Food to Try in Malta

Food for me is intricately linked with travel, so while I was researching where to stay and what to do I was also looking out for local food to try in Malta.

I love to try new foods when I travel, especially food that is regional or unique to a location. I may not like everything I try, but I’m always happy I gave it a go.

I discovered a few of these foods before I went, and I learned about some more, and the best places to find them on a free walking tour we did on our first day in Malta (always my favourite way to start in a new country).

The food here in Malta is a blend of Mediterranean influences, often with a unique twist that reflects the island’s history and culture. Here are ten traditional Maltese foods you absolutely must try.

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Just starting to plan your trip to Malta? Take a look at this guide to cover the basics.

Pastizzi

• What It Is: Flaky pastry filled with ricotta cheese or mushy peas.
• Why Try It: It’s the ultimate Maltese snack – cheap, delicious, and available everywhere. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they’re perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

These delicious little parcels can be found all over Malta. I had them on a few different occasions as they are so easy to grab as a quick meal on the go. Even better, they are incredibly cheap, often less than a Euro.

Pastizzis are eaten for breakfast, a quick lunch or an anytime snack, including into the evening. It’s common to pick one up and eat it while walking.

While the most traditional versions are filled with either ricotta or peas, we also came across some with chicken in them that soon became our favourites.

You will likely find a place to buy them wherever you are, but we tried our first one at the Museum Cafe in Valletta, recommended by our walking guide. I think it’s a good option for the ambience if nothing else.

Ftira

• What It Is: A traditional Maltese bread, often served as an open-faced sandwich with various toppings like tuna, capers, olives, and tomatoes.
• Why Try It: This crispy, chewy bread is a local favourite, often enjoyed at lunch or as a snack. The combination of fresh ingredients makes for a tasty, satisfying bite.

If you’re going to grab a sandwich while you are in Malta, make it one made with the local bread called Ftira, served either traditionally or as an open sandwich.

The bread reminded me of ciabatta, and, unsurprisingly, goes beautifully with Meditteranean fillings, which is what you will most often find included as toppings.

We tried it in a random (and sadly forgotten) cafe in Gzira, but I was told the best Ftira is considered to be found on Gozo, where it is served more like a pizza than an open sandwich. Give it a go at Maxokk Bakery in Nadur.

If you’re not going to get to Gozo, Nenu the Artisan Baker in Valletta is a good option, or you can go to one of the many Sphinx Pastizzerias for a convenient option.

Rabbit Stew (Stuffat tal-Fenek)

• What It Is: A slow-cooked stew made with rabbit, tomatoes, garlic, wine, and herbs.
• Why Try It: Considered the national dish of Malta, this hearty stew is a must for meat lovers. It showcases Malta’s rural culinary traditions and is often enjoyed during family gatherings.

We had to try the rabbit stew while we were in Malta. It is considered the national dish, and my husband had never tried it before, so this was the perfect opportunity.

We tried the rabbit stew at Ranieri Restaurant & Cafe on Republic Street, right in the centre of Valletta.

It was chosen more because it was open for lunch when we wanted and the lack of crowds than the decor, which is a little dated.

We enjoyed the food and the service was decent, but it’s not highly rated, and I expect when it is busier things may not be as good as we experienced.

You may instead prefer to try a more highly-rated restaurant, such as Ta’ Kris in Sliema or La Pira Maltese Kitchen in Valletta.

Bigilla

• What It Is: A thick dip made from mashed broad beans, garlic, herbs, and olive oil.
• Why Try It: Served as a starter or snack with crusty bread or water crackers, bigilla is a tasty, healthy, and vegan-friendly dish that gives a burst of Mediterranean flavour.

Bigilla is usually served as a starter or part of a platter in restaurants, or you can get it as a snack from some of the street food vendors, which is where I tried it as we were wandering along the Sliema waterfront.

It can vary a lot between different places, some make it thicker, others runnier, and the amount of spiciness added depends on if the maker likes it hot.

Bigilla is often served with galletti (water crackers) another local creation.

Bragioli (Beef Olives)

• What It Is: Thin slices of beef rolled around a stuffing of minced meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, and herbs, simmered in a rich tomato and wine sauce.
• Why Try It: This comforting dish is a Maltese take on the stuffed meat tradition and is often served with potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

I admit, I didn’t end up trying these. My husband ordered some and had gobbled them down before I could have a taste.

While the basic idea of Bragioli is the same, each place seems to add its own twist to it. While traditionally rolls, we also saw some that were more like a parcel too.

Try it for yourself at Ta’ Kris in Sliema

Aljotta

• What It Is: A traditional fish soup made with tomatoes, garlic, rice, herbs, and freshly caught fish.
• Why Try It: Perfect for seafood lovers, this hearty soup has a tangy, savoury flavour that makes it a great starter or light meal.

Being an island, it is no surprise that there are some really tasty fish dishes available, and this is one of the most traditional – and popular.

Malta has a large Catholic population and Aljotta is especially popular during Lent, which was when we were visiting, so we saw it all over the island.

Aljotta is usually made with the local fish called Lampuki, more commonly called Mahi Mahi in other parts of the world. The whole fish is thrown into a tomato and garlic broth, with a little rice added for some extra body.

I would have liked to have tasted it in the seaside town of Marsaxlokk, but we went for the grilled seafood platter instead as we enjoyed one of those perfect spring days by the sea.

Try it for yourself at Ta’ Marija Restaurant at Marsaxlokk.

Kapunata

• What It Is: Maltese-style ratatouille made with tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, bell peppers, capers, and olives.
• Why Try It: This delicious vegetable stew is a versatile dish served hot or cold and often accompanies grilled meats or fish, offering a taste of Maltese summer on your plate.

Kaponata is often served as a side dish to main meals (especially grilled fish), as a hearty dip with some crusty bread, or even as a bruschetta. It can even be found occasionally as a pizza topping.

Look out for it in all of the places you eat, particularly as a starter.

Qagħaq tal-Għasel (Honey Rings)

• What It Is: Ring-shaped pastries filled with a treacle, citrus, and spice mixture, often enjoyed during Christmas but available year-round.
• Why Try It: With a chewy, sweet interior and a crunchy exterior, these pastries are a delightful treat, especially with a cup of coffee or tea.

This was another of the things we were told we just had to try as we did our walking tour of Valletta, and our guide pointed out exactly where we should get them from.

They are very popular around Christmas time, and once you taste them, you will understand why. They are filled with all those sweet, spicy flavours we associate with the Yule.

These are great as an anytime snack, with a cup of coffee as you take time out from all the tourist activities or take one home to have with a glass of wine for dessert.

We got our honey rings from Caffe Cordina but they can be found all over the place though.

Imqaret

• What It Is: Deep-fried pastries filled with a spiced date mixture.
• Why Try It: A popular street food, these sweet treats are crispy on the outside and soft inside, offering a unique blend of sweet and spicy flavours. They’re often served warm and can be accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I’m actually not a fan of aniseed, but I did share one of these with my husband as we were wandering around in Mdina just to see what they were like.

While they were not my favourite, I can see how they would appeal to others who do like aniseed.

Imqaret can be found all over Malta. Try it for yourself at Fontanella Tea Garden in Mdina or Caffe Cordina in Valletta

Kinnie

• What It Is: A unique Maltese soft drink made from bitter oranges and a blend of aromatic herbs.
• Why Try It: Kinnie has a distinctive bittersweet flavour that sets it apart from other sodas, making it a favourite among locals and a must-try for visitors. It’s often enjoyed chilled on a hot day or mixed with alcohol for a refreshing cocktail.

I know this isn’t food, but I had to include Malta’s national soft drink on this list. This was another of the things we were told we just had to try by our walking tour guide.

We were warned though, that while the locals loved Kinnie, visitors tended to find it too bitter since it is made with bitter oranges, wormwood extract and a range of other flavourings.

As someone who doesn’t drink soft drinks because they are mostly too sweet for me, I quite enjoyed this and had it a few times across our stay.

Kinnie is not hard to find and can be found anywhere that soft drinks are sold – after all, more of it is sold here in Malta than Coca Cola!

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These traditional Maltese dishes offer a true taste of the island’s diverse culinary heritage, blending local ingredients with Mediterranean and North African influences. Be sure to try a few during your visit to experience the full flavour of Malta!

If searching for a place to try some of these foods is daunting, there are some great food tours in Valletta you can join to get started. Take a look at the ones below.

Keep planning your Malta holiday with these posts
7 Day Malta Itinerary
Best Time of Year to Go to Malta
Things to Know Before You Go to Malta
Getting Around Malta Without a Car
Best Areas to Stay in Malta
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