Maldives Local Food Guide

TRAVEL ADVICE

Visa Requirements

A valid passport, an onward/return ticket and sufficient funds are all required to enter..

Travel Health

There are no serious problems with diseases in the Maldives and although they are malaria..

Local Currency

Maldivian Rufiya is the local currency for the Maldives. Notes are in denominations of..

Weather

The Maldives have a hot tropical climate with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around..

Local Customs

Maldivians are honest, welcoming and helpful people who are almost all Sunni Muslim. The..

Languages

Maldivian Dhivehi is the official language however it has borrowings from Hindi, Arabic..

Transport Options

The major international airport in the Maldives is the Male International Airport located..

Travel Tips

The majority of the indigenous population with the exception of those involved with..

Local Food

Maldivian food comprises mainly of fish (particularly tuna) and is influenced by Sri..

Local Timezones

Maldives Standard Time is 5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+5). The Maldives..

Dutyfree Limits

The following goods may be imported into the Maldives without incurring customs duty: a..

Local Food

Maldivian food comprises mainly of fish (particularly tuna) and is influenced by Sri Lankan and South Indian food. They use very few vegetables and dishes are often quite spicy and flavoured with coconut. A traditional meal consists of rice, side dishes of lime, chilli and onions and a clear fish broth. Other popular dishes include: curries, shredded smoked fish known as mas huni, barbequed fish basted with chilli and a curry made from breadfruit known as bambukeylu hiti, deep fried fish rolls (keemia) and lovely spicey fish cakes.

On resort islands there are a number of restaurants and cuisine is international with all food other than seafood imported. Breakfasts are usually included with options of lunch and dinner also inclusive. The only other place besides the resorts to find food is Male. Here there are small restaurants aimed at tourists which are often expensive or small cafes selling local Maldivian food which is extremely cheap.

There are no bars except in the resorts where a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks are available at usually extremely high prices. Locals do not drink alcohol at all and no alcohol is available in Male however it is available on the nearby Airport Island. National drinks include Sai (tea) and Raa (toddy tapped from palm trees). Tap water in resorts may not be drinkable so make sure you check with management. Bottled water is extremely expensive.