Culinary Journey: A Guide to Jawakara's Restaurants—From Buffet to À La Carte

The Buffet Experience: Where Every Meal Becomes an Event

Saima Restaurant (Mabin Island)

The heart of dining on Mabin Island, Saima offers indoor and al fresco all-day buffets in an open-air dining room with live cooking stations. This is where the day begins—and ends—for most Mabin guests.

"The food is amazing! Huge selection of seafood, meat, fresh exotic fruit and excellent desserts." — Guest review, June 2026

What to expect:

• Breakfast: Live egg stations, waffle stations, freshly squeezed juices, and an array of tropical fruits including mango, papaya, and guava

• Lunch: Fresh pasta stations, grill options, extensive salad bars, and international cuisine

• Dinner: Themed nights featuring different cuisines—Mediterranean, Maldivian, seafood, and more

• Live cooking: Chefs prepare dishes right before your eyes, from stir-fries to freshly caught fish

The Vela Restaurant (Dheru Island)

Exclusively for Dheru guests, The Vela offers a more intimate buffet experience on the quieter island.

"The food at Vela Buffet Restaurant is good. Expected more fish. The selection of fruits is wide." — Guest review, February 2026

Standout features:

• A dedicated tandoori station每晚

• More intimate setting compared to Mabin's buffets

• Fresh fruit bar with daily selections

• Ocean views from your dining table—watch turtles and rays glide by as you eat

Aila Restaurant (Mabin Island)

Formerly a buffet, Aila has been transformed into a chic Asian à la carte restaurant with sand floors and a beachfront terrace. This evolution reflects Jawakara's commitment to elevating the dining experience.

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À La Carte Excellence: Three Restaurants You Cannot Miss

UMI: Asian-Pacific Fusion on the Bridge

Located at the heart of the 650-meter bridge connecting Mabin and Dheru, UMI is arguably Jawakara's most spectacular dining venue. The setting alone is worth the visit—suspended over the house reef with marine life swimming beneath glass floors.

"UMI with a spectacular location, views and outstanding food." — Guest review, May 2026

Cuisine: Asian-Pacific Fusion
Style: À La Carte
Location: On the bridge between islands

What guests are saying:

"UMI was amazing! We ordered the lobster and wagyu. Chef Matthew was funny and easy to talk to. He made the whole experience more enjoyable and memorable." — Guest review, April 2026

"My absolute favorite. I just used to order 2-3 appetizers there because I loved the stuff there. Lobster tacos, sushi, beef tataki, dumplings, baos... It's all an absolute dream, combined with the most breathtaking view." — Guest review, March 2026

Signature dishes to try:

• Lobster tacos

• Wagyu beef (teppanyaki-style)

• Sushi and sashimi platters

• Beef tataki

• Dumplings and baos

Pro tip: Visit at sunset for the most romantic experience, or at night when underwater lights illuminate the reef below, attracting sharks, rays, and turtles.

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Molo: Mediterranean Elegance

For those craving the flavors of Southern Europe, Molo delivers authentic Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant à la carte setting on Mabin Island.

"Italian cuisine is completely authentic, the feeling of having visited a good establishment in Rome." — Guest review, June 2026

Cuisine: Mediterranean
Style: À La Carte
Location: Mabin Island

What guests are saying:

"Molo, where Jazlaan delivered what was probably the best service we experienced during our entire stay. Nothing was ever a problem. He happily arranged dishes that were not on the menu and personalised our experience." — Guest review, June 2026

"The lobster paste was great." — Guest review, 2026

Standout dishes:

• Lobster pasta

• Wood-fired pizzas

• Fresh pasta made daily

• Mediterranean seafood platters

Pro tip: The sunset views from Molo are spectacular—book a table for early evening.

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Hideout: Gourmet Comfort Food

Located at the golf course, Hideout offers upscale casual dining with a focus on gourmet burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and salads. It's the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch between activities.

"Hideout makes awesome tenderloin." — Guest review, 2026

Cuisine: International Fast Casual
Style: Casual
Location: Golf course area, Mabin Island

What guests are saying:

"The staff at The Hideout were fantastic—it's located at the golf course." — Guest review, 2026

"Hideout — steaks and burgers are beyond praise." — Guest review, January 2026

Menu highlights:

• Premium steaks (order medium-rare for perfection)

• Gourmet burgers

• Fresh salads with plenty of vegetarian options

• Sandwiches and comfort classics

Pro tip: Watch for fruit bats swooping over the water during evening meals—a uniquely Maldivian dining experience.

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Bars: Where to Sip with a View

Bonthi Bar (Mabin)

The main bar on Mabin, offering extensive cocktail menus and evening entertainment. Perfect for sunset drinks and socializing.

Thila Bar (Dheru)

A more intimate bar on the quieter island, known for attentive service and creative cocktails.

"Dilshi at the Thila-Bar. Your Service was special - no, it was the best Service! Always a smile on your face, always a funny and good conversation. Most of the Drinks came without asking for it." — Guest review, April 2026

Nika Bar (Mabin)

Poolside service with snacks and refreshing drinks throughout the day.

Fore Bar (at Hideout)

Located at the golf course, perfect for a post-game refreshment.

UMI Bar

Part of the overwater restaurant, offering spectacular sunset views.

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The Premium All-Inclusive Advantage

Jawakara's Premium All-Inclusive package transforms dining from a consideration into a celebration. Here's what's included:

Daily Dining

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your island's buffet restaurant (Saima for Mabin, Vela for Dheru)

• Casual snack menu including burgers, nibbles, and ice cream served at Bonthi, Thila, and Nika Bars

• Dine-around access to all buffet restaurants (pre-booking required)

À La Carte Access

• 3-course lunch and 3-course dinner once every 5 nights at one of the à la carte restaurants (UMI, Molo, or Hideout)

Beverages

• Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from 08:00 to 01:00

• Daily replenished minibar including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Full bottle of champagne in villa upon arrival

"The Premium All-Inclusive concept has been taken again, and it fully justifies its value." — Guest review, 2026

"I could write pages and pages about our stay as I can't praise it enough... all the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful." — Guest review, February 2026

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What 2026 Guests Are Saying About the Food

The Highlights

"The food was incredible even in the buffet, so much choice during all 3 meal services." — Guest review, February 2026

"The quality and variety of the dishes were also excellent. Every day, we were treated to fresh, varied, and top-quality dishes." — Guest review, April 2026

"The food is great: great choice, high quality, every meal feels like a special moment. Everything is delicious, aesthetic and with perfect service." — Guest review, January 2026

"I've heard the food at Jawakara isn't as diverse as at other Maldivian resorts, but since I can't compare, I'll just say everything was high quality, delicious, and beautifully presented." — Guest review, June 2026

The Feedback

Some guests noted areas for improvement:

"The only big downside for us was the lack of a coffee shop. Coffee is mediocre." — Guest review, May 2026

"I don't eat meat and have previously expected that the fish is caught and purchased locally. Unfortunately, that is not the case (imported goods)." — Guest review, 2026

"In my opinion, the meal schedule is not very convenient." — Guest review, June 2026

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Practical Dining Tips

Book in Advance

À la carte restaurants (especially UMI and Molo) fill up quickly. Book upon arrival—or better yet, have your island host handle reservations before you arrive.

Check Your Package

Inclusion in à la carte restaurants depends on your board basis. Premium All-Inclusive typically covers specialty venues, but confirm with your host.

Dine Around

Guests can eat at restaurants on both islands. Dheru guests can dine on Mabin, and vice versa.

Themed Nights

Don't miss the themed dinner nights at the buffets—Mediterranean, Maldivian, seafood, and more.

Special Occasions

Mention birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons when booking. The staff excels at creating memorable celebrations with cakes, champagne, and special decorations.

Family-Friendly Dining at Jawakara

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which restaurants are included in the All-Inclusive package?
Buffet restaurants (Saima, Vela, Aila) are fully included. À la carte restaurants (UMI, Molo, Hideout) are included as a 3-course lunch and dinner once every 5 nights.

Do I need to book à la carte restaurants in advance?
Yes, pre-booking is essential and subject to availability.

Can I eat at restaurants on the other island?
Yes, guests have dine-around access to restaurants on both Mabin and Dheru.

Is there a dress code for à la carte restaurants?
Smart casual is recommended for UMI and Molo. Hideout is more casual.

Are there vegetarian options?
Yes, all restaurants offer vegetarian choices, and Hideout has plenty of vegetarian options.

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Your Culinary Adventure Awaits

From sunrise buffets overlooking turquoise lagoons to sunset sushi suspended over the reef, Jawakara's dining scene is a journey as memorable as the destination itself. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply savoring the moment, every meal here is crafted to delight.

"The combination of breathtaking nature, perfect service, excellent food, and the extraordinary friendliness of all the staff made this vacation one of the most beautiful experiences of our lives." — Guest review, April 2026

Ready to taste paradise? Check availability and dining packages for Jawakara Islands 👇

Check Availability and Prices

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