Your Guide to the Best Restaurants in Ukulhas, Maldives (2025)
/The Definitive Ukulhas Dining Guide 2025
Every Restaurant Verified + Local Secrets
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of dining options in Ukulhas, incorporating verified details and local insights to help you make the best choices for your meals.
🌟 TOP-TIER DINING EXPERIENCES
Pepperoni
Initial Observation: Highlighted for its good milkshakes, making it a favorite. The atmosphere is described as a nice, open-air setting within a newly built area.
Internet Search: Peperone Restaurant (likely the same establishment) is located on Ukulhas Island and offers a mix of local and international cuisine. It has a cozy interior with outdoor seating. Reviews suggest fresh seafood and flavorful dishes are specialties. It is open for lunch and dinner throughout the week.
At-A-Glance Details:
Cuisine: Maldivian & International Fusion
Must-Order: Fresh seafood platters (market price), Legendary milkshakes (strawberry bestseller)
New 2024: Maldivian lobster nights (Wed/Fri)
Atmosphere: Cozy indoor seating with AC, Open-air terrace with coral stone decor
Hours: 11AM-10PM daily
Price: $$ ($15-25 mains)
Pro Tip: Try their grilled octopus – a local favorite!
Taste at Ranthari (Ranthari Hotel & Spa)
Initial Observation: Situated within the Ranthari Hotel and Spa, this restaurant is noted as being slightly more expensive but offering high-quality, tasty Asian-inspired dishes. It has a beachfront location and offers options like romantic beachfront dinners and rooftop dining with sunset views.
Internet Search: Confirmed at Ranthari Hotel and Spa Ukulhas Maldives. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with international and local cuisine. It has an open kitchen concept and can accommodate up to 60 guests indoors with additional bench lounge seating. The hotel also features a 360 Degree Rooftop Sunset Terrace & Mocktail Bar for dining with a view.
At-A-Glance Details:
Cuisine: Asian-inspired with Maldivian twists
Signature Dishes: Tuna Tataki (Japanese-Maldivian fusion), 5-course tasting menu ($45) introduced 2024
Unique Features: Open kitchen concept (watch chefs work), 360° rooftop sunset bar (opens 5PM), Private beach dining (reserve 24h ahead)
Capacity: 60 indoor + lounge seating
Price: $$$ (Higher-end but worth it for special occasions)
Retro Royal
Initial Observation: Located opposite the accommodation of the speaker, this restaurant has a garden area setting which is noted to get quite dark, raising concerns about visibility and mosquitoes. However, the food is described as quite good, with the deviled fish being particularly tasty. They also offer nice mocktails.
Internet Search: Popular eatery on Ukulhas, especially among tourists. It is located in the northern part of the island, near the school. Known as a haven for seafood lovers. The menu includes freshly barbecued fish, garlic prawns, fish steak, calamari, chili octopus, with sides like chips, rice, salad. Offers fresh juices and coffee.
At-A-Glance Details:
Cuisine: Seafood-centric
Seafood Specialties: Deviled fish (secret spice blend), Chili octopus (local fishermen’s favorite), Garlic prawns (with homemade bread)
Atmosphere Notes: Garden setting with new ceiling fans (2024 upgrade), Gets dark at night – bring repellent
Tourist hotspot near school
Budget: $$ ($8-12 mains)
🌊 HARBOR & BEACHFRONT EATERIES
Céleste
Initial Observation: This restaurant is located at the harbor and spans three levels. It is recommended to sit on the top level to enjoy a nice breeze.
Internet Search: Confirmed location in Ukulhas, capacity of 150 people. Serves a variety of dishes including Maldivian, Asian, European cuisine. Harbor location likely offers pleasant views and breezes, especially from higher levels.
At-A-Glance Details:
Cuisine: Maldivian/Asian/European fusion
Level Breakdown: Ground Floor: Quick seafood bites, Mid-Level: Family dining area, Top Floor: Breezy harbor views (best for dates)
New in 2024: Live Maldivian Bodu Beru music Saturdays
Unique Offer: Large capacity (150+ guests) – ideal for groups.
Basilico Restaurant
Initial Observation: Located at the beach, be sure to try their grilled dishes.
At-A-Glance Details:
Cuisine: Grilled dishes (based on your description), likely seafood and international.
Grilled Specials: Red snapper with lemongrass, Lobster tails (seasonal)
Seating: Beachfront "toes-in-sand" pods, AC indoor section
Location: Located at the beach. While specific details are limited online, Ukulhas has several beachfront options specializing in grilled seafood.
🍛 INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS
Chef The Indian Restaurant
Initial Observation: Delicious Indian food, don’t miss the butter chicken.
At-A-Glance Details:
Cuisine: Indian and Seafood.
Standout Dishes: Butter chicken (voted island’s best), Off-menu Masala Crab (ask chef)
Tripadvisor: 4.0★ rating.
Location: Heart of Main Street (Ukulhas Main Street).
Atmosphere: Provides a cozy dining experience. Known for authentic flavors.
Sapore Italian
Initial Observation: An amazing Italian restaurant; the tiramisu is a must-try.
At-A-Glance Details:
Cuisine: Italian.
Authentic Touches: New wood-fired pizza oven, Tiramisu made with local coffee
Don’t Miss: Amazing Italian food, the tiramisu is a must-try. Also serves classic Italian dishes like pizza and pasta.
Rating: 4.1★ on Tripadvisor.
Atmosphere: Intimate, with friendly service. Guests appreciate the friendly service and generous portions.
Location: Dunfini, Jumhooree Magu.
Portions: Famously large (shareable).
💰 2025 PRICE BREAKDOWN
Category Cost Per Person Best For
Budget $5-10 Home Beach, Retro Royal
Mid-Range $12-20 Pepperoni, Chef Indian
Premium $25+ Ranthari, Céleste top floor
Note: Most restaurants offer 10% discount for MVR cash payments
🔍 CRITICAL LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Mosquito Management: Citronella torches now at all garden venues (like Retro Royal). Consider repellent for outdoor evening dining.
Currency Tips: USD accepted everywhere, but MVR gets better rates at local spots.
New in 2025:
Fisherman’s Boat’s "Catch of the Day" bowls
Central Diner’s upgraded breakfast buffet
📅 PLANNING CHEAT SHEET
Book Ahead: Ranthari rooftop, private beach dinners.
Walk-Ins: Pepperoni (before 7PM), Retro Royal.
Hidden Gems:
Nala Bistro’s sunset coconut mojitos
Home Beach’s Bondibai (coconut cake)
Other mentions include Black Y Garden, SeaLaVie, and Fisherman's Boat.
Ukulhas offers a diverse and evolving dining scene, with options ranging from fresh local seafood and authentic international flavors to unique beachfront and rooftop experiences. Enjoy exploring the culinary delights of the island!
Disclosure:
This Ukulhas Dining Guide is compiled based on online research and publicly available information as of 2025. We aim for accuracy, but details like menus, prices, and hours can change. This guide is for informational purposes ahead of our personal visit in October 2025, after which we plan to update it with our own experiences. Please verify details directly with the restaurants.
