Malta's hotspots

Caramba

2009-09-23T19:41:00.002+02:00

New coffee shop 'and more' at Birzebugia.
Sea front, Pretty Bay, opposite Country Style, next door to Southvale.

La Ruelle

2009-09-23T19:34:00.002+02:00

New restaurant and wine bar in Marsaxlokk.
On the sea front, left side of the bay, before South East Cafe and Hunter's Tower.
Open Tuesdays - Sunday. Their sign says 'open from 10.30 to 23.00' but best to call first.
1 Triq il-Wilga, Marsaxlokk, Tel: 2165 3664.

Cafe Premier

2009-09-04T21:21:00.002+02:00

The Premier has recently reopened after extensive refurbishment.
Modern, chic indoor and outdoor seating areas.
Opening hours Monday – Saturday 7.45 – 16.00, Sundays 9 – 16.00.
Pjazza ir-Regina, beneath the national library, under the arches behind outdoor areas of Cafe Cordina and Eddie's bar.

The White Sheep

2009-09-03T08:11:00.006+02:00

Freshly prepared sandwiches.
Both bread and pies are baked every morning. Menu changes daily.
Orders can be phoned in or sent by email.
Delicatessen and speciality food products on sale, such as torroncino, chocolate, coffee, dried fruits, roasted nuts, organic drinks.
The White Sheep Co Ltd. 405 Rue d’Argens, Gzira. On the main road on the left corner before you turn in to Stella Maris college.
Tel; 2131 5222, info@thewhitesheep.eu.

Tal-Petut

2009-08-31T22:15:00.002+02:00

New restaurant in Birgu. The 'private dining concept', where patrons and the chef decide on a customized menu together, is new to the local market.
Each recipe is prepared with local, seasonal produce, prepared within hours of purchase. Tal-Petut offers a vast selection of wines, however patrons can also bring their own wines, at a corkage fee per person.
The house is ideally suited to being reserved for a private function, consisting of three separate dining areas and a bar. Tal-Petut recommends groups from six to eighteen for a more customized and friendly environment, although larger groups up to eighty can be hosted.
20 Triq Pacifiku Scicluna, Birgu.
Tel: 7942 1169. Email: donald.caligari@onvol.net

Gente di Mare at Marsaxlokk

2009-08-28T11:16:00.002+02:00

New fish restaurant in Marsaxlokk.
On the one-way system on the sea front, past the police station.
Set menus from €27.50 to €32 and a la carte. New speciality dishes created every day, depending on the daily catch and new ideas.
Xatt Is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk. Tel: 2746 8775, 9923 0713. info@gentedimaremalta.com
www.gentedimaremalta.com

Wine Garden at Villa Madama

2009-08-28T11:02:00.003+02:00

New wine bar in the gardens at Villa Madama.
Opening hours 8pm till late. Tuesday - Sundays.
Platters, cold pasta etc, 105 types of wine to choose from.
Outdoor area only.
Villa Madama, Balzan, close to San Anton Gardens. Tel: 9927 4674.

Lulu coffee shop

2009-08-17T16:09:00.003+02:00

A new corner coffee shop at L-Ibragg, in the vicinity of Jessie's bar, Greens area, opposite the fish shop.
Lulu's is a corner premises with indoor and outdoor seating. They specialise in a wide range of hot and cold snacks, as well as their famous cakes. Their range of cakes and desserts is impressive.
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 20:00 and on Sundays in summer Lulu is currently closing at around 16:00.

Trattoria di Carmelo da Croce Bonaci

2009-07-29T13:22:00.002+02:00

New restaurant / trattoria in Merchant's Street, Valletta, in vicinity of Dorothy Perkins. Pasta, salads, meat, antipasti, burgers, wraps and Maltese dishes. Seats 32 people.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 8.30 - 15.30; Saturday evening 19.30 - 23.00.
Tel: 2702 0702, 7904 8664, 9906 3069.

Brunch n More

2009-07-29T13:16:00.004+02:00

New self-service coffee shop, bakery and snack bar in Merchant's Street. In the vicinity of BHS and Camilleri sweet shop. Hot and cold snacks, baguettes, noodles and more. Standing room downstairs, tables upstairs.
Opening hours 8.30 - 15.45.
43 Merchant's Street, Valletta.

The Fountain Grill

2009-07-19T21:18:00.001+02:00

Beer festival food
Dine by the Fountain at the Farsons Great Beer Festival with Island Caterers Limited. A la carte items as well as a set BBQ grill menu for €20 per person. Regular restaurant seating and free parking for group bookings of 20 and over. A jazz trio will be entertaining throughout the evenings.
National Park, Ta' Qali, Malta. Tel: 2375 1944.
Mon - Sun: 19.00 - 22:30, Friday, 24th July to Sunday, 2nd August.

Vanille

2009-07-19T21:17:00.002+02:00

Birzebugia cafeteria, gelateria and creperie.
Corner premises near the bus terminus.
More details to come.

The Rocks

2009-07-17T18:05:00.002+02:00

Snoopy's rocks by the beach
New summer venue at the Preluna Beach Club, Sliema launched by Snoopy’s bar and restaurant, brings dining, fashion, music and entertainment together.
Tower Road, Sliema. Open from Monday to Sunday from 17.00.
Upcoming events: 19th July ‘Just a Cocktail’, Kevin Reville and Von Brock; Angels of Malta; serving sushi and original cocktails from 17.00 to 23.00.
Tel: 7934 5466 snoopys.therocks@gmail.com

De Malte

2009-07-17T08:04:00.002+02:00

San Gwann coffee shop
New cafeteria, pizzeria, restaurant. Baguettes, wraps, salads, pasta, pizza, grills, home-made dishes and desserts.
Open daily from 9.00 – 23.00.
Triq Misrah Lourdes, San Gwann, next to parish church.
Tel: 2137 3859.

Lotus Bar

2009-07-15T14:20:00.006+02:00

Breakfast at the Lotus
Situated within the new Tigne Lido. Lotus bar is offering a fun and different menu, from smoothies, pancakes and eggs for breakfast, to cocktails, home-made burgers, dips, cakes and more served throughout the day. Seating at the bar is on comfortable sofas, armchairs, stools and tables with magazines and books available to browse through. Open 7.00am till 1.00am every day. Outdoors, on the top level.
Situated between Pebbles and Plevna, Qui Si Sana. Tel: 2133 4321.
No entrance fee for bar patrons.

Raya restaurant

2009-07-15T14:17:00.004+02:00

New seafront lido restaurant
Part of Tigne Lido, a new lido complex which offers comfy beds, massages, tai chi lessons - you name it.
Casual dining, open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. 12.30 – 15.00; 19.00 – 22.00. Outdoors, by the water’s edge.
Situated between Pebbles and Plevna, Qui Si Sana. Tel: 2133 4321.
No entrance fee for diners.

Wine bar in Mosta

2009-07-13T10:47:00.005+02:00

Il Vecchio Forno
Set in what used to be an old bakery from 1903 to 1973, a wood-burning oven is still used to make focaccias, and pizzas. Other food includes dips, cheese and platters, Italian ravioli, piadine (wraps) and specialities of the day. Apart from a wide selection of wine, Il Vecchio Forno imports Rinascimento organic wine from Tuscany.
This is on the main road, one-way system leading from Mosta Dome, right hand side.
27, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta. Tel: Billy Grech 2142 1461,7970 6311. Opening hours Monday to Sunday 19.30pm till late.

Japan comes to Xemxija

2009-07-13T10:34:00.004+02:00

Origami
New Japanese restaurant now open in Xemxija, St Paul's Bay, specialising in authentic Japanese cuisine. Also serving steak and fish.
Xemxija Hill, Xemxija. It is on the left hand side of the hill going up to Mistra, not too far from the Fortress.
Opening hours weekdays 19.00 - 22.00, weekends till 22.30.
Tel: 2157 9192, 9944 1563.

Festivals in July

2009-07-09T12:07:00.004+02:00

July 25th Malta Music Festival at Montekristo Open Air Vaults
Live music piazza: 60’s & 70’s music with the Das Maltese Kruzers, dancers, fire jugglers, Malta’s leading vocalists, up and coming artists Brooke and Sophie. House music, local DJs and producers accompanied by drummers, electric violinists and guitarisrs, saxaphonists, harp, and more. Ethnic market, reflexology.
Tickets from Sidewalk Sliema, Guess Jeans Baystreet, Chequers Paceville. For more information visit emanpulis.com or call 9926 3626.
Montekristo Open Air Vaults, Triq tal-Farrug, Siggiewi.

Chequers now in Paceville

2009-07-09T10:11:00.002+02:00

Chequers Paceville
Club. DJs. Prizes. Special offers on drinks.
Summer specials Mon: Cocktails half price, Shooters €1, All night long. Tues: Adult Language Schools 21+ only, Buy 1 Get 1 Free on everything. Wed: White Wednesdays with Mint Promotions, White spirits €1.50. Rum, Gin, Vodka, Tequila & Sanbuca, Bottle Smirnoff + energy drink mixers - €30. Thurs: Adult Language Schools 21+ only, Buy 1 Get 1 Free on everything. Fri: Mint & Relash Promotions, Bottle Smirnoff + energy drink mixers - €30, Tray vodka energy drink €8. Sat: Buy 1 Get 1 Free, offer applies on everything until 1am. Sun: Happy Sundays with Dan Music Agency, Buy 1 Get 1 Free.
Offers apply on drinks, between 19:00-midnight. Available for parties and events. Tel: 9926 3626.
Summer season (June – September) opens daily. Winter season (October – May) opens weekends. Free entrance. Wilga Street, Paceville.

Foreign airport food

2009-07-04T14:32:00.008+02:00

Noor's Chinese, Indian and Turkish restaurant
All the expected staples of each cuisine, freshly cooked, including shish, doner kebabs and curries.
Malta International Airport, Luqa, within the food court at Level -1, which is also accessible from the car park entrance. Eat in or take-away. Wi-Fi available.
Opening times 11.00 - 01.00.

Fat Harry's now at Luqa

2009-07-04T14:30:00.010+02:00

Fat Harry's Pub
Malta International Airport, the Food Court at Level -1, also accessible from the car park entrance. Wi-Fi available. Salads, pies, grills, pasta, fish, children's menu. The original Fat Harry's in Malta is in Bugibba.
Opening times: 10.30 - 23.30.
Tel: 2757 2163.

The flavours of Brazil

2009-06-26T23:13:00.006+02:00

Do Brazil
Brazilian bar and restaurant: Churrasco grill and Caipirinha bar.
Fixed price, all you can eat: soup, hot and cold starters, plus 9 types of meat or innovative options of fresh fish or vegetarian skewer. Main dishes cooked 'rodizio', on spits. Always two soups available, one vegetable and one feijoada: a black bean, meat and rice soup.
Everything made in-house, including butter, bread, desserts.
Dessert and drinks extra.
Signature dish: fresh pineapple cooked on spit then flamed.
Business Buffet Lunch for quick, light lunches from 12.30 - 14.30, special price.
'Brazilian afternoons' from 14.30: savoury and sweet pancakes, cheese platters, shakes, fresh juices, cocktails etc.
42-page wine list. Brazilian chef. Open kitchen. Outdoor section.
Children under 6 free, children under 10 half price. Two hours free parking.
At the right hand side and sea level of the Portomaso Marina, the Hilton. Open 12am till 12pm, 7 days a week, dinner from 19.00 to 23.30.
Tel: 2742 0000, 9923 5453.

Tapas in Sliema

2009-06-24T15:38:00.008+02:00

Ciao Fra Wine & Local Tapas
12 different selections of tapas every evening, your hosts will keep bringing tapas to your table until you tell them to stop. The home-cooked range includes relishes, sausages, stews, dips, pates, aged cheeses, seafood, grilled skewers, stuffed vegetables and marinated meats. The price per person for every serving of tapas is Eur3.
Sundays will offer special seafood tapas.
Cosy, intimate, modern setting. Small outdoor seating/smoking area.
Open evenings (except Tuesdays) from 19:00 onwards.
Quiz nights on Thursdays Time: 8:30pm - 10:45pm.
Free parking: With a bottle of wine, an hour free at Sliema Car Park.
Tel: David Darmanin on 9945 8567, 2134 1362, Alborada Building, High Street, Sliema. Same street as Tower car park, you have to go into the arcade that is opposite Casa Natura health food shop.

North African fusion

2009-06-22T12:03:00.000+02:00

Nargille
Restaurant serving Indian, Lebanese and North African fusion food.
Currently closed on Tuesdays but will open on Tuesdays from July. Open for lunch and dinner.
Located just before the cinema, Triq tal-Gardiel, Marsascala.
Tel: 2163 6734.

Ragusa comes to M'Skala

2009-06-21T22:38:00.000+02:00

Barocca restaurant and bar
Typical Ragusa (Sicilian) cuisine. Sea front Marsascala, left hand side of the bay, neighbour to Lemon 'n' Lime, the old Christopher's, Summer Nights.
Tel: 2163 6869.

Bugibba wine bar

2009-06-21T16:13:00.000+02:00

Re Vino
Wine Bar, Bugibba.
Seafront, opposite McDonalds Bugibba. Opening hours 20.00 – 24.00. Tel 9945 8018, 2157 3304.

New fish menu

2009-06-21T14:45:00.000+02:00

Essence Restaurant
A new menu of fish and seafood dishes.
Indoor and terrace dining. Entrance from Dunes Cocktail Bar. A la Carte. Dress Code: Smart.
19.30 - 22.30 Tuesday-Saturday. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Sands Tower Level 4, Radisson SAS Golden Sands Spa and Resort, Golden Bay. Tel: 2356 1000.

5 star barbecue

2009-06-21T14:37:00.000+02:00

Excelsior Yacht Club
Barbecue buffet at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.
Lunches from 11.30 and dinners with live entertainment from 19.30 - 22.30, 7 days a week.
Great Siege Road, Floriana, Tel: 2125 0520.

Finger lickin food

2009-06-21T14:30:00.001+02:00

KFC
New KFC restaurant at the Malta International Airport. Level -1, next to Burger King. Accessible from both Departures and Arrivals lounges.
Fri and Sat: 11.00 - 02.00.
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun: 11.00 - 01.00.
Wi-Fi.

Tea anyone?

2009-06-21T08:55:00.001+02:00

Cafe Palazz
Tea rooms, Valletta, Old Theatre Street, the short street that goes under the arch from Merchants Street into Republic Street. Specialising in loose-leaf tea.

Market feeling

2009-06-21T08:52:00.000+02:00

City Pro
Cafe, snack bar. Valletta, Merchants Street, outdoor section in front of meat and fish market. Open 9am - 7pm, Sundays closed. Wi Fi.

Home-made treats

2009-06-18T09:38:00.002+02:00

Mint
Home-made snacks and coffee shop. Tower Road Sliema, ex Ponte Vecchio. At corner at the bottom of Stella Maris street adjacent to the Gelateria (Tower Palace Hotel area) in Sliema.

Sinful goodies

2009-06-18T09:37:00.000+02:00

Dolci Peccati
Coffee shop and gelateria. St Julian's, near Snoopy's, used to be a kebab place.

Central spot

2009-06-12T10:15:00.000+02:00

DeVine wine bar and snack shack
Salads, pies, wraps, fruit platters, rice salad, mixed platters. Open from 10am till late. Set in a garden, background music.
Athenaeum Spa, Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa, DePaule Avenue, Balzan. Tel 9920 6180.

Bay view

2009-06-11T15:32:00.000+02:00

Grill 3301
Grill 3301 focuses on fresh fish and seafood plus prime cut beef and a wide portfolio of quality wines.
Corinthia Hotel St George's Bay, St Julian's. Open for dinner from Tuesdays to Sundays. Children under 7 not allowed. Free parking.
Tel: 2370 2537, 9999 3232.

Italian trattoria

2009-06-10T15:43:00.000+02:00

Terra e Mare
Fish restaurant, Marsascala.
Just on the left, before the roundabout when you come through the one-way system from Zabbar (winding road, the church is facing you.
115/117 Pjazza Dun Tarcisio Agius, Marsascala. Tel: 21639460, 99804374.

The real thing

2009-06-10T15:42:00.000+02:00

Dolce di Sicilia.
Coffee shop, pizzeria, take-away. Run by Italians with items imported from Sicily.
Paceville. Past Bootleggers, next to Bank of Valletta before you get to Hotel Vivaldi.

2009-06-07T12:32:00.000+02:00

The Shelter wine bar and bistro
Rabat, located just past Tattingers. Inside, exotic Moroccan décor, outside open air seating area.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, lunches Saturday and Sunday only from 12-6pm. Evenings open from 7pm till late. If you want to go for lunch during the week, give them a call first.
Saqqajja Hill, Rabat. Tel: 2786 6988, 9986 6988.

2009-06-02T00:52:00.000+02:00

Omerta restaurant
In Old Bakery Street (Triq il-Forni) Valletta, nearly all the way down the bottom on the left hand side.

2009-06-01T14:10:00.001+02:00

Kumpir jacket potato eat-in or take-out restaurant
St Julian's, on the hill going into Paceville once you have passed peppino's and Nove, opposite Gochi sushi place, on side of HSBC bank.

2009-06-01T14:07:00.000+02:00

Refresh smoothies and cocktail bar
In Sliema, past Cara's and Vecchia Napoli near the petrol station before Plough and Anchor and Snoopy's.

2009-05-28T00:02:00.000+02:00

Nanu German bar and restaurant
Specialising in German beer and food. In Sliema, head for City of London Pub in Spinola. Nanu is a few doors up from Choppers hair salon on the sea front.

Tarxien wine bar

2009-05-26T12:59:00.003+02:00

It-Tirx wine bar, Tarxien
Family-run wine bar serving platters, Maltese food, rabbit to order, buffet in winter. Private functions and art exhibitions. Roof terrace. 280 types of wine. Own label Tirx/Sant Anna wines.
The building dates from time of the Knights of St John, it was used to roast the corn before it went to be milled to be made into flour and eventually bread. 'Tirx' means large rock.
Directions - From Main Street just past Il-Kastell wine bar, come to San Bert chapel, just past it go up the side street called Triq il-Blata and it is just behind that. Alternatively: enter Tarxien from Paola, past local council, keep going straight at fork in road keeping the Stubbs' residence Villa Tarxien on your left, you will soon come to a chapel on your left, park there and go down Triq il-Blata.
Open Wed - Sat evenings only. Tel: 2180 0037, 7923 0808. 14, Triq Sant Anna, Tarxien.

Boathouse dining

2009-05-26T12:51:00.000+02:00

La Vecchia Dogana restaurant.
Sa Maison, Pieta’. Tel 2122 6662. Open Mon-Sun, 10.30 - 14.30, 18.30 - 23.30.
You can’t miss it. It used to be a boathouse and is now beautifully lit up. On your way into Valletta from Msida it’s on the left, just before the Gozo ferry loads up with commercial vehicles and on your way up the hill to the police headquarters and the Curia. Coming from Blata l-Bajda, drive down as though going to Msida and turn round the Sa Maison roundabout. Don’t miss the turn or else you will have to go all the way to Msida church.