Hadaba at SO/ Maldives brings Middle Eastern flavours and the traditions of Levantine dining to one of the Maldives’ most contemporary lifestyle resorts. Positioned within the CROSSROADS Maldives destination in Emboodhoo Lagoon, the restaurant provides a distinctive alternative to the seafood, Japanese and international fine dining concepts commonly found across the country’s luxury islands.

The experience is built around the convivial character of Middle Eastern dining. Dishes are intended to encourage sharing, conversation and leisurely meals, with grilled meats, seafood, mezze, vegetables, spices and aromatic ingredients forming the foundations of the menu.

Cooking over fire contributes another layer of flavour, while the restaurant’s presentation and surroundings bring a contemporary sensibility to traditional culinary references. This balance allows Hadaba to retain a recognisable Middle Eastern identity without feeling overly formal or conventional.

The atmosphere is an important part of the restaurant’s appeal. SO/ Maldives has positioned itself as a fashion-led, design-conscious resort, and Hadaba reflects that personality through an environment that transitions naturally from sunset dining into the evening.

Its emergence is particularly noteworthy because SO/ Maldives is one of the newer resorts represented in this selection. Despite competing against restaurants with much longer histories, Hadaba quickly gained recognition from the World Culinary Awards.

In 2025, it was named Maldives’ Best Hotel Restaurant, placing it at the top of the national hotel restaurant category. The award followed previous winners including Kayto and Ufaa and demonstrates how quickly Hadaba established itself within the country’s competitive dining scene.

For travellers looking for bold flavours, sharing dishes and an alternative to the more conventional fine-dining formats found elsewhere in the Maldives, Hadaba provides a refreshing proposition.