Maldives hotels with the best dining: 14 gourmet resorts

The dining scene at Maldivian resorts has long gone beyond seafood and the usual international menu. During one holiday, resort restaurants can introduce you to Japanese, Italian, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and, of course, Maldivian cuisine. In this article, you will find Maldives hotels with good and genuinely varied dining: several restaurant concepts, cuisines from different countries and interesting formats - from teppanyaki and dinners with guest chefs to underwater restaurants.

We explain which Maldives resorts are worth choosing in 2026 if gastronomy is an important part of your holiday.

Soneva Jani

JOALI Maldives

Cuisines: Japanese, Italian, Levantine, Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian.

At JOALI Maldives there are five restaurants and bars, and the main venues have completely different culinary concepts.

Vandhoo serves dishes from India, China and Southeast Asia, while for Japanese cuisine it is worth heading to the overwater Saoke - sushi and sashimi, tempura and robata dishes are served here, and teppanyaki is also offered. Italian cuisine is represented at Bellinis, where the menu includes pasta, risotto and classic desserts. TUH'U specialises in traditional Levantine dishes, with tables set directly on the sand under the palm trees.

Private dinners, wine tastings and gastronomic events with guest chefs are also organised for guests.

JOALI Maldives

Soneva Jani

Cuisines: Japanese, Indonesian, Sri Lankan, Maldivian, Peruvian, Asian and international.

At Soneva Jani, you can change cuisines every day if you wish. Saji introduces Indonesian flavours, Crab Shack serves seafood with a Sri Lankan influence, and Primitive focuses on Maldivian dishes and open-fire cooking. Japanese cuisine appears in several formats at Director's Cut: a classic menu, teppanyaki and charcoal-fired Irori Grill. An unusual combination can be tried at Chill, where Maldivian and Peruvian flavours are brought together. There is also an Asian restaurant in the garden, a wine cellar and 24-hour rooms with chocolate, ice cream and cheeses.

Soneva Jani

Soneva Fushi

Cuisines: Japanese, Italian, Maldivian, Mediterranean, Asian and international.

At Soneva Fushi, gastronomy goes far beyond a standard restaurant dinner. Japanese cuisine can be tried at So Hands On in an omakase format, while Out of the Blue brings together several directions at once - from Asian dishes to pizza and pasta. Shades of Green works with plant-based ingredients from its own organic garden. One of the most unusual formats is Flying Sauces: the restaurant is located among the treetops at a height of about 12 metres, and guests reach their table by zipline. The resort also hosts dinners with guest chefs and gastronomic events.

Soneva Fushi

Anantara Kihavah Villas

Cuisines: Japanese, Peruvian, Indian, Indonesian, Mediterranean, Italian, Maldivian and international.

The gastronomic centre of Anantara Kihavah is the SEA.FIRE.SPICE.SKY complex over the lagoon. FIRE combines Japanese and Peruvian cuisine: teppanyaki, sashimi and ceviche are prepared here. SPICE brings together flavours from different Asian countries - from Indian tandoori to Indonesian dishes and wok cooking. The most unusual restaurant, SEA, is located underwater and specialises in modern European cuisine and wine pairings. For a more relaxed lunch, Manzaru offers Mediterranean and Italian menus, while Plates serves Maldivian and international dishes.

Anantara Kihavah Villas

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Cuisines: Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese-Peruvian, African, Latin American, Mediterranean and international.

At Niyama, the gastronomic experience changes with the setting. Nest is hidden among tropical trees and serves dishes from Japan, Thailand, China and Indonesia, with a separate teppanyaki table. Tribal introduces the cuisines of Africa, Central America and South America. The most unusual format is underwater Subsix, where a Nikkei tasting menu combines Japanese and Peruvian traditions. For a more familiar lunch, there is Mediterranean Blu, while international cuisine is represented at Epicure.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Cuisines: Japanese, Chinese, Mediterranean, Australian and international.

At Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, you can choose a restaurant not only by cuisine but also by mood. Zuma serves modern Japanese cuisine - sushi, robata dishes and other izakaya-style options. Li Long shifts the focus to China and is known for Peking duck from a wood-fired oven, while The Ledge focuses on Australian barbecue by chef Dave Pynt. For Mediterranean flavours, head to Glow. Terra offers a completely different format: seven secluded bamboo 'nests' are set among the treetops, and dinner is served as a multi-course tasting menu.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands

Cuisines: Greek, Japanese, Scandinavian, Asian, Latin American and international.

At Patina Maldives, dining is organised like a small collection of independent restaurants. Helios serves Greek dishes and seafood with a Mediterranean focus, while Kōen combines Japanese techniques with Scandinavian flavours. Brasa has a completely different atmosphere, with meat and vegetables cooked over an open fire in a Latin American style. Wok Society continues the Asian theme with noodles, dim sum and wok dishes. For a lighter menu, there is Roots, where plant-based ingredients form the basis of the dishes.

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands

One&Only Reethi Rah

Cuisines: Japanese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Asian and international.

At One&Only Reethi Rah, the culinary directions differ noticeably from one another. TAPASAKE combines Japanese cuisine with Mediterranean influences, while Fanditha on the beach serves mezze and grilled dishes based on recipes from Syria, Lebanon and Morocco. Rabarbaro is the place for Italian cuisine and homemade gelato. At Reethi, the choice is broader: in the evening it serves French, Italian and Asian dishes. Botanica, set in a tropical garden, deserves special attention - the restaurant follows a farm-to-table concept, using herbs and other produce from its own garden.

One&Only Reethi Rah

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Cuisines: Chinese, Italian, Asian, international, seafood and grill.

The main gastronomic attraction of Conrad Maldives is Ithaa, the world's first underwater restaurant, located at a depth of five metres. But the choice does not end there. Ufaa introduces guests to Chinese cuisine, Vilu focuses on Italian flavours, and at Koko dinner turns into a Japanese teppanyaki show. For steaks and fresh seafood, head to Sunset Grill above the coral reef. Another interesting venue is the underground Wine Cellar with a collection of about 18,000 bottles and tasting dinners with wine pairings.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Velaa Private Island

Cuisines: modern European, Asian, Japanese and international.

Velaa Private Island has only four main restaurants, but each has its own direction. Aragu builds its menu around modern European cuisine with Asian accents and complements it with carefully selected wines. A completely different format awaits at Tavaru: the restaurant is located in a tower above the palms, and dinner takes place around a hot teppanyaki grill. At Athiri, dishes from different countries are prepared by chefs of 14 nationalities, while Faiy focuses on a light seasonal menu and produce from the garden. The Tavaru tower also houses the largest private wine cellar in the Maldives.

Velaa Private Island

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Cuisines: Japanese, pan-Asian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Latin American and international.

At The St. Regis Maldives, the culinary selection begins with T•Pan - an elegant restaurant of modern Japanese kaiseki cuisine with sake and seasonal set menus. At Orientale, the menu is built around Far Eastern flavours: sushi, sashimi, dim sum, wok dishes and other Asian options. ALBA represents the Mediterranean with Middle Eastern accents, while The Whale Bar adds Latin American tapas. Decanter is a separate story: a hidden wine cellar where multi-course dinners are served with carefully paired wines.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

W Maldives

Cuisines: Japanese-Peruvian, Mediterranean, Asian, international, seafood and grill.

At W Maldives, dining is built around several different formats: from seafood over the ocean to Japanese-Peruvian dishes and beach barbecue. FISH is located over the water and focuses on seafood, while FIRE serves meat and other dishes prepared on the grill and in a smoker right by the beach. At SIP bar, sunset cocktails are paired with dishes combining Japanese and Peruvian traditions. By the pool at WET Deck, guests can order Mediterranean and Asian dishes and wood-fired pizza, while KITCHEN serves an international menu throughout the day.

W Maldives

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Cuisines: Italian, Levantine, Indian, Asian, Maldivian and international.

At Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, the gastronomic journey can easily begin with Italy: Blu Beach Club serves Neapolitan pizza, pasta and gelato, while the evening menu was created with the participation of chef Nino Di Costanzo. Al Barakat takes guests to the eastern Mediterranean, serving Lebanese and Armenian dishes, mezze and grilled meat. At Café Landaa, the focus shifts towards Asia and India, with curries, tandoori and a separate teppanyaki counter. Fuego Grill on the beach specialises in fresh catch, seafood and grilled meat.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI

Cuisines: Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Levantine, Moroccan and modern European.

Asian cuisine is well represented at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. Soyi brings together five directions at once - Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian and Japanese. Saffron is dedicated to Indian cuisine and offers dinner in a traditional thali format. On the beach, Sangu serves modern Levantine and Moroccan dishes, while ORIGINƎ specialises in high-level modern European cuisine.

The CUVÉE wine library stores about 2,000 bottles and more than 350 labels from wine regions of the Old and New Worlds. Tastings and wine-pairing dinners are also held here.

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI