What to Eat & Drink in the Maldives

When thoughts drift to the Maldives, one envisions pristine waters and opulent resorts. Yet, it is also a haven for culinary enthusiasts, boasting a distinctive gastronomic journey with fresh local ingredients infused with vibrant influences from India and Sri Lanka. Whether a seafood aficionado or eager to explore new tastes, the Maldives ensures an unparalleled epicurean voyage. Delve into this guide to uncover essential local dishes and premier dining locales scattered across the islands.

Discovering Maldivian Cuisine: Gastronomic Delights 

Summing up Maldivian cuisine in three words yields: flavorful, fragrant, and comforting. Built upon fresh seafood, coconut, and Indigenous herbs, Maldivian fare presents a plethora of dishes deserving repeated savouring. Here's a glimpse into some culinary treasures not to be missed. 

Mas Huni: The Morning Glory

Picture commences your day with a burst of flavours that awaken your senses. Mas huni, the quintessential Maldivian breakfast, achieves just that. This revitalizing salad melds shredded smoked fish, fresh coconut, chilli, and a medley of spices, traditionally accompanied by chapati. A robust and appetizing dish that primes you for a day of island escapades.

Garudhiya: Soup Serenade 

For seafood devotees craving a touch of spice, garudhiya stands as a revelation. This aromatic fish soup, featuring fresh tuna, chilli, onions, and lime, is served alongside fluffy rice. A staple evening repast among Maldivians, it delivers hearty, comforting flavours that evoke a sense of home in this island paradise.

Maldivian Curry: Spicy Symphony 

Curry reigns supreme in Maldivian cuisine, offering an array of endless possibilities. Whether your palate favours seafood or chicken, or you're a vegetarian enticed by eggplant, tora, or pumpkin, Maldivian curries cater to every taste preference. Each dish is a tapestry of herbs, spices, and local ingredients, weaving a vibrant and delectable experience certain to enchant and satisfy your taste buds with its rich flavours and textures

Kulhi Boakibaa: Fish Cake Reimagined 

Kulhi boakibaa elevates the modest fish cake to a realm of its own. Crafted with smoked tuna, ginger, curry leaves, coconut, chilli, and turmeric, these cakes are enjoyed as an evening indulgence or alongside rice, sweet potatoes, or fried yams. The intricate blend of flavours promises a memorable taste journey. Each ingredient adds a distinctive note: the smoky essence of tuna, the zest of ginger, the aromatic curry leaves, and the creamy coconut. Chilli heat and earthy turmeric meld harmoniously, rendering kulhi boakibaa a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes the senses.

Savoring Drinks in the Maldives: A Distinctive Experience 

Given its Muslim culture, alcohol consumption in the Maldives is regulated. Bars and nightclubs are absent, and importing alcohol is strictly prohibited. However, resorts offer a more relaxed atmosphere for indulging in libations. From a Maldivian Lady, mixing white rum, apricot brandy, grenadine, and pineapple juice, to the Biyadhoo Special, blending vodka, pineapple juice, and melon liqueur, these retreats cater to every preference. Sip a cocktail poolside, basking in the sunset, a moment of pure bliss.

A Culinary Paradise Awaiting Exploration

The Maldives is more than just a tropical getaway; it's a culinary paradise waiting to be explored. From the flavorful and aromatic local dishes to the exceptional dining venues, such as those found at Velifushi Maldives by Cinnamon, that offer a fusion of global cuisines, the Maldives promises a gastronomic journey like no other. Whether indulging in traditional meals exploring the diverse offerings of the many restaurants in the Maldives, or sipping exotic cocktails by the beach, every moment spent dining in the Maldives is a celebration of its vibrant culinary heritage. For the food enthusiasts and travellers alike, the Maldives truly is a paradise for the senses.