Must-see restaurants in Malta

  • Tarragon

    Northern Malta

    Tucked above the harbour at St Paul's Bay, Tarragon combines sea views with a sophisticated Mediterranean-fusion menu. The white-tableclothed, wooden…

  • Waterbiscuit

    Sliema, St Julian’s & Paceville

    Part of the Intercontinental Hotel on the edge of Paceville, Waterbiscuit is one of Malta's best dining experiences. Outside is bustling and energetic,…

  • Osteria Scottadito

    Gozo

    Energetic owners from northern Italy run this excellent restaurant tucked behind Nadur's church. Cuisine influenced by the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy…

  • Ali Baba

    Sliema, St Julian’s & Paceville

    Multiple recommendations from foodie locals add up to Malta's best Lebanese flavours. This popular restaurant is located in the Gżira district, around 1km…

  • Rew Rew

    Gozo

    This simple, pine-shaded place has 10 tables beside a beachside shack and serves up delicious seafood, including calamari, prawns and fish. Mains are…

  • Commando

    Northern Malta

    Recently opened in a 300-year-old building on Mellieħa's heritage main square, the gutsy Mediterranean menu at Commando features a cassoulet of slow…

  • Bahia

    Malta

    Named after a variety of oranges grown locally, Bahia is an innovative and stylish bistro near Lija's compact village square. Look forward to just 12…

  • Tartarun

    Southern Malta

    Locals love upmarket Tartarun, which offers a more sophisticated take on all things fishy. Dishes such as sea bream, roasted prawn and cherry tomatoes are…

  • Noni

    Valletta

    Descend into Noni's stylish stone-lined basement space and be surprised by modern spins on traditional Maltese and Mediterranean flavours. Dishes are…

  • Terrone

    Southern Malta

    Seasonal, sustainable and local are all important at Terrone, where the menu is adjusted on a daily basis. Sit inside the chic interior enlivened with…

  • Munchies

    Northern Malta

    Multiple recommendations from local accommodation owners and an absolute waterfront location put Munchies near the top of Mellieħa's eateries. The menu…

  • Crust

    Sliema, St Julian’s & Paceville

    Settle in for great views on Crust's rooftop terrace high above Spinola Bay and enjoy excellent baking, including homestyle pies and buttery croissants…

  • Qbajjar

    Gozo

    Around 1km west of Marsalforn in quieter Qbajjar Bay, ocean views and excellent seafood blend at this locals' favourite. Combine views of nearby rocky…

  • Shoreditch

    Sliema, St Julian’s & Paceville

    With a name referencing London's hip 'hood, Shoreditch has a lot to live up to, and it doesn't disappoint. Sit outside on the corner terrace and partner a…

  • Bongo Nyah

    Southern Malta

    Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours all mingle on Bongo Nyah's eclectic menu. A quirky cocktail list, Gozo's Lord Chambray craft beers on tap…

  • Root 81

    Malta

    A subtle pun on the bus route (81) that used to link Valletta and Rabat, Root 81 is one of the more modern bistros enlivening the dining scene around…

  • Townhouse No 3

    Malta

    Concealed in the backstreets of Rabat, Townhouse No 3 offers a modern take on Maltese and Mediterranean flavours. Dishes could include rabbit ravioli with…

  • Lovage

    Northern Malta

    This corner bistro may be surrounded by tourist pubs, but it's a dining standout in the backstreets of Buġibba. The trio of lamb, beef and wild-boar…

  • Boat House

    Gozo

    This is a highly rated restaurant where you can eat fresh fish with the sea almost lapping at your toes – there's a seafront, tented terrace. Seafood is…

  • Hammett's Gastro Bar

    Sliema, St Julian’s & Paceville

    OK, the view through a nearby car park to the Med may not be Sliema's best, but the menu at this modern bistro makes up for any shortcomings. Shared…

  • Oleander

    Gozo

    The much-loved Oleander, located on the pretty village square with tables outside, has a menu specialising in Maltese cuisine, with dishes including…

  • Osteria VE

    Vittoriosa

    This lovely restaurant is tucked away down a backstreet in a 17th-century townhouse, and is run by a convivial Venetian pair, doing what Italians do best …

  • Crystal Palace

    Malta

    Spot it by the hordes outside, this hole-in-the-wall pastizzerija close to Mdina's city walls is renowned as one of Malta's best, as it freshly bakes the…

  • Acqua Marina

    Northern Malta

    A tiny Italian restaurant that stands out for its attention to detail. It's a cut above, from the sea-hued decor and careful table decorations to the warm…

  • Rebekah's

    Northern Malta

    Rebekah's is tucked away in Mellieħa's back streets, but it's worth seeking out (head south to the end of Triq Franġisk, then take a right). The menu…

  • Rubino

    Valletta

    White-tableclothed Rubino is a classy place that earns rave reviews for its seasonal dishes such as spaghetti with sea urchins or sea-bass involtini …

  • Sottozero

    Northern Malta

    OK we're calling it: Sottozero sells the best ice cream and gelati in all of Malta. Our favourite flavours are the black chocolate, cannella (cinnamon)…

  • Nenu the Artisan Baker

    Valletta

    Often the answer when you ask a local, 'What's the best place to try ftira?', Nenu's decades-old wood-fired oven turns out a dizzying selection of Malta's…

  • Adesso

    Valletta

    Translating from Italian to 'now' in English – the giveaway is clocks with no hands throughout the restaurant – Adesso is a thoroughly modern bistro…

  • Hammett's Macina

    Malta

    Bringing a cosmopolitan sense of style to heritage Senglea, the signature restaurant at the new Cugó Gran Machina Grand Harbour blends Mediterranean,…

  • Fontanella Tea Gardens & Vinum Wine Bar

    Mdina

    Fontanella – a Maltese institution – has a wonderful setting atop the city walls, with sweeping views. It serves delicious home-baked cakes, pastizzi,…

  • De Mondion

    Mdina

    Romantic enough to inspire spontaneous marriage proposals, this place is set on the 17th-century rooftop of one of the island's loveliest hotels, Xara…

  • Zest

    Sliema, St Julian’s & Paceville

    Located in the boutique Hotel Juliani, this fusion restaurant loved by locals offers a mix of Japanese, Thai, Indonesian and European flavours. Book ahead…

  • Roots

    Southern Malta

    This modern eatery in Marsaxlokk may not have harbourfront tables like other nearby establishments, but that means it works harder on service and in the…

  • Mint

    Sliema, St Julian’s & Paceville

    This chic New Zealand–owned cafe provides laid-back Kiwi-style and home cooking. Its food is smashing, with some really sumptuous snacks – quesadilla,…

  • Restaurant Ta'Frenċ

    Gozo

    About 1.5km south of Marsalforn, this restaurant is in a beautiful setting (a 200-year-old converted farmhouse surrounded by garden) and has an impressive…

  • Arches

    Northern Malta

    This acclaimed restaurant is large, elegant and stately, and decorated in white set against terracotta walls; the menu, prices and service all befit the…

  • La Nave

    Northern Malta

    With floor-to-ceiling windows, the architecturally spectacular La Nave celebrates its absolute waterfront location in a big and bold way. Considering it's…

  • Tmun Mġarr

    Gozo

    Family-run Tmun Mġarr offers a menu rich in seafood dishes such as bouillabaisse and fresh-from-the-sea fish. Set behind the fishing boats at the water's…

  • Luna

    Malta

    In the aristocratic surroundings of Palazzo Parisio you’ll find the excellent Luna restaurant, patrolled by gracious, white-clad staff serving relaxed…

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