7 Unique restaurants in the Maldives

Food is a fundamental part that can often accentuate your vacation in the Maldives to a higher level. Luckily, although situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the country is quite a dynamic culinary destination.

On the one hand, Maldivian cuisine impresses with its simple yet flavourful recipes. Most of these consist of local ingredients, including seafood, fruits, and an array of spices. While typically nutritious, Maldivian food isn’t without its comfort eats. For instance, bite-sized fried snacks, known as hedikaa, are a daily staple with morning and evening tea.

At the same time, Maldivian resorts present more diverse and lavish gastronomic offerings. Thus, it is in these luxurious retreats that you will find some of the most exclusive and unique restaurants in the Maldives. Or rather, the world.

Furthermore, the range of eateries at resorts is simply mind-boggling and every gourmand’s dream come true. From Italian, Japanese, and Indian restaurants to chef-led vegan hotspots, there’s something here for every palate to savor.

Unique restaurants in the Maldives

A holiday in the Maldives is about enjoying the good things in life. Gourmet food is one of them. However, a perfect culinary outing is as much about the ambiance as the food. At the top of unique restaurants in the Maldives are its underwater eateries. Located below the water, they provide an unimaginable epicurean affair, unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Similarly, the best treetop restaurants in Maldives grant views of a different kind. Dinner at these high-up establishments includes stunning panoramas, especially at sunset, for a truly romantic adventure.

However, these are not the only exclusive places to eat in the Maldives. From a restaurant reachable by zipline to one on a traditional cargo boat, here are seven more unique restaurants in the Maldives worth a visit.

Tavaru – Velaa Private Island

The exclusivity of Tavaru lies in its versatility. First, the so-called Tavaru Tower, with its pearl-white exterior, is an architectural wonder. Rising to 37 feet, it allows diners to admire the island and the surroundings from an unmatched vantage point.

Tavaru at Velaa Private Island is also home to a Japanese teppanyaki. Located on the top floor, the restaurant houses three individual grills where guests get to relish a culinary show along with the finest in Japanese cuisine. While the restaurant is perfect for an eventful dinner, it also plates delectable bento boxes during lunchtime.

If that wasn’t enough, Tavaru also houses the resort’s wine cellar. Featuring an impressive collection of over 500 labels, wine enthusiasts can taste everything from the new world and grand marques to boutique organic wines.

Ba’theli by the Reef – Milaidhoo Island Maldives

An exceptional culinary destination, Ba’theli is often considered among the unique restaurants in the Maldives. Its location on a traditional cargo boat, ba’theli, moored on the turquoise lagoon, creates the perfect thematic atmosphere for a memorable dinner.

Offering both on-deck and indoor seating, the restaurant celebrates Maldivian trade and culinary heritage by serving recipes inspired by South Asian spice routes. While alfresco dining seats you under the stars, the interiors are air-conditioned and have glass floors to view the aquatic life below.

The tasting menu at Ba’theli on Milaidhoo Island Maldives changes with the seasons. It typically consists of exquisitely plated contemporary renditions of classic Indian, Sri Lankan, and Maldivian preparations. The restaurant opens for dinner only, from 19:00 to 22:30.

Flying Sauces – Soneva Fushi

Adventurous gourmands that love a thrill factor to their culinary outings will find Flying Sauces to be among the most unique restaurants in the Maldives. Carrying forth the philosophy of experiential living, this is one of the most exhilarating dining experiences you’ll have anywhere in the world.

A first of its kind, Flying Sauces requires guests to zipline through the island’s lush tropical foliage before arriving at their table situated at the height of 12m. From its edge-of-the-vegetation location, guests are privy to astounding sea and island views. The 200m zipline starts from The Den and runs 5 to 10m above ground. The one-hour journey takes diners from platform to platform and through rope bridges.

The food at Flying Sauces is seasonal and elegantly plated. It is prepared in an open-air kitchen using fresh seafood and ingredients from the island’s organic gardens. The menu’s highlights include marinated prawns with avocado purée, black cod with Jerusalem artichoke purée, and plant-based cheesecake. Flying Sauces is open for breakfast, high tea, and early dinner, as it functions only during daylight hours.

Junk Food Kitchen – Hurawalhi Maldives

“Gourmet junk food” might sound like an anomaly, but at J.F.K., you can expect exactly that. Moreover, this unique restaurant in the Maldives not only satiates your comfort food cravings but also presents a range of delights for carnivores, vegans, and health-food eaters.

Located inside the resort’s Coco Bar, the Kitchen’s menu has some fun and inventive items to savor. Think, confit duck nuggets, crispy cauliflower with Bajan spices, a vegan burger, and the Maldivian fisherman pizza. The sorbet trilogy or layered Oreo brownie are the perfect desserts to end a filling meal. Those wanting something hearty and decadent can try the Wagyu beef burger with bacon, raclette cheese, and smoked mayonnaise.

The ambiance at Junk Food Kitchen at Hurawalhi Maldives is equally casual. The bar-restaurant offers waterfront indoor and alfresco seating with exceptional sea views.

Yasmeen – Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

From the treetop Terra to Glow, a farm-to-table concept, Waldorf Astoria has some of the most exclusive and unique restaurants in the Maldives. Yasmeen adds to the resort’s growing restaurant repertoire, presenting guests with delectable Levant recipes.

However, the real charm of Yasmeen is its setting. Featuring antiques and artifacts with purposely crumbling mud walls, the restaurant has a thematic Arabian village-style décor.

The menu at Yasmeen is a mix of authentic flavors and rich aromas. You can choose between the a-la-cate or a tasting menu. Start your meal with a cold or hot mezze followed by tasty mixed grilled meats prepared over a charcoal fire. The chicken mosakhan, spinach fatayer, and lamb shank are some of the other must-haves. Exotic, alluring, and with ocean vistas, Yasmeen is open only for dinner. It is, however, a must-visit dining experience during your stay at Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi.

The Lighthouse – InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

Classic Maldivian views meet international gastronomic favorites for a spectacular family-friendly diving experience at The Lighthouse. The restaurant boasts a traditional blue-white structure. It also invites diners to admire 360-degree panoramas of the island and the ocean from its upper deck. Furthermore, couples looking for a romantic escape can book a private table on the terrace or on the beach nearby.

The fine-dining menu features popular vegetarian, seafood, and meaty preparations, cooked using in-season produce. Seafood lovers should try scallops, grilled octopus, and local roasted fish. At the same time, avocado cannelloni and sundried tomato soup are excellent starters for vegetarians.

Located over the lagoon, just off the beach, The Lighthouse at InterContinental Maldives is accessible via a wooden jetty. Open for dinner from 19:00 to 22:00, the building makes for an excellent photo background.

Guess Who’s Cooking – Soneva Jani

Looking for an exciting and mysterious dining experience in the Maldives? Nothing gets better than Guess Who’s Cooking when you stay at Soneva Jani. With its ever-changing locations, the weekly spectacle is undoubtedly among the most unique restaurants in the Maldives.

Held once or twice a week, the concept consists of an “unknown-to-diners” chef serving a no-menu dinner to 16 daring gourmands. As the name suggests, guests have no idea of the chef cooking for them. The chefs can be from Soneva’s in-house culinary team, or they can be any of the visiting international culinary greats.

The big revelation materializes at the end of the degustation meal. That’s when the chef comes out to talk about the food, ingredients, and inspiration behind the menu. The food, based on your preferences, is full of surprises and made with fresh seasonal produce.