It’s National Lasagne Day! Here’s 8 Spots in Malta Doing It Properly
National Lasagne Day is upon us, and if there’s one dish that deserves an island-wide celebration, it’s this one. Layers of pasta, rich ragù, that all-important béchamel, and of course there has to be enough melted cheese. Malta, as it turns out, does not mess about when it comes to lasagne. On both Malta and Gozo, family-run trattorias have been perfecting the same recipe for generations, while a few fine dining spots are putting their own spin on the classic. Here’s a few of our favourites.
La Buona Trattoria del Nonno, St Paul's Bay
For dining alfresco, this family-run spot has built a reputation on generous portions and old-school Italian comfort food. The lasagna della casa comes up again and again in reviews, with one diner going as far as calling it the best they’d had in years. Book ahead, especially at weekends, as the tables fill up fast.
Il Barri Restaurant, Mġarr
A real taste of traditional Malta, right down to the underground wartime shelter you can explore after your meal. Il Barri’s lasagne comes with a distinctly local twist, rabbit included, and it’s the sort of hearty, authentic dish this Mġarr family-run institution has built its name on.
Guzé Bistro, Valletta
Housed in a 400 year old palazzo once built by the Knights of St John, Guzé takes the concept somewhere entirely different. Their Root Vegetable Lasagne, served with a beetroot gel, has become something of a signature dish, and it’s easy to see why. If you fancy trying lasagne outside its usual comfort zone, this is the one.
I Pupi, Valletta
For a classic, no-nonsense version done right, I Pupi’s Lasagna Emiliana ticks every box. Meat ragù, mozzarella, béchamel, parmesan, all the traditional layers you’d want, at €16. Straightforward, comforting, and very much what a proper Emilian lasagne should be.
da Sandro, Valletta
Blink and you’ll miss it. Down a side street off Merchant Street, this tiny family-run trattoria only seats around ten, which tells you everything about how word gets around. The homemade lasagne sits proudly alongside the gnocchi as one of the standout dishes here, and regulars have been known to come back three times in a single week. That’s not an exaggeration, that’s just what happens once you’ve had a taste.
Da Michele, Balluta Bay
Best known for its Neapolitan pizza with a pedigree stretching back to 1870s Naples, Da Michele’s menu goes well beyond the wood-fired oven. Their lasagna bolognese is a firm favourite among the pasta dishes on offer, so if you’re there for the pizza, don’t skip the starters and mains list either.
Impasta, St Julian's
The clue is in the name. This pasta-focused spot sits on the ground floor of The George Hotel has lasagne listed as its own menu category, which should tell you how seriously they take it. Freshly made pasta is the whole ethos here, and the lasagne is truly no exception.
Odyssey Restaurant, Gozo
Right on the harbour front in Marsalforn, Odyssey has been a family-run fixture since 1975, and the lasagne here sticks to the script in the best possible way. Sheets layered with bolognese, ricotta, egg, white sauce and parmesan, all finished off with a gorgeous sea view. If you’re island-hopping over to Gozo for the day, this is the spot to end it on.
Do you have a favourite lasagne spot on the islands? Or perhaps you enjoy making it at home, let us know in the comments below!
