Whether you’re considering Sun Siyam Iru Fushi for your family vacation or you’ve already booked your stay, you should definitely take a look at the dining options.
As a mamma of three, I know that eating out at restaurants isn’t always fun or worth it. Sometimes it feels like hard work!
However, on a Maldives holiday, one of the best parts is the amazing food and not having to make any of it!
We had an amazing stay at Iru Fushi as a family, and a huge part of that was the incredible food options, the variety of restaurants on the island, the friendliness of the restaurant staff, and the kid-friendly elements at the restaurants.
Let’s go through each of them so you can decide which would be best for your family.
The Iru Buffet
Cuisine: International, themed dinners
Kid-Friendly Aspect: So many choices; indoor play structure
We ate at the Iru buffet for breakfast, most lunches, and many dinners. We loved the variety of foods and there was always something to make each of our bellies happy. There are multiple stations set up where you can customize dishes, along with other areas set up with other foods, depending on the meal and the theme (dinner).
Dinner theme nights include:
- South East Asian
- Mexican
- Indian
- Mediterranean
- Spanish
- Maldivian
- International
Dinners included plenty of other options outside of the theme (you could still find pasta on Mexican night). Our favorite nights were Maldivian and Mexican.
The tables are in the sand, the waiters interact with your kids, and it’s just a relaxed, cheerful place. We always left with full bellies and big smiles.
Good To Know: There’s a big indoor play area, but it was closed when we were there.
Here are some more photos of what you’ll find at the buffet:
Bamboo
Cuisine: Asian
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Next to the play area in the sand
Bamboo is nestled next to Water’s Edge and serves excellent Thai and Indonesian fare. It’s on the beach and we loved that our kids could finish eating and go play in the kids play area (ask for a table next to it).
Careful – don’t ruin your meal by filling up on prawn crackers!
Flavours
Cuisine: French
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Sitting out on the wooden jetty and looking at the sharks, fish, and rays
Flavours, like Trio, has a lovely setting on the wooden jetty (where the water villas are). This felt like the ‘fanciest’ restaurant on the island, and with little kids, it was the one I was least relaxed in as a parent. Still, the staff was wonderful and my boys wolfed the food down (probably so they could spend more time looking in the water). I enjoyed the reef fish with pea sauce and my boys were fans of the gnocchi.
Heads Up: The railings between the restaurant and the water are large (kids could fall through).
Islander’s Grill
Cuisine: Seafood
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Playing in the sand when finished eating; seeing the lobsters and fish in the pool
Islander’s Grill gets our vote for best restaurant setting on Iru Fushi. The tables are spread out on the beach so you can dig your toes into the sand while you dine on delicious seafood. My boys loved the fish sticks and besides the seafood, I couldn’t get enough of my salad with passion fruit dressing.
Adults will appreciate being on the beach too. Kids can play in the sand when they’re finished eating, while mamma and papà finish up their meal and take in the evening views of the water in this Maldivian paradise.
Good To Know: It started sprinkling on our table one evening at the Islander’s Grill. We decided to wait it out (it only lasted a few minutes) and the boys were thrilled to dine in the rain on the ocean. If you want, they’ll move you inside quickly so you can continue your meal.
Trio
Cuisine: Italian
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Looking at the sharks in the water during dinner (and after)
Trio is Iru Fushi’s classic Italian restaurant. It’s located in a lovely setting on the water at the start of the wooden jetty leading to the overwater villas on the north part of the island. You can order pizzas and pastas, and there are also seafood options available.
Italian food is kid-friendly, and this place was no exception. We liked it, but only ate here once because we live in Italy and wanted to eat other cuisines during our time abroad.
Good To Know: If you’ve got little kids and you’re staying in a family villa in the south part of the island, you may want to catch a ride on a golf cart.
Heads Up: The railings between the restaurant and the water are large (kids could fall through).
Taste of India
Cuisine: Indian
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Nothing in particular, but our kids got on really well with the staff here
Besides the buffet, Taste of India was my favorite spot to eat from a food perspective. I thought the food was spot-on authentic, served well, and just plain delizioso. My kids all finished their dishes too, and our waitress was great about getting our spice orders just right.
Taste of India is on the beach but it’s a little dark, so I didn’t feel comfortable letting them play in the sand out of our vision. The building is next to Water’s Edge, so older kids can go next door and play games, listen to music, or just hang out.
Teppanyaki
Note: Kids must be older than 12 to eat at the Teppanyaki counter.
Cuisine: Japanese
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Seeing the chefs work their magic on the grill
With all three kids under 12, Teppanyaki wasn’t in the cards for our family. We’ll definitely try it when they’re older, as I know they’d love the show.
Fluid
Cuisine: American
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Pool-side dining!
Fluid is at the main pool, so it combines well with time swimming. It’s open for lunch and into the early evening. We ate here a couple of times for lunch, but really loved the variety available at the buffet, so we usually ended up there.
Still, it’s a good spot for sandwiches, salads, fries, etc.
Water’s Edge
Cuisine: American
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Right on the beach; board games inside; easy to order smoothies and milkshakes
Water’s Edge is perfectly named, and we found it was a great spot for grabbing a snack or a smoothie. We either sat outdoors on the wooden patio and looked out at the sea, or hung out inside and played board games.
Helpful Tip: This is also where most of the nightly entertainment takes place, so stop in for a cocktail and mocktail and do your best to embarrass your children by singing karaoke (recommended song: “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake).
La Cremeria
Cuisine: Ice Cream!
Kid-Friendly Aspect: Eat your ice cream and then play on the kids’ play structure or in the sand
My boys were thrilled to have access to the ice cream shop. They appreciated being able to go into the shop independently to get a cone. The staff was so kind and the ice cream was tasty!
Map of Iru Fushi Restaurants
More Things to Know About Dining with Kids at Iru Fushi
Kids can’t eat everywhere on the island. For example, kids can’t dine at the adult’s only bar. There are so many restaurants, that it never was a problem for us.
You can reserve your restaurants through the Iru Fushi app. This can be done before you arrive (recommended if you’re arriving during the busy holiday season), or you can ask your butler for help making reservations. You can also change your reservations via the app.
Leave your shoes in your room. My kids went barefoot almost the entire time. Yes, even in the restaurants.
You can take cooking classes. Learn how to make Maldivian dishes, Thai dishes, sushi, and more.
The buffet is sometimes closed during low occupancy. Email or call to see if that’s the case if you really need the buffet to be open. As a mom with younger kids, it was crucial for us to have the buffet – it’s just easier dining for everyone.
You can reserve private meals on the beach. Of course, it’s pricey, but could be a great way to celebrate a special occasion.
There are kids’ menus in every restaurant. However, we didn’t have a problem with kids ordering off the main menu at the a la carte restaurants.
There’s a buffet at the Iru Fushi lounge at the seaplane terminal in Malé. Lounge access is included when you arrive, but you need to pay if you want to use the lounge when you depart. Besides the buffet, there are little treats like lollipops and there’s a play area for kids. We loved it while waiting for our seaplane. I didn’t want to pay on the way back and we didn’t end up needing it.
If you have any snacks your kids really love, be sure to bring them from home. There’s no shop here, but you will get plenty of food at meals (and in your mini bar).
The fresh fruit is amazing! It’s a great opportunity for your kids to try some fruits they don’t get at home. My boys loved the dragon fruit and passion fruit.
Don’t miss the weekly cocktail hour at the dive center dock. It’s not just for adults. There were delicious finger foods, mocktails, henna tattoos, and even massages for kids!
Be sure to check out all of our Maldives with Kids posts:
Maldives with Kids – How to Plan the Perfect Trip
7 Reasons to Book a Family Trip to the Maldives
6 Helpful Tips for Your First Visit to the Maldives with Kids
30+ Maldives Family-Friendly Resorts – Compared by a Mom (Includes Table & Notes)
How Many Days to Spend in the Maldives
Family Packing List for the Maldives
Maldives with a Baby – Yes or No?
Maldives with Teens
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Review – Family Paradise in the Maldives
Where to Eat at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi with Kids
Overwater Villa or Beach Villa – Choosing One for Your Maldives Family Trip
Family-Specific Questions to Ask Your Maldives Resort – Before You Book
Taking a Seaplane in the Maldives
Tips for Taking a Seaplane with Kids
Maldives Regrets – From Resort Choices to Packing Mistakes
