The 10 Most Stunning Restaurants In The Maldives
By Marilyne Morin, Founder of IMPACT M, Marketing & PR Consultancy.
About the author: Marilyne is a purpose-driven business leader with more than 15 years’ experience in Marketing, Public Relations, Branding, Digital and Corporate Communications. Having worked for a wide range of businesses in the fields of hospitality and tourism, arts and culture, events, entertainment, beauty and healthcare, she has a vast expertise and is driven by connecting emotionally brand personalities with their audiences. Her creativity, passion, and the unique stories she can unfold have allowed her to conduct successful communication campaigns worldwide.
The Maldives are synonymous with paradise, and if there’s anything apart from the stunning scenery that can add to it, it’s an exquisite dining experience. From beachside dining to underwater experiences and treetop venues, we’ve rounded up the ten best restaurants to experience in the Maldives.
The Lighthouse at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
A beacon of fine dining, Lighthouse indulges guests in the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean with a taste of simplicity and sunshine. Guests can begin the evening with a 360-degree view of the ocean on top of the lighthouse, before they enjoy vibrant flavours crafted from the finest seasonal ingredients and seafood.
Decorated with utmost care and love, the interiors remind you of the beautiful streets and architecture of Greece, to perfectly complement the Mediterranean dining experience.
Terra at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Presenting a romantic treetop setting for intimate dining, Terra features seven private dining pods, panoramic views, and a contemporary menu. Guests can savour the world’s finest ingredients, such as Miyazaki Wagyu Beef and Alba White Truffle.
To complement the exceptional dining experience, the restaurant offers an extensive wine collection, including Krug Champagne.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Sitting five meters below the surface of the ocean, Ithaa is the world’s first undersea restaurant. With panoramic coral garden views, guests can wonder at the exceptional marine life while enjoying a premium gastronomic experience.
The set lunch and dinner menus showcase local flavours blended with Western influences. Offering the perfect extraordinary settings for a special occasion, Ithaa can be reserved for private dining, weddings and other celebrations.
Kaashi at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
Kaashi is giving lunch a whole new meaning with an elevated (literally) gourmet experience. Set in a stunning treetop location, the restaurant offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean in tropical settings, for the perfect midday break.
Guests can savour freshly prepared authentic Thai cuisine and rum cocktails while taking in the cool ocean breeze.
Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc Randheli Maldives
Set in a lush tropical garden, Le 1947 is the epitome of fine dining and creativity in an understated island atmosphere. Named after Château Cheval Blanc’s most sought after vintage, Le 1947 restaurant blends French culinary savoir faire with the finest local flavours in a sensational twelve-course menu.
Exuding sophisticated elegance, the adjacent evening bar and cosy cigar lounge offer an exceptional selection of wine, champagne and spirits, to further the gastronomic experience.
Beach Shack at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives
The ideal day-time dining venue, the Beach Shack is the communal pulse of the island bringing families and friends together. Just steps away from the sea, it embraces a carefree spirit and relaxed cuisine, with live DJ tunes.
With sand underfoot, guests can delight in Mediterranean flavours with shared plates and grilled seafood, served alongside fruit and herb-driven cocktails, or vintage rose to sip all day.
Decanter at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
What could be more exclusive than dining in an underground wine cellar in the Maldives? The Decanter offers a memorable dining experience with a five-course private dinner paired with an inspired selection of prestigious vintages handpicked from the thousands of labels available at the cellar.
Meticulously curated by the executive chef and head sommelier, every moment promises something very special.
Flying Sauces at Soneva Fushi
Taking fine dining to new heights, Flying Sauces is the world’s first fine dining zipline experience. The restaurant’s arrival experience involves gliding along the 200-metre zipline through the leafy jungle, to reach the treetop table and open kitchen.
At 12 metres above the ground, it is perfectly positioned to maximise the magical vistas over the sparkling ocean. The menu is expertly paired with a selection of wines from the extensive cellars, which house the largest collection of wines and Champagnes in the Indian Ocean.
Aragu at Velaa Private Island
Presenting contemporary European cuisine with an Asian twist, Aragu combines the passion for culinary art with sustainability. Standing over the water in tranquil and elegant settings, the restaurant offers a fine dining concept, using the best organic produce and carefully selected ingredients from sustainable suppliers around the world.
Guests can also sample hundreds of varieties of sparkling wine at the Cru Champagne Bar.
Ba’theli at Milaidhoo Island Maldives
Shaped like three dhonis (wooden sailing boats), Ba’theli is the onlyrestaurant in the world set on a boat in a lagoon. Guests can choose to dine on the ‘deck’ of the restaurant underneath starry night skies or opt for indoor seating in air-conditioned comfort where they can watch the sea-life below through glass floors.
The team of chefs deliver an island influenced menu from the Maldivian Spice Route, with the finest seafood and locally inspired and sourced dishes.
InterContinental Maldives Resort
- Close to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Unique manta ray sanctuary
- Overwater AVI SPA
- Planet Trekkers
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
- Spa and wellness sanctuary
- 11 dining venues and bars
- Waldorf Astoria Young Discovery Park
- Watersports activities
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
- Undersea restaurant
- The glass flooring SPA
- Excellent house reef
- World-class wine cellar
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
- World-class wine cellar
- Thakuru service
- Deluxe SPA
- Private swimming pool in all villa categories
Cheval Blanc Randheli
- Exclusive Privacy
- Spa Guerlain rituals
- The Spa Boutique
- Wine Museum
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives
- Butler service for every villa
- 7 restaurants and bars
- Signature Ritz Kids programme
- The Ritz-Carlton Spa
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli
- Exclusive private island
- The Whale Bar
- Private Yacht Service
- World-class wine cellar
Soneva Fushi
- Own organic gardens
- Located in UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Observatory
- Waterslides
Velaa Private Island
- Unique golfing experience
- Extensive kids' water park
- Wide scope of watersport
- Unique Velaa Wellbeing Village
Milaidhoo Maldives
- Couple-oriented
- Outstanding house reef
- Barefoot informality
- Eco conscious
