The most Instagrammable restaurants in the Maldives

Perfect for: Vegans and vegetarians 

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands has 12 dining options on offer, but none are more innovative and exciting than Roots: a forward-thinking plant-based restaurant serving a variety of organic, nutritious vegan dishes cooked by Chef Derrick Wales.

Don’t let the lack of meat disinterest you. The menu’s focus on healthier cuisine doesn’t take away how delicious everything is. 

Perfect picture ideas:

• Snap up home-cooked delights 
• Promote the vegan life with dishes like aubergine ragout or a sweet potato burger served with a side of moreish truffle fries
• Strike a pose outside the resort’s Tuk Tuk Gelato, a pretty in pink caravan serving the best ice cream on the isle

Perfect for: Casual eaters

Everything cooked up at Ocaso is made from top-quality fresh ingredients, so expect a menu of succulent grilled meats, catch-of-the-day seafood, and other Latin American-influenced delights from Peru and Mexico.

Plus, the Nautilus Maldives is a resort that breaks away from traditional dining concepts, so don’t worry about remembering to book a prime time spot for dinner. Just rock up whenever you’re feeling peckish. 

Perfect picture ideas:

• Catch the best lighting at dusk
• Get a group photo with the restaurant’s gorgeous woven detailing in the background
• Capture a photo of The Wine Cellar showcasing over 200 labels of the finest wines

Perfect for: Loved-up honeymooners

A list of the Maldives’ best Instagram restaurants simply wouldn’t be complete without Terra at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi: an unparalleled dining experience featuring a menu of the world’s finest ingredients (and most expensive). Think Wagyu beef, white truffles, and a bottle of the resort’s signature Krug champagne. 

But it’s not just the plates that are Instagrammable, you’ll be seated in an intimate dimly-lit bamboo nest, making it perfect for romantic date nights. 

Perfect picture ideas:

• Make followers jealous with your plates of extravagant ingredients 
• Snap a cute couples’ photo in your unique bamboo nest seating 
• Capture the view from your seat over the tree tops and twinkling Indian Ocean

Perfect for: Diners wanting a show

Tavaru at Velaa Private Island Resort is one of the best Maldives Instagrammable restaurants because it’s like having your own personal theatre kitchen. A talented chef will slice and dice their way through exciting Japanese cuisine on the sizzling Teppanyaki hot plates right at your table. This one’s for you if you love aromatic East Asian sharing platters.

To top it off, the best seats offer breath-taking views of the ocean just outside, so get your cameras ready for a pre-dinner selfie.

Perfect picture ideas:

• Take a time lapse video of the personal chefs whipping up your food
• Snap a boomerang of your sizzling meats and vegetables 
• Admire the restaurant’s quirky exterior

Perfect for: Families of big eaters

Alba at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort proves simple is often the best, serving hearty Italian fare like big bowls of pasta and shareable cheesy pizzas to feed an entire family. Best of all, Alba’s stunning beachfront setting provides one of the best picture-perfect backdrops imaginable. 

Make sure you opt for the wine pairing courses too – you’ll get a glass of something special that perfectly complements your starter, main course, and dessert. 

Perfect picture ideas:

• Get a photo of each wine pairing course as the night evolves
• Snap a boomerang of your melting cheesy pizza
• Capture the alfresco setting and unparalleled views over the Indian Ocean as you dine

Perfect for: Diners wanting to learn something new.

So Starstruck at Soneva Jani, Maldives is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that combines top-notch food with a private astronomy lesson. Take a seat at one of five tables and your dining experience will begin with an introduction from the resort’s friendly and knowledgeable resident astronomer. They’ll take you on a journey through the starry sky above, fascinating you and your party with incredible facts and stories about the galaxy. 

Oh, and the food is out-of-this-world too. It’s a Maldives Instagram-worthy menu offering all sorts of international fare. 

Perfect picture ideas:

• Take photos of the twinkling moon-lit sky to inspire followers to learn more about the galaxy 
• Ask the astronomer for a quick group photo at the end of the meal to remember your experience forever
• Get a snap of the restaurants telescope 

Perfect for: Foodies looking for big flavours.

Reethi at One&Only Reethi Rah is the resort’s signature restaurant, offering a unique dining experience designed around the concept of Earth, Water, and Fire. 

The restaurant’s dining space itself is split into three distinct areas: Earth is fine French cuisine, Water is Italian food, and Fire features a huge charcoal oven cooking foods from land, farm, and sea. Before dining, you get to choose which of the three you want to experience.

Perfect picture ideas:

• Snap a photo of each unique area - book a table in each area over different nights if you have to!
• Make your followers hungry with photos of your incredible plates of food
• Capture never-ending shades of blue as you overlook the ocean from your table 

Perfect for: Any type of diner wanting to be amazed. Families with little ones will especially love this.

The Maldives’ top Instagram restaurants simply had to include Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: the world’s very first all-glass underwater restaurant. Set five metres below the water’s surface, you’ll be dining with 180-degree panoramic views of the resort’s house coral garden. 

And if you’re wondering, this isn’t just a novelty restaurant. The food is pretty spectacular too. You’ll be served a superb six-course set dinner of local Maldivian cuisine fused with Western influences.

Perfect picture ideas:

• Take incredible photos of the sea life swimming right past your head
• Make memories forever with a fantastic group photo at your table
• Capture the exquisitely presented cuisine 

Most restaurants in Maldives resorts have a relaxed casual dress code. Think island-chic – comfortable shorts, trousers, shirts, and dresses. Just no swimwear. If you’re still unsure, check the dress code of the particular restaurant you’re visiting. 

Yes, Maldives restaurants will be happy to accommodate your individual special dietary and allergy requests. Just let them know whilst booking and on arrival. 

It all depends on the restaurant you're dining at. Casual grills and beachfront bars will have plenty of menu items suitable for picky eaters. Some resort restaurants specialising in unique international cuisine do not have a children’s menu, so make sure you plan ahead.