Malta Restaurant Hit List: Five Restaurants to Visit This June

I’ve never been an actual tourist in Malta, but I am an American living in Malta. I meet local farmers, fisherman and chefs to discuss how foods are grown, harvested and prepared on the island. During this time I have gotten to try out many local restaurants and have compiled my list of top five places that are loved by locals and tourists alike. Here are five restaurants with incredible menus, impeccable service and an overall guaranteed delightful experience.

Villager by Munchies

This place is super consistent, always serving the meal as you remembered it from the last time. This is something I look for because it is such a bummer when you taste something amazing and then go back and it doesn’t taste the same. With Villager, each time we go, we tend to order the same things. I always go for the farmhouse chicken sandwich and my husband the Chorizo flatbread. Our kids all order something from their pancake menu. I have to say that their gelato rivals any other gelato place on the island, especially their dark chocolate and orange. They also serve local seafood such as their signature main course meal of seared scallops with guanciale and langoustine cream. The service is always friendly and fast and it is always filled with people enjoying their time sitting down for spectacular food. There is also outside seating upstairs if you don’t manage to get a table on the ground level.

Triq Ġorġ Borg Olivier, Il-Mellieħa, Malta

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1926 Beach Club La Plage

1926 Beach Club is exactly what the name says…it’s a beach club where you can go swimming while also having your meal and enjoying the island’s most delightful cocktails! If you want to show your friends a really good time with unique opportunities to turn the fun and adventure up a notch, look no further than this wonderful restaurant. It’s why they call it “Malta’s Most Exciting Summer Spot!” The burgers are big and cooked to perfection. They also serve fresh seafood and have a stellar sushi menu. They have live music often on Friday nights. You can rent a lounge chair to sunbathe in for 25 Euros a day. This is a recommendation for sun, swim, fun and great food. It doesn’t really get better than that on a sunny day! They tend to run specials on cocktails, or on their sun beds so check their Facebook page before you go.

Quisisana Seafront, Sliema

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San Giovanni

Valletta is one area that I have a hard time narrowing down to just one place to recommend. There are so many incredible places to eat depending on what style of food and ambiance you might be looking for. With San Giovanni, it is located right in the heart of the city just across from St. Johns Cathedral. We ate there the first time because of its perfect location. We continue to eat there because the food and the service are superb. This is a great place to sit outside and people-watch! This menu is Mediterranean cuisine at its finest. The restaurant is able to accommodate larger groups of people eating as well, a big plus in Malta. They begin with serving a breakfast/brunch menu which we have taken advantage of several times followed by a main menu which offers plates such as linguini with seafood, juicy burgers, and their highly recommended pizzas.

St. John’s Square, Valletta

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Il-Bukkett

I call Marsaxlokk the heartbeat of the island of Malta and once you are there, you will see why. On Sunday mornings especially, you can wake up and get there in time to see the fish market in action. It’s a party with every step you take. . Like Valletta, I have a very difficult time only recommending one restaurant here because they all get their seafood directly out of the water. In any of these locations, you will find the fisherman going in and out of each restaurant with boxes upon boxes of the freshest catch of the day. I am going to recommend a place that we go to most often when we have friends visiting. It is at Il-Bukkett where you can get the largest portions and varieties of seafood. When we visit Il-Bukkett, located right along the main drag, we order the giant platters for the table to share. We are sure to order the Shellfish Mix: Prawns, Oyster, Scallop, Langoustine, Octopus, Razors, Vongole, Mussels, Half Shell Green Mussels, Calamari Fried, Cooked in Garlic, Herbs, Tomatoes Onions and Wine. Bring your camera for this one! This is a place where you get serious bang for the buck as well as fresh-caught seafood and wonderful service. The food is incredible, and the service feels like a family. They also have a children’s menu.

Xatt is -Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk

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La Cucina Di Bettina By Bologna

If you are visiting Malta, the Blue Grotto is a must-see attraction. There are several little café’s and places to eat, but it takes those that go often to be able to point you in the best direction. For us, that means La Cucina Di Bettina. This place has glorious views, wonderful outside seating and the food is some of the best the island offers. Service is very nice here and the menu is even better. If you are looking for some of the crispiest and light-tasting calamari, and a truly authentic Italian menu, this is your place. They also offer a stellar wine list. This has the best of many worlds, great views, simple yet fantastic menus, a laid-back ambiance and great service. This place is sure to make your visit to the Blue Grotto that much more memorable.