The Best Spots for Dessert in Malta

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In the central region of Malta, just north of Valletta, is the popular town of St Julians, where you’ll find Manouche Craft Bakery. The food here is nothing short of perfection and for first-class patisserie desserts you certainly won’t be disappointed. The bakery uses nothing but natural products and organic grains, and insists that all ingredients, which change with the season, are ethically purchased. Manouche celebrates combining the finest of French methods with local ingredients, while embracing the cultures of age-old, traditional bakeries. A symphony of complimenting flavours and colours make their desserts – each one individually created with true passion – a delight to the taste buds and the eyes.

The Santa Lucia Café first opened in 1975 by the parents of its current owners. Although a very small shop, it became very successful in a short period of time, and a second shop was opened the following year. Growing from strength to strength, by 2003 this popular place had taken on a rundown factory and completely refurbished it to the highest of standards, and today it supplies the café in Attard, as well as offering outside catering services. In addition to selling savouries, biscuits and ice creams, dessert-lovers are completely spoiled for choice, with a large selection of cakes, cheesecakes, gateaux, tarts, tortilla and fruit flans, to name a few, all in a range of flavours. Wonderfully fresh and full of taste, one visit to Santa Lucia Café simply won’t be enough.

Located at the seafront of the beautiful area of Ta’ Xbiex, allowing customers stunning views of the yachts moored at Msida creek, is the Busy Bee Coffee Shop, established in 1993. In the summer, the café is cool and a great place to take a break from the Maltese sun, while in the winter, still as popular, the Busy Bee becomes the perfect cosy location. All the food, including their delectable desserts, is extremely popular, as the dedicated Busy Bee team insists on excellent quality control and no compromising when it comes to choosing the finest of ingredients. A wonderfully welcoming place, the coffee shop is just a few metres from their gelateria, serving not only 45 different ice cream flavours, but also waffles, pancakes, sorbets, frozen yoghurts, and fat-free and soya ice creams.

Tad-Dulcier is the ultimate haven for cake-lovers, located in Floriana in the southeast region of Malta. In addition to sandwiches, baguettes and fresh salads, the choice of freshly made sweet treats in unbounded. From cupcakes and macaroons, to speciality cakes, Tad-Dulcier also makes picture-perfect celebration cakes to order. Using complimenting combinations, the options available are vast and you’re sure to find a flavour and texture that suits your taste, including sliced cakes packed full of gooey, fruity goodness, and light and fluffy sponges. For those sweet-lovers who feel like something other than cake, also available are freshly baked biscuits and bars, including traditional Maltese delights such as kwarezimal. Tad-Dulcier customers soon become regulars who, understandably, give it nothing but five-star reviews.

For an authentic taste of Sicily, Sicilia Mia is the perfect place to try fresh, homemade Sicilian cuisine. Located in Birkirkara, a central region of Malta, this delectable place is situated on the main road running through the town, making it quite easy to find. Newly opened in 2016, this bistro serves typical street food, tavola calda for its savoury options and, for dessert, a range of homemade ice cream, sweet pastries and breads, cakes, chocolates and over 10 types of biscuit – a perfect accompaniment to the delicious range of coffees.

Winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence five years in a row, ice cream-lovers look no further than Sottozero, located in the popular region of Bugibba. With over 115 varieties available, Sottozero caters to all its customers’ needs, with ice creams that suit all dietary requirements, such as vegan, nut-free, halal, lactose-free, sugar-free and gluten-free to name a few. Customers can choose ice cream served in cones or cups, while there is also the option of purchasing larger portions by the tub. With flavours ranging from grape to peanut-butter crunch, rum baba to whiskey cream, find their full range on their website. If ice cream doesn’t take your fancy, there are slush drinks, hot drinks, juices, pancakes and brioche also available.