Dining

There is a great mix of restaurants offering foods ranging from Chinese and fast food to seafood. There are also cafés and beachside bars. Mostly table service is provided but some restaurants and bars have a self-serve counter. Recommended recipes are the pork and fish dishes as well as vegetables. Maltese fruits such as oranges, strawberries, mulberries, melons, tangerines, pomegranates, figs and grapes are also famous.

Specialties include:

Bragoli (beef olives).

Fenek (rabbit cooked in wine).

Pastries and deserts of ricotta

Helwa tat-Tork (a sweet mixture of almonds served after dinner)

Tomato and wine sauces with pasta

Zucchini

Herbs and olives

Fish like lampuki, a national favorite, swordfish and tuna.

Maltese wine, beer and spirits are well known drinks.

Bars, restaurants and cafés are usually open from 9am to 1am. Hotel bars close for few hours in the afternoon, between 1pm and 4pm and reopen at 6pm.

Dining in one of the outdoor restaurants and cafés is a delightful experience. There are a number of places to choose, from courtyards of baroque palazzos to harbor restaurants and local café-bars. One can opt between quiet or busy trattorias. Sicilian and Moorish touches are added to traditional Maltese dishes in most restaurants.

Menus are based on the seasons and prices are reasonable. International cuisines are available extensively. Many restaurants serve Italian or French cuisine, but there are others specializing in Oriental, Tex Mex and other sorts.

A. Top Restaurants

There are a number of restaurants to choose from, but here is a concise list of a few prominent places to visit. Reservation at these restaurants is recommended.

Bon Pain Chez Philippe (Mediterranean)

Gzira, Malta

181, The Strand, Gzira

Tel-21330755

Bon Pain is visited frequently by locals as well as tourists. There is an air of amicability and hospitality amongst the people here and diners have a wide range of menus to choose from.

Buffalo Bill's American Steak House (American)

St Julian's, Malta

Portomaso Marina, Portomaso

Tel-21389290

Diners can savor their meal on the terrace, overlooking the Portomaso Marina or the American western saloon. It is well known for its meat dishes.

Cockneys (Mediterranean)

Valletta, Malta

Marsamxett Harbour

Tel-21236065

The water below the Valletta bastions in Marsamxett hoards up this restaurant. It faces the Manoel Island and Sliema Creek. You can follow suit with the residents of Sliema or St. Julian's who commute by the ferryboat, which drops you off in front of this restaurant.

D-Bar (Mediterranean)

Qala, Gozo

St. Joseph Square

Tel-21556242

This bar and restaurant is run by Twanny and his family and is famous for its pizzas. It is situated opposite the church in the Quala center.

Da Pippo Trattoria (Maltese)

Valletta, Malta

136, Melita Street

Tel-21248029

This is a great place to have lunch. The menu includes a wide variety of Maltese and Sicilian dishes and it keeps changing daily. It is open in the noon from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Gigi's Concept Cafe (International)

St Julian's, Malta

It is located in the Spinola Bay and offers sumptuous food at great prices and also has an Internet café. At night its bar is open for locals and tourists.

Is-Sajjied Restaurant (Mediterranean)

Marsaxlokk, Malta

Xatt is-Sajjieda

Tel-21652549

Specialties include freshly caught fish, along with other produce. It has a terrace that overlooks the Marsaxlokk fishing bay. The restaurant is located at the far end of the fishing quay.

Oleander (Maltese)

Xaghra, Gozo

Victory Square

Tel-21557230

It is located in the square of Xaghra, Oleander. Local dishes, including rabbit and homemade ravioli can be found here.

Peppino's Restaurant (Italian)

St Julian's, Malta

31 St George's Road 21373200

They serve Italian and French cuisine; it also has a wine bar and is popular for dining.