Best Restaurants in Malta 2026

Pastizzi

Flaky diamond-shaped pastry filled with either ricotta cheese or mushy peas — Malta's most iconic street food eaten at any time of day. The best are fresh from the oven at a local pastizzeria, not sitting in a display case.

Where to try: Any pastizzeria; best at Crystal Palace Rabat or Is-Serkin at City Gate Valletta

Price: $0.45-0.65

Stuffat tal-Fenek (Rabbit Stew)

Malta's national dish — rabbit slow-cooked in red wine, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs until tender, typically served with pasta or bread. Every family has their version; restaurants serve it as the ultimate traditional meal.

Where to try: Gululu Restaurant St Julians, Ta' Kris Restaurant

Price: $16-22

Braġjoli (Beef Olives)

Thin beef slices stuffed with hard-boiled egg, bacon, breadcrumbs, and herbs, then rolled and braised slowly in red wine sauce. A distinctly Maltese take on Italian involtini with much deeper flavor.

Where to try: Gululu Restaurant, La Pira Maltese Kitchen Valletta

Price: $14-18

Ħobż biż-Żejt

A hollowed Maltese bread roll rubbed with ripe tomato, drizzled with olive oil, filled with tuna, capers, olives, onions, and gbejniet cheese. The quintessential Maltese working lunch.

Where to try: Maxokk Bakery Qormi, Nenu the Artisan Baker Valletta

Price: $2.50-5

Lampuki Pie (Torta tal-Lampuki)

A seasonal golden pastry filled with fresh lampuki (dolphin fish), spinach, capers, and olives — only available September to November when lampuki season runs. One of Malta's finest traditional dishes.

Where to try: Traditional restaurants in autumn; Tal-Familja Marsascala

Price: $14-18

Gbejniet (Sheep Cheese)

Small rounds of fresh, dried, or peppered sheep's milk cheese unique to Malta and Gozo. Eaten fresh as a starter or aged with black pepper as a snack; pairs perfectly with local wine.

Where to try: Legligin Wine Bar Valletta, any traditional restaurant as starter

Price: $4-8

Bahia

Michelin-starred restaurant offering exceptional tasting menus with Mediterranean flavors and stunning Grand Harbour views. This elegant Valletta establishment delivers world-class cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere.

177 St Christopher Street, Valletta VLT 1465

Gululu Restaurant

Authentic Maltese restaurant in St Julians serving traditional dishes including rabbit, sea bass, and Irkotta with the typical dessert Mqaret. This popular eatery offers generous portions and local atmosphere.

203 Main Street, St Julians STJ 1017

Surf N' Turf

Relaxed waterfront restaurant in Marsaxlokk serving fresh seafood and grilled meats with harbor views. This family-friendly spot offers excellent fish platters and traditional Maltese dishes at reasonable prices.

Marsaxlokk Waterfront, Marsaxlokk MXK 1311

Crystal Palace Pastizzeria

Legendary Rabat pastizzeria serving fresh pastizzi (flaky pastries filled with ricotta or peas) since 1967. This local institution offers Malta's most authentic street food at rock-bottom prices.

6 Saqqajja Hill, Rabat RBT 1031

Fontanella Tea Garden

Iconic Mdina rooftop cafe famous for spectacular views and enormous chocolate cake slices. This must-visit spot offers panoramic island vistas with coffee, pastries, and light meals.

1 Bastion Square, Mdina MDN 1241

ION - The Harbour

Michelin-starred waterfront restaurant in Valletta combining innovative cuisine with spectacular Grand Harbour views. Chef Alex Dilling creates artistic dishes using local ingredients in this sophisticated setting.

Vault 19, Pinto Wharf, Valletta Waterfront, Floriana FRN 1913

Nenu the Artisan Baker

Highly popular Valletta restaurant offering wide variety of traditional Maltese foods beyond baked goods. This bustling eatery serves authentic home-style cooking including ftira, mqaret, and seasonal specialties.

143 St Dominic Street, Valletta VLT 1211

Blue Elephant

Authentic Thai restaurant in St Julians offering traditional curries, stir-fries, and noodle dishes. This casual eatery serves flavorful Thai classics in generous portions with vegetarian options.

Triq Gorg Borg Olivier, St Julians STJ 1081

Pastizzi

Flaky pastry filled with ricotta or peas, baked fresh hourly at pastizzerias across Malta. The ultimate on-the-go snack at €0.45-0.65 each; eat them hot.

Find it at: Every town in Malta; best at Crystal Palace Rabat (6 Saqqajja Hill) and Cafe Jubilee Valletta

Qassatat

Circular open-top pastry filled with ricotta, spinach, or peas — cousin to the pastizz but thicker and more substantial. Available at all pastizzerias.

Find it at: Pastizzerias throughout Malta; Is-Serkin at Valletta City Gate

Ftira Bieb il-Belt

A Maltese sourdough ring bread used as the base for filled sandwiches with tuna, tomatoes, capers, and gbejniet. The Valletta variation is a local institution.

Find it at: Nenu the Artisan Baker, 143 St Dominic Street Valletta; Maxokk Bakery Qormi

Mqaret

Deep-fried diamond-shaped pastry filled with dates, orange, and aniseed — a Maltese sweet treat of Arab origin served at Maltese festas and some pastizzerias.

Find it at: Serkin Wafers Mdina, pastizzerias during festas, Caffe Cordina Valletta

Marsaxlokk Fish Market

Malta's iconic Sunday market combining fresh fish vendors, produce stalls, and general goods along the waterfront. The fish section operates daily from early morning with the freshest lampuki, swordfish, and local catch.

Hours: Daily 7AM-1PM (fish); Sundays full market 7AM-1PM

Valletta Daily Market (Merchants Street)

A covered daily market in the heart of Valletta selling fresh local vegetables, fruit, fish, and household goods. Genuine local atmosphere with Maltese-grown produce at better prices than supermarkets.

Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-1PM

Ta' Qali Crafts Village Food Producers

The crafts village hosts food producers selling traditional Maltese honey, olive oil, gbejniet cheese, and preserved goods alongside the craft stalls. Direct from producers with tastings available.

Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM, Sat 9AM-1PM