Eid al-Fitr, or Kuda Eid in the Maldives, is a cherished celebration focused on prayer, gratitude, and sharing meals with loved ones. From the early morning Eid breakfast to the festive lunch, food plays a central role, bringing families and communities together.

The day begins with a special Eid breakfast, featuring kulhi boakibaa, a spiced fish cake known as Eid boakibaa on this occasion, alongside short eats like bajiyaa and gulha. In many island communities, this breakfast is a communal event where families and neighbors share homemade dishes.

A unique Eid delicacy in some islands is Eid kunbus, a caramelized coconut foni boakibaa that takes days to prepare. Made from gabulhi huni, dhiyaa hakuru, sugar, and flour, it is wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked underground, developing a deep, complex flavor.

Eid lunch typically features chicken-based dishes such as curries, accompanied by side dishes like salads and desserts such as haluvidhaa.

While traditional foods remain important, modern influences are shaping Eid cuisine. Dishes like pasta, condensed milk-based desserts, and social media-inspired snacks are becoming common. Ready-made ingredients and store-bought sweets have made cooking faster but less communal.

In island communities, families still gather to prepare home-cooked meals, reinforcing togetherness. In Malé, space constraints make large gatherings difficult, leading to a reliance on catered meals. However, traditions like thashibari, where food is shared between homes, help maintain the spirit of Eid as a time of connection and joy.