amie serves a buffet in the morning but shifts to an a-la-carte menu for lunch and dinner. It is open to non-hotel guests and makes for a nice little afternoon break during your Malé day trip.
Particularly known for serving tasty Indian dishes, you have to try the butter chicken and fish curry with naan at Belle Amie. The restaurant also has special themed events, such as the Sri Lankan buffet, that enable visitors to savor dishes from specific regions.
Dawn Cafe
Address: Kandi Dhon Manik Goalhi
When searching for an authentic culinary experience, you have to visit one of Malé’s tea shops. And while there are several hotaas in the city, nothing beats the liveliness you witness at Dawn Café. Catering primarily to the fishermen, eating at Dawn Café is about immersing yourself into the city’s working heart. The interiors here are basic, with one communal table, a few small ones, and plastic chairs to sit on. Although not frequented by tourists, the staff is welcoming to foreigners and will go out of their way to explain every dish on offer.
When dining at a tea shop, you have the advantage of looking at the food, typically set up in a glass display. Maldivian quick bites that you will find here are on the spicier side but ask the staff, and they will guide you best according to your preferences. Try the fish balls, samosas, fish curry, and fried rice if it’s your first time. And don’t be surprised when you have to pay way less than you expected at the end of your meal.
Seagull Café House
Address: Fareedhee Magu Maafannu
Seagull Café House is unique in more ways than one. Firstly, it has an open and airy setting amidst lush greenery, with guests having the option to sit in a courtyard, an airconditioned enclosed area, or the terrace. The garden, though, oozes a beachy vibe with sandy “flooring” in place of grass. More impressive and quite Instagrammable is the tree growing through the restaurant that gives it a distinct character.
The food at Seagull Café House is modern with options such as healthy quinoa bowls, meaty burgers, and sandwiches. They also have Maldivian specialties as part of a buffet. However, the most popular item at Seagull Café is ice-cream, and they have a variety of delicious flavors you can choose from.
Pizza Mia
Address: Kalhuhuraa Magu
A lovely pizzeria in the heart of the city, Pizza Mia, claims to the best in Malé. Its setup is informal and bright, and the restaurant also delivers all the way to Hulhumalé. The menu here is limited to pizzas, pasta, and desserts, but there is enough choice to make you go back again and again.
Available in 12” and 18” sizes, you can order thin or thick crust pizzas at Pizza Mia. Their house favorite with buffalo mozzarella and cured meats is delicious, as is the seafood pizza. Giving the pies a Maldivian touch is the Valhomas Mashuni that comes with a topping of smoked tuna and bell peppers.
Meraki Coffee Roasters
Address: Husnuheena Magu
Step inside Meraki Coffee Roasters, and it’s like walking into a hip coffee shop somewhere in Europe. Trendy to its very core, Meraki is a must for every coffee aficionado visiting Malé. It follows the traditional coffee shop ethos with exposed brick walls, industrial features, and friendly baristas you can have a conversation with as they prepare your drink.
Thankfully, Meraki isn’t just all show, because its coffees are amongst the best in the country. Sourcing beans from around the globe, you can either relish the familiarity of a cappuccino or be more adventurous and try their in-house concoctions that combine elements like matcha, coconut, fruit flavors, and spices with various coffees. Their iced coffee and the cold brew are a must on hot and humid days.
Symphony Restaurant
Address: Athamaa Goalhi
Symphony, being one of the oldest restaurants in Malé, has a charming vintage aura about it. Many locals have fond memories of having visited Symphony at one time or another. The restaurant has both indoor and al fresco dining. The outdoor space especially looks delightful when lit up in the evening.
The best thing about eating at Symphony is that you can taste both international and regional food here. Tea time with fresh hedhikaa (short eats) is idyllic for a quick bite. If planning on a leisurely meal, try the chicken biryani, Maldivian fish curry, and beefsteak.
Salt Café and Restaurant
Address: 6th & 7th Floor Shinetree Building, Mohamed Ismail Didi Goalhi
Salt is a terrace restaurant with some of the best views in Malé. From its 7th floor’s vantage point, you get to see boats come in and go out of the harbor as well as the hustle of the nearby fish market. Salt is popular with the local ex-pat population and travelers wanting to spend some time before taking a ferry out of the city.
Although Salt Café promises and delivers an extensive “global menu,” it’s worth trying some of their seafood options. Opt for the catch of the day, the Dhivehi Fihunu Mas – reef fish marinated in chili paste, or the Seafood Feast, a lobster, fish, and prawn platter best enjoyed when visiting in a group.
Tandoori Flames
Address: Tata Building, Grand Mezzanine Floor, Majeedhee Magu Road
Having outlets in Malé and Hulhumalé, Tandoori Flames is a real hidden gem of a restaurant that serves enjoyable Indian and Pakistani food. Located inside the Tata Building, it is conveniently situated in the center of the city. While you do not get any ocean views from the restaurant, the food is its strong point and does not disappoint.
The best way to enjoy a meal at Tandoori Flames is to go hungry. Start with paneer pakora, tandoori chicken, and beef kebabs. There is chicken tikka masala, mutton handi, the chef’s special dal, and Peshawari naan for your mains. In the end, finish with a gulab jamun and book a taxi because there is no way you are walking home after having such a scrumptious and filling dinner.
N.B.: all information is correct as of the post publication date, and prices are subject to change.
