Malé, the capital, has a few simple restaurants which serve local and international food. On the other islands, there are a few restaurants in addition to those run by the resorts. Cuisine is international, with all foodstuffs other than seafood imported. There are no bars, except in the resorts, where there is a good range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink available, reflecting the demands of the visitors.
Things to know: All bars are situated in tourist resorts (no alcohol is available on Malé). All accept cash, but normally add orders onto the total bill. Locals do not drink at all. During the month of Ramadan (see Public Holidays), visitors are not allowed to drink alcohol in public except in the tourist resorts.
National specialities:
• Seafood is widely available, such as tuna, grouper, octopus, jobfish and swordfish.
• Kavaabu (deep fried snacks made from rice, tuna, coconut, lentils, and spices).
• Curries, such as chicken or beef, are widely available. Curry leaves are added to a lot of Maldavian dishes.
National drinks:
• The Maldive Lady (a powerful and delicious cocktail, whose composition varies from bar to bar and island to island).
Tipping: This is officially discouraged.

There is little or no organised nightlife, although most resorts have informal discos around the bar areas, sometimes featuring live bands playing either traditional or Western music. Beach parties and barbecues are also popular. On some evenings, many resorts have cultural shows and some show videos.

Local purchases include sea shells (only when bought in official shops; they may not be removed from the beach or from the sea), lacquered wooden boxes and reed mats. Jewellery to purchase includes gold, silver, coral, mother-of-pearl and turtle-shell items. However, there are strict prohibitions against the export of coral and turtle-shell. Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-2300, Fri 1330-2300. Shops officially shut for 15 minutes five times a day in deference to Muslim prayer times; however, this rule is not always strictly adhered to in the tourist areas away from the capital.

All bars are situated in tourist resorts (no alcohol is available on Malé). All accept cash, but normally add orders onto the total bill. Locals do not drink at all. During the month of Ramadan (see Public Holidays), visitors are not allowed to drink alcohol in public except in the tourist resorts.