# A Feast in Paradise: The Best Tables in the Maldives > We rounded up the finest tables in the Maldives: restaurants set amid the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and the gastronomy of a luxury getaway. Find out where to book. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/naykrashchi-stoly-maldivskykh/ - Language: en - Published: 2023-06-07 - Categories: Culture, Restaurants, Hotels, Maldives, Food & Drinks, Relaxation --- Set in the impossibly turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has become a luxury escape with no equal. But between snorkeling over the reefs, topping up your tan and taking the word "relaxation" to a whole new level, there is still the matter of what to eat and where to find it. Happily, the country far exceeds its reputation when it comes to culinary choice, thanks to exclusive resorts where celebrated chefs cook with some of the finest and most expensive ingredients in the world, alongside local produce that turns out show-stopping dishes. Keep in mind that the Maldives is made up of 26 atolls holding more than 1,000 islands, home to dozens of resorts, all spread across 90,000 square kilometers, so hopping from one property to another just to grab a meal is not really an option. Not to worry: the food at these 10 resorts is every bit as tempting as the white sand and the gorgeous sunsets. ## Shades of Green, Soneva Fushi ![](/storage/image/prev/Maldivu-1-rest-1024x683.jpg) This barefoot luxury resort is a favorite of celebrities like Madonna, Paul McCartney and the Beckhams, so it is no surprise that dining at Soneva Fushi ranks among the best in the Maldives. On this private island you can opt for So Hands On, an eight-seat private sushi restaurant created in collaboration with three-Michelin-star Japanese chef Kenji Gyoten. Then there is Shades of Green. As the name suggests, the focus is on plant-based cooking, and chef Carsten Kyster's tasting menu begins with a tour of the Soneva Fushi gardens, where the appetizers are tucked away among the leaves. The abundant produce surrounding diners is then transformed into five stunning courses for the gourmet. ## Fenesse, Jumeirah Vittaveli Among no fewer than nine places to dine, the fine-dining restaurant Fenesse at Jumeirah Vittaveli blends classic and contemporary French cuisine. Kobe beef tartare, rack of lamb with an organic herb crust, lobster thermidor or the classic French fish stew bouillabaisse are just a few of the gourmet menu options for those dining above the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Guest Michelin-starred chefs from around the world, such as Ollie Dabbous and Anthony Demetre, are also regular visitors, bringing their unique style and expertise to the resort's fortunate guests. ## Manta Ray Treehouse, Joali Maldives ![](/storage/image/prev/Maldivu-2-tree-rest-1024x576.jpg) The recently opened Joali Maldives resort offers a particularly unusual spot for dinner. At the Manta Ray Treehouse, guests dine among the trees in structures made from natural materials and shaped like two giant, graceful sea creatures. Each structure seats up to eight people, who feast on a Maldivian menu featuring local dishes such as chili-and-lime tuna, fish curry and local lobster. ## Le 1947, Cheval Blanc Randheli Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc Randheli takes its name from the famous vintage wine of Chateau Cheval Blanc. It is no surprise, then, that the restaurant specializes in elegant French gastronomy served in a setting as refined as the cooking itself. The restaurant's culinary director is Eric Vidal. Inspired by local ingredients, he composes a 12-course tasting menu that changes every week. Diners can expect dishes drawn from his global experience, such as warm king crab with caviar and yuzu, or tuna with watermelon foam and basil powder. ## Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island ![](/storage/image/prev/Maldivu-3-under-rest-1024x683.jpg) Ithaa at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island became the world's first underwater restaurant when it opened in 2005. Five meters beneath the waves, diners gaze out over coral gardens and watch the ocean's remarkably diverse marine life. Lunch might include lobster salad baked in oil, white peach, artichoke and roasted garlic soup, or pumpkin cheesecake baked in honey. Ithaa is open for cocktails, lunch and dinner, and can also be reserved for private dinners or even weddings. ## Aragu, Velaa Private Island Aragu means "essence" in the Maldivian language Dhivehi and is the name of the signature restaurant on Velaa Private Island. Here, chef Gaushan de Silva lets guests pick the ingredients and then works his magic on a bespoke menu. Chef Gaushan has worked all over the world, including as a private chef for the Jordanian royal family. His menu might feature ingredients such as Gillardeau oysters or pigeon from France, local lobster and Japanese tuna. Wine lovers with deep pockets can enjoy one of the largest wine collections in the Maldives. ## Destination Dining, Baros Maldives ![](/storage/image/prev/Maldivu-4-Baros-rest-1024x683.jpg) Baros Maldives opened its doors to visitors in 1973, and for more than 45 years this former coconut plantation has been serving up exquisite meals. As at other Maldivian resorts, there are both traditional restaurants and private dining options. Among the latter, a secluded sandbank that can be booked for the entire day is a popular choice. That could mean breakfast with smoked salmon and champagne, a sushi lunch, or a barbecue for dinner. Whatever you choose, the romance factor is undeniably high. ## Tai, COMO Maalifushi Among the dining options at COMO Maalifushi, one of the guests' favorites is a beachfront dinner at Tai. The word means "red snapper" in Japanese, a sustainable fish served alongside many others at the sunken sushi bar. Signature dishes include partly seared aburi rolls with ocean trout or wagyu, as well as saikyoyaki roe fish marinated in white miso. A highlight at Tai is the regular appearance of a 1.5-meter stingray known as Aki-san, who swims up to the restaurant at sunset and happily feeds on top-quality sashimi. ## Baraabaru, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa ![](/storage/image/prev/Maldivu-5-For-season-rest-1024x576.jpg) At Baraabaru, which means "wonderful" in the local Dhivehi language and sits within Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, the focus is on South Asia. The restaurant's design is partly inspired by the architecture of the southern Indian state of Kerala, and Indian flavors are paired with local seafood. The Thali menu offers a taste of home-style dishes served together on an elegant tray, while "Tandoor Tapas" brings small plates of modern Indian street food, served on a torch-lit terrace beneath the stars. ## White Orchid Restaurant, JA Manafaru JA Manafaru celebrates Chinese cuisine through a collaboration with renowned Beijing chef Dong Zhenxiang, better known as DaDong. The resort's White Orchid restaurant serves his innovative modern Chinese dishes, created with local ingredients. That approach comes to life in dishes such as lobster cooked to order, spicy Maldivian lobster, a hot pot of Maldivian seafood, or wagyu with leek and basil.