The Best Restaurant Spots in the Maldives

The Maldives is a dream destination for travelers seeking an idyllic tropical paradise with pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and a tranquil ambiance. The island nation is not only famous for its natural beauty but also for its culinary delights. The Maldives boasts some of the finest restaurants in the world, serving a diverse range of cuisines, including Maldivian, Indian, Asian, and international. 

Here are the top 10 restaurants in the Maldives that offer exceptional dining experiences.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant - Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Ithaa is the world's first all-glass undersea restaurant, offering a unique dining experience with breathtaking views of the ocean's depths. The restaurant serves contemporary European cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and premium meats, accompanied by an extensive wine list. You can reserve Ithaa for private meals, weddings, and other special events.

View the restaurant here. 

M6m – MINUS SIX METERS - Located at the OZEN Life Maadhoo Resort

Lunch and dinner are available at this excellent, super-specialty underwater restaurant. Visitors will be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the world beneath the turquoise waters in addition to a delectable lunch rich in seafood. This is a truly spectacular and unforgettable sight, day or night. 

Children are only permitted on specific days so that adults may completely enjoy the romantic dining experience at the underwater restaurant close to Malé. While parents enjoy their M6m visit, kids can participate in a fun program in the kids' club that includes delectable food.

View the venue here. 

The Lighthouse Restaurant - Baros Maldives

The Lighthouse is an elegant restaurant situated in a stunning location at Baros Maldives, overlooking the Indian Ocean. The menu features Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including fresh seafood, grilled meats, and homemade pasta, paired with an extensive wine list.

For a memorable dining experience poised over the water with views that extend to the sparkling horizon, reserve a table beneath the stars. The Lighthouse at Baros has earned a legendary reputation in the Maldives for being intimate and magical. You'll keep coming back because of the mouthwatering food and stunning views of the Baros seas.

View the restaurant here. 

5.8 Undersea Restaurant - Hurawalhi Island Resort

The 5.8 Undersea Restaurant - World's Largest All-Glass Undersea Restaurant - is located at the Hurawalhi Island Resort, offering a unique dining experience that's 5.8 meters below sea level. The restaurant serves a multi-course tasting menu featuring contemporary European cuisine, accompanied by a carefully curated wine list.

Menus are examples and may change depending on the season and the chef's current source of culinary inspiration.

View the restaurant here. 

The Crab Shack - Soneva Resort

Voted the "world's most romantic restaurant" Crab Shack, is situated on Soneva Jani's southwest beach, on the other side of the island from Cinema Paradiso. The restaurant, kitchen, and bar are located on the ground floor, while the first-floor terrace is reserved for visitors to unwind on tiered daybeds and take in Maldivian sunsets while sipping rosé wine or other beverages.

The Crab Shack will only provide one variety of crab per day on a rotational basis. Chili crab, crab curry (both Thai and Sri Lankan styles), garlic crab, black pepper crab, hot Szechuan crab, and Vietnamese crab with tamarind, ginger, and black pepper are a few of the meals that can be ordered.

Mediterranean foods are also added to the menu, such as marinated sardines, mussels meunière, crab and shellfish bouillabaisse (depending on availability), spicy seafood salad, and a daily ceviche. A seafood plate with soft shell crabs, calamari, scallops, and other seafood will also be available. You can get this plate warm or cold (steamed, wok-fried, or grilled). There will also be a variety of vegetable-based side dishes available, made with organic greens from the resort's gardens. The menu includes marinated artichokes and broccoli with caramelized garlic. Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc will be the main drink options, but there will also be a variety of red wines.

View the restaurant here. 

Reethi Restaurant - One & Only Resort 

The Reethi Restaurant is a casual yet elegant restaurant situated at the One & Only resort. The menu features a fusion of Asian, European, and Maldivian flavors, including fresh seafood, grilled meats, and vegetarian options, served in a laid-back ambiance.

Reethi is airy and sunny during the day and serves a variety of breakfast dishes on its breathtaking over-water veranda. It becomes a dramatic culinary theater at night. The eating area is divided into three unique areas: Earth, which offers great French and lively Asian-inspired cuisine, and Fire Grill, which uses a charcoal oven to evoke the flavors of the land, farm, and sea.

View the restaurant here. 

Feeling Koi - Amilla Maldives Resort 

Feeling Koi is a Japanese restaurant located at Amilla Maldives Resort, serving authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki. The restaurant features a stunning overwater setting, creating a serene ambiance that's perfect for romantic dinners.

The restaurant is the brainchild of Mark Hehir, CEO and curator of The Small Maldives Island Co. Hehir's considerable culinary travels and experience, including several years working as a chef in Tokyo, served as inspiration for Feeling Koi.

Feeling Koi mixes the Japanese gastropub concept with warm service and a heaping pinch of distinctive Amilla pizzazz, bringing casual, laid-back Izakaya-style dining to the Indian Ocean archipelago.

View the restaurant here.

The Whale Bar - The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

The Whale Bar is a unique bar located at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, offering stunning views of the Indian Ocean. The bar features an extensive collection of premium wines, champagnes, and cocktails, paired with delicious tapas and small bites.

The artwork, a pyrographic masterwork on wood by well-known artist Maya Burman, shows a father and son discovering a paradise of corals, fish, and plankton—celebrating the beautiful marine life of the Maldives. Our unique lounge opens immediately onto an outside patio with comfortable sofas and armchairs where guests are invited to take in alluring views of the ocean and Vommuli Island's flawless coral.

View the restaurant here. 

Out of the Blue - Soneva Fushi

Out of the Blue, a two-story overwater building with five distinctive dining options, rises out of the magnificent Indian Ocean. Dine in a cozy setting while enjoying the creativity of great chefs from across the world. With the newest addition to Soneva Fushi's menu, customers will be spoiled for choice between delectable grilled meats and seafood, teppanyaki, sushi, and secret menus created by Michelin-starred chefs.

This area also includes: So Hot – a robata grill, josper grill, and pizza area; So Guilty – the chocolate and ice cream parlours; and So Cheesy – our cheese room. Out of the Blue is definitely something unexpected, as the name implies.

View the restaurant here. 

The Cloud Restaurant - Samann Grand

The Cloud Restaurant, renowned for its exceptional service and distinctive outlook, is perched atop Samann Grand, floating above the activity of Male' City. Thanks to its chefs' more than 20 years of industry experience, this à la carte restaurant specializes in fine dining. The Cloud Restaurant offers a variety of options that can be tailored to your preferences.

In conclusion, the Maldives offers an exceptional dining experience, with a diverse range of restaurants that cater to all tastes and budgets. From innovative underwater restaurants to beachfront eateries serving fresh seafood, the Maldives has it all. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a casual meal with friends, the Maldives' restaurants are sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.