If we’re being honest, my favorite thing to do anywhere I travel is eat. It’s the best (and most fun) way to get to know a culture and their local traditions. On my trip to Malta, I learned a lot about its history just based on its culinary influences, ingredients, and dishes.
If you’re planning your own trip to Malta, here’s the foodie guide you need to eat and drink your way across the island. From understanding the restaurant scene to what types of foods you should try, here’s everything you need to know for your trip!
Table of Contents
What is Maltese Food?
When planning our trip to Malta, I was most excited to try the delicious food. Maltese food is a unique mix of Italian and British influences, with lots of fresh seafood, pasta, and rabbit-based dishes. Think a full plate of english breakfast in the morning, handmade seafood pasta for lunch, and fresh grilled fish by the ocean at dinner. YUM.
The national dish of Malta is called Stuffat tal-Fenek, which is a rich, slow-cooked rabbit stew usually simmered with red wine, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Some love it, but I think it’s a bit heavy, especially during Spring/Summer when most tourists are visiting the island.
The most famous dish for visitors to try is called Pastizzi — a savory, flaky stuffed pastry filled with either ricotta cheese or meat. Think of an empanada with a flakier crust. What’s not to love about that?
Malta’s Culinary Scene
Given Malta’s small size, I didn’t expect much of a culinary scene. But boy was I wrong. I noticed Michelin-star restaurants on every block in Valletta, as well as cute seaside terraces in the Three Cities and fun & trendy spots in Sliema.
If you’re a foodie planning a trip to Malta, I highly recommend researching the Michelin Guide before your visit. You’ll notice a range of seafood restaurants, Italian food, Asian, and contemporary dining at surprisingly good prices (think tasting menus at €40 per person).
In general, restaurant prices are comparable to what you’d see in the U.S. or London, so it isn’t necessarily cheap to dine in Malta. With that being said, you can also find some budget-friendly eats that are still to die for!
Malta’s Bar & Nightlife Scene
If you’re planning on going out when you’re in Malta, you are in luck. Malta’s nightlife scene is vibrant, and there are tons of interesting bars and clubs across the island.
I loved the bar scene in Valletta, which had tons of Happy Hour deals and live music at night. There are lots of outdoor terraces where you can enjoy the music, sip a cocktail, and reminisce on your day exploring the island.
Honestly – I did not go clubbing in Malta. Not my scene. BUT – I know there’s a huge party scene in Valletta and St. Julian’s that people love!
High-End Dining in Malta
In addition to Malta’s Michelin-star restaurants, there are a number of nicer restaurants that are perfect for a special night out during your trip.
The first is Skyroom in Sliema. We went here for our anniversary dinner, and honestly, it might be my favorite meal from the trip.
Sometimes you go to rooftop restaurants for the views more than the food. But not here. At Skyroom, we had the most incredible meal starting with a seared scallop appetizer and ending with the fresh salt-cooked fish, which was flambéed at the table and filleted for us. On top of the amazing food, the service and staff were also extremely attentive and kind. With all this combined, I would highly recommend making a reservation on your trip to Malta.
In a close second is N’duja Osteria in Valletta. This less touristy Italian restaurant was recommended to me by a friend who lives in Malta, and I’m so glad she put it on my radar. With a small menu of meat, fish, and handmade pasta, everything on the menu is extremely fresh. I ordered the cacio e pepe linguini with shrimp and ended the meal with the most delicious tiramisu. It’s a very small restauarant, so definitely make a reservation in advance!
Mid-Range Dining in Malta
There are tons of great places to get an easy, mid-range meal in Malta, but here were a few of my personal favorites!
Word of Mouth is a brunch restaurant in Sliema with eclectic American diner vibes and a fantastic menu. I ordered the mushroom toast with an egg, and it was absolutely delicious. They have a huge outdoor patio right by the ocean, but the inside is just a cute if you come on a cold or windy day.
Before you leave, don’t miss your chance to use the Disco Bathroom. Pick up the phone in the bathroom, and the lights go out and a dance party ensues. Such a fun spot for a Sunday brunch!
For the most spectacular Sunday lunch in the sun, book a table on the terrace at Il-Hnejja in Senglea. This spot has unbeatable views of the harbour and the most fresh, delicious seafood. I recommend making a reservation here around 1pm after exploring the Marsaxlokk Sunday market, and enjoying a long lunch in the sun. I got the carbonara and my husband ordered the lobster pasta, which was the undeniable winner. This was another one of our culinary highlights on the trip!
For lunch or dinner, I highly recommend Officine del Pesce in Valletta. It looks very small and unsuspecting, but they have the most delicious seafood pasta including spaghetti vongole, cacio e pepe with shrimp, and calamari. It’s a small but simple menu of just the classics.
Go early to get a table outside for the best people watching!
Lastly, Jungle Joy in Gzira is a local spot we stumbled upon and it exceeded expectations. It’s an outdoor terrace bar in the front, and a thai restaurant in the back! We ordered mojitos, then discovered their thai menu and got spring rolls and chicken pad thai, which were both to die for.
Quick Bites in Malta
Lastly, every traveler needs a go-to place to stop and get a quick bite on your trip.
The most iconic quick bite in Malta is pastizzi. You can find this savory pastry all over the island, but the most famous place to get it is Jeff’s Pastizzeria. These are small walk-up counters that have grab-and-go pastizzi. Although delicious, they can be a bit greasy/heavy, so one is usually plenty!
For a sweet treat when you’re out exploring, a lot of bakeries sell the most delicious cannolis. They’re super fresh and you can often find plain, chocolate, pistachio, or other flavors at local bakeries!
If you go to the Sunday fish market in Marsaxlokk, I highly recommend grabbing a treat and enjoying it on the pier while watching the colorful fishing boats go by.
Casual Bars in Malta
Now for the fun stuff. Valletta in particular has tons of cute and casual bars — many of which offer great happy hour deals!
My favorite (and the most famous in Valletta) is The Bridge Bar. This one is hyped up for a reason. The feeling of sitting outside on the sloped terrace, sipping your drink with views of the water and listening to live music just can’t be beat. Go on a Friday night when they have their live music, but get there early to snag a table!
My close second favorite was Ellul Wines & Spirits, which was also a recommendation I received from a local. They have a 2-for-1 happy hour special every day from 3-7pm on beer and cocktails, and my husband and I enjoyed our pre-dinner espresso martinis for only €10 total! They also have live music and great outdoor seating, making it a perfect spot to stop for a cocktail before heading to a late dinner.
For a late-night vibe, DOPO was a surprisingly fun spot that we just stumbled upon. Located right on Merchants Street, DOPO had a nice terrace with a live DJ and people singing and dancing along to the music. It’s a great way to end the night if you don’t want to go out to a true club, but you want something a bit more lively.
Culinary Experiences in Malta
If you’re a foodie traveling to Malta for the first time, there are tons of unique experiences you can have to learn about the local cuisine. From wine tastings and pairings to street food tours, there are great options to make dining in Malta it’s own experience!
Final Thoughts
If you’re not salivating by the end of this guide, then I don’t know how to help you! Hopefully you can plan your trip to Malta with a better understanding of the local cuisine and how to enjoy it.
From fresh seafood to delicious pasta, I hope you take advantage of the best food the island has to offer. And if you make any new discoveries, make sure to let me know in the comments!
Other blog articles you might like:
- The Best Things to Do in Malta: A Complete Travel Guide
- Ibiza, Spain: The Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary
- South of France Itinerary: The Best of Côte d’Azur
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