Alila Maldives: Umami, Yakitori & Seasalt Roundup

Bottom line: Half Board (HB) is more than enough. We brought tons of instant noodles and drinks, but never got around to them—no room left in our stomachs! 🌊 Seasalt (Western Restaurant) Covers breakfast, seafood (grill buffet), and 3-course dinners. 🥞 Breakfast: Solid but repetitive after a few days The menu’s slightly changed from before, but core dishes remain. Highlights: beef pho with fragrant broth, teriyaki salmon rice (tender fish, perfect sweet-savory sauce), black truffle egg bagel (rich, indulgent), and bread pudding (warm, paired with ice cream). Daily “specials” (ask staff) and a rotating buffet special keep it interesting—though by day 4 or 5, it starts to feel repetitive. Still, plenty of variety. 🍖 Seafood Grill Buffet: Fun more than mind-blowing Decent variety, flavors are “safe” but worth trying for the vibe. Grills sizzle with lobster, tiger prawns, and squid, cooked to order. Eating by the sea at sunset, with the smell of charred seafood in the air? Totally memorable. 🥩 3-Course Dinner: Steaks underwhelm, desserts save the day Had high hopes (heard great things about the steak), but steak and lamb chops were overcooked (too well-done, a bit tough). Apps: scallops were rubbery, foie gras and octopus were good. Added lobster: tender, with crispy fries and 3 dips (garlic aioli was best). Desserts? Chef’s kiss—order anything (skip the sorbet, though)；chocolate lava and crème brûlée were standout. 🍣 Umami (Japanese, reservation-only 🍴) Easily the most “worth booking” spot—apps and desserts outshine mains. Apps: Tempura (light, crispy, shrimp/pumpkin perfection), soft-shell crab (crunchy, great with lettuce), crab salad (fresh, creamy with avocado). Sushi rolls? Just okay. Mains: Duck and salmon were solid (duck skin crispy, salmon tender). Grilled chicken? Too salty, (Korean-style) seasoning overpowered it. Desserts: Skip the sorbet—go for chocolate options (lava cake, mousse) or matcha red bean. All come with a small ice cream/scoop, so no need to order sorbet separately. 🍢 Yakitori (All-you-can-eat skewers) If you like sweet flavors, this is a home run. Sweet-glazed skewers > salted: crispy chicken skin (sticky, savory-sweet), tender thigh meat (juicy, sauce soaks in), clean-tasting chicken hearts. Mains: Salmon bowl was a standout—fresh fish, avocado, sushi rice, light and refreshing, pairs perfectly with skewers. Overall easy to enjoy, even if you’re new to yakitori. In short: No need to stress about “not liking the food.” Bring a few snacks if worried, but HB will keep you full and happy! #Maldives #AlilaMaldives #MaldivesHotels #yakitori #umami #seasalt #MaldivesHB #HB