Maldivian Cuisine

Maldivian cuisine, known as Dhivehi food, reflects the islands' ocean setting and South Asian ties, built on three staples: fish, above all tuna, coconut and rice. The classic breakfast is mas huni, a moreish mix of shredded smoked tuna, grated coconut, onion and chilli eaten with the flatbread roshi. Fragrant fish curries and coconut-rich soups feature at main meals, while local teashops serve hedhikaa, an array of savoury short-eat snacks like fish cakes and samosas. Flavours are gently spiced, with a fiery chilli kick.

What you actually see

• Mas huni - the smoked tuna, coconut and chilli breakfast with roshi.
• The fish curries - the fragrant tuna and coconut curries.
• Hedhikaa short eats - the fish cakes, bajiya and savoury snacks.
• Garudhiya - the clear, comforting tuna broth with rice.

When to go

Year-round; local island cafes and Malé teashops are the place to try authentic Dhivehi food and short eats, a world away from the international buffets of the resorts. Sweet, milky tea accompanies the savoury snacks in the traditional teashop culture.

Honest expectations

At the resorts, food is mostly international buffet fare, so tasting real Maldivian cuisine means seeking out local island cafes or Malé teashops, where the tuna-heavy, coconut-rich dishes shine. The cuisine is narrow in range, leaning heavily on tuna, and not to every taste, but the smoky mas huni, fragrant curries and crispy short eats are genuinely delicious, authentic island food worth seeking out.

Nearby

The local islands and Malé's teashops are the best places to eat authentically.