Maafushi Island Dining Guide｜Two Restaurants Tested

After wandering around Maafushi Island for a few days, I’ve got the lowdown on two restaurants—foodie sisters, take notes! 📝 🌟 Kanni's Restaurant: A Pleasant Surprise, Worth Coming Back For! All photos from P1 to P5 are from this spot, and it’s no exaggeration to call it Maafushi’s “source of dining security.” As soon as I sat down, I noticed it’s practically a “fly-free zone” compared to most restaurants on the island—Maafushi’s flies are so abundant they could throw a party 🦟🎉, but here the tables were spotless. No need to swat bugs while eating, and that alone already makes it a winner! ✨ The must-try seafood platter (33 USD) is a must! 🦐🐟 It’s surprisingly generous when served: grilled shrimps are plump and juicy, pan-fried fish has a crispy skin with tender, melt-in-your-mouth flesh, and even the accompanying fries are crispy enough to crumble 🍟. I told the waiter “no onions, please” in advance, and they smiled and repeated it back to confirm—total comfort for detail-oriented folks! 😊 I also ordered fried rice, with each grain distinct and mixed with the aroma of eggs and a hint of smokiness, not greasy at all 🍚. The biggest surprise was their “nann” (that freshly baked flatbread)—still warm when served, with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior 🥞. It relies entirely on the natural sweetness of the flour, no messy seasonings, and as a carb lover, I polished off half of it in no time! Service is a plus too: waiters proactively refill water, and even remind you “service charge is included in the bill” when checking out—no hidden tricks, just transparency 💸. If you want a solid, comfortable meal on Maafushi, this is the one. 🥺 A XHS-Recommended Restaurant: The Higher the Expectations, the Bigger the Letdown… P6 to P10 are from this place. I was hyped after seeing rave reviews, but after eating, all I can say is “nope.” 🙅♀️ The biggest issue is the flies! 🦟😫 As soon as I sat outside, three or four flies swarmed around the table. By the time I’d picked at the pineapple fried rice, one even landed on the edge of my plate—I hurried to move indoors, but they followed. I spent the whole meal shoveling food with my left hand and swatting flies with my right, making eating feel like a guerrilla battle and killing my appetite. The dishes are just “edible”: pineapple fried rice has sweet-tart pineapple chunks and fluffy, non-dry rice 🍍; wraps with veggies and sauce have a decent texture 🥙; creamy chicken and mushroom pasta is rich but gets cloying halfway through 🍝. The letdown is the grilled chicken leg—drenched in spices like there’s no tomorrow, with an overpowering mix of cumin and curry that drowns out the meat’s flavor 💣. Avoid if you don’t like heavy seasonings! Even more annoying details: water on the table is charged (1.3 USD/bottle) 💧💰, while Kanni’s offers free refills; despite also charging a service fee, the waiters here are MIA—you have to call them multiple times just to clear plates 🙄. All in all, the value can’t compare. In short: For dining on Maafushi, head straight to Kanni's! ✅ Clean, comfortable, and delicious—you can eat well for under 40 USD. The other spot? Skip it unless you’re really curious. ❌ #MaafushiIsland #MaafushiFoodReview #MaldivesLocalIslandEats #IslandDiningGuide