Editor’s Pick: Dining Through the Day at The Standard, Maldives

Set in the Maldives’ Raa Atoll, The Standard, Maldives has earned recognition from Condé Nast Traveller as one of the best hotels in the country. Reached by a short seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, the resort blends a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere with an island setting designed for couples, groups of friends and families alike. Its 115 beachfront and overwater villas each feature private lounge decks and plunge pools, while days are shaped by snorkelling along a protected house reef, boating, diving, spa rituals, yoga sessions and a lively calendar of pool parties and live music.

Dining sits at the centre of that experience, not as a single destination, but as a rhythm that carries the day from morning to night.

Mornings at The Standard, Maldives tend to begin at Kula. From 6:30 am, the all-day dining restaurant opens for breakfast, drawing most guests toward its bright, plant-filled dining room overlooking the pool and ocean. The buffet unfolds at an easy pace, offering a wide spread that caters to different routines and appetites, whether the day ahead calls for a long dive trip, a slow swim, or nothing at all. The open kitchen adds a sense of movement, with dishes prepared fresh as the island gradually comes to life.

For those who prefer a quieter start, breakfast can also be enjoyed privately, including floating breakfasts served in villa plunge pools. It is less the norm than a considered indulgence, reserved for mornings meant to be lingered over rather than rushed.

As the day warms, Joos Café becomes a natural follow-up rather than a replacement. Smoothies, coffee and pastries share space with light lunches, served either poolside or inside a relaxed lounge lined with vintage books and magazines. It is the kind of setting where a quick stop often turns into an extended pause.

By midday, Kula takes on a different rhythm. What begins as a breakfast hub gradually shifts into a relaxed lunch setting, with the dining room opening fully to the light and views beyond. The buffet evolves through the day, reflecting the restaurant’s rotating themed menus, moving between global flavours and Maldivian-inspired dishes. Live cooking stations remain at the centre of the experience, adding a sense of energy and immediacy as dishes are prepared to order and guests move casually between plates, sampling rather than settling.

Afternoons ease naturally into Todis Bar. Located just off the pool deck, it serves bar favourites such as fresh oysters, fried chicken sandwiches and dry-aged beef burgers, alongside cocktails, beer and wine. Games and books are close at hand, and the mood remains relaxed and playful as the sun begins to soften.

As evening approaches, the beach draws focus. BBQ Shak offers casual beachfront dining, where seafood and meats are grilled over charcoal in full view. Plates arrive simply dressed, paired with house-made sauces and the steady presence of the ocean just beyond the sand.

For dinner, Guduguda offers a distinctly Maldivian experience. The restaurant centres on traditional, seafood-driven dishes built around coconut milk curries, spiced rice, regional fruits and vegetables, and homemade bread. Dining is done low to the floor on cushions, indoors or on a patio overlooking the water, encouraging conversation, sharing and a slower pace that mirrors the name’s meaning of relaxed togetherness.

Night settles over the lagoon at Beru Bar. Perched over the ocean with a see-through dance floor, the venue pairs sunset views with izakaya-style dishes fresh from the sea, including sashimi, nigiri and maki. Cocktails and tropical juices carry the evening forward, before the space transforms into a late-night setting anchored by the Maldives’ largest disco ball.

Beyond its restaurants and bars, The Standard extends dining into curated experiences. Guests can opt for a private island dinner under the stars, a three-course menu paired with Champagne over the lagoon, bubbles enjoyed from a villa’s private pool, or lobster-focused beach dinners. Each option adds another layer to how food shapes time on the island.

At The Standard, Maldives, dining provides a natural structure to the stay. From the first meal of the day to the last drink of the night, each setting offers a different mood, together forming an experience that feels considered, relaxed and deeply connected to its surroundings.

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