The capital Male has a select number of modest eateries. Local and South Asian food are on the main menu. Chinese and Continental fares are also available in some restaurants.Teashops in Male serve a variety of savouries and sweets.

Savouries are mostly fish based. Some of the popular snacks include fihunu mas (fish basted with chilli paste and barbecued) - a real winner, several varieties of gulha (ball -shaped snacks with smoked fish stuffings), bajiya (a pastry stuffed with fish, coconut, and onions), keemia (deep-fried fish rolls), kulhi borkibaa (mildly spiced fishcake), theluli kavaabu (deep-fried fish rissole), and the succulent theluli mas (fish chunks brushed with a chilli-garlic paste and fried). And if you wish to end on a high, go for sweets such as bondi (white, finger- long coconut sticks), or zileybee (batter coils in syrup). They are simply delicious.

A traditional island meal includes garudiya (a clear fish broth) served with rice, and piquant side-dishes made of lime, chilli, and small onions. Another popular dish is roshi (unleavened bread) which goes well with mas huni (a mixture of smoked fish in shreds, grated coconuts, and finely chopped onions seasoned with lime and chilli). Breadfruit is used commonly, served either as curry, the bambukeylu hiti, or is fried. Similarly taro makes a good crispy snack when fried. Sweet dishes like custard accompanied by locally grown pomegranates, bananas, papaya, and mangoes, topped by a hot cup of sweet black tea lends a perfect finish to an authentic repast. Most of the resort islands have more than one restaurant where you can enjoy a wide range of cuisines catering to the different tastes of a large international clientele. Continental, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Oriental buffets are widely available.

Though Maldivians do not consume alcoholic beverages, drinks are available in bars confined to the island resorts. The Maldivian toddy raa is sweet and delicious despite its pungent odour. Ice creams, sundaes, fresh fruit juices, and the local suji (a sweet drink made with semolina, coconut milk, nuts, sultanas, and a dash of spices) also add to the refreshing list.