The 10 Best Restaurants In Malta And Gozo

Influenced by its strategic geographical location and rich history, Malta continues to fascinate tourists from all over the world. Our top 10 restaurants across this island will give you a taste of Maltese culinary culture and its unique fusion of Mediterranean cuisines.

1. Michael’s at the Civil Service Sports Club (Valletta)

Bar, Restaurant, Wine Bar, European

Opened by the chef Michael Cauchi in 2013, Michael’s at the Civil Service Sports Club is a lovely family run restaurant that offers you a memorable dining experience. Sourcing fresh seafood and vegetables from local and neighboring countries, Michael transforms its ingredients into a quality modern Mediterranean cuisine that is harmonized with tasty Maltese wine.
Rampila (Valletta)
Rampila has a luxury atmosphere and a unique interior layout. The restaurant consists of four spaces: a tunnel (the main restaurant), a wine bar, a museum where you can learn about the history of the country and a terrace that spectacularly overlooks the walls of Valletta. Rampila serves an eclectic Mediterranean menu including steak, fresh seafood, and local specialty, rabbit, all of which are top class in Malta. Their broad wine list comprises carefully selected wines and generates perfect harmony with Rampila’s premium cuisine.

2. Palazzo Preca (Valletta)

Restaurant, European, Seafood, Mediterranean

Palazzo Preca offers excellent Mediterranean cuisine for visitors to this historical 16th-century palazzo in Valletta’s Strait Street. In a beautifully decorated space, diners can enjoy a wide range of fresh fish and seafood such as sea bass, prawns, octopus and whatever the catch of the day might be. Such quality dishes match perfectly with their selections of wines including local Maltese options. Homemade sweets for dessert are also highly recommended to finish off your dining experience.

3. Fumia Restaurant (Valletta)

Bakery, Restaurant, Italian, Seafood, Fast Food

Located in the basement of the Manoel Theatre, Fumia is widely considered to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Malta. With a historic and classic ambiance, the restaurant offers fresh seafood cooked in an authentic Sicilian style. The extensive menu serves a variety of seafood from fish and shellfish to sea urchin. The remarkable pasta menu has more than ten choices using different seafood according to the season and the daily catch from the market. Local and Italian wines from the wine list and Sicilian desserts are also an excellent complement to the dishes.

5. Da Pippo Trattoria (Valletta)

Restaurant, Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Vegetarian, Vegan

Located in the capital city of Malta for 40 years, Da Pippo Trattoria is the best option for a traditional lunch in the city. Opening only at lunchtime, the restaurant has no fixed menu, and you will be told what is available by the chef. Their menu changes every day according to what is fresh in the market. The superb food, cozy interior, and friendly staff give Da Pippo Trattoria an authentic local atmosphere.

6. StrEat Whisky & Bistro (Valletta)

Bar, Bistro, Restaurant, Pub Grub, European, Mediterranean, Healthy, Fast Food

StrEat Whisky & Bistro, as its name suggests, is a whiskey bar and restaurant located in Valletta. Inside the restaurant’s cave-like interior, its variety of Scotch whiskey is impressive. There are also great lineups of tapas with quality meat and seafood, highlights of which include a bowl of steamed fresh mussels and house cured fresh salmon in ten-year-old Talisker whiskey.

7. Tarragon (St. Paul’s Bay)

Restaurant, European, Fusion, Seafood, Mediterranean, Fast Food

Opened by young chef Marvin Gauchi in 2007, Tarragon has won multiple local awards. Gauchi designs the restaurant’s fusion menu, which offers a variety of choices from soups of the day, pasta dishes, and innovative main courses using many local ingredients, including vegetables that are specially grown for the restaurant. The wood-paneled restaurant’s interior creates a sophisticated ambiance and the large window allows for a splendid view of St. Paul’s Bay.

8. Peperoncino Restaurant (St. Julian's)

Restaurant, European, Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, Venezuelan, Vegan, Gluten-free

St. Julian’s favorite, Peperoncino‘s menu is a fusion of Maltese, Sicilian, and Italian cuisine. Classic and warm décor creates a welcoming atmosphere, and the terrace outside overlooks Balluta Bay. While meat dishes such as a suckling pig are popular, the restaurant is known for their fresh fish dishes. Their professional yet friendly staff bring fish caught on that day selected by the head chef, and provides an explanation of the meal before you order.

9. Ta’ Frenc (Gozo)

Restaurant, European, French, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

Ta’ Frenc is an award-winning restaurant whose innovative take on Maltese cuisine makes it a highlight of any visit to Gozo Island. The restaurant was renovated from a 14th-century farmhouse located in the countryside of the island. Executive chef Mario Schembri creates a superb fusion of traditional Maltese dishes with French cuisine using many local ingredients wherever possible. The pride in fresh, local ingredients is evident not only in the lovely herb garden outside the restaurant but also in the fact that chickens, quails, and rabbits are reared specially for the restaurant.

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