Kandolhu Maldives

Each of the five à la carte restaurants is small and intimate – the Japanese restaurant, Banzai, has just six seats. There’s a good choice of options, from casual eateries to fancier options for indulgent evenings.

For an island of Kandolhu’s size, the choice of dining is almost unheard of. And it's particularly flexible, with breakfast offered from 7-10.30am, dinner from 7.30-11pm, and lunch pretty much any time you like in between.

There are five charming eateries, all intimate, open-air and à la carte. The Market is the all-day dining restaurant offering international dishes from home-made thin crust pizzas to salads and burgers as well as local specialities.

Above The Market with panoramic ocean views, Olive serves up Mediterranean classics including homemade pasta. At the Sea Grill, choose your own fish and have it cooked at your request. There’s also sizzling meat specialties from the tandoor oven. The tables here are particularly private, in little stone alcoves. Banzai is a tiny Japanese restaurant with just six seats. Due to popularity, it offers two dinner seatings to cater for more guests. The menu here features creative sushi and teppanyaki dishes – try the delicious Kandolhu Surf & Turf for two with Wagyu rib eye, scallop, tiger prawns and teriyaki chicken.

Ata-Roa — is Kandolhu's newest addition, serving up a simple and light street food-style menu from Mexico and Peru. Open 12-4pm daily (except Tuesdays), this relaxed eatery on the sports jetty focuses on premium fresh ingredients and specialises in ceviche and tacos, washed down with Mexican beer and pisco cocktails. You can easily grab and go, too, taking your food back to your villa to eat.

And for drinks, the laid-back Vilu bar has indoor and outdoor seating and a range of Martinis and cocktails. It also hosts occasional low-key entertainment, from a two-piece band to movie nights on the beach.

We love the views from Olive and its delightfully fresh dishes are paired with delectable wines.

Banzai — Seating just six guests, Banzai serves sushi and sashimi, plus meat and seafood grilled to perfection on the teppan. The Market — An al fresco restaurant serving a full buffet breakfast and an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner. Olive — In an enviably elevated position with panoramic views of the ocean, Olive serves classic Mediterranean dishes and delicacies matched with exceptional wines. Sea Grill — The perfect beachside setting, the Sea Grill opens at sunset for freshly caught seafood served from the grill. Ata Roa — Serving light lunches of delicious tacos and ceviche inspired by Mexico and Peru. Vilu Bar — A classic beach bar serving tropical fresh juices and cocktails. Look out for occasional movie nights on the beach and Full Moon cocktail gatherings.