Leave You Stuffed Every Meal, Plus Pitfall Avoidance & Must-Order List

Before heading to Vakaru, I kept seeing guides worrying about "not getting enough to eat." But once I set foot on the island, I realized: it’s totally unnecessary. Two meals (HB) are more than enough—we even had to pack leftover bread as snacks every meal. Just check the translations when ordering, and the chance of picking a bad dish drops to zero. I’ve ranked them based on my experience, from beach barbecues to jungle Southeast Asian cuisine—each meal hides a surprise. 1️⃣ Vakku Grill Restaurant｜Double Romance of Sunset and Lobster 🌅 Vakku is definitely Vakaru’s "top-tier" restaurant. Built right on the beach, tables and chairs rest on fine sand. In the evening, the sunset dyes the sea orange, and the sound of waves crashing mixes with the sizzle of the grill—its ambiance alone is worth the hype. Reservations include a $65 per person credit, totaling $130 for two people, which is perfect for sharing: The mushroom risotto is a hidden gem: rice soaks up the rich mushroom flavor, with melted cheese on top—scoop a bite and it still stretches, pairing perfectly with grilled shrimp; The salmon tartare is as fresh as if just fished out, with thick sashimi pieces mixed with avocado cubes and lemon juice, refreshing and not greasy; The duck breast is surprisingly amazing: the skin is crispy, the inside tender with juices, and the berry sauce cuts through the richness. We originally wanted pork chops (out of stock), but ended up falling for the duck breast. Adding two colas only pushed it $1 over—unbeatable value. And the highlight! Don’t miss the Thursday lobster-themed buffet—HB/FB guests add $95 to unlock a table piled high with lobsters: (cheese-baked), charcoal-grilled, sashimi... Enjoy it with the sunset, and happiness overflows. 2️⃣ Amaany｜"Made-to-Order Surprises" at the Breakfast Spot, Free Tuesday Buffet 🥞 As the breakfast restaurant, Amaany’s magic lies in the warmth of "made-to-order" dishes. Sit under a beachside awning, face the sea, and call out to the staff: "A Eggs Benedict, please!" The moment you pierce the poached egg, the runny yolk mixes with hollandaise sauce, paired with a crispy English muffin—each bite feels like "island-style tenderness." Must-try made-to-order items: Omelets can be customized with mushrooms, bacon, or cheese, soft as clouds; Waffles are crispy outside, fluffy inside—drizzle with maple syrup or fresh mango sauce for just the right sweetness; Milkshakes are a daily surprise: mango today, pineapple tomorrow. For rarer flavors (like avocado), just ask the staff—freshly blended ones are richer. The self-service area also hides treasures: baked bread piles high, croissants are flaky, pretzels have a hint of salt; the fruit section serves big chunks of avocado, perfect with yogurt; the porridge is a bit thick (like oatmeal), but sprinkling nuts makes it tasty. Every Tuesday night, it turns into a free buffet—help yourself to seafood, grilled meats, and desserts. Come with an empty stomach! 3️⃣ Isoletta Italian Restaurant｜"Western Fare" Hub by the Main Pool, Burgers Bigger Than Your Face 🍔 Isoletta, by the main pool, was our daily lunch "canteen." Blue-and-white umbrellas line the poolside—enjoy pasta while watching others swim, lazy enough to never want to move. Order these without hesitation: Appetizer grilled shrimp are fragrant with crispy shells, runny roe, and a squeeze of lemon for fresh flavor; Caesar salad has crisp romaine lettuce, plenty of bacon bits, and Parmesan cheese; Main wagyu burger is "jumbo-sized": the patty is too thick to bite, with melted cheese inside, served with thick-cut fries (crispy outside, fluffy inside)—even sharing one is enough for two; Margherita pizza has a thin, crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and cheese that stretches halfway across the table; A word of caution: desserts are generally too sweet. Later, we stuck to ice cream—the coconut and mango flavors taste like frozen fruit puree, refreshing and not cloying. #MaldivesIslandSelection #VakaruIsland #MaldivesFood #SeaviewRestaurants #ItalianCuisine #SoutheastAsianCuisine #MaldivesDining