Off to Malta, restaurant recommendations etc welcome!

[DSM10000]

We are going to Malta for a week in early November and already have an idea of part of our itinerary.

Our hotel is just across the bay from Valletta and we will probably spend a couple of days walking around the capital and already have a good restaurant recommendation in one of the art galleries but we would very much welcome others both in the capital and around the island.

We do not like tourist orientated places and prefer somewhere relatively small and authentic in terms of cuisine. A quiet sea view or views over countryside would be excellent.

Madam very much enjoys sea food and fish although I cannot abide seafood at all in any form and eat very little fish I am happy to eat at these establishments as there is nearly always an alternative I am happy with.

Thanks in advance.

 

[clk320x]

Enjoy your trip David, one of my friends regularly visits Malta on business so I shall contact him for recommendations!

 

[DSM10000]

Enjoy your trip David, one of my friends regularly visits Malta on business so I shall contact him for recommendations!

Cheers old chap!

 

[markmifsud]

I am Maltese and was born not too far from the old Capital, Mdina. I go back home every year but unfortunately I always go to tourist areas and have never actually stayed around Valletta. Being a bit fussy on foods I am of no use to you at all. You will have no issues finding nice restaurants that cater for both yours and madam's tastes all over the place.

 

[Gollom]

Adore Malta - been an least 20 times! Was in the Navy so I knew - shall we say - a somewhat different aspect of Malta! "When you walk down The Gut....." I'm sure some on here will remember all of that particular ditty! LOL Leaving that aside, I just love the architecture and history - we spend ages just wandering. A firm favourite for me

Try Legligin in Valetta if you get chance. It's on a back street near the cathedral. Only small so you'd be advised to book. There is no menu as such - you have what is fresh that day. Food is brilliant and a very, very good wine list. Trust me on the latter! https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g190328...

P.S. At the bottom of Strait St. in Valetta there are gouges out of the upper part of the sandstone wall. That is where the Knights of St. John practiced sword play and apparently the gouges are from broadswords...

 

[Flyinspanner]

Romans Den Mdina, superb steaks.
Trattoria 1530.
Bacchus.

In Portimaso, nr Valletta The Blue Elephant Thai @ the Hilton.

 

[Will]

I like Malta, lovely place.

Worth a trip to Marsaxlokk if your wife likes seafood. Pretty little fishing village with some nice restaurants. I’m sure you’d find somewhere that suits you both there

Depending on where you’re staying there’s a ferry that you can take over to Valletta from Sliema, plenty to see over there.

Mdina is nice for a day trip too. The silent city as it’s known with a history of glass making etc.

The local buses are very good to get around and I think you can pay one price for up to 2 hours travel which gets you pretty much anywhere you need on the island.

Have a safe trip

 

[st13phil]

There's so much to see in and around Valletta, it's impossible to make "must see" recommendations, but two I would suggest are the Co-Cathedral and the Maritime Museum. The Malta Experience at St Elmo Bastions is a quick way to get a feel for the history of the island, and Fort Rinella with its 100-ton gun is worth a visit too.

There are a huge number of restaurants to choose from, but one we enjoyed in particular when we were there in March was Paul's Bistro, which is tucked out of the way just off Strait Street.

 

[Chrishazle]

The busses are fantastic for getting around Malta, there's a day rover ticket you can buy that's excellent, pick up a route map somewhere (tourist office). Each bus stop seems to have a timetable of servicec from that particular stop - so if you find the next bus is not for a while there's likely a bar within sight for refreshments while you wait! Certainly the best way to get into Valetta, terminus is just by the main entrance to the city - but be warned, if you want to get to the museum the hill down is long and steep, we took one look and decided getting back up the hill was a non starter, sad as I wanted to see the planes in the museum.

 

[GP801]

If you get to Marsaxlokk our favourite is Tartarun. If you really want to avoid the tourists try Bahia in Lija. Its very small so best to book. However there are lots of options everywhere. Just a note of caution. Eating out in Malta is expensive. Be very careful if ordering fresh fish - usually priced by weight. You can get a nasty surprise when the bill comes.

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hello David...Be on the lookout for a big fat chap with small statuette of a bejeweled falcon.

 

[DSM10000]

Hello David...Be on the lookout for a big fat chap with small statuette of a bejeweled falcon.

Sure will do Sam

 

[Merc220cls]

You say across the bay from Valletta so I take it that’s Sliema.
We’ve been regular visitors to Malta for over 30 years, going back for our second visit this year in late November.

As for good eating places, well you really are spoiled for choice as there’s so many to choose.
When you get there speak to some of the locals and they will point you in the right direction.
For a nice day time snack or coffee pay a visit to The Busy Bee on Msida front and sample their lovely cakes. They also have a new place up near Attard but you would need transport.

Hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[DSM10000]

Just to update:

We had a very pleasant week in Malta and will certainly return there. We had good weather for 4 and a half days out of 7 but the storms on the Monday and Tuesday were spectacular to watch from the comfort of a bar!

Valletta was easy to walk around and had lots to see and Mdina was fascinating with beautiful views over the plain below from our restaurant overlooking the ramparts.

Many thanks to all for the suggestions which helped make it an even better holiday!

 

[whitenemesis]

Valletta was easy to walk around and had lots to see and Mdina was fascinating with beautiful views over the plain below from our restaurant overlooking the ramparts.

The Silent City, well named..

 

[Merc220cls]

We just arrived back on Wednesday, Quite a lot happening out there just now with the three government ministers resigning and all power to the island being mysterious cut, not to mention the arrest of the CEO of the Tomas group.

Back to food if you go back try Munchies right in the middle of Mellihah beach. Food is lovely and with views literally direct out to sea.