Malta is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, to the south of Italy, where the two main languages spoken are English and Maltese. Malta has become an increasingly popular holiday resort in recent years, boasting a wide range of attractions and reliably lovely weather and hot dry sunny summers.
Malta has an impressive array of good restaurants that serve primarily Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine, and usually some superb local seafood options. Some of these are expensive and suitable for special occasion dining, but there are some relatively inexpensive options around too. There are also plenty of good European and international restaurants, and fans of Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Thai cuisine are well-covered.
Malta also boasts numerous snack bars and pubs, some of which serve a variety of international food, and some of which are primarily English or British-based, and many of these contain free Wi-Fi and broadcasts of sporting events. In short, whatever your dining tastes, chances are that Malta will have something good to offer.
Local cuisine
Those with a lot of cash to spend can consider the expensive, but excellent, Bouquet Garni Restaurant in Gorg Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha, which offers a range of Mediterranean cuisine and seafood. A similarly luxurious option is the Venus Restaurant at Pioneer Road, Bugibba, which is particularly suitable for special occasion dining.
Guze Bistro at Old Bakery Street, Valletta, is situated in an impressive historic building and serves a variety of high-quality Mediterranean food. Oblico Cafe at 142 Triq ix-xatt, Il Gzira is a good inexpensive option, which serves a good variety of Mediterranean-themed snack food, and the home-made cakes are especially popular. Palazzo Preca at Strait Street, Valletta serves Mediterranean and Maltese food and is also particularly good for snacks.
Also consider Zeri's Restaurant, situated at Portomaso, St. Julians, Paceville, for traditional Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine. Ta' Duminka at Main Street 150, Mosta is another good alternative, and is known to be particularly good for fans of rabbit. L'Artist at 6 Tigne Street, Sliema is reputed to have a relatively limited menu, but very good quality Mediterranean cuisine and large portions. The Arches, at George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha, is a good option for French, Mediterranean and international options and also boasts some very good Maltese wines.
European
The Commando Restaurant, situated at Misrah iz-Zjara tal Papa, Mellieha, serves a wide range of cuisines including international and Italian options. Piadina Caffe at Triq Santa Lucija, Valletta is good for Italian snacks, which includes scope for eating al fresco. The Peperoncino Restaurant at Balluta Bay, Saint Julian's has good Italian dining options. The Cosy Corner at Triq it-Turisti, Qawra is particularly highly-regarded for its pizzas. Fumia, at Old Bakery Street, Valletta, is a good option for Sicilian cuisine and seafood, if rather expensive. Assaggi at Qaliet Street, St. Julian's, is great for both Italian and French cuisine. Also consider I Cannoli at English Bar, at 160 Triq San Xmun, which specialises in Italian and Sicilian options at relatively cheap prices.
Those who like French food should consider Rebekah's Restaurant at Triq It-Tgham, Mellieha, which is quite pricey but serves some very high quality French food, in addition to Mediterranean cuisine. It's also known for having a fun lively atmosphere. Also consider The Arches, at George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha, which again is not cheap but sells excellent French and international food. Chapter One at 9 Church Street, Saint Julian's, sells a variety of French as well as Mediterranean cuisine. La Sfoglia, located at 67 and 68 Merchants Street, Valletta, is a good option for primarily French cuisine.
Il-Baza Cafe Bar at Triq il-Kbira, Rabat is a top outlet for European as well as Mediterranean cuisine and snacks served in a pleasant-looking building. The Il-Gzejjer Bar & Restaurant at 43 Bognor Beach, Bugibba serves some good European and traditional Maltese options. Zeus Greek Restaurant at Xemxija Hill, St. Paul's Bay is the best port of call for those after a Greek experience and meal.
British
Balluta Bar at 186 Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema is a popular sports bar, which offers free Wi-Fi and a range of high-quality snack and bar meals. Qunaderos located on the main tourist street in Qawra serves a variety of traditional English food, including fish and chips and Sunday dinners. The Cafe Jubilee Valletta at 125 St Lucia Street, Valletta is a good bet for pub and bistro food, with British as well as international options.
The Scotsman Pub at St. George's Road, Paceville is a good British-style pub serving a range of pub food, and offers Sunday roast dinners. Also worth considering is the Penny Black Bar, situated at Gorg Borg Olivier Street, Sliema, which serves a range of British pub food. The Little Waster Bar at Triq it, Qawra sells a range of British pub food - and tasty pizzas. The Dubliner at St Julians, Saint Julian's is an Irish pub, which sells mainly English-themed pub food, and is known for its Guinness.
Asian
For those who like Japanese cuisine, Club Sushi from Tokyo to Seoul at Ball Street, Paceville is a good option, which also has takeaway and outdoor eating options. Another good choice is Zen Japanese Sushi Bar and Teppanyaki at Portomaso Yacht Marina, Portomaso. Fancy Chinese? Head to Peking at Triq it-turisti, Qawra, which serves a large variety of high-quality Chinese food and has takeaway and delivery options as well as the option of eating in. The Shaukiwan Chinese Bar & Restaurant at Xemxija Hill, St. Paul's Bay, Xemxija is another good Chinese option.
ZEST at 12 St. George's Road, Saint Julian's is good for general Asian cuisine, and is particularly rated for its tasty Thai and Japanese/sushi cuisine. Ali Baba, located at 9 Ponsomby Street, Il Gzira, serves high quality Lebanese cuisine. For a mixed Asian experience, try The Flora- Asian Fusion Restaurant, which serves a mix of sushi, Asian, Chinese and Thai food.
The Blue Elephant Restaurant at Hilton Hotel, Portomaso, Saint Julian's is a high-quality, albeit expensive, Thai restaurant, while La Mere Restaurant serves Indian, Middle Eastern and Moroccan food, as well as some Maltese menu options. The TemptAsian Restaurant & Lounge at High Street, Sliema sells a wide range of Asian food and has offers for those celebrating their birthdays. New Madras at 3 Gandofli Street, Bugibba is a high-quality Indian restaurant.
International
The Commando Restaurant, situated at Misrah iz-Zjara tal Papa, Mellieha, serves a range of international food. Incognito Terrace Bar & Restaurant at Fliegu Street, Qawra serves a variety of international cuisine and is particularly handy for tasty snack and bar meals. Lulu Restaurant at 31, Church Street, Saint Julian's, serves international cuisine and is also a good place to go for seafood.
The Peperoncino Restaurant at Balluta Bay, Saint Julian's is a quality, inexpensive option for international and Italian cuisine. Wigi's Kitchen, situated at Main Street, Saint Julian's, is particularly highly-regarded for its steaks, seafood and pastas. The Malet Restaurant at 84 St. Simon Street, Bugibba, is a reasonably-priced restaurant serving a high-quality variety of international food. U Bistrot at the Main Street at St. Julian's has some a range of international menu options and delicious cocktails.
Also consider the Heritage Pub at Gandoffli Street, Bugibba, which is known for particularly good burgers as well as a range of international cuisine.
Fine dining
One top-of-the-range and highly-rated local diner is the Bouquet Garni Restaurant in Gorg Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha, which offers a range of Mediterranean cuisine and seafood. Another top local-cuisine option is the Venus Restaurant at Pioneer Road, Bugibba. For those after a rated fine dining fish restaurant, the Tartarun Fish Restaurant, located at Xatt is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk comes highly recommended. Tarragon, located at Church Street, St. Paul's Bay, is great choice for those after a special meal for a romantic occasion, and the cooking has a reputation for being exciting and innovative.
Also, consider L'agape, located at Pjazza san Kataldu, Rabat which serves a variety of delectable dishes. The Arches, at George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha, is a good option for French, Mediterranean and international options and also boasts some excellent Maltese wines. Another superb luxurious Mediterranean restaurant is the Quadro Restaurant at the Westin Draganora Resort, which can be found at Dragonara Road, Saint Julian's. The Lord Nelson Restaurant at 278 Triq il-Kbira (Main Street), Mosta is reliable for high quality local and international style cooking.
Cafes & snackbars
Piadina Caffe at Triq Santa Lucija, Valletta is the place to head for Italian snacks, and includes al fresco dining areas. Also consider Oblico Cafe at 142 Triq ix-xatt, Il Gzira, which serves a good variety of Mediterranean-themed snack food; the homemade cakes are especially popular. Incognito Terrace Bar & Restaurant at Fliegu Street, Qawra is well-known for cheap, yet high quality, snack and bar meals.
Balluta Bar at 186 Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema is a lively sports bar, which offers free wi-fi and a range of high-quality snack and bar meals. Mint, located at Stella Maris St, Sliema, is a an inexpensive snack bar with high quality food and desserts, as well as sea views. Heritage Pub at Gandoffli Street, Bugibba, is known for its yummy burgers. The Cafe Jubilee Valletta at 125 St Lucia Street, Valletta is a safe bet for pub and bistro food, with English and international options.
Seafood & grills
An expensive but high quality option is the Tartarun Fish Restaurant, located at Xatt is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk. A less expensive option is the Lulu Restaurant at 31, Church Street, Saint Julian's, which serves excellent seafood as well as Italian, Mediterranean and international options. The Capistrano Restaurant at 61 Old Bakery Street, Valletta serves a range of fresh fish. Wigi's Kitchen, situated at Main Street, Saint Julian's, serves seafood alongside international and Italian options.
Fumia, at Old Bakery Street, Valletta, is a good option for Sicilian cuisine and seafood, if rather expensive. The I Cannoli at English Bar, at 160 Triq San Xmun, is great for Italian and Sicilian options at relatively cheap prices. Also good for seafood and grills is La Villa Brasserie at 39 Main Street, Balluta Bay, Saint Julian's. Chukkas @ Malta Polo Club at Marsa Polo Club, Marsa sells some highly-rated grilled food.