Jerry’s Maldives Diary — Male hides a “tree-growing” gem of a cafe

I’ve been in Male for almost two months, and I rarely eat out—either the flavors don’t suit me, or the hygiene makes me hesitant. But today, when my friend and I ducked into Seagull Cafe, I realized: Male actually hides such a “healing” little spot. Both the vibe and the food hit the mark, so I just have to rave about it! 📍 Location: Pop in anytime when you’re tired from exploring It’s right next to Male’s Sultan Park, super close to Fish Market and the souvenir street. We were wandering the park, drawn in by the shade of trees, and stumbled upon it—search “Seagull Cafe” on Google Maps, and the location is spot-on. Follow the navigation, and you’ll spot a small building draped in greenery—no hassle finding it at all～ 🌿 Ambience & charm: A 50-year-old tree grows through the cafe, it’s magical! The cafe has a two-story building and a small courtyard, but its standout feature? A massive tree over 50 years old that actually grows straight through the building! 🌳 From the first floor, you can see its thick trunk bursting up through the floor and piercing the ceiling; on the second floor, branches peek through the windows, and sunlight filters through the leaves into golden specks, dancing on the tables. My friend said, “Maldivians really love their trees.” It’s true—most buildings here are low-rise, and when trees and buildings “overlap,” locals rarely choose to cut down the trees; instead, they find ways to let the buildings and trees coexist. The trunk weaves through the structure, the leaves act as a natural sunshade—preserving the old tree while keeping the space cool and lively. Compared to chopping down original plants to plant new green belts, this “making way for nature” approach feels like a much gentler way to protect the environment. I snapped a quick photo (the waiter took it for me, no fancy angles, and it still looked great). The tree shadows, white walls, and wooden tables blend like a little cabin in the woods—once you sit down, you won’t want to move. 🍧 Food & prices: Tasty, cheap, and satisfying for breakfast I got a double scoop of ice cream (yogurt + coffee flavor) for just 50 MVR (about 25)! The yogurt flavor is slightly tangy, refreshing; the coffee tastes like melted tiramisu—swirl it around your mouth, and the milkiness mixes with coffee aroma, instantly waking you up. The Maldivian breakfast set was even more of a surprise: 80 MVR ) gets you fresh pancakes—soft with a crispy edge, perfect dipped in ketchup for a sweet-tart kick; tuna with a savory umami, paired with a runny fried egg. Fold a pancake with egg and tuna, add a dash of chili sauce, and it’s so good you’ll want to lick the plate 😋 My friend got bread and a latte—looked amazing too! Service charge and taxes are standard here, but they don’t add up to much. Sitting in the tree shade, slowly savoring the food while listening to leaves rustle, I suddenly thought: Male isn’t so “rough” after all. If you’re visiting parks or hunting for souvenirs in Male, swing by—grab a coffee, stare at the tree, and soak in that gentle harmony of “building and nature embracing each other.” P.S. If you’ve found great spots in Male or Hulhumale, please leave a comment or DM me—I’ll hit them up one by one to satisfy my cravings! 👇 #CafeRecommendation #Male #HealingCafe #HealingIslandLife