A journey to the Maldives ranks highly on the itinerary of many enthusiastic travelers, and the reasons for this are abundantly clear. Few destinations offer such stunning beaches, enchanting azure waters, and opulent water villa accommodations, all within the confines of a private island resort. However, a common concern for many Indian travelers venturing abroad has historically been the availability of vegetarian options, particularly Indian vegetarian cuisine. Fortunately, the landscape has changed significantly over the past decade. Indian tourism now constitutes a substantial segment of the market, prompting the industry to evolve in response to the preferences of Indian travelers. Therefore, if you harbor doubts about visiting the Maldives due to potential challenges in finding quality vegetarian or Indian food, rest assured. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover the number of Indian nationals employed in Maldives resorts, with many Indian chefs at the helm of the culinary teams. Consequently, we present a selection of resorts in the Maldives that offer Indian cuisine and cater to authentic vegetarian dining, enhancing the appeal of your vacation plans.
Top 5 Maldives Resorts Offering Indian Cuisine.
- Kuramathi Island Resort
- Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
- Atmosphere Kanifushi
- Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa
- Paradise Island Resort & Spa
1. Kuramathi Island Resort
This resort in the Maldives is highly regarded for its Indian cuisine and tends to fill up rapidly. It offers a diverse selection of accommodations and features an on-site Indian restaurant named Tandoor Mahal, renowned for its Biryani and tandoori dishes. However, a potential drawback of Kuramathi is the difficulty in securing a room, as it provides only two transfer slots for both pick-up and drop-off at Male airport. If you plan your booking well in advance and manage the transfer logistics effectively, this resort is an excellent option.
- Ideal For: Adventurous individuals eager to experience the Northern Lights, as well as families seeking magnificent Christmas festivities.
- Estimated Cost per Person: The average expenditure ranges from INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,20,000.
- Accessing Iceland: Travel by air to Amsterdam-Keflavik Airport or utilize the Smyril Line ferry departing from Denmark.
- Major Attractions: The illumination of the Oslo Christmas tree, relaxation at the Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss waterfalls, and reindeer sledding excursions.
- December Temperature: Ranges from -1° to 4° Celsius.
- Currency Used: Icelandic króna.
2. Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
The Adaaran group of resorts is renowned for its unwavering commitment to exceptional service, and Hudhuranfushi exemplifies this standard. This resort features stunning water villas, providing an extraordinary experience for guests in the Maldives, along with an impressive premium allinclusive package that includes unlimited food and beverages. Guests can enjoy authentic North and South Indian cuisine at the in-house Indian restaurant, the Indian Pavilion, which also offers Indian Jain food, making it one of the premier resorts in the Maldives for Indian culinary options. This resort is an excellent choice for those seeking value, and I strongly recommend considering it. For a more luxurious experience, you may also explore Adaaran’s other properties, such as Adaaran Select Meedhupparu or Adaaran Prestige Vadoo.
3. Atmosphere Kanifushi
The Atmosphere chain boasts several properties in the Maldives, including OBLU Helengeli, OBLU Sangeli, VARU, and OZEN, among others. Notably, Kanifushi stands out as a premium resort that caters specifically to vegetarians. It is home to Just Veg, the first pure vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives, which has also earned a place among the top 10 restaurants in the country. An added advantage is that access to Just Veg is included in the All-Inclusive Plus meal plan, requiring no additional payment. This makes it an exceptional choice for those seeking a luxurious 5-star experience in the Maldives.
4. Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa
Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa is a distinguished member of the Sun Siyam group, renowned for its exceptional premium resorts. Positioned as a mid-range option that offers excellent value, Olhuveli stands out as one of the most attractive resort deals available. Similar to Hudhuranfushi, the resort provides an All-inclusive meal plan by default, along with a variety of room selections. Guests can choose from accommodations such as beach villas with pools, water villas featuring jacuzzis or private pools, and expansive two-bedroom suites. Additionally, the resort boasts the Four Spices Asian-themed restaurant, which is celebrated for its exquisite Indian cuisine. With numerous appealing features and a family-friendly atmosphere, Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa is an excellent choice for those seeking a more upscale experience compared to Hudhuranfushi.
5. Paradise Island Resort & Spa
Paradies Island resort has been an established and popular resort in Maldives for quite a few years now. It’s super popular among Indians especially due to its affordable price and stellar service. This is quite a mainstay on a lot of lists and the resort serves great vegetarian and Indian food options. They also cater to specific requests as well as long as you give them a good heads up. If you want Jain options in the buffet, make sure to reach out to them at least 10 days before arrival to make sure that the same is accommodated.