Where To Eat In Malta, According To A Local Chef

The Mediterranean island of Malta offers plenty for foodies to be excited about, with influences from the cuisines of Italy, Sicily and North Africa. Here to guide you is local chef Cliff Borg, group executive chef of Maltese hospitality brand Lifestyle Group. 

‘With more than 20 years of experience in the catering and hospitality industry, I have built my career across five-star hotels, some of Malta’s leading restaurants, and exclusive private dining experiences,’ he tells C&TH. Most recently, Borg helmed the opening of a new fine dining restaurant in Balluta Bay, Malta, named Rosami – which was awarded a Michelin star within just a few months of opening. And right now he’s working on the development and opening of nine new restaurant concepts within the Lifestyle Group including beach club and dining destination Bagatelle and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Spanish-Mediterranean restaurant TATEL. Below, he brings us a foodie’s guide to Malta.

A Foodie’s Guide To Malta, By Chef Cliff Borg

You should know these restaurants… It’s not a specific restaurant, as you’ll find them everywhere on the island, but everyone visiting Malta should try an authentic Maltese pastizz from a traditional pastizzeria. It’s a traditional flaky pastry filled with either ricotta, or a seasoned pea filling. They’re sold in all kinds of places – from little streetside shops and bakeries, to dedicated pastizzerias. It’s a simple, authentic, and iconic part of Maltese food culture.

On my days off I stay local to… Valletta is where you’ll find me. I love to just wander around the city, admiring the beautiful architecture and watching the boats go by. The traditional colourful Maltese boats, called luzzu, bring such a vibrant energy to the water. Boats are the best way to explore the island for visitors too – either a longer trip out to Gozo, or a short trip along the coast on a dgħajsa, the traditional Maltese gondolas.

(c) Unsplash

We don’t have many… ultra-formal restaurants in Malta. Maltese dining culture is fundamentally about warmth, relaxation, and gathering with the people who matter most. Family and friends are at the heart of every meal. While Malta offers a wonderfully diverse restaurant scene – ranging from elegant fine dining with crisp white tablecloths to cosy, casual bistros – the common thread is always a focus on quality food and great company, over ceremony or formality. Whatever the setting, sharing a meal here is designed to be joyful and unhurried.

At Lifestyle Group, we are working on… It’s been a very busy summer for us! We are launching multiple new restaurants, bars and a beach club in St. George’s Bay, Malta. We’re bringing some world renowned brands to the country: beach club and dining destination Bagatelle; Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebrated Spanish-Mediterranean restaurant TATEL; and Paradiso, named The World’s Best Bar in 2022, from founder and drinks visionary Giacomo Giannotti.

Alongside these, we’re also bringing our own Lifestyle Group concepts to the bay, which we’re incredibly excited about. These will offer everything from family friendly Italian to a Korean steakhouse. St. George’s Bay is definitely one to watch, putting Malta firmly on the European hospitality map.

Best Restaurants In Malta

Grain Street

If I’m spending the day in Valletta, this is often where I end up. A glass of wine, a few sharing plates, and a table outside on Merchants Street make for the perfect way to unwind after an afternoon in town. It’s a great spot to people-watch, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the buzz of the city at a relaxed pace.  You may also find me there for breakfast on the weekend! 

167 Merchants Street Valletta VLT, 1174, Malta, grain.mt 

Tartarun

Tartarun feels like stepping into another world and is, without question, my favourite seafood restaurant in Malta. In fact, I’d say it’s worth the trip to Marsaxlokk on its own. Set right on the waterfront overlooking the fishing harbour, it’s the kind of place that encourages you to slow down. I love coming here for a long, leisurely lunch – a perfectly grilled fish, a good bottle of wine, and the ever-changing harbour views can easily turn lunch into an afternoon well spent.

20 Xatt is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk, Malta, tartarun.com

Wigi’s Kitchen

What makes Wigi’s so special is its fantastic selection of beef. From chateaubriand and ribeye to sirloin and veal, the quality is consistently excellent, which is why I love going there on my evenings off. It’s also a wonderfully unassuming, family-run restaurant, and you can really feel that personal touch. It’s the kind of place that’s perfect for getting together with friends and family, enjoying great food, and spending a relaxed evening together.

Triq Censu Tabone St.Julians, STJ 1217, Malta, wigiskitchen.com 

Zero Sei

This place is somewhere you come when you want to have a real taste of Italian food in Malta. The warm, bustling trattoria atmosphere with a cosy, informal feel makes me feel right at home. It is where I go when I want to do ‘Italy’ properly. The menu makes you feel very connected to local produce and stories too, as the perfect combination of two cultures. My favourite dish is the carbonara – I recommend it to everyone who visits. 

75 Old Theatre Street, Il-Belt Valletta, Malta, zeroseimalta.com