21 of the best · the Maldives, Indian Ocean
Undersea dining rooms beneath the reef, overwater tables from North Malé to Laamu, Sri Lankan crab and Japanese by the airport, and a Maldivian kitchen worth the speedboat ride.
Our 21 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love the Maldives.
The one that started it all
The all-glass undersea dining room that opened in 2005, five metres below the surface at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.
Rangali Island, Alif Dhaal Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Dinner beside an underwater wine cellar
An undersea dining room surrounded by the reef, with international fine dining, specialty caviar and what Anantara calls the world’s first underwater wine cellar.
Kihavah Villas, Baa Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
The largest all-glass undersea restaurant
Billed as the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant, 5.8 metres down in the lagoon at Hurawalhi, with a multi-course tasting menu.
Hurawalhi Island Resort, Lhaviyani Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Maldivian food, the back story.
The back story
Fish, coconut and chilli, hedhikaa with black tea, and the southern flavours of Addu and Fuvahmulah: what to eat in the Maldives, and where to find it.
Below the waves.
The largest all-glass undersea restaurant
Billed as the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant, 5.8 metres down in the lagoon at Hurawalhi, with a multi-course tasting menu.
Hurawalhi Island Resort, Lhaviyani Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
A Michelin-starred chef beneath the waves
A fully submerged restaurant overseen by Michelin-starred Italian chef Andrea Berton, at the adults-only You & Me Maldives.
You & Me Maldives, Raa Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
The one that started it all
The all-glass undersea dining room that opened in 2005, five metres below the surface at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.
Rangali Island, Alif Dhaal Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Dinner beside an underwater wine cellar
An undersea dining room surrounded by the reef, with international fine dining, specialty caviar and what Anantara calls the world’s first underwater wine cellar.
Kihavah Villas, Baa Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Island recipes.
Island recipes, modern technique
VARU by Atmosphere’s Maldivian restaurant, set in a traditional-style house with two courtyards, where tuna, coconut and chilli meet modern technique.
VARU by Atmosphere, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
On the islands.
Beirut’s Mayrig, over the lagoon
An overwater restaurant of Eastern Mediterranean flavours, created with Beiruti chef Aline Kamakian’s restaurant Mayrig.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Kerala-inspired curries on the lagoon
A lagoon-top Indian restaurant inspired by Kerala’s architecture, with curries, tandoor dishes and fresh seafood.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Sourdough pizza and family recipes
Kanuhura’s Italian restaurant, built around a pizza oven, with homemade pasta and herbs from the organic garden.
Six Senses Kanuhura, Lhaviyani Atoll 07060, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Japanese, between jungle and ocean
Gili Lankanfushi’s Japanese fine-dining restaurant, wrapped in tropical jungle with sweeping ocean views.
Gili Lankanfushi, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Long lunches that drift into sunset
Soneva Jani’s seafood shack, where long lunches with rosé roll on into sunset dinners over the lagoon.
Soneva Jani, Noonu Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Half a kilometre out to sea
Niyama’s modern fine-dining restaurant, set half a kilometre out in the ocean and reached only by boat.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives, Dhaalu Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Sushi with fish darting below
Amilla’s Japanese restaurant, with tables on an overwater deck, sushi and sashimi.
Amilla Maldives, Baa Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Dinner among the treetops
Soneva Fushi’s international restaurant, raised among the trees above the resort’s organic garden.
Soneva Fushi, Baa Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Adults only, above the garden
Six Senses Laamu’s adults-only restaurant, cooking Mediterranean food with produce from its organic gardens and neighbouring islands.
Six Senses Laamu, Laamu Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Ocean views, Japanese precision
One&Only Reethi Rah’s Japanese restaurant, with Mediterranean influences and wide views over the Indian Ocean.
One&Only Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
The white sail over the lagoon
Baros’s overwater restaurant beneath a towering white sail, serving local seafood, steaks and degustation menus with a sommelier on hand.
Baros Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
“Happiness” on Rangali Finolhu
Conrad Rangali’s Chinese restaurant on the quiet shore of Rangali Finolhu, one of its two islands; its name means “happiness” in Dhivehi.
Rangali Island, Alif Dhaal Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
At CROSSROADS.
Sri Lanka’s famous crab house, by the airport
The Maldives outpost of Dharshan Munidasa’s Colombo crab restaurant, with Sri Lankan mud crabs flown in twice a week.
CROSSROADS Maldives, South Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
“Real Japanese Cuisine” by the sea
An offshoot of Colombo’s Nihonbashi, with an outdoor teppanyaki counter, at The Marina at CROSSROADS.
CROSSROADS Maldives, South Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
In the capital.
A Malé favourite for a proper dinner
A long-standing Thai restaurant in the capital, run by the Sala Family, with Thai chefs cooking fresh every day.
H. Buruneege, Hithaffiniivaa Magu, Malé 20084, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Undersea restaurants book up early; reserve through your resort, ideally before you arrive. Alcohol is served only at resorts, safari boats and licensed hotels; Malé, Hulhumalé and the local islands are dry.
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