Must try Restaurants in Maldives - Embark on a gastronomic journey

Ithaa belongs on the tops of the list. Ithaa, the Dhivehi word for mother-of-pearl, is the name of the very first undersea restaurant in the world. Located five meters below the surface of the ocean, it seats a maximum of just fourteen guests at a time. The diners will be treated to two hundred and seventy degree magical underwater views and a fusion of modern Maldivian cuisine with Western and Asian flavours. If that is not impressive enough, Ithaa also boasts an underwater wine cellar. The structure in which the restaurant is contained was built in Singapore and took sixteen days by sea to arrive at its destination. It was opened in 2005 and is only expected to last twenty years. It is open from 11am to midnight daily. Needless to say, advance reservations are a must.

Which means the produce is fresh and the flavors are bright. Naturally, you will see plenty of fish appearing on the menu, flavored with generous amounts of coconut in different forms and bold spices. You would not want to miss out on sampling the local cuisine at Adaaran Club Rannalhi while you are in the Maldives. Rice often accompanies the food even though it is not grown locally; this is a result of strong sub-continental influences.

Dining is an experience which goes beyond the food itself. The Lighthouse proves exactly that. This restaurant is built over water and can be identified by its elegant white pointed roof. This stylish venue houses its wines in an impressive glass wine cellar. The Lighthouse is open every day for dinner from 7pm to 10pm.

This 'dining complex' has four different elements that offer four different experiences. Starting at the top level, you have Sky, a rooftop bar serving tapas and cocktails. The items on the menu at Salt, meat and fish, come on blocks of salt that enhance the flavours. Japanese chefs perform as much as they cook at the teppanyaki lounge, Fire. The last tier is Sea, which is located in an underwater cellar with large glass panels that allow you to watch the fish swimming past as you feast on gourmet preparations.

The Maldivian capital. This rooftop restaurant lets you watch the world go by with its aerial views of the island. Both vegetarians and meat eaters will find something to smile about as the menu here features hearty fare from around the world; with everything from burgers to Biriyani and even a few local delicacies.