The Maldives is pretty quiet on the global culinary scene. Unlike its South Asian neighbours, it is relatively rare to find restaurants in other countries which sell Maldivian delicacies. However, you will find a different story if you head to one of the country’s 200 inhabited islands. Alongside its major attractions – crystal clear seas and white-sand beaches – you will also find a vibrant dining and drinking scene.
In fact, many of the restaurants on the resort islands are run by world-renowned chefs, and foods from many different countries are available as well as local food. This short guide explores the restaurant scene of the Maldives in more detail.
Dining With a View
With its warm temperatures and endless ocean views, it would be remiss of restaurants not to make use of outdoor spaces in the Maldives. Many do, and some go a lot further than just providing diners with a dramatic sea view. There are restaurants where you can book tables that are out over the water or located on an isolated sandbank. There is also a famous underwater restaurant called Ithaa, which has seating inside a glass room five meters underwater.
Cutting-edge design
To offer the ultimate experience of fine dining in Maldives’ restaurants do not let nature do all the heavy lifting. Dining establishments there are often luxurious places to visit, with interiors and exteriors that have been put together by top designers to complement the surroundings and create an indulgent and memorable experience.
Variety
The islands of the Maldives span an area of more than 90,000 square kilometers, and this means that it is not easy to head to other restaurants. You are basically limited to the options on your resort’s island or arranging an excursion to another island nearby. However, you do not need to worry about what will happen if you do not like the food on offer. The resorts prepare for this by offering a range of different cuisines.
In fact, the range of dishes on offer is often surprisingly large given the limitations of being situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Most resorts have multiple restaurants that specialise in different types of food, some drawing inspiration from as far away as Peru. The restaurants can also accommodate guests with dietary requirements, with some only serving vegetarian food.
Each resort usually serves some local dishes too. If you are new to Maldivian cuisine, ordering a keyn is a good way to get to know it. This is a large tray which holds a variety of dishes so that you can try lots of things at once. You had better bring some friends though – it feeds up to 12 people.
Entertainment and Atmosphere
It is not unusual for restaurants in the Maldives to combine dining with entertainment. Some common types you will find are DJs, live bands, and traditional dance displays. Many also host themed parties and discos.
Conclusion
Given that they cater largely to wealthy guests, it should be no surprise that the Maldives have a vibrant fine dining scene. Yet it often gets overlooked. But as you can see from this guide, restaurants there go beyond just delivering great food and strive to create a memorable all-round experience.
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