41 Best Restaurants in Malta: A Food Guide to the Maltese Islands

There’s much more to the food scene on the island than just pasta and pizza. So to help you out, we compiled this friendly food guide to 41 best restaurants in Malta.

Aside from the traditional Maltese dishes on the island, you’ll also discover Mediterranean, Indian, and Turkish cuisines. And If you fancy Vietnamese Pho, you can get that here too!

So, here it goes, in no particular order, our friendly guide to the best restaurants in Malta with a handy map (by area) at the end of the post. Look out for the  titles which are our personal favourite restaurants in Malta.

Best Restaurants in Malta with a View

1. Xpresso Cafe and Bistro: Housed in the 17th-century Palazzo de Piro in Mdina, the restaurant offers a simple yet tasty menu with lovely panoramic views. But before you order anything, check out their dessert counter, it’s mouth-watering.

The best part of this restaurant is the terrace with panoramic views stretching across the fields over to Mosta. See if you can spot the famous Rotunda church in the distance.

2. The Fontanella Tea Garde: Next door is the nation’s favourite dessert cafe that serves humongous portions of divine looking cakes. However, I personally would choose the Xpresso Cafe for a cake any day.

3. Two Buoys: You’ll find this European/Mediterranean restaurant at the far end of the picturesque Spinola Bay. As well as serving traditional and Mediterranean cuisine, the restaurant also houses an art studio. Lovely views across the bay too. 

Cheap Restaurants in Malta

Here’s a quick list of good eats at an affordable price. Plus these are also some of the best restaurants in Malta for lunch if you are in the area.

4. The Avenue: The service can be a hit and miss here, but the food is good, simple and affordable. The restaurant is split into several rooms so getting a seat is never a problem. It’s been a local favourite for 30 years now.

Try their famous Pizza Gondola, a closed pizza stuffed with mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, blue cheese and topped with honey. It tastes as good as it looks. The portion is massive so you might want to share it. We warned you!

5. Hugo’s Burger : A great option for a quick snack. If not for burgers, come here to try their chips, they are so good!

6. Angelo’s: If you find yourself hungry while exploring Buggiba, pop into this pub-like restaurant that serves cheap and honest food. We had a cracking Sunday roast here and the service was really friendly.

Read more: Best Things to Do in Malta

Best Restaurants in St Julians

The food choice in Malta’s St Julian area is extremely diverse, from cheap eats to luxury restaurants. It’s a good area if you are looking for the best restaurants in Malta for lunch or dinner.

Mid-Range Restaurants in St Julians

7. U Bistrot : Located across the Balluta Bay is a lovely place to have both lunch and dinner. The menu is relatively small but has more than enough food choices.

If you love your meat, try their gorgonzola burger. The salads here are great, some of the best on the island with a generous heap of fresh and crisp greens, grilled chicken, sea bass or poached salmon.

The prices range from €8 for a portion of gnocchi to €12 for a burger and typically go higher for a catch of the day.

8. Bianco’s : The only issue you’ll have here is choosing from the 3 pages of delicious pizza options. Lovely service and tasty homemade food.

9. China House Restaurant: A great addition to St. Julian’s food scene. The Chinese food here is fresh, delicious and beautifully presented.

10. Crow’s Nest : A great spot for a hearty, no fuss pub food ideal for a cosy winter’s dinner. The food here is served from Monday-Saturday.

11. Badass Burgers : The top place for burgers in St Julian’s area. Not the cheapest fare but it’s worth it. The chips here, especially the sweet potato, could even rival Hugo’s crunchy chips.

12. Okurama International : Go for one of their delicious mixed sushi platters. The burst of flavours spiced up with the nose kicking wasabi in a freshly prepared sushi mix is very satisfying.

This international branch also serves Asian dishes packed with great flavour and spicy enough for most curry fans.

13. Club Sushi : This is another fabulous sushi restaurant. Lovely, simple interior and filling tasty sushi is all you need for a great meal out. Their dumplings are gorgeous too! Stuffed with chicken and veg they are a delightful addition to your lunch/dinner spread.

14. Maltese Mama: A hidden little place that you might not even notice. It’s wedged in between the Avenue and the Hot Ice Bar.

The Risotto Trifolati here is extremely creamy with plenty of porcini and grana cheese. For a traditional Maltese feast, try rabbit stew, the Maltese specialty. Wash it all down with La Torre Cabernet Sauvignon, a medium bodied Maltese wine.

15. Ir-Rokna Restaurant : A tiny but great restaurant in Malta. Good service, creamy gnocchi, lovely pizzas, and delicious pasta.

16. The Emperor of India : Serves fabulous Indian food. London prices, but the curry here is seriously good.

17. Fat Louie’s: A popular choice amongst the iGaming gurus in Paceville. Slightly pricey but great burgers.

18. Kuya : our top recommended Thai and Japanese restaurant. Cosy and relaxed atmosphere, fresh and flavoursome food, great service and very reasonable prices – the perfect combination for your lunch or dinner fare in St Julian’s area.

The restaurant is very small so be sure to prebook your table beforehand.

High-End Restaurants in St Julians

19. The Blue Elephant : A high-end restaurant in Porto Masso. Very expensive but if you are looking to splurge on some good food in Malta, do it at this beautiful Thai restaurant.

20. Caviar & Bull: Another fine dining experience in Malta. Overlooking St Georges Bay, the restaurant is located in Corinthia hotel and spa. Good food, friendly service. Budget at least €100 for a three-course meal with a glass of wine for two.

21. Zest: Located in the boutique Hotel Juliani, it’s a high-end Continental and Asian fusion restaurant that serves well-prepared delicious food. Great service too.

22. Zeris: Another fine dining restaurant in Malta located in the private marina of Porto Masso. Attentive service and fresh catch of the day.

Read More: Sailing the Maltese Islands

Best Restaurants in Malta for Lunch or Dinner

23. Just Burger Food Co: It doesn’t have lovely sea views, in fact, it’s located in a basement, but if you fancy a good burger, pop in. The restaurant is located on Level 0 of the Plaza Shopping Centre in Sliema.

24. Compass Lounge: Even though a little bit overpriced, it’s one of the better restaurants in Malta for lunch if you find yourself in Sliema. Sitting on the Sliema promenade it will offer you a relaxed lunch with sea views.

25. Tiffany’s Bistro: A great option for lunch if you are in search of a good spot of food in Sliema. Super tasty cakes too.

26. Hammett’s Gastro Bar: A contemporary lunch spot with good quality reasonably priced food options.

27. New York’s Best (Sliema & St Julians): The top spot for very filling burgers, burritos or some classic Mac’n’cheese. But the ultimate test for your tastebuds is the newest addition to their burger menu – the plant-based vegan burger that trully tastes like beef patty. It’s Sensational.

28. Hi Mu: A lovely Italian restaurant in Gzira. Reasonable prices and top quality food. Plus, a lovely selection of wines. Did we mention that they make their own mozzarella?

29. Moo : A Turkish delight. It’s a place that makes the fluffiest falafel and great kebabs, in fact, some of the best kebabs we’ve eaten outside of Istanbul!

30.  Busy Bee in Ta’ Xbiex : If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place to be. Both the cafe and gelateria serve the best cakes and ice cream on the island.

31. Fifteen37 in Ta’ Xbiex: When on a lookout for some simple food in Msida, check out this place next door to Busy Bee. It’s the go-to place for a quick lunch or a full English breakfast for €5.

32. L-Istazzjon Cafe and Eatery: Located just outside Mdina in an old railway station it’s one of the best restaurants in Malta for lunch or dinner if you want to get away from the touristy places.

Read more: 3 days Malta itinerar

Best Restaurants in Valletta

33. Jam Restaurant: Good food in the capital of Malta, right next to the main gate. Great BBQ ribs and yummy tuna steak.

34. Nenu The Artisan Baker: An interesting place for food in Valletta. It specialises in traditional Maltese bread, Ftira, topped with all-you-can-think-of garnish. For a dessert, try their Date Fritters – deep-fried figs – the ultimate Maltese dessert. It’s a great place to enjoy with a bunch friends as the food you get here is ideal for sharing.

35. Caffe Cordina : A Maltese institution. The coffee isn’t the best here but they make tasty sandwiches and even more delicious cakes. Plus, the interior is rather stunning. Perfect for a spot of lunch whilst sightseeing.

36. Ambrosia Bistrot: A cosy place for dinner located next door to The Pub, the spot in which Oliver Reed died after having one too many drinks while filming The Gladiator. It’s not the cheapest of restaurants in Malta but the food here is very good.

Read more: The Most Scenic Hiking Route in Malta

Best Restaurants in Malta’s South – Marsaxlokk

37. Tartarun: One of Marsaxlokk’s most highly-rated seafood restaurants making it easy to chose your top dinner spot. High-end restaurant but totally worth splashing out.

38. La Capanna: Another excellent fish and seafood restaurant in the south of Malta. We found the waiter to be a little pushy when ordering the catch of the day but overall had a very pleasant experience.

Read More: Marsaxlokk Market in Malta

Best Restaurants in Gozo

If you are planning to visit Gozo, check out these lovely local restaurants in the picturesque Gharb Village, San Lawrence, and Zebbug.

39. Gharb Rangers Bar & Restaurant : Lovely place, great food, good drinks. In the summer you can enjoy beautiful views over the village from the rooftop terrace.

40. Tatitas Restaurant: A local restaurant in the main square of the San Lawrenz village, right next to the main church. Good food, greats service, tasty desserts.

41. Francesco’s : A cheap and cheerful local pizza place in Zebbug that serves all kinds of delicious pizzas.

Read more: Malta Expat Guide

Traditional Maltese Dishes and Sweets

If you are on a lookout for traditional Maltese cuisine, be sure to try these classics:

• Fenkata – rabbit stew.  The Maltese Mama in St Julian’s, Tac Canti in Mgarr and Qrendi Bocci Club in Il-Qrendi are some of the best restaurants in Malta for the traditional rabbit feast. 
• Ftira – airy Maltese bread.
• Flaky pea or ricotta pastizzi – street food.
• Timpana – a very heavy mix of macaroni wrapped in a pastry.
• Lampuki pie – fish pie.
• Arancini – a rice ball usually stuffed with chicken, mozzarella and ragu, then coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried.

Sweet delicacies include Imqaret (deep-fried dates), Pastini (very tasty almond flour biscuits) and Kannoli (ricotta filled cornets).

If you are visiting the island on Easter break, look out for Figolli, a traditional Maltese Easter cake, it comes in all shapes and sizes.

The cake is made from almond flour, sandwiched with almond paste, covered in sweet icing and usually topped with colourful mini Easter eggs, delicious!

Read more: Beautiful Photos of Malta and Gozo

Malta Food Prices

Eating out in Malta can be very affordable at the local restaurants and cafes. If you are a budget traveller, pizza and pasta places are great money savers.

You can get a full English Breakfast for as little as €5 in a local cafe and coffee/tea pretty much everywhere starts from €1.50 to €2.00 per cup.

Portions in most of the local restaurants are pretty big and sharing a meal can save a lot of pennies. Also, many places are more than happy to pack a doggie bag if you can’t finish your meal.

Lunch at a mid-range restaurant or a cafe can cost up to €15 per couple if you have a sandwich, wrap, coffee/tea or a soft drink. The prices are much lower in local areas.

Dinner at a mid-range restaurant can cost from €25 per couple without drinks. We suggest trying the local wine. It’s tasty and much cheaper than imported, starting at €11 per bottle.

Dinner at a high-end restaurant can be as expensive as €100 per couple or even more. For example, a plate of spaghetti topped with lobster & lobster bisque at Luna restaurant in Palazzo Parisio will set you back €25.

Other food prices:

Which was your favourite restaurant in Malta? Let us know in the comments below…