Mediterranean cuisine
Although Malta is incredibly small, you can find a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and takeaways ranging from typical Maltese food to Japanese sushi and oriental cuisine.
Expensive 5-star restaurants are present in many locations such as Sliema, Mellieha, Mdina and Valletta. In these cases, the kitchen varies. Many of the restaurants on the Maltese island are specialized in typical Mediterranean food, especially Italian (seafood, pasta, meat). A great element here is the mix of Mediterranean recipes with Maltese ingredients as most of the vegetables, meats and fruits are locally grown and freshly selected. The variety of fish found in Maltese waters can be seen in most restaurants, having been purchased that very morning from the local fisherman. These restaurants often encompass amazing locations, delicious food, and of course, excellent service.
Although there are some high-class restaurants that specialize in typical Maltese food, there are many times when Maltese food is best prepared in a more informal setting. Local pubs, known as ‘kazini’, often serve excellent examples of Maltese food, such as “Hobz biz-zejt”. Hobz biz-zejt literally translates to “oil bread” and is usually made with traditional Maltese bread that is dipped in oil, spread with tomato paste, and stuffed with tuna, olives, capers, onions, and the like.
A very popular meal throughout the year is the ‘Fenkata’, where Maltese families flock to very informal and usually small, specialized bars and restaurants to eat rabbit. It usually consists of a first course of spaghetti with rabbit sauce, followed by rabbit (usually fried with garlic and tomato), and lastly dried and sweet fruits. Another dish that is sometimes served before the rabbit, but can also be found in many typical Maltese restaurants, is ‘Bebbux’. Bebbux is the Maltese word for snails, which is a delicacy in Malta. When you visit Malta or Gozo, be sure to give it a try!
Small takeaways are also very popular and here you can satisfy your appetite for just a few euros. Most of these takeouts are no more than a few square feet, with enough room for an oven and counter. These sell “pastizzi”, pizza by the slice, pies and sausage rolls. Pastizzi (cheesecakes) are very popular in Malta and are pastries filled with ricotta that are fried and served hot. These can be bought from small specialist vendors that litter most of the streets in Malta and Gozo.
Oriental cuisine and sushi are also very well represented throughout the island. The most common are typical Chinese restaurants that specialize in dishes like spring rolls and wontons, egg fried rice, noodles, sweet and sour pork, duck, etc. Sushi and Japanese cuisine have also become popular in recent years and can be purchased from both take-out and fancy formal restaurants. The Palace Hotel’s ‘TemptAsian’ is a unique establishment that brings together all the oriental cuisine in one elegant restaurant with a menu to die for.
Throughout the island you can find pizzerias and other informal restaurants serving pasta, pizza, salads, meats, etc. Prices vary, and are suitable for all budgets. These restaurants are ideal for families whose tastes are diverse, as the menus are often extremely versatile! Also, they often cater for both lunch and dinner.
The café life, particularly in cities such as Valletta and Sliema, is extremely popular and provides the shopper, businessman or passerby with the perfect opportunity for a hot cappuccino, ice cold mojito or chilled glass of wine, accompanied by a light salad, a pasta dish, a platter, sushi, or perhaps a divine dessert, while enjoying the Mediterranean sun. Some cafes have developed such a name because of a particular item on the menu, that people go to great lengths just to tickle their taste buds!
Wine bars have become incredibly popular in recent years. International grape varieties grown on the islands include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Carignan, Chenin Blanc, and Moscato. The autochthonous varieties are Gellewza and Ghirghentina, which are producing excellent wines with a different body and flavour. You can visit these places by candlelight and enjoy fine wine, along with excellent sauces and dishes, including Maltese and Mediterranean delicacies, cold cuts and cheeses, as well as delicious fresh bread.
