Maldives Guide

Welcome to Maldives

Visiting Malé or Hulhumalé? This is a real, working directory — actual restaurants, cafes, guesthouses and salons, with real locations, ratings, and what each one is actually good for.

Restaurants Cafes Stay Salons Shops Practical Info

Most Maldives content is about resorts you'll never set foot outside of. This is the guide for tourists spending real time in Malé and Hulhumalé — on a layover, before a resort transfer, or staying local. Every place below is a real business with a real address, organised by category so you can find what you need fast.

Restaurants

Malé and Hulhumalé.

Malé
The Cloud Restaurant
★ 4.6
Rooftop dining with airport views — grilled fish and tuna steaks, popular for a sit-down dinner rather than a quick bite.
Samann Grand, Roashanee Magu, Malé+960 330-6633
Skyfall Lounge & Restaurant
★ 4.4
Tenth-floor lounge with a koi pond and views over to the Hulhumalé bridge — good for a proper evening out.
H. Nees, Hithigas Magu, Malé+960 331-2345
Salt Café & Restaurant
★ 4.3
Rooftop over the fish market and harbour — pasta and fresh seafood, a favourite with locals for the view alone.
6th & 7th Floor, Mohamed Ismail Didi Goalhi, Malé+960 333-6669
Seahouse Maldives
★ 4.2
Open almost round the clock, right on the water — Maldivian breakfast, fried rice, and a lunch buffet that's easy on the budget.
Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé+960 333-2957
Seagull Café
★ 4.4
A garden-like indoor-outdoor spot known for house-made ice cream as much as its lunch menu.
29 Chaandhanee Magu, Malé+960 332-3332
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Hulhumalé
Keylime Restaurant
★ 4.9
Beachside spot known for authentic Maldivian dishes and a hearty breakfast — widely rated one of the best in Hulhumalé.
Dhigga Magu, Hulhumalé+960 933-0999
PastaMania Maldives
★ 4.8
Beachfront Italian-family spot — pizza and pasta, consistently busy, good for groups.
Hirundhu Magu, Hulhumalé+960 721-2999
Cloud Signature
★ 4.6
Rooftop restaurant at Ocean Grand hotel — seafood-focused menu, sunset views over the sea.
Kaani Magu, Hulhumalé+960 335-5077
The Waterside
★ 4.6
Casual indoor-outdoor café with a broad menu — Maldivian breakfast, Asian mains, and generous portions.
Nirolhu Magu, Hulhumalé+960 750-2131
Riveli Beach Club & Restaurant
★ 4.3
Breezy, modern beachfront restaurant — good for breakfast or a relaxed dinner right on the sand.
Dhigga Magu area, Hulhumalé+960 742-7766

Cafes

Malé and Hulhumalé.

Malé
The Usual Coffee House
★ 4.8
Tucked in a small alley in old Malé — kaya toast, cold brew, and a laid-back vibe popular with both locals and layover travellers.
H. Silver Oak, Abadhah Ufaa Magu, Malé+960 998-7825
Bianco Coffee & Eatery
★ 4.7
Clean, minimalist café well regarded for its espresso and English breakfast.
G.Dhonguri, Nirolhu Magu, Malé+960 736-3311
The Coffee Shrub
★ 4.6
Mezzanine café overlooking Majeedhee Magu — good breakfasts and smashed burgers, central and easy to find.
Malé Grand, Majeedhee Magu Rd, Malé+960 796-9678
Hulhumalé
Coffee & Bagels
★ 4.7
Beachfront café well known for its Maldivian breakfast, bagels and strong espresso.
Hirundhu Magu, Hulhumalé+960 778-0336
Gather Co
★ 4.8
Quiet, minimalist specialty coffee spot set back from the main road — good for working or catching up.
Nirolhu Magu, Hulhumalé+960 754-6675
Ripple Cafe & Bistro
★ 4.7
Small beachfront café with a broad menu of local and international dishes — a reliable, affordable breakfast stop.
Dhigga Magu, Hulhumalé+960 726-9966

Stay

Guesthouses in Malé and Hulhumalé.

Malé
Reef House Maldives
★ 4.4
Central rooms with a small kitchenette, close to shops and restaurants — popular as an airport-adjacent overnight stop.
Kimbingas Magu, Malé+960 798-8991
Amina Residency
★ 4.0
Decent-value rooms with complimentary local breakfast, roughly 10 minutes from the airport by taxi.
Ameer Ahmed Magu, Malé+960 334-9090
Hulhumalé
RIJ Hulhumalé
★ 4.3
Small, centrally located guesthouse near the beach, good for transit stays of one or two nights.
Nirolhumagu, Hulhumalé+960 335-7788
Hathaa Beach Maldives
★ 4.0
Directly across from Hulhumalé's public beach and close to the airport — no elevator, reception is on the 3rd floor.
Beach Road, Hulhumalé+960 998-1171
Newtown Inn
★ 3.9
Budget guesthouse two minutes from the beach, close to restaurants and pharmacies.
Nirolhu Magu, Hulhumalé+960 335-8696

Salons & Services

Hair, beauty and grooming in Malé.

Malé
Hidden Gem Hair & Beauty Salon
★ 5.0
Small, highly-rated salon for haircuts and colour — book ahead, it's popular.
Chaandhanee Magu, Malé+960 734-5453
Lushé Salon
★ 5.0
Keratin and hair treatments in a small, clean space — known for attentive service.
Bodufungandu Magu, Malé+960 799-0044
Salon ELLE'
★ 4.9
Hair and facial treatments for men and women, including colour and skincare — mid-to-upper price range.
Ameer Ahmed Magu, Malé+960 950-1909
Salon Mansion
★ 4.9
Nails, facials and waxing — a regular spot for locals rather than a tourist-facing salon.
Dhilbahaaru Magu, Malé+960 975-9849
Nada Salon & Aesthetic Studio
★ 4.6
Full-service salon covering hair, skin, nails and barbering under one roof — useful if you need more than one service.
Majeedhee Magu Rd, Malé+960 331-4393

Shops

Supermarkets, souvenirs and pharmacies in Malé and Hulhumalé.

Malé — supermarkets
STO People's Choice
★ 4.3
One of the largest supermarkets in Malé — groceries, household goods, electronics and a pharmacy counter under one roof.
6 Orchid Magu, Malé+960 334-4333
Villa Mart - Majeedhee Magu
★ 4.3
Wide selection with a strong range of imported groceries and daily essentials.
Ma. Kashish, Malé+960 772-6464
VB Mart
★ 4.0
Convenience store for household basics, technically 24 hours (brief early-morning gaps).
Nooree Goalhi, Malé+960 334-0018
Hulhumalé — supermarkets
Redwave Mega Mall
★ 4.2
The biggest retail outlet in Hulhumalé — groceries, electronics and household goods, open 24 hours.
Hithigas Magu, Hulhumalé+960 919-3399
Fahi Plaza
★ 4.1
Well-stocked neighbourhood supermarket with a strong fresh produce section.
Huvandhumaa Hingun, Hulhumalé+960 737-0545
Olive Tree
★ 4.0
24-hour grocery store with a solid mix of local and imported goods.
Hulhumalé+960 744-7352
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Malé — souvenirs
Lost Souvenirs
★ 4.6
Traditional Maldivian wear, t-shirts and accessories at reasonable prices — friendly, low-pressure shopping.
Hadheebee Magu, Malé+960 795-5040
City Souvenirs
★ 4.3
Souvenirs plus a reliable money exchange counter — a useful two-in-one stop.
Chaandhanee Magu, Malé+960 738-8762
AAYATH Souvenir
★ 5.0
Handmade shell jewellery and crafts, well-reviewed for quality and fair pricing.
Ma.Nirolhuge Binhima Goalhi, Malé
Malé — pharmacy
Med Pharmacy 2
★ 4.7
24-hour pharmacy with quick, helpful service.
Moonlight Hingun, Malé+960 950-0116
Life Support IGMH Pharmacy
★ 3.7
Located by the main hospital (IGMH) — useful for after-hours medical supplies, though stock varies.
Malé+960 333-4545

Before you go

Currency

Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), but US dollars are widely accepted in Malé and Hulhumalé.

Getting in

Free 30-day visa on arrival for most nationalities. No pre-approval needed for short stays.

Getting around

Walk Malé, ferry or bus over the bridge to Hulhumalé, taxi apps work in both.

Local etiquette

Modest dress off resort islands — this is a Muslim country outside the tourist bubble.