Maldives hotels with a wide choice of restaurants: 13 best resorts

There are resorts in the Maldives where, over a week, you can practically avoid repeating a restaurant, alternating Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Maldivian cuisine, seafood and grill. This selection brings together hotels with a truly wide choice of venues, interesting gastronomic concepts and unusual places for dinner.

The number of restaurants does not mean that visits to all venues are included in the selected meal plan: Half Board, Full Board and All Inclusive conditions differ, and some à la carte restaurants and special dinners may be charged separately.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi stands out not only for the number of venues, but also for their completely different formats. Here you can dine among the treetops, try Japanese cuisine over the water, or choose a Chinese restaurant, grill and a secluded dinner with wine pairing.

Among the main restaurants and bars:

• Terra - tasting menus are served in separate bamboo "nests" among the treetops.
• Zuma Maldives - modern Japanese cuisine, sushi and dishes from the robata grill.
• Li Long - a Chinese restaurant by the lagoon, known for Peking duck from a wood-fired oven.
• The Ledge by Dave Pynt - meat and seafood cooked over an open fire.
• Glow - Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal products.
• Tasting Table - the resort's main international restaurant.
• The Rock - a wine cellar and intimate tasting dinners.

Also available are the beachfront Nava, Peacock Alley lounge and Amber bar, which is worth visiting at sunset.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

One of the most interesting resorts in the Maldives for a gastronomic holiday. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island's restaurants are located on two islands, with options including underwater dining, Japanese teppanyaki, Chinese and Italian cuisine, grill and wine tastings.

Main restaurants and bars:

• Ithaa Undersea Restaurant - the famous underwater restaurant at a depth of 5 metres with panoramic views of the coral reef.
• KOKO - Japanese cuisine and teppanyaki at a long open counter by the ocean.
• Ufaa - a Chinese restaurant with dim sum, wok dishes and a separate vegetarian menu.
• Sunset Grill - grilled meat and fresh seafood.
• Vilu Restaurant & Bar - Italian cuisine by the lagoon.
• Mandhoo - an overwater restaurant with modern cuisine and an emphasis on natural products.
• Wine Cellar - a wine cellar 2 metres underground. The collection includes about 18,000 bottles. Tasting dinners with wine pairing are held here.

The resort also has the international Atoll Market, Cheese & Wine Bar, beachfront Rangali Bar, Aaraha champagne bar and adults-only Rantheli with sushi and light dishes.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

One&Only Reethi Rah

This is a large private island, so the restaurant selection is noticeably more varied than at most intimate resorts. You can choose Japanese-Mediterranean cuisine over the water, a Middle Eastern dinner on the beach, an Italian lunch by the pool or dishes made with produce from the resort's own garden.

Among the main One&Only Reethi Rah restaurants:

• TAPASAKE - Japanese cuisine with Mediterranean accents and an open terrace by the water.
• Botanica - a restaurant in a tropical garden with a farm-to-table concept. Some herbs and other ingredients come from its own Chef's Garden.
• Reethi - the main restaurant with breakfast and French, Italian and Asian cuisine in the evenings.
• Fanditha - Middle Eastern cuisine on the beach: mezze, grilled meat and seafood, and Arabic bread.
• Rabarbaro - an informal Italian restaurant by the pool with pasta, pizza and homemade ice cream.

The choice is complemented by The Beach Club at Club One, bars and private dinners on the beach. Special attention is paid to wine: the collection includes more than 9,000 bottles.

One&Only Reethi Rah

Soneva Fushi

At Soneva Fushi, gastronomy fits well into the concept of "barefoot luxury": restaurants are hidden in the garden, set over the ocean and even among the treetops. The island has more than ten options for lunch and dinner, and many use produce from the resort's own organic gardens.

Among the most interesting:

• Out of the Blue - an overwater restaurant with open terraces and a varied menu.
• Fresh in the Garden - dinners among the greenery of the organic garden.
• Flying Sauces - an unusual restaurant 12 metres above the jungle, reached by zipline.
• So Hands On by Chef Akira - an intimate Japanese restaurant with an omakase format.
• Out of the Sea - a small beachfront venue with fresh seafood.
• Once Upon a Table - tasting menus from the chef.
• Mihiree Mithaa - the main restaurant with international cuisine.

Another Soneva feature is 24-hour rooms with chocolate, ice cream, cheeses and cured meats.

Soneva Fushi

Soneva Jani

At Soneva Jani, restaurants have become as much a part of the experience as the famous villas with slides. Here you can dine beside the observatory, watch a film over the lagoon with Japanese dishes, or head to the beach for fresh seafood. Produce from the resort's organic gardens is also used in the cooking.

Among the interesting venues:

• The Crab Shack - a relaxed beach restaurant with seafood and a terrace for watching sunsets.
• Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren - dishes focused on fresh local produce and plant-based ingredients.
• So Engaging - an intimate dinner format at the chef's table.
• So Starstruck - dinners beside the overwater observatory and stargazing through a telescope.
• Irori Grill at Director's Cut - Japanese cuisine by Cinema Paradiso, where dishes are cooked over charcoal.
• Down to Earth - a breakfast and dinner restaurant with an open kitchen and international menu.

In addition to the restaurants, signature rooms with chocolate, ice cream, cheeses and cured meats are open 24 hours a day.

Soneva Jani

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

At this resort, gastronomy is spread between the two islands of Play and Chill, while some restaurants are located far beyond them. Niyama offers restaurants with very different concepts - from Asian cuisine among tropical trees to dining underwater.

Among the most interesting:

• Subsix - an underwater restaurant with Nikkei cuisine. Guests reach it by boat and then descend to a dining room below ocean level.
• Nest - an Asian restaurant deep in the tropical garden. Tables are located both at ground level and among the trees; teppanyaki is also available separately.
• Edge - a fine-dining restaurant half a kilometre from the island, accessible only by boat.
• Tribal - cuisines of Africa, Central and South America, with dishes also cooked over an open fire.
• Epicure - international cuisine and themed dinners by the infinity pool.
• Blu - a family Mediterranean restaurant located on the beach.

The beachfront Dune and other venues are also available. It is important to note that the schedules of individual restaurants may change depending on the season.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

LUX* South Ari Atoll

At LUX* South Ari Atoll, there are enough restaurants to almost avoid repeating dinner venues over a week. In total, the island has eight restaurants and five bars, with cuisines ranging from Italian and Japanese to Indian and Southeast Asian.

Among the main venues:

• Umami - Japanese cuisine with sushi, teppanyaki and grill.
• Allegria - an Italian restaurant with homemade pasta, gnocchi, seafood and wood-fired pizza.
• EAST Market - an overwater restaurant designed in the style of an Asian night market. The menu features Southeast Asian cuisines.
• Beach Rouge - a beach club and restaurant with a Mediterranean menu, wood-fired pizza and grilled dishes.
• Senses - seafood, grilled fish, curries and dishes with Moroccan influences by the pool.
• MIXE - the main restaurant with international cuisine and themed dinners.

It is worth stopping by Cafe LUX*: the coffee here is made from beans roasted in-house. Separate options are provided for vegans and vegetarians in the restaurants.

LUX* South Ari Atoll

Kuramathi Maldives

Kuramathi is one of those resorts where the large size of the island really works in favour of dining variety. In addition to three main buffet restaurants, there are nine à la carte restaurants with Indian, Thai, French, Japanese and other cuisines.

Among the à la carte restaurants:

• Palm - Mediterranean cuisine, fresh pasta, traditional pizza and homemade ice cream.
• Island Barbeque - grilled meat, fish and seafood.
• Siam Garden - Thai cuisine with curries, noodle dishes and seafood.
• Tandoor Mahal - an Indian restaurant focused on tandoor dishes, curries and traditional spices.
• The Reef - a restaurant for lovers of fish and seafood.
• Inguru - light dishes during the day and a more refined Asian-style menu in the evening.
• Duniye - modern cuisine combining dishes and products from different regions of the world.

Choose Dine Around All Inclusive. This is an extended meal plan that allows you to visit restaurants without being limited to the main buffets.

Kuramathi Maldives

Siyam World Maldives

A huge resort where the variety of restaurants matches the scale of the island itself. Under the WOW! Inclusive concept, you can alternate international cuisine with Thai, Spanish, Indian and Maldivian, and choose dinner right on the beach instead of a traditional restaurant dining room.

Among the main Siyam World venues:

• Tempo - the main buffet restaurant with open cooking stations and themed evenings.
• Andalucia - Spanish cuisine by the sea: tapas, paella and other Mediterranean dishes.
• Takrai - a Thai restaurant with traditional curries and vivid spicy flavours.
• Kaage - a good opportunity to discover Maldivian cuisine and local products.
• The Wahoo Grill - a beachfront surf & turf restaurant focused on meat and seafood.
• Kurry Leaf - Indian cuisine with tandoor dishes and rich curries.
• Arigato - Japanese cuisine in a more intimate atmosphere.

In addition to the restaurants, the island has several bars, including the 24-hour KulhiVaru sports and karaoke bar. Much of the dining infrastructure is included in the extended WOW! Inclusive concept, although access conditions for individual venues depend on the meal plan.

Siyam World Maldives

Six Senses Kanuhura

After coming under Six Senses management, the gastronomic concept of Six Senses Kanuhura changed noticeably. The restaurants now offer Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Asian cuisines, while one of the most unusual lunch options is not on the main island but on the neighbouring uninhabited Jehunuhura.

Main resort restaurants:

• A Mano - the main beachfront restaurant. In the evenings it serves dishes with Asian, Indian, Italian and Japanese influences, as well as themed buffets.
• Bottega - an Italian restaurant with homemade pasta and sourdough pizza from a wood-fired oven. Greens and herbs also come from the hotel's organic garden.
• Drift - a small beach restaurant on the private island of Jehunuhura, reached by boat. The menu includes local fish, seafood and curries.
• Sip & Sand - during the day, meat and the fresh catch are cooked over charcoal here, while in the evening the focus shifts to Japanese cuisine.
• The Point - Spanish tapas and other sharing dishes, complemented by a good selection of wines.
• Scoops - signature ice cream and freshly squeezed juices.

Thanks to the different locations, the restaurant selection does not feel repetitive: dinner by the sea can be alternated with an Italian evening, Japanese cuisine or a trip to the neighbouring island.

Six Senses Kanuhura

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, the choice of venues is not limited to the usual international buffet. On one island, you can alternate French and Asian cuisine, Japanese teppanyaki, grilled seafood and a lighter menu in the spa café. A wine cellar with tastings has a separate place.

Among the main venues:

• Iru Restaurant - the main restaurant with buffet breakfasts and dinners, open cooking stations and themed evenings.
• Flavours - a restaurant with a more intimate atmosphere and an à la carte menu.
• Islander's Grill - a beachfront grill restaurant focused on fresh fish and seafood, including Maldivian lobster and yellowfin tuna.
• Teppanyaki - Japanese cuisine, sushi, sashimi and dishes cooked in front of guests on the teppanyaki.
• La Cremeria - ice cream, desserts, milkshakes and fresh juices.
• The Spa Café - light dishes, snacks and smoothies within the spa centre.

The choice is complemented by several bars and The Cellar with a wine collection. For a special evening, you can order a private dinner - for example, a beach barbecue or a candlelit dinner.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

Vakkaru Maldives

Vakkaru's dining selection is built around six different concepts, two bars and a wine cellar. Italian cuisine can be alternated with Southeast Asian dishes, a beach grill and Japanese teppanyaki.

Among the main restaurants:

• Amaany - a beachfront restaurant with international cuisine, buffet breakfasts and dinners.
• Onu - Southeast Asian cuisines in an unusual bamboo pavilion among tropical greenery. The menu includes dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Vakku - an open beach grill serving premium meat steaks, fresh fish and seafood.
• Isoletta - an Italian restaurant by the pool, suitable for both a leisurely lunch and dinner.
• Anguru Teppanyaki - Japanese teppanyaki with dishes prepared directly in front of guests.
• Lagoon Bar - an overwater bar where, in addition to cocktails, sushi, sashimi and small dishes with Asian influences are served.

Vakkaru Reserve deserves special attention - a wine cellar for tastings and gastronomic dinners. Dinner itself can be organised in the organic garden or on a private sandbank.

Vakkaru Maldives

Ayada Maldives

At Ayada Maldives, the restaurant selection is interesting above all for its variety: European and Asian cuisines, teppanyaki, beach barbecue and a separate wine-and-cheese format. In total, the resort has eight restaurants, while some products come from its own organic garden and local farms.

Among the main venues:

• Magu - a restaurant with an international buffet and a different dinner theme every day - from Maldivian and Asian to Turkish and Latin American cuisine.
• Ocean Breeze - an overwater restaurant with modern European cuisine, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and steaks.
• Kai - an Asian restaurant among tropical greenery. The menu includes dishes from Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
• Mizu - Japanese teppanyaki, where dinner preparation turns into a small gastronomic show.
• Sea Salt - a beach barbecue with meat and seafood cooked over an open fire.
• Zero Degree - a restaurant and bar by the pool with an international menu and a more relaxed atmosphere.

A separate format is the overwater wine cellar, where wine and cheese tastings are held. Ayada also offers 24-hour villa service.

Ayada Maldives