At Ayada Maldives, dining transcends the ordinary, offering a symphony of global flavours in breathtaking settings. With eight distinct dining outlets, each presenting a unique culinary experience, the resort caters to every taste, from fine dining to beachside meals. Sourcing organic produce from its own garden and local farms, Ayada ensures authenticity and quality in every dish.

Magu: A World of Flavours

Magu, the resort’s main restaurant, is a culinary cornerstone open for breakfast and dinner. It features a generous international buffet with daily changing themes, including Far Eastern, Maldivian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Chef’s Special. Set amidst lush greenery diners can enjoy meals under the stars or in an air-conditioned pavilion, blending elegance with global tastes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available daily.

Kai: Far Eastern Flavours in a Tropical Retreat

An exquisite range of Far Eastern and Asian delicacies awaits at Kai; a hidden gem nestled in tropical greenery. Open for dinner, the menu features an extensive sushi and sashimi selection made from fresh local seafood, alongside classic dishes from China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The serene setting makes it ideal for a memorable evening immersed in authentic Asian cuisine.

Mizu: Teppanyaki Dining by the Ocean

Mizu offers an intimate teppanyaki dining experience, where chefs prepare fresh seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes live on a hot iron griddle. With top-quality ingredients, an extensive sake and wine list, and a location between the ocean and tropical jungle, Mizu is open for dinner and promises a vibrant, interactive culinary experience.

Zero Degree: Poolside Culinary Bliss

Zero Degree Restaurant and Bar offers a relaxed yet vibrant poolside dining experience for lunch and dinner. Its diverse menu spans international dishes, from crisp salads to European, Asian, and Middle Eastern specialities. Guests can dine barefoot in the water, under a thatched roof, in poolside cabanas, or on sunbeds, soaking up the Maldivian sun in laid-back style.

Ocean Breeze: Over-Water Elegance

Ocean Breeze brings modern European cuisine to an elegant over-water setting, open for lunch and dinner. The seasonal menu includes grilled seafood, homemade pasta, and premium steaks. Its sophisticated location and panoramic ocean views make it a standout destination for refined yet relaxed dining.

Ottoman Lounge: Traditional Turkish Indulgence

This unique lounge celebrates Turkish heritage, offering authentic Turkish teas and coffee served in traditional silverware. Inspired by Ottoman cafés, guests can relax on low seating and savour a cultural experience that pays homage to the rich flavours and customs of Turkey.

Île de Joie: A Luxurious Cheese and Wine Escape

Nestled over the lagoon, Île de Joie is an intimate open-air bar featuring fine wines, curated cheeses, chocolates, and cigars. This “Island of Joy” invites connoisseurs to indulge in a tranquil setting, perfect for sunset sipping and gourmet grazing.

Sea Salt: Beachfront Barbecue under the Stars

Held every Tuesday and Friday on Zero Degree beach, Sea Salt is a must-try beach BBQ offering freshly grilled meats and seafood. With your feet in the sand, stars above, and a mesmerizing fire show, it captures the spirit of a tropical feast in one unforgettable setting.

This September, SO/ Maldives will host SCULPT. STRETCH. SHINE., a three-day wellness retreat in collaboration with international wellness figure and founder of Top Stretching, Anna Kanyuk. The programme will take place in the setting of Emboodhoo Lagoon and aims to combine movement, mindfulness, and contemporary lifestyle elements within a luxury resort environment.

The retreat will span three days on the resort’s private island, offering participants a structured experience designed to support physical fitness, skincare, and overall wellbeing. Activities will include sunrise sessions on floating decks, evening programmes on the beach, and a series of workshops and classes delivered by Kanyuk and other experts.

Mornings will begin with workouts on the ocean-facing yoga deck, ranging from full-body flows and posture-focused core exercises to high-intensity cardio sessions. These will be followed by small-group workshops at the Pavilion at Hadaba, where participants can join sessions such as Kanyuk’s Facebuilding 101, skincare practices, and talks on nutrition, motivation, and lifestyle balance. In the evenings, activities will move to Lazuli Beach, where stretching, breathwork, and reflection will take place as the sun sets.

The retreat is designed not as a detox programme but as a curated approach to rebalancing and rejuvenation. Each session is intended to help participants enhance physical strength, improve skin health, and adopt practices to support mental clarity.

SO/ Maldives describes itself as a private-island fashion resort that combines avant-garde design with natural surroundings. Villas are located either overwater or within the island’s vegetation, with minimalist interiors, private pools, and wide lagoon or jungle views. Social and dining venues include Lazuli Beach Club, which offers a Mediterranean-inspired experience, and Hadaba, the resort’s signature Middle Eastern dining concept.

With its design-driven identity and wellness-focused philosophy, SO/ Maldives is positioning the retreat as an opportunity for guests to pursue wellbeing within a high-end leisure setting. SCULPT. STRETCH. SHINE. will be held as an intimate programme with limited participation available.

Ayada Maldives is set to transform the holidays into an island celebration of sea, fire, light and magic for the 2025–26 festive season. Guests can expect signature dining moments, family-friendly activities and uplifting nightly entertainment in a barefoot-luxury setting just a few kilometres from the equator.

From the moment you arrive, the island wraps you in a sense of relaxed elegance. Here, festive charm mingles with tropical serenity, and every detail is designed to create lasting holiday memories, whether you are travelling as a couple, with family, or simply seeking a beautiful place to reconnect with yourself.

Festive Activities and Island Traditions

Ayada’s festive programme blends cultural authenticity with the joy of the season. Guests can take part in coconut leaf weaving, paint scenes inspired by island life, or join daily yoga and meditation sessions beneath the swaying palms. For something more energetic, aqua aerobics in the shimmering lagoon offers a refreshing start to the day.

Children are treated to a world of creativity and play at the Kids’ Club, where cooking classes, Christmas card-making, and colourful carnival games keep young minds and hands delightfully busy. Every activity is infused with a sense of discovery, making the season as magical for the youngest guests as it is for the adults.

Christmas Day Celebrations

On Christmas Day, the island comes alive with the arrival of Santa and his elves for the Santa Fest Carnival. The atmosphere is filled with laughter, games, and festive surprises for all ages. As evening falls, families and friends gather for a movie under the stars, watching a favourite film beneath the glittering Maldivian night sky – a perfect blend of holiday tradition and island romance.

Evenings of Entertainment and Fine Dining

As the sun dips below the horizon, Ayada begins its nightly transformation. Guests can enjoy captivating light shows, mesmerising fire performances, and live music at Zero Degree and other resort venues. The rhythm of the evening flows from spectacle to conversation, with the ocean always within sight and sound.

December is a time for indulgence, and Ayada’s festive dining reflects that spirit. The Christmas Feast brings together global holiday flavours with the freshest island ingredients, while New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a lavish gala dinner. Guests can expect a luxurious evening of fine dining, mini-cabaret performances, and live entertainment from Firestorm, leading up to a midnight toast under the stars.

Your Festive Escape Awaits

At Ayada Maldives, the holidays are more than a date on the calendar – they are an experience to be cherished. Light-draped gardens, ocean-view feasts, and heartfelt performances create an atmosphere that lingers in memory long after your stay. The combination of tropical beauty and warm, attentive service ensures that your festive season is not just celebrated, but elevated.

Travellers planning to visit during the holidays are encouraged to book early to secure their place at this island celebration. From curated activities to unforgettable dining experiences, every detail is designed to make your Maldivian Christmas or New Year truly remarkable.