Top 50+ Best Malta Restaurants for 2020

Malata is the type of restaurant that’s better in summer than in winter, and that has nothing to do with their food or service, it’s simply the location.

The restaurant itself is located in a cellar at the edge of St. George’s Square, opposite the Presidential Palace, which in winter months isn’t the cosiest place to be.

Come summer, however, sitting at one of their outside tables on the square does the good quality of their food justice and makes for a very enjoyable dining experience.

Although mainly serving Mediterranean dishes, there’s also some French-inspired food that’s well worth trying. Their onion soup is amazing – and I’m not a soup person at all!

Tucked away at Valletta’s northern seafront near the Sliema ferry, Scoglitti is a lovely bright, modern restaurant that specialises in fresh seafood.

If you and your company are specifically looking for deliciously prepared fresh fish in Valletta, this is a great choice.

Specialising in seafood, with traditional Sicilian influences, you can enjoy dinner here with a nice view and in a quiet location on the edge of the city.

Da Pippo is something a little bit different, in the sense that it’s a real dining experience.

I recommend giving the restaurant a try for two reasons: 1) The quality of the food (super tasty, well cooked, Italian – fish, veal, pasta are staples) and 2) the atmosphere.

It’s a small, cosy place that fills up with mostly locals and offers charm in its chaos and business with the chatter of people having a good time in good company and with good food.

Two important things to note:

1. This restaurant opens for lunch only
2. My only grip with this place is the fact that the bill isn’t itemised so you have no idea what you’re paying for. Even though the price you end up paying isn’t exhorbitant, not knowing what you pay for is a little… odd.

Zeus is one of those restaurants that establish a good level of service and food and remain consistent in terms of quality.

They serve Greek dishes, which means good meats and fish but also a select choice of vegetarian-friendly options.

Add to that the very hospitable owners and staff and you have a restaurant you’ll want to visit for dinner more than once.

If it’s fresh seafood you’re looking for, you’re at the right place with Gillieru in St. Paul’s Bay.

Known even locally as a good seafood restaurant, they do fresh fish, octopus, calamari, etc. justice.

Although personally, I feel that sometimes their food is pretty pricey and the restaurant itself could do with a lick of paint, the food itself never disappoints.

I’ve dined at Duo a few times over the past couple of years and both the food and service have been very good each time.

With a variety of high-quality Mediterranean dishes, it’s a great place for some proper dining out, with a nice selection of wines and a lovely setting.

lthough a little pricier than other restaurants, you get good value and I definitely recommend giving them a try.

This restaurant is another one of my favourites. They’re located just outside of Qawra, at the start of the coast road that takes you to St. Julian’s in a small place called Salina (a name earned thanks to the nearby salt pans).

Ta’ Cassia are an established name in the local restaurant scene and is a family-run establishment, with excellent food, consistent quality and very friendly service who are happy to accommodate any special requests. They offer a good selection of meats and fresh fish – great Mediterranean food.

There’s nothing wrong with the decor either, with the restaurant housed in an old-style farmhouse with a lovely garden at the back where food is served in summer.

Il Grappolo is a family-run Italian restaurant that serves classical Italian food.

Freshly prepared, the food served is excellent, while the staff are attentive.

My personal favourite is their Tagliata (sliced steak). Worth giving a try if you’re planning to stay in the area!

Giuseppi’s is one of the restaurants at the Salini Resort and although it hasn’t quite maintained the level of excellence I was used to when they were located in Mellieħa, it’s still a great dining option.

Whether you order from the a la carte menu or opt for one of the specials of the day, there’s a good variety of interesting dishes, full of flavour and different concepts.

It’s definitely one of the pricier choices, but well worth it in my opinion.

Cafe Cuba in Sliema is a great little place to grab a quick bite for lunch with a selection of pasta, pizza, salads, wraps and baguettes, etc.

It’s usually pretty busy but if you’re lucky or have 5 minutes to wait it’s worth giving a try.

Service is usually pretty quick and prices reasonable considering the location. (Places in Sliema are known to charge a little more than in other places on the island).

You can find Cafe Cuba here as well:

Spinola Bay, St. Julian’s
Triq Valletta, Mosta (part of Pama shopping village)

La Cuccagna has a reputation for serving genuine, hearty food and is a great place if you like pizza and pasta, with a mostly Mediterranean menu.

Gets good ratings and is a solid choice for a good but inexpensive meal.

Fratelli La Bufala is a great option for tasty Italian food in Sliema.

Fresh ingredients cooked to perfection, whether you choose meat (they specialise in buffalo), chicken, pasta, pizza or salads.

The downside? It’s a very busy place and service suffers sometimes. (Also: Be sure to book a table in advance!)

Tiffany’s Bistro is a lovely little eatery for casual dining, located at the Sliema Ferries seafront.

Very much a mix of pizzas, pasta, gourmet burgers and other mains off the grill.

Tasty food, good service and great views. What’s not to like?

Save some space for dessert, trust me!

Image credit: Glutenfreelivingmalta.com

I know, Hard Rock is a franchise and all, but they deserve a spot in my Top 50.

Consistently good food and friendly service make me a regular for a casual meal. And their cocktails are pretty good too.

You can also find them at:

Vault 17 Valletta Waterfront, Floriana

Pepe Nero have been around in Malta for a while, with a few restaurants in other places aside from St. Julian’s.

With a blend of European, Italian and Fusion flavours, they offer an interesting, varied menu of hearty flavours.

With a great view of Balluta it’s a great option for an enjoyable dinner.

You can also find Pepe Nero (with different types of cuisine) at:

Trejqet il-Veccja, St. Paul’s Bay (Shellshack & Grill)
Vault 18, Valletta Waterfront, Floriana (Meat House)
Triq TaL-Ibragg, Swieqi (Lebanese Fusion)

With a good selection of high-quality seafood, pasta dishes and pizza, Sale e Pepe is one of the best options for Italian food in the area.

It’s also a good option for lunch, with a view over the marina of Portomaso, one of the island’s tallest buildings.

The Avenue has been around for a while now and continues to provide a great food experience, with a good variety of Mediterranean dishes at reasonable prices and a nice, homely atmosphere.

Good value!

Caviar & Bull are one of the few fine dining options in the area, with an interesting and varied menu with Mediterranean flavours at its core.

Apart from the sublime food and great selection of wines, there’s a great view out over St. George’s Bay to enjoy a great dinner over.

Well worth trying if you’re not on a budget and looking for gourmet dining.

Part of a small retail and residential complex, this is a food court with different local restaurants serving a variety of cuisines from Italian to Asian to Indian, fine steaks and burgers, seafood, and more.

Great option for a group with different tastes.

Set in a rustic old farmhouse, this romantic restaurant on the edge of Mellieħa offers a great ambience with genuine food and high-quality Mediterranean dishes.

Although not particularly budget-friendly, its a la carte menu is balanced with a nice selection of local fish, beef and pasta dishes.

Mitħna is a more upmarket restaurant, in the heart of Mellieħa that consistently racks up great reviews thanks to their delicious dishes and varied menu.

Paired with a fine wine from their quality wine list, it’s a great dining experience to enjoy.

Ta’ Victor is another great choice for sampling some of the fresh catch brought into the harbour daily.

Offering a friendly service, good seating on their nice terrace outside along the seafront it’s a lovely place for a good meal.

If you’re looking for variety in seafood, la Nostra Padrona never disappoint.

Their chef really manages to prepare tasty seafood dishes with the catch of the day at reasonable prices.

Fresh fish can be cooked in a variety of ways on request and whether you’re seated inside or out it’s a nice place to eat out.

This is a popular restaurant so book in advance!

Trattoria AD 1530 forms part of the prestigious Xara Palace hotel and is a good option for both lunch and dinner.

Having a covered outdoor terrace, the menu at Trattoria AD 1530 is varied but their strengths are the pizzas, pasta dishes and salads. Located in the Silent City of Mdina, it’s a great place for a quiet lunch or dinner.

Tully’s Fusion is located along the waterfront at Senglea, one of the Three Cities, and is a newcomer in the area.

This family-run restaurant provides a fresh take on home-made food, offering a fusion take on dishes from across Europe. Delicious, hearty food and a casual environment in a relatively quiet part of Malta.

The Boathouse has a solid reputation for serving delicious meats and fresh seafood.

While a larger menu at a slightly more upmarket restaurant doesn’t instil much confidence in me, I’ve never been disappointed with my choice and have dined here regularly over the past five years or so.

Tmun is a great little restaurant in Gozo, overlooking the harbour at Mġarr.

Chef Paul Buttigieg and his team serve a variety of dishes with a varied menu and specialising in deliciously prepared fresh fish.

This is a family-run business and it shows – they care about your dining experience and making sure you will want to return to have another taste off their menu.

Nenu the Artisan Baker is a highly popular restaurant in Valletta, offering a wide variety of typically Maltese foods and dishes that go beyond baked foods. Very tasty, genuine ingredients and even the restaurant itself is a good establishment for a quality dinner

When I was there with a few Maltese friends there seemed to be a sense of nostalgia towards some of the dishes they had last tasted when cooked by their Nanna (grandmother). There’s no better rating of the quality of Maltese food than that, I suppose!

Ta` Marija in Mosta is a family-run restaurant and a recommendation for an evening out rather than just dinner with Maltese food.

The food served is mostly Maltese, of very good quality, and over and above guests are provided with entertainment in the form of traditional musical performances by traditionally clad performers. It makes for a different type of dinner experience and well worth a try.

The staff are very friendly, helpful and happy to meet any dietary requirements and it’s not surprising the restaurant has won several awards over the years, as well as good reviews from its diners.

One of the few restaurants serving Maltese food in the area, Gululu do a good job of serving a selection of typically Maltese dishes in one of the nicest dining locations on the island of Malta, at Spinola Bay (St. Julian’s).

I wouldn’t say theirs is the best restaurant for Maltese food on the island, but the quality is good, prices fair and you can’t beat the location either.

Tal Petut is a unique little restaurant and a food experience I highly recommend you try.

Chef Donald and his team serve a variety of traditionally prepared Maltese dishes and bite-sizes tastes, set within an old townhouse in the heart of the old village of Birgu (part of the Three Cities).

The staff is attentive, always happy to tell you a little more about the food they serve you and it’s a lovely dining experience in a homely setting.