Staple Dishes & Local Flavors

• Tuna & Coconut Salad (Mas Huni): Served with flatbread (roshi), this is the most common Maldivian breakfast, costing around 30–80 Rufiyaa.
• Fish Soup (Garudhiya): A light tuna broth served with rice, lime, and chili, a staple in local households.
• Tuna Curry & Fried Rice: Common main dishes at local eateries, generous portions at affordable prices, around 80–200 Rufiyaa.
• Fried Snacks (Hedhikaa): Triangular tuna fritters and fried balls, staples in afternoon tea and local teahouses.
• Coconut Desserts: Sticky rice cakes with coconut shreds and coconut milk puddings—sweet but aromatic.

Dining on Resorts

• Half-Board & All-Inclusive Packages: Most resorts offer breakfast plus dinner or full all-inclusive plans; check what’s included before booking.
• Seafood & Fusion Cuisine: Resort restaurants often serve Sri Lankan, Indian, Japanese, and Western-style dishes, with themed buffets in the evenings.
• Alcoholic Drinks: Alcohol is only available on resorts and cruise boats, and it’s pricey—opting for an all-inclusive package can save you money.
• Overwater Restaurants: Some islands offer underwater dining or private beach meals, but reservations are essential.

Dining Tips

• Local teahouses (hotaa) on residential islands are the most authentic and budget-friendly, with meals often under a hundred Rufiyaa.
• Male’s fish market is liveliest in the early morning, where you can see freshly caught tuna.
• Alcohol is prohibited on residential islands—respect local rules and drink only on resorts or boats.
• While seafood is abundant, imported ingredients at resorts can be pricey—check menus before ordering.