The Maltese love their food and they like eating out too, so the country is full of delicious restaurants and cafes. The best bit is that the portion sizes are usually big, and no one rushes you to finish your meal. They allow you to appreciate your meal and relax. I have created a list of recommendations for places to eat in Malta and Gozo, to help you along your food journey.
About Malta and Gozo
Malta is comprised of two main islands, Malta and Gozo and a third tiny island called Comino. It is surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches & coves in Europe.
Not to mention the treasure trove of history, spectacular natural sites, leisure activities and all the trendy cocktail bars and delicious restaurants to indulge in too. If you are looking for somewhere to stay I suggest checking out 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Malta.
⇒ Do you require a visa for Malta and Gozo before you go? You can check and see if there are any requirements.
Eating in Malta and Gozo
Over the years, Malta has seen an influx of restaurants and cafes to indulge your taste buds. With an endless range of restaurants and bars doting the streets, you are spoilt for choice on where to eat or drink. From casual meals out to more sophisticated dining experiences, there are eateries for everyone.
Having spent some time in both Malta and Gozo over the years eating. Here is a list below of restaurants and cafes to enjoy:
Rubino Restaurant – Valletta
You know a restaurant is good when it’s a favourite with the locals and is ranked on Tripadvisor in the top 10 restaurants in Valletta. Centrally located, Rubino Restaurant is a mix of local Maltese food with an Italian influence. Not only do they serve fresh homemade pasta and Maltese dishes but there is some really cool history linked to the restaurant.
This is a great spot to eat and have a drink, I really enjoyed the quirky decor and all the pictures of Maltese history. I had the various small Maltese dishes for starters and prawns for my main and they all were all delicious. It gets really busy here so book in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Vegetarian dishes available – Yes (Risotto)
- Address: 53 Old Bakery Street, Il-Belt Valletta
Places to see in the area
- If you like history and want to know more about Malta then visit the ‘Malta Experience’ an audio-visual show screened in the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The show walks through the 7000 years of history and the turbulent past of the wonderful island country. It is only a short walk away from the restaurant.
Noni Restaurant – Valletta
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience in Valletta where the food is divine and looks like pieces of artwork, then add Noni to your list. It is located on the popular Republic Street, known for its food and bars in Valletta. Award-winning and MICHELIN Starred Chef Jonathan creates dishes from Malta and the Mediterranean by adding a touch of classic French cuisine.
His unique take on modernising classic Maltese dishes elevates the food to another level. Add in a great atmosphere, friendly staff and a nice selection of wines make this the ideal place to eat. I had the Truffle & Pasta and the portion size was just right, not too big or not too small. Noni has definitely set the bar high for eateries in Malta.
Wanting a drink before or after your dinner? Then less than 5 minutes away is Gugar Hangout & BAR, a nice cosy bar.
- Vegetarian dishes available – Yes (Try the roasted butternut squash)
- Address: 211 Republic Street Valletta, VLT 100, Malta
Tip
- Learn more about Valletta and take a 3-Hour Walking Tour around the city.
Fontanella Tea Gardens – Mdina
If you are exploring Malta’s Medieval capital, Mdina and scoping out the locations of some of the famous scenes in Games of Thrones, then you definitely have to stop at Fontanella Tea Gardens for a bite to eat or a drink. While at Fontanella Tea Gardens you can sit back and take in the views overlooking the stunning Island of Malta.
Fontanella Tea Gardens is a cosy cafe that serves delicious homemade cakes and snacks, as well as a variety of coffees and wines. Both times that I have visited Mdina, I have stopped in here for a glass of wine and coffee. Definitely, a place that I would go back to time and time again.
Purchase your ticket for a Mdina Old City 2-Hour Walking Tour
- Vegetarian dishes available – Yes
- Address: Il-Kbira, Ħad-Dingli, Malta
Places to see in the area
- A popular spot for Instagrammers and photographers is the front of St. Paul’s Cathedral (or also known as the Mdina Cathedral).
Ta’Philip Restaurant – Gozo
If you are looking for fresh local food especially seafood and great service then look no further than Ta’Philip Restaurant. Situated on the small island of Gozo this restaurant is popular amongst the locals. They offer a variety of Mediterranean, Gozitan and vegetarian dishes, using a wood-burning oven with the fish being covered in Gozitan Rock Salt.
The owner of the restaurant went over and beyond for us and I just love the hospitality here. We had a variety of dishes with cold starters and then Grilled meat dishes and fish as our mains. I really enjoyed being able to taste all the different local Maltese food. It was a great spot for lunch before heading back to mainland Malta.
- Vegetarian dishes available – Yes
- Address: Triq Sant’ Antnin, Ghajnsielem, Mgarr, Gozo
Tip
- Take an adventure and do a Quad Tour in Gozo
Chop House Restaurant – Sliema
Located along the water at Tigne Point in Sliema is the trendy Chop House Restaurant. It is a swanky wine and steak restaurant boasting a collection of several hundred wines from all over the world and has the island’s largest open charcoal grill. Even though it’s a wine and steak restaurant there are also yummy vegetarian options and a list of cocktails.
This is known as one of the best steak and wine restaurants in Malta and I completely understand why. We had a table on the terrace with fantastic views overlooking Valletta at night. The steak was mouthwatering, the matching wines were lovely and the service was attentive. The ambience was relaxing and the espresso martinis were on point.
Wanting a drink before or after your dinner? Then have a tipple or two at the Chop bar and take in the beautiful views.
- Vegetarian dishes available – Yes
- Address: Tigne Point, Censu Xerri, Sliema
Tip
- One of the best ways to see Valletta, Malta and Gozo is via boat. How about doing a 3-hour swimming and boat tour.
Diar Il Bniet – Dingli Cliffs
Diar Il Bniet near the Dingli Cliffs is a traditional Maltese restaurant that serves not only local food but also local wine. All of the produce is sourced from the local area and you can get lots of great Maltese specialities like Rabbit stew and Ftira bread. If you can’t decide on what to try then you can opt to have a typical Maltese sharing platter.
This is a great spot for either lunch or dinner and the food was not only yummy but very filling. I love the decor in this restaurant, it really makes you feel like you are in a local home enjoying their home-cooked meals. One of the things I also loved about this place was that you could also buy some of the local products to take with you.
Dingli cliffs is a very popular spot for taking Segway adventures. How about a 3-Hour Guided Segway Adventure Tour while in the area.
- Vegetarian dishes available – Yes (Try the Ftira bread)
- Address: Il-Kbira, Ħad-Dingli, Malta
Places to see in the area
- 5 minutes away from the restaurant is a small chapel perched on the clifftop of Dingli Cliffs, which is a nice spot to visit.
Other countries to visit near Malta
Malta is located in the centre of the Mediterranean and is easily accessible to the surrounding countries. Discover some of these countries in the below articles.
- Top Things to do in Oludeniz – Oludeniz, Turkey
- Free Self-guided walking tour – Nicosia Cyprus
- What to do in Larnaca Cyprus – Larnaca Cyprus
⇒ Do you require a visa for Malta and Gozo before you go? You can check and see if there are any requirements.
Have you been to Malta and Gozo before and checked out the amazing food scene? Please feel free to share your experience in the comments below or if you know of any other places to visit.
⇒ Please feel free to head to my Mediterranean page, if you are wanting to read about other locations.
Malta Information
⇒ During my time in Malta, I stayed at The Saint John Boutique Hotel in Valletta and The Palace Hotel Sliema. Both places I would definitely stay in again.
⇒ Jet2 flights to Malta currently service 9 airport routes from the UK and various other areas in Europe to mainland Malta.
Malta and Gozo have some amazing bus activities that you can book in advance before you.
Disclaimer: Even though I was sponsored by Malta with Jet2Holidays All views are my own and based on my own experience.
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I recently watched a show on Netflix which featured a restaurant based in Valetta. I’ve been itching to visit Malta since! Your post has just whetted my appetite – both for the island and the food!
I think I know what show you are talking about as I saw it also. The first thing I thought was I have been there 🙂 I have been to Malta a few times and it is definitely an amazing place to explore.
All of these places sound divine! I’m particularly interested in Noni and Diar Il Bniet because I love sampling local food. But i love seafood, so I think I’d be happy eating at any of these.
I loved all the food in Malta and I definitely go back and have more not a problem, especially as I love seafood.
Looks like you got a real taste for the islands! I’d love to go back to Mdina some time – such a pretty town. We had a fabulous meal on the harbourside where the cruise ships dock last time I visited.
Eating is a big part of my travels and wow! these dishes all look amazing. Even the snails, which I would totally try, even though I’ve only had them once before. I appreciate the addition of what to see and do nearby too. Malta is on my list! Saving!
I knew very little about Maltese food before reading your post. I can see a lot of similarity with Italian food, but the seafood is what entices me most. That truffle pasta from Noni also looks absolutely delectable!
Every time I come to Malta, I always go to Marsaxlokk for the best seafood dishes. The most delicious braised octopus dish is cooked at Roots restaurant. I really recommend you going there.
Thanks for the tip, I love seafood especially octopus and I am planning on going back to Malta. My mouth is watering thinking about it now