With the Maldives consisting of more sea than land, it isn't unusual that fish should feature prominently on Maldivian menus. However, with the Maldives being an important crossroads in the Indian Ocean, it's only natural that over time different cultures have left their mark on the islands' cuisine. If you are into dining with a difference, why not try one of these three unusual restaurants on your Maldives holidays

Ithaa Underwater Restaurant at the Conrad Maldives

This restaurant is the only one of its kind in the world and sits fifteen feet below the waves of the Indian Ocean, surrounded on all sides by a coral reef. Diners are rewarded with 270 degree views of the underwater area, while rays and angel fish drift serenely past. Ithaa is super exclusive and only has room for fourteen people at a time. However, when Tom Cruise took Katie Holmes there for their honeymoon, he made sure that he had booked out the entire restaurant so that the couple could enjoy Maldivian cuisine with no interruptions. You may be forgiven for assuming that the food takes a back-seat to the views in Ithaa, but you would be completely wrong. The contemporary cuisine is a mixture of Western and Maldivian dishes, with all diners presented with a fresh pearl at the end of their meal.

24 Degrees at the Taj Exotica

With the Maldives located in the midst of the Indian Ocean, you can imagine that the curry dishes would be particularly good. This is certainly true, and if curry is your thing, then make sure you head to 24 Degrees on your Maldives holiday. The restaurant is located in the luxurious Maldives resort of Taj Exotica and is entirely open-air. It opens early for breakfast, and is open until late at night, so you can dine underneath the starry skies. The traditional breakfast dishes it serves are notorious throughout the island, but it is the evening curry dishes that attract visitors from far and wide. The restaurant has plenty of vegetarian dishes, and the traditional Maldivian vegetable curry is particularly noteworthy. The deserts are also to-die for, and we highly recommend trying the passion fruit coulis on your Maldives holiday.

The Ocean Pavilion

If you want your Maldives holiday to be particularly romantic, you can arrange a meal for two at the Ocean Pavilion. The Pavilion is a stand alone wooden deck in the middle of the Indian Ocean and located a mile off-shore. The deck is only reachable by boat and if you decide that you want to treat a loved one to this experience, then staff will sail you to the venue by boat and leave you with a mobile phone, so that you can call them when you wish to be collected. Due to the location, all the food served is chilled - lobster, caviar and chilled champagne all feature on the set menu. The Pavilion is decorated with comfortable cushions, candles, lanterns and flowers which all serve to make the venue that little more romantic.