Malta Cuisine

Looking to tantalise your tastebuds?

Being home to an abundance of outstanding produce, a sea brimming with delicious seafood, and recipes dating back centuries, food and drink are the very essence of Maltese Culture. Hence, it’s hardly surprising that the Islands have some of the most spectacular cuisine in the World. Whatever type of dining experience you’re craving, be it a quick snack, a culinary extravaganza at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or a hearty dig into some awesome local cuisine, there’s always something to sink your teeth into in Malta.

The Maltese people are very proud, and rightly so, of their local cuisine. This goes hand-in-hand with the abundance of produce which is grown, reared, or caught around the Maltese Islands.

Maltese cuisine is eclectic and encompasses a variety of influences from previous eras. Surprisingly, most of the traditional Maltese dishes are strongly influenced by Provencal cuisine, rather than Italian cuisine. Most of the traditional dishes are cooked in wine, a signature of Provencal cooking and reflects the influence of the Knights of St John on the Maltese Islands. Italian cuisine is the more widely spread on offer in restaurants. Perhaps two of the most iconic dishes from the Maltese Islands are two of the humbler dishes. The first being the traditional pastizzi, which are flaky filo-style pastry filled traditionally with either sweet ricotta or mashed peas. New flavours have been appearing on the market, such as anchovy, as well as sweet pastizzi filled with Nutella.

The other staple that delights locals and visitors alike is the ftira biż-żejt, commonly known in English as a Maltese bread. The traditional Maltese ftira is ring-shaped and super crunchy on the outside, but then fluffy on the inside. This acts as a perfect delivery method for the filling, which can be amended to your tastes, however, the traditional filling tends to be made up of tuna, tomato paste, fresh tomatoes, capers, olives, red onion, and basil. Additional ingredients such as traditional Maltese ġbejna and others are often included.

There are countless other dishes which are considered to be traditional Maltese dishes, such as kusksu (broad beans, ġbejna, egg, and a medley of vegetables), timpana (baked macaroni covered in pastry) as well as stuffed marrows and many more.

The Maltese Islands are home to some of the best fruit and vegetables around, naturally, those that thrive more in the climate which is found around the Islands. The first fruit and vegetables to come to mind when thinking of the best produce are the Maltese tomatoes, peaches, blood oranges and potatoes, just to name a few. In fact, Malta is the biggest exporter of potatoes to the Netherlands! During the summer season, you will often see locals splitting open a Maltese hobŻa (loaf of bread), and squashing tomatoes all over it, and then topping the bread with some olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt.

Whether you feel like a quick bite or are in the mood for an exquisite 7-course tasting menu, or anything in-between, the Maltese Islands got you covered! Offering amazing indoor venues, as well as fantastic outdoor ones, Malta’s dining options have got you covered! You should also look out for those restaurants in Malta that have received the Quality Assured Restaurant Award, which is overseen by the Malta Tourism Authority, which gives recognition to high-quality standards in service, hospitality, food, and ambiance.

Wineries & Vineyards

Fancy a glass of Maltese Wine?

Whether it is a full-bodied red, a crisp white, or a ravishing rosé, tantalise your tastebuds, in Malta's wineries and vineyards! Rich soil, light sea breeze and 300 days of sun make for the perfect wine-making combo. Visit one of the many local wineries and vineyards to go on your own wine journey.

Craft Beer & Breweries

Into your beers?

No beer-lover can leave Malta without tasting their way through Malta’s mouthwateringly moreish range of awesome Ales and Lagers. If you want to experience how it's all done, why not visit one of the popular craft beer breweries, taste your way through some pretty incredible beers, and let the experts share the secrets of their craft?