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It’s hard to think about the Maldives without water. People visit the archipelago to snorkel and dive, enjoy water sports, spend time on the beach, and live inside overwater bungalows. Also, resort guests love to partake in exceptional gastronomic affairs that include dining on the freshest of seafood in dream-like underwater restaurants.
With numerous fun things to see and do in the Maldives, some might say there are too many water-themed attractions. Known for catering to every whim and preference, island resorts are thus trying to develop new ideas that allow guests to have an unmatched holiday.
Maldivian resorts already have world-renowned restaurants, with top chefs from across the globe serving gourmet dishes in beautiful settings. Adding a hint of theatre and bringing about a change to this scenery are novel restaurants that present unique dining opportunities.
Leading this new movement are the best treetop restaurants in the Maldives. Adored by food lovers and travelers, the opening of sky-high restaurants is a fast-growing trend across the Maldivian islands. One that offers an Instagram-worthy and design-centric culinary excursion like no other.
Nest – Niyama Private Islands
As one of the most admired private island resorts, Niyama has been a leader in offering luxurious, one-of-a-kind imaginative encounters to its guests. Among its many exciting attractions is the best treetop restaurant in the Maldives, Nest. Set at 20 feet above the ground, Nest amazes diners with its picturesque position and attractive east Asian menu.
Nest has tables on the ground, but sitting in one of the pods on the top somehow uplifts the entire culinary adventure. A restaurant for the whole family, Nest, has a separate kid’s menu, as well as an a la carte and teppanyaki menu.
As expected, the teppanyaki table is forever popular, with guests having the option to choose between seafood, meat, and vegetarian set courses or favorites like sushi, scallops, and mochi ice-cream. In contrast, the a la carte menu is more extensive and features curries, soups, sushi based on the day’s catch, and specialties such as black truffle fried rice and grilled coral lobster.
Terra – Waldorf Astoria Maldives
Waldorf Astoria promotes Terra as an “elevated dining experience.” As far as treetop restaurants in the Maldives go, Terra is among the most sophisticated. It comprises seven circular bamboo nests that allow guests to relish fine-dining in an open surrounding. From these intimate private cocoons, diners are privy to spectacular scenes of the island and the ocean.
Terra takes its location and food seriously and thus caters only to adults. While open for dinner, guests often use Terra to sit and work on their computers during the daytime. Featuring a combination of tasting and a la carte menus, the treetop restaurant particularly excels in pairing classic preparations with world-class wines.
Undoubtedly the most expensive restaurant on the island, Terra demands an appreciation for presenting delicately arranged dishes with oodles of flavor. The restaurant is chiefly popular as a dining option for honeymooning couples in the Maldives. So, when planning an exclusive romantic diner, reach Terra just before sunset and pick the highest pod, which has the best view. Among the must-haves at Terra are alba white truffles and Miyazaki wagyu beef.
Manta Ray Treehouse – Joali Maldives
Made to look like a manta ray floating through the water, the Manta Ray Treehouse is less of a restaurant and more of an Instagrammable spot you can enjoy with friends and family. Made using sustainable materials, there is a natural charm to the treehouse with a wingspan of 15 meters. Designed by South African artist Porky Hefer, the setup is as much an art piece as it is a place to dine.
Manta Ray seats a party of eight to ten, giving them a bespoke culinary experience that celebrates local marine life. An in-demand dining location on Joali Maldives, book Manta Ray Treehouse for an evening meal well in advance. This way, you get to relish the food, watch the turquoise waters of the ocean, and eventually enjoy a stunning sunset while sitting 5 meters above the ground.
Since Manta Ray Treehouse is a private dining event, the food can be prepared according to the guests. However, the omakase menu is when the chef truly is in the element, preparing fresh and seasonal dishes that are a delight to eat. When booking Manta Ray Treehouse, you can also request specific music to make the evening all the more personal and memorable.
Kaashi – JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
Kaashi takes you up into the trees to dine in open, thatched-roof huts connected via bridges. As one of the best treetop restaurants in the Maldives, it offers panoramic ocean views from a unique vantage point that acts as a constant reminder of where you are. Open only for lunch, Kaashi promises excellent service, a trademark of the Marriott group, and excites gourmands with its primarily Thai menu.
Due to Kaashi’s relatively short business hours, remember to pre-book your lunch date when staying on Vagaru Island. If not in the mood for a proper meal, adjoining Kaashi is a lovely treetop bar, Rum Baan, that overlooks the water and presents the perfect opportunity to take shade from the afternoon sun.
The food at Kaashi celebrates Thai cuisine to the max. The chef, flown in from Thailand, is passionate about what he serves and often comes out to mingle with the guests. The portion sizes at Kaashi are suitable, and the chef will happily whip up something per your preference if required. In the end, along with savoring a delicious Pad Thai and a new cocktail from Rum Baan, the setting of Kaashi makes for a gorgeous lunch, one that lingers in mind for quite a while.
Fresh in the Garden – Soneva Fushi
Soneva Fushi epitomizes extravagance in the Maldives. As an award-winning resort, it has impressed the most ardent of travelers with its service, amenities, and positive approach towards sustainable living. Adding a notable feather to their cap is the “garden to plate” gastronomic experience at their treetop restaurant, Fresh in the Garden.
The setting of the restaurant is straight out of a fairytale. Guests walk a rope bridge that dangles over the resort’s organic garden from where ingredients such as root vegetables, fruits, herbs, and greens find their way into flavourful preparations. Once on top, you can sit in a covered canopy or pick the alfresco section where the only thing on top is a sky full of stars.
The menu at Fresh in the Garden levitates the culinary affair even further. You can choose between a set menu by chef Aaron Connolly or Christopher Warwick or go with the daily menu. The open-air setting and 360-degree views are undoubtedly inspiring. However, expect to be wowed by the exoticness of the dishes such as chilled tomato gazpacho, salmon with potato crab tower, smoked scallops with crispy pancetta, mushroom cappuccino with black truffle, and chocolate fondant for dessert.
Zero – Sun Island Resort
Dining at Zero restaurant, located on Sun Island, one of the Maldives’ largest resorts, is an exceptional occurrence. The setup at this culinary escape is very tropical, wherein guests are seated in vibrant, lush surroundings away from the beach. Among the trees and plants are wooden decks, on the ground and higher up, reached via a small swinging rope bridge.
The real magic of Zero doesn’t end with its location. The restaurant’s food gets a special mention for being local, not just to the Maldives but also to the island. The gastronomic experience begins long before guests are seated. The first step to a remarkable lunch or dinner is a stop at the resort’s greenhouses. The staff accompanies food lovers as they pick and choose salad leaves and herbs they would like to see transformed into delicious dishes.
The menu at Zero might be limited, but it is always seasonal and fresh. A place to have natural, healthy, and light meals, Zero impresses by creating an informal setting as it takes a step back to the basics, both in terms of its ethos and the food it serves.
