A Cheesy, Chocolaty Affair at PastaMania Maldives

by Iyath Adam

If you’re on the lookout for hearty comfort food that strikes a balance between indulgence and familiarity, PastaMania Maldives might just be your next go-to spot.

Located in Hulhumale’, this restaurant is part of the Singaporean casual dining chain, which serves a variety of Italian food – from cheesy classics to sweet surprises.

PastaMania Maldives has a welcoming atmosphere with a casual, modern vibe that’s great for family meals, casual dates or even just catching up with friends. The interior is bright with splashes of vibrant, Italian-inspired wall art. But what’s most striking is the large counter, where you can see the cooks preparing the dishes!

PastaMania has pizzas in three sizes – 7-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch pans – with a variety of toppings. There are different types of pasta available, but you can customise it to your preference, meaning you can choose the pasta shape – penne, fusilli, linguine, and spaghetti – sauce type – cream-based, tomato-based, Asian fusion and vegetarian. You can also add on more toppings of your choice, including chicken meatballs, mushrooms, broccoli etc…

The servers were attentive, wholly pleasant, and our food arrived shortly after we ordered.

Let’s head onto the review!

We started off with a carafe of passion peach tea; a refreshing drink for sharing that perfectly set the tone. It was light, fruity and just slightly sweet, and worked great as a cooler to have throughout the meal.

We couldn’t leave an Italian restaurant without trying out their pizza, so we went for a 7-inch quattro formaggio pizza as a starter. Quattro formaggio, which means ‘four cheeses’ in Italian, is a pizza with a combination of mozzarella, Emmental, parmesan and cheddar cheese. Despite the decadent mix of cheeses, the top was surprisingly light and flavourful; the crust was thin, crispy, and slightly chewy, great as a base for this pizza. 

Next up was the chicken rasher aglio, made with linguine. The olive oil-based sauce allowed the garlic and chilli to shine, while the diced tomatoes brought a welcome freshness. The chicken rashers added a savoury twist, making this a satisfying option for those who prefer their pasta light but not lacking in flavour.

We also tried their chicken sausage pasta, which leaned more toward the creamy side, with a mixture of chicken sausage and broccoli. The tomato herb sauce had a velvety texture that coated each strand of pasta, while the sliced chicken sausages and broccoli made the meal even heartier. A gentle kick from the chilli elevated the overall taste without overpowering it.

To end on a sweet note, we went for the nutty cioccolato pizza which proved to be a showstopper. A pizza crust spread with Nutella, topped with gooey marshmallows, baked almonds, and generous drizzles of chocolate sauce, was crowned with a scoop of vanilla gelato. It was indulgent, rich, and undeniably satisfying – a dessert that could easily be shared, though you might not want to!

All in all, PastaMania Maldives offers a menu that’s both delicious and comforting. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick carb fix or a full-blown meal with friends, this is a spot worth checking out.