Maldives Wins Top Honours at World Culinary Awards 2025

The Maldives has once again placed itself firmly on the global gastronomic map, claiming multiple prestigious titles at the World Culinary Awards 2025, including the highly coveted World’s Best Destination for Heritage Cuisine. The international recognition celebrates the nation’s deep-rooted culinary traditions, diverse dining experiences, and the growing global appeal of Maldivian cuisine.

In securing the top global honour, the Maldives triumphed over strong contenders such as Germany, Peru, Seychelles, and Singapore, underscoring the country’s remarkable rise in the global culinary scene. The win highlights how Maldivian cuisine — a unique fusion of flavours influenced by South Asian, African, and Arab heritage — continues to captivate international palates through its authentic yet innovative approach to gastronomy.

At the regional level, the Maldives dominated the Indian Ocean categories, taking home the titles of Indian Ocean’s Best Culinary Destination 2025 and Indian Ocean’s Best Culinary City Destination 2025 for Malé City. These accolades underscore the nation’s commitment to fostering both local and resort-based culinary excellence, elevating dining experiences across the archipelago.

Adding to the country’s list of triumphs, the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) at the Maldives National University was honoured as the Indian Ocean’s Best Culinary Training Institution 2025. This achievement reflects the Maldives’ growing investment in nurturing homegrown talent and advancing hospitality education to meet global standards.

Several individual establishments were also recognised for their exceptional contributions to the Maldivian dining landscape. Symphony Restaurant, one of the nation’s most iconic eateries, received the title of Indian Ocean’s Best Landmark Restaurant, while Hadaba at SO/ Maldives was named Maldives’ Best Hotel Restaurant. Meanwhile, the acclaimed H2O Restaurant earned the award for Maldives’ Best Culinary Experience, further demonstrating the depth and diversity of the country’s dining scene.

“These awards are a testament to the Maldives’ deep-rooted culinary identity and our industry’s ability to blend tradition with innovation,” said Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation. “From heritage cuisine to world-class dining, the Maldives continues to evolve as a destination where gastronomy plays an integral role in the visitor experience. We are proud of our chefs, restaurateurs, and institutions whose creativity and dedication have brought Maldivian cuisine to the global stage.”

The recognition at the World Culinary Awards 2025 comes as the Maldives continues to shine in international tourism circles. The nation is currently nominated for World’s Leading Destination 2025 and World’s Leading Green Destination 2025 at the World Travel Awards, further reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most celebrated and sustainable travel destinations.

The World Culinary Awards™, a sister event to the World Travel Awards™, celebrates excellence across the global culinary industry, recognising destinations and establishments that set new benchmarks in dining and hospitality. This year’s success not only celebrates the Maldives’ culinary artistry but also highlights the country’s evolving identity as a world-class destination where culture, sustainability, and cuisine converge in perfect harmony.