Where to eat and drink in Malta: restaurants, cafés & bars

Malta’s cuisine has not historically been celebrated, limited menus of snails, rabbit and Maltese sausage come to mind, not to mention the infamous pastizzi (all of which I do insist be savoured). But with Malta’s recent renaissance on the tourism trail and its flourishing culture has come a new and discerning demand for high quality produce, service, ambience and artistry. This has been met by a burgeoning industry of exciting, international and experimental new eateries which sit happily alongside some of the island’s oldest establishments, all working hard to show off their skills as well as the natural and abundant bounties of the Mediterranean. Whether it’s a century-old family-run restaurant, a trattoria serving seasonal dishes on handmade and handpainted pottery, a moody wine bar with blind tasting menus, or the island’s only two Michelin star dining room, Malta’s food and drink scene is every bit as vibrant as its cultural one.

Villa Bologna Restaurant & Villa Bologna Pottery

Image credit Villa Bologna Restaurant

#FLODown: Whether you come for the pottery and stay for the food or come for the food and leave with the pottery, this one is a no brainer. Situated in Attard, a quiet village Known for its lush and serene gardens, Villa Bologna is a historic landmark in Malta, and sanctuary of beauty, craft and culture. Founded in 1924, the pottery is the oldest on the island and has been situated in the gardens of the exquisite Baroque villa for a century. A team of local artists continues to hand-make and paint the pieces, and the current owners Sophie and Rowley Edwards work carefully with them to introduce new pieces, pairing heritage designs with contemporary flair. The pottery aesthetic is complemented impeccably by the restaurant, a relatively recent addition to the site, with its charming dining room leading out into a delightful courtyard enclosed by greenery and ancient walls. The menu is simple, seasonal and delicious, served in a warm and convivial manner – on beautiful tableware created on site, of course – a family-run trattoria you will return to again and again.

Website: thevillabolognarestaurant.com; Instagram: @thevillabolognarestaurant | @villabolognapottery

Rubino

Image credit Rubino, Malta

#FLODown: A classic restaurant that is well-loved by many, Rubino has somehow maintained through its growth in fame an ambiance that is homely and quietly romantic. Starting over a century ago as a Sicilian confectionery, it soon evolved into a successful restaurant, however their iconic Cassata Siciliana has been on the menu from the day they opened in 1906. Every dinner is like a visit to distant family members (the ones you get along with) and the team are the epitome of charm and conviviality. The ever-changing, seasonal chalk-board menu is warm and inviting. From traditional Maltese dishes such as the perfect aljotta (fish soup) or rich rabbit stew to spaghetti bottarga, market fish or hearty game and meat, alongside the very best wines from across the Maltese islands and beyond, you won’t be disappointed.  

Website: rubinomalta.com; Instagram: @rubinomalta

Legligin

Image credit Legligin, Malta

#FLODown: With a focus on excellent local wine plus blind tasting menus that change almost daily (five courses for lunch, or seven for dinner), there is no à la carte menu to bamboozle you. Head down into the cavernous basement for a moody, atmospheric dinner as a couple or large group of friends – the ambience here works for both! Expect fresh, seasonal, local, and a lot of fun.

Website: legliginmalta.com; Instagram: @legliginrestaurant

ION Harbour

Image credit ION Harbour

#FLODown: The first restaurant in the Mediterranean for Simon Rogan (famed in the UK for his hyperlocal produce-led restaurant L’Enclume in Cumbria), ION Harbour is, at least for now, Malta’s only two Michelin star restaurant, where seasonality and local produce inspire an ever-changing menu. Set within the beautiful Iniala Harbour House hotel, and with a stunning fourth floor vantage point for Valletta’s Grand Harbour, it is the locale for an unforgettable dining experience.

Website: ionharbour.com; Instagram: @ionharbour

Commando

Image credit Commando

#FLODown: If you are in Malta for the beaches, you’ll find some of the very best up in the north end of the island, along with national parks and trails for walks, biking or horseriding. And rest assured, you are also spoiled for choice with some exquisite dining establishments here too. Commando sits along the winding road that leads from the beautiful village of Mellieħa, through the lush valley, and down to Ghadira Bay. Choose between the intimate indoor dining room setting or choose a table outside to soak in the village buzz on a balmy evening. Nestled within a tastefully restored 300-year-old building, the restaurant’s ambiance has inherited the original building’s cosy charm. A la carte and specials menus represent both the traditional and the experimental, incorporating fresh and local ingredients, from tomato and gbejna (a traditional Maltese cheeselet) risotto to seared tuna with caponata, lemon creme fraiche and caper beurre blanc.

Website: commandorestaurant.com; Instagram: @commandorestaurant

Rebekah’s

Image credit Rebekah’s

#FLODown: Also in the northern village of Mellieħa but slightly off the beaten track is Rebekah’s – a perfect romantic date night for that someone you want to impress. Focusing on French Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on local produce, every plate honours the finest ingredients, with chefs craftingdishes as works of art. Offering an outstanding tasting menu alongside its seasonal a la carte options, this is a truly exquisite experience in a relaxed and beautiful atmosphere.

Website: rebekahsrestaurat.com; Instagram: @rebekahs_malta

Words by Tani Burns