20 Best Restaurants in Malta and Must-Try Maltese Dishes
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Last updated on March 31, 2026
On the hunt for the best restaurants in Malta? Here are the 20 best places to eat across the island, along with 10 of the must-try Maltese dishes to get on your trip!
Food is always at the center of our travel experiences. There’s truly nothing worse than having a bad meal on vacation, especially in a place as delicious as Malta!
Going into our trip, we didn’t have huge expectations for the food scene in Malta. But we were shocked by how many great restaurants there are. From fine dining to grab-and-go pizza shops, there are fantastic places to eat all over.
If you want to make sure you’re dining at the best restaurants in Malta and getting to try unique Maltese dishes, this guide will share exactly what to eat and where to eat it.
Table of Contents
Maltese Dishes to Try
We always encourage people to try regional foods, and Malta has no shortage of unique dishes to eat. Malta’s cuisine is a blend of influences from the various empires that ruled over the years. It puts a spin on things like baked pies, from its British Colony days.
Lots of baked goods, pastas, and Mediterranean fruits and vegetables (such as olives, tomatoes, capers, onions, and beans) from its Portuguese, French, and Italian rulers. But it also uses lots of Arabic ingredients and spices.
The Maltese love meat, with rabbit and beef being the two most popular proteins. You will find lots of fish like sea bream or mahi mahi as well. Pasta is also popular, largely from its proximity to Italy and its influence from Italy over the years. Below are a few of the Maltese dishes you can’t miss on your trip!
- Pastizz: Probably the island’s most famous dish. Great quick breakfast, snack, or lunch. It’s phyllo dough folded into a diamond-shaped pastry stuffed with either salted ricotta cheese or mushy peas with curry. We loved these!
- Imqaret: A semi-sweet fried dessert of dough filled with a date paste. It reminded me of a fried fig newton.
- Ftira: Local round bread that is served everywhere and used for their famous sandwich.
- Hobz Biz-Zejt: Malta’s most beloved sandwich with tuna, tomatoes, beans, olive oil, capers, pickled vegetables, and a slice of lettuce on ftira.
- Stuffat tal-fenek: Malta’s iconic Rabbit stew and national dish. It’s slow-cooked rabbit in red wine with spices like onion, cinnamon, clove, garlic, and bay leaf, often served with potatoes or vegetables.
- Aljotta: A fish soup made from homemade fish broth, carrots. This was my favorite dish of the trip; it was incredible!
- Ġbejna: A traditional sheep’s cheese that you’ll find everywhere. It has a very mild soft taste and a crumbly texture. It’s delicious.
- Bigilla: A bean dip often served as a free appetizer/starter course with a traditional cracker. It resembles hummus but has a slightly different taste.
- Arjoli: Another popular dip served before a meal made from day-old bread, blended with anchovies, garlic, olive oil, onion, capers, tomato, mint, and parsley. It’s way tastier than it sounds.
- Kinnie: Bitter brown soda reminiscent of an aperol spritz (without alcohol). It’s one of the most popular soft drinks in the country.
Several restaurants on this list will serve traditional Maltese dishes. However, if you don’t want to have to hunt down each of these Maltese dishes at various restaurants, you can go on a food and history walking tour.
The tour blends history and food into one, taking you to five different spots and getting to try upwards of seven different Malta foods. We did this tour in Valletta and loved it!
Things to Know About Dining in Malta
Before we dive into the list of where to eat in Malta, let’s answer some of the common questions about Malta restaurants.
Do you need reservations for restaurants in Malta?
You should make reservations for restaurants in Malta if you are visiting during the busy summer season (June through September). Some of the best restaurants in Malta will take reservations over the phone, while others take bookings online.
We walked into a few restaurants thinking a reservation wasn’t needed, and were shocked when they told us they were completely full or it would be an hour and a half wait. If you have a restaurant you really want to dine at, it’s best to book a table.
Tipping in Malta
Tipping isn’t customary in Malta like in the USA. It’s an optional way to show appreciation if you felt the meal or service was exceptional, but it isn’t required or expected in Maltese restaurants.
If you enjoyed the service, round the bill up. For example, if the meal was €38.57, you could leave €40.00 (roughly 3%). If it were a nicer meal or exceptional service, you could leave closer to 10%.
Five to ten percent is the standard, but it’s not a rigid rule. Most locals just round up, and tips are not usually left for basic services like coffee, bars, or quick to-go food.
Malta restaurants and food costs
I consider Malta a moderately priced European country to visit. It’s not expensive like some Nordic countries can be, but it’s also not as economical as other destinations like Spain or Albania. Below are a few examples of Malta restaurant food costs.
- Cocktail at a fancier bar €10 – €13
- Beer €1 – €3
- Glass of wine / bottle of wine €6 – €8 / €28
- Street food (like Pastizz) €0.50 – €1.00
- Mid-range meal out €15 – €20 per person
- Upscale meal €40+ per person
Pricing expectations for the best restaurants in Malta will use one of the icons below:
$ – Under $5 per item/plate
$$ – $5– $15 USD per person
$$$ – $20 – $45 USD per person
$$$$ – $50+ USD or pre-fixe menu
The Best Restaurants in Malta
The best restaurants in Malta are located throughout the island. However, a large concentration is in the capital city of Valletta. While a few restaurants are worth going out of your way for, chances are there are fantastic restaurants to choose from in your neighborhood.
We were shocked by how many great restaurants were around, no matter where we were. Rather than driving twenty or thirty minutes for a meal each night, I recommend saving a few of the top spots near where you are staying and dining.
Normally, I hate food blogs from people who are briefly visiting a destination because the “best restaurants” they share are simply the places they ate at on their trip. Thankfully, that’s not this.
This list is largely driven by local recommendations. We have a friend who lives in Malta who shared some of his favorite spots with us before arriving. We also met a local on the plane ride who shared several recommendations for what they feel are the best restaurants in Malta.
Using local recommendations, our own six days of dining on the island, and lots of research, below are the 15 best restaurants in Matla to dine at, broken down by city.
Best Restaurants in Mdina and Rabat
Yana’s
Google map location | Website | Price $$
Located on a narrow road in Rabat, this unassuming restaurant has amazing homemade pasta with gorgeous rooftop views. We had lunch here on our day trip to Rabat and Mdina, and it did not disappoint! We ordered the lasagna, which was massive. It could easily feed four!
Their homemade raviolis, which change daily, are also a great option. They’re open for lunch or dinner, making this a great option if you’re staying in Rabat or Mdina.
Meraki Wine & Dine
Google map location | Price $$$ | Reservations recommended
Meraki Wine and Dine is the spot to come for steak, pasta, and wine in the Rabat/Mdina area. This small, yet very charming restaurant serves a variety of grilled steaks, but is best known for its tomahawk—it’s the size of my face! Steak isn’t the only thing on the menu, though. You will equally enjoy their fresh fish of the day and pasta dishes.
Is-Serkin – Crystal Palace Bar
Google map location | Price $ *Have cash
If you’re looking for the best pastizzi in Malta, you’ll want to come to Is-Serkin Crystal Palace Bar in Rabat. This family-run local restaurant has been serving freshly baked Maltese pastries, primarily Pastizzi, non-stop for decades. The pastizzi are €0.50 each, which is a crazy steal considering how darn good these are. There is almost always a line, but it moves quickly. Have cash for this!
You can take the pastizzi to go, or enjoy them in their small indoor dining area or on the patio. Expect to be surrounded by locals. It’s a vibe!
Fontanella Tea Garden
Google map location | Website | Price $
Another must-visit restaurant in the Mdina area is Fontanella Tea Garden. One of the few places to eat in Mdina’s walled city, it’s one of the spots every local recommended to us. The thing to order here is cakes and tea. We don’t recommend getting other food here; the cake and tea are what are really good.
There are over two dozen different cakes to try with every flavor combination imaginable. You can sit downstairs in their restaurant or get a view of the ocean and surrounding cities from their balcony.
Best Restaurants in Valletta
Rubino
Google map location | Website | Price $$$ | Reservations recommended
Rubino is a Michelin-recommended Maltese-Italian restaurant in an old confectionery shop from 1906. This restaurant was recommended to us by everyone we spoke to as the go-to spot for a nicer meal in Valletta. Their pasta is made fresh daily, and they have a daily changing menu based on what’s available.
We started with a gorgonzola and walnut rigatoni, and a risotto in a tomato sauce, which was honestly one of the best risottos I’ve ever eaten. To follow, we got sea bream in a beautiful romesco sauce and Malta’s famous rabbit stew. Everything was fantastic, and I could easily see why I would want to come back here every trip!
Legligin
Google map location | Website | Price $$$$ | Reservations recommended
Legligin tied for one of our favorite meals of our Malta trip. The restaurant is another Michelin-recommended restaurant, with the Bib Gourmand designation for its high-quality meals but affordable cost. This restaurant celebrates Maltese food with a tasting menu. Lunch offers five courses, while dinner serves seven enormous Maltese dishes.
We tried things like Arjoli (anchovy and bread dip), Ġbejna, the sheep’s cheese, and aljotta, Maltese fish soup. They also had a rabbit ragu with handmade pasta and braised pork cheek. We were stuffed after eating and couldn’t believe how large the portions were for €48 per person. The ambiance is amazing here, too!
1522 A Food Story
Google map location | Website | Price $$
If you aren’t looking to splurge for your night out in Valletta, a great option is 1522 A Food Story. This Mediterranean restaurant mostly serves Italian flatbreads (like pizza but on more of a focaccia-style bread) and fresh pasta. They have a rolled lasagna dish with ham, ricotta, and bechamel called Rosette, which is a showstopper!
Guzé
Google map location | Website | Price $$$$ | Reservations recommended
Guzé is another nicer traditional Maltese restaurant in Valletta. Also in the Michelin Guide, recognized for its high-quality cooking, they put modern spins on traditional dishes. While they do have their take on the rabbit stew, they also offer playful dishes like a rabbit terrine with figs and chestnuts or grey mullet bottarga. You can order a-la-carte or go with the tasting menu for €70 per person.
Best Restaurants in Sliema / St. Julians
BeruitBay
Google map location | Website | Price $$ | Reservations recommended
BeruitBay wasn’t originally on our list of the best restaurants in Malta. It didn’t show up much online and wasn’t a recommendation from a friend. But the place we stayed was about a three-minute walk from here, and after passing it several times and seeing it had 4.8 stars on Google with nearly 2,000 reviews, we decided to give it a try.
It ended up being our favorite meal of our three-week Euro trip! This Lebanese restaurant has an extensive menu of Lebanese dishes, things like baba ganoush, makanek, and shawarma. We tried so many new things, but particularly loved the Fettet (like a deconstructed hummus) and their chicken livers—they were the best I’ve ever eaten!
Ayu
Google map location | Website | Price $$ | Reservations recommended
Normally, I think it’s a red flag when I see a menu with a hodge-podge of dishes from different countries. Rarely are restaurants able to execute the variety of flavors and dishes the justice they deserve. But Ayu is different.
They are a traveler’s kitchen, taking dishes and ingredients from the chef’s travels, executed beautifully. Ayu is a Bib Gourmand Michelin-recommended restaurant, and definitely a great spot for generous portions, bold flavors, and global cuisine.
Bread & Beyond
Google map location | Website | Price $
Bread and Beyond is a DIY sandwich shop in Malta that allows you to build your own gourmet sandwich on fresh fitra bread. They have every type of meat imaginable with various cheeses, spreads, and toppings. It’s heaven! Highly recommend stopping here for lunch or grabbing a sandwich to go for a day on Comino Island, like we did.
Azar
Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations recommended
Azar is one of the newer fine-dining restaurants in Sliema. It’s a culinary experience surrounding primitive cooking methods with fire. Almost everything is fire-roasted, grilled, or slowly cooked over embers, giving the food the distinct flavor only fire-cooking can give.
You can try several traditional Maltese dishes like Torta Tal-Lampuki, Qarabaghli Mimli (meat-stuffed squash), or chargrilled seabass. It will definitely be a meal to remember!
Best Restaurants in Mellieha
Rebekah’s
Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations recommended
Rebekah’s is a beloved institution in the Melleiha area. It’s an upscale modern spin on farm-to-table cuisine using fresh local ingredients for their Maltese-Italian menu. The restaurant is in a 200-year-old mansion with exposed limestone walls and a charming patio for outdoor dining. It’s a fantastic Michelin-recommended restaurant in Malta.
Commando
Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations recommended
Commando is a cozy Maltese-Mediterranean restaurant in a beautifully restored 300-year-old building. Its menu uses local ingredients and culinary methods from pre-World War II Malta, with a modern spin. While it’s still on the expensive side, it’s more approachable than some of the other restaurants in the area with a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand designation.
Pictured here is their aged acquerello risotto with nduja sausage, calamari, and marjoram. Their menu changes seasonally, so expect something new when you’re visiting!
One80
Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations recommended
If you want a nice, modern meal in a sophisticated atmosphere and incredible views, then you need to dine at One80. Their menu is modern European, with influences from Britain in dishes like fish and chips, along with Italy and other Mediterranean regions. They have great pasta, homemade sausage with black truffle and pistachio, and great fish.
They also have restaurants in Valletta, Gozo, and Mgarr Yacht Marina if those are closer to where you are staying. Bonus: If you want to save money, come for an early dinner where they have three courses for only €30.
Best Restaurants in Other Areas of Malta
Bahia
Google map location | Website | Price $$$$ | Reservations recommended
Bahia is widely considered one of the best restaurants in Malta. This fine dining restaurant has an elegant ambiance with stunning outdoor seating overlooking the Maltese landscapes in a palm forest. Considered a modern Maltese restaurant, they offer ala-carte dishes or a pre-fix menu, including a plant-based menu (amazing for vegetarians or vegans).
Their food is creative, refined, and incredibly well-balanced. While it’s definitely one of the more expensive restaurants in Malta, it’s worth it!
Tmun Restaurant (Gozo Island)
Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations recommended
Tmun Restaurant was one of the restaurants recommended to me by a local. Located near the ferry port on Gozo Island, it’s a great spot for seafood with a wonderful dinner area overlooking the bay. Their flavors take a lot of inspiration from Asian and Latin American ingredients; wish dishes like day’s catch ceviche or tempura fried prawns.
Ta’ Cassia Salina Restaurant (Is-Salina)
Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$
Ta’ Cassia Salina Restaurant is a quaint Italian-Maltese restaurant in Is-Salina, near St. Paul’s Bay. Serving a lot of the traditional dishes you expect, like Rabbit and ravioli. They also have traditional Italian pastas, like Spaghetti Ragu or Tuscan chicken. It’s a nice, approachable meal and a great place to try traditional Malta foods.
Enchanté Restaurant (Three Cities)
Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations recommended
If you’re staying in the Three Cities, Enchate Restaurant is a great option for quality seafood and pasta. Their restaurant overlooks the harbor with beautiful water views. Best known for Peppata di Cozze, mussles cooked in a tomato broth, and their beautiful langostines and oysters, it’s a great spot to try things like aljotta.
Made in Sud (St. Paul’s)
Google map location | Price $-$$
The last restaurant on our list of the best places to eat in Malta is Made in Sud. Wildly considered the best pizza on the island, it’s a laid-back restaurant with wild oven-fired pizzas. You can get classic pizzas like the Margarita or a four-cheese pizza topped with French fries. If you’re craving pizza in Malta and don’t want to break the bank, this is the spot to come!
Of course, there are dozens more fantastic restaurants in Malta you could visit. But this list rounds up many of the best restaurants in Malta to help you have a fantastic dining experience, no matter where you are staying. If you’re looking for more tips in planning your Malta vacation, check out our guides below.
- Where to Stay in Malta: Best Areas & Hotels for All Travelers
- Complete Guide to Comino Island (Blue Lagoon + Beyond!)
- Is a Comino Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Worth It?
- Best Way to Get Around Malta: Car Rental vs Bolt vs Bus
- What to Do in Malta: 15 Can’t-Miss Things to See and Do
- Where to Stay in Malta: Best Areas & Hotels for All Travelers
- What to Pack for Malta in Summer: Complete Packing Guide
