By the Sea at Gili Lankanfushi: The Maldives’ Best‑Kept Japanese Dining Secret

Perched in a Treehouse Over Turquoise Water: Inside Gili’s Most Romantic (and Delicious) Restaurant

Hidden among the palm fronds on the quieter, calmer side of the island, By the Sea isn’t your typical overwater restaurant. It’s a wooden, open‑air treehouse that hugs the lagoon. From your seat, you watch reef sharks glide beneath the moonlit water while the aroma of sizzling teppanyaki fills the air.

“The setting in a treehouse is perfect,” wrote a December 2024 guest. “Mitghtio [Michiyo] is an amazingly chef, hospitable and beautiful interaction with all the limited number of guests who can enjoy this special dining experience.”

The restaurant seats only a handful of tables each night. That intimacy is intentional – every dish is prepared to order, every sake pour comes with a story, and every guest leaves feeling like they’ve discovered a secret.

“Dinner at the Japanese restaurant is a must – the Teppanyaki dinner was a highlight. Book in advance.”
— Active family guest, July 2025

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“Book This Before You Arrive”: Why By the Sea Has Only a Handful of Seats Per Night

Unlike the main buffet nights at Kashiveli, By the Sea operates on strict reservation only – and it fills up fast. Multiple guests warned that high‑season visitors should book before they even land in Malé.

“If you’re visiting during high season, I’d recommend booking it in advance, as it can be tricky to get a first‑sitting dinner reservation,” noted a March 2026 guest.

Another reviewer echoed: “We had dinner at the sushi restaurant which was really really good. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to get to the Japanese fusion restaurant [on our last night].”

Pro tip: Ask your Mr. or Ms. Friday to reserve By the Sea for your first or second night – that way, you can book a second visit if you fall in love (and you will).

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Teppanyaki Under the Stars: The Live Cooking Experience Guests Call “Unforgettable”

The centerpiece of By the Sea is the teppanyaki live station. Chef Michiyo (referred to by guests as both “Michiyo” and “Mitghtio”) performs a culinary dance with knife, flame, and theatrical flair – all while engaging with every guest personally.

“Chef Michiyo and her team prepare some truly fabulous dishes.”
— 11th return visit, March 2026

One Japanese guest, a self‑proclaimed connoisseur, wrote: “Sushi, tempura, all tasted like high‑end restaurants that are hard to find in Japan. My favorite of them is katsu curry – the best taste I have ever had.”

The teppanyaki menu changes seasonally, but staples include:

• Lobster tail grilled with garlic butter

• Wagyu beef seared to perfection

• Vegetable teppanyaki (as flavorful as the seafood, according to plant‑based guests)

• Fried rice prepared tableside with egg, shrimp, and a secret sauce

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Sushi That Rivals Tokyo’s Best: Chef Ruthul’s Omakase and Sake Flight

Behind the sushi counter stands Chef Ruthul – a master of his craft who guests describe as “talented” and “pure perfection.”

“Ruthul, the talented sushi chef, created dishes that were pure perfection.”
— Guest from “Home Away from Home” review, November 2025

Unlike many resort sushi bars that rely on imported frozen fish, By the Sea works directly with local Maldivian fishermen. The tuna is caught daily. The reef fish are sustainably sourced. And the omakase – chef’s choice – is a journey through textures and flavors that changes with the tide.

Don’t miss:

• Sake flight – three to five premium sakes paired with each course. “The Japanese sake flight is an absolute must,” wrote a March 2026 guest.

• Spicy tuna roll – a guest favorite for its balance of heat and freshness.

• Sashimi platter – featuring local tuna, snapper, and the occasional lobster sashimi.

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What the 2025‑2026 Reviews Say: “The Freshest Sushi We Ever Had”

Here’s what recent guests have said about By the Sea – all verbatim:

“Went to By the Sea one night. Some of the freshest sushi we EVER had. Incredible view.”
— Gili’s Record Breaking Longest Review, September 2025

“The Japanese restaurant was another highlight. The Asian Street Food Market dinner and the Japanese dinner were our absolute favorites – fresh, creative, and bursting with flavor.”
— Guest with palm oil sensitivity, January 2026

“The Japanese restaurant is fantastic too. If you’re visiting during high season, I’d recommend booking it in advance.”
— “One word: Exceptional,” March 2026

“We also had dinner at the sushi restaurant which was really really good.”
— “Excellent end to a stellar trip,” September 2025

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The Sake Flight and Wine Cellar Pairing – A Sommelier-Approved Evening

What sets By the Sea apart from other Japanese restaurants in the Maldives is the sommelier collaboration. Gili’s wine team – including Rohan and Ghayan – have curated a sake list that rivals top Tokyo establishments.

A March 2026 guest described: “We had a superb wine tasting with cheese and chocolate in the spectacular (cooled) underground wine cellar. We tasted some excellent wine explained in detail with enthusiasm by Rohan.”

But at By the Sea, the focus shifts to sake. Ask the sommelier for:

• Junmai Daiginjo – floral, elegant, perfect with sashimi

• Sparkling sake – a surprising pairing for teppanyaki lobster

• Warm aged sake – ideal for the katsu curry

“The sake flight is an absolute must.”
— Repeated in multiple 2025‑2026 reviews

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Beyond Sushi: Teppanyaki, Tempura, and the Famous Katsu Curry

While sushi and teppanyaki steal the spotlight, don’t overlook the rest of the menu.

• Tempura – light, ethereal, and never greasy. Guests compare it to “high‑end restaurants in Tokyo.”

• Katsu curry – mentioned by multiple Japanese guests as “the best I’ve ever had.” A crispy cutlet, rich curry, and Gili’s own garden vegetables.

• Miso black cod – a buttery, caramelized dish that rivals Nobu’s version.

• Vegetarian teppanyaki – zucchini, eggplant, mushroom, and tofu prepared with the same theatrical flair as the wagyu.

One vegan guest noted: “As a vegan and someone with a nut allergy, we felt completely safe and genuinely looked after. The Japanese restaurant was exceptional.”

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How to Book (And Why You’ll Want to Go Twice)

Step 1: Upon arrival at Gili Lankanfushi, tell your Mr. or Ms. Friday that By the Sea is your priority.
Step 2: Request a sunset seating – the treehouse faces west, offering spectacular gold‑and‑pink views.
Step 3: If available, book a second night for the omakase experience (different menu each night).
Step 4: Ask about the private chef’s table – a hidden nook for couples celebrating anniversaries or honeymoons.

“The only problem is we eat too much of it.”
— Family guest, February 2025, after multiple nights at By the Sea

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Final Verdict: A Dining Secret Worth Flying For

In an archipelago with hundreds of overwater restaurants, By the Sea at Gili Lankanfushi stands alone. It’s not the largest, not the loudest, and certainly not the easiest to book. But that’s the point.

Here, you’ll find sushi that rivals Tokyo’s best, a teppanyaki chef who treats every meal as a private performance, and a setting so romantic that you’ll forget to check your phone. Add the sake flight, the treehouse views, and the warm, unhurried service – and you’ve discovered why repeat guests have been keeping this secret for years.

👉🔥 Planning a 2026 Maldives trip? Book your stay at Gili Lankanfushi, then immediately book By the Sea. Your taste buds will thank you – and you’ll finally understand why so many visitors return 10, 20, even 50 times.

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Related Stories:

• Best Japanese Restaurants in the Maldives: A Culinary Voyage
• The Ultimate Maldives Dining Guide