Malta is a small and cosy Mediterranean island, offering visitors beautiful natural sights made up of blue sea, wonderful colours, a constantly temperate climate and... delicious food! Malta's food and wine traditions will also amaze travellers who land on the island, thanks to the variety of proposals, their goodness and quantity! In fact, in Malta you eat well, and a lot! The flavours are very similar to those of Sicily, not too different from those of our tradition, then. Let's see together which are the 10 must-try dishes in Malta and where to taste them.
1 - Pastizzi
In first position is the most representative dish of Maltese cuisine. These are pastries filled with ricotta or peas, which can be eaten at any time of the day. They can be a great snack but are also a complete meal. Watch the line!
Recommended for: snack
Average cost: €0.35 each
Main ingredients: puff pastry, ricotta cheese, peas
2 - Qassatat
Photo by Benreis. This is another typical island dish and differs little from Pastizzi, being a short pastry bundle made with lots of butter and filled with ricotta, crushed peas or spinach and anchovies.
Recommended for: appetiser, snack
Average cost: €0.50 each
Main ingredients: shortcrust pastry, ricotta cheese, peas, spinach, anchovies
3 - Ġbejna
This is the typical goat cheese. Its consistency resembles cottage cheese or spreadable cheese. Being goat's cheese, it has a strong but pleasant smell and taste. It is only served as an appetiser but is also an ingredient in the preparation of other dishes, chosen according to its maturity.
Recommended for: starter or appetiser for lunch or dinner
Average cost: €0.80 each
Main ingredients: goat cheese
4 - Ftira
Source: wikipedia. 
There are two variants: the first is a doughnut-shaped bread that is topped with sardines, tuna, tomato and onion; the second variant (characteristic of Gozo) is a puff pastry, topped with potatoes and onions. In some versions, Maltese sausage, rocket, cherry tomatoes and chicken are also added.
Recommended: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: bread, sardines, tuna, tomato and onion/leaf, potatoes, onions, Maltese sausage, rocket, cherry tomatoes, chicken
5 - Ravjul
As the name suggests, this dish closely resembles Italian ravioli, but differs slightly. They are prepared very carefully, using only water and flour, and are thicker than the ones we know. The filling is made of Ġbejna and they are served with a very thick sauce made of a lot of tomato and garlic.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €11.00
Main ingredients: water and flour mixture, goat cheese, tomato sauce, garlic
6 - Fenkata (or Stuffat tal-fenek)
This is a dish not for everyone, the typical Maltese-style rabbit. It is very tasty and quite heavy and, if you can overcome your wariness, it can be a truly exceptional culinary experience. Thanks to the special cooking process, the rabbit meat is very tender and delicate, the tasty seasoning is based on spices, tomato and wine, and peas serve as a side dish. A dish usually prepared on feast days, today it can be found throughout the year.
Recommended for: as a main course or single dish at lunch or dinner
Average cost: €15.00
Main ingredients: stewed rabbit meat, peas
7 - Lampuki
Being an island, one of Malta's typical dishes must include fish. This dish calls for the fish to be floured and browned in a little oil. It is then dressed with a sauce made from tomatoes, capers and onions. Despite its simplicity, this speciality is representative of the island and very tasty.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: fish, tomato, capers, onions
8 - Soppa Ta' L-Armla
Photo by PolluxWorld. This is a typical soup, also called Widow's Soup, made with vegetables and enriched with fresh Maltese cheese, eggs and Parmesan cheese. In some versions, pasta is also added.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: vegetables, fresh cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese
9 - Hobz Biz-Zejt
Served in trendy places, this bruschetta consists of delicious Maltese bread with olive oil, tomato pulp, onion and herbs.
Recommended for: snacking
Average cost: €4.00
Main ingredients: Maltese bread, tomato, herbs, olive oil
10 - Aljotta
Another fish dish and another soup is this seafood dish, flavoured with garlic and tomatoes.
Recommended at: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: seafood, tomato, garlic
Where to eat in Malta: best restaurants, typical places and street food
Malta's cuisine is linked to African and Sicilian traditions and dishes are based on fish or meat cooked with local produce.
There are plenty of restaurants, trattorias and eateries on the island serving food to suit all budgets and for those who don't want to spend too much, there are also some markets where you can eat.
Seafront restaurants, of course, command the highest prices and often cater to a sophisticated clientele.
Here are the best places to eat in Malta.
1 - Gululu Suq Tal-Belt
Description: this is a food market offering Maltese and international specialities at competitive prices inside Valletta's old market.
Speciality: masterful octopus stew, Maltese ftire
Average price: from €15.00 per person
Address: Merchants Street, Valletta - Get directions - Website
2 - Ortygia Food Experience
Description: Young and dynamic place in a downtown alley, serves fish and meat dishes cooked in the Sicilian style
Specialities: swordfish with caponata, cappellacci with crab
Average price: from €20.00 per person
Address: Triq Id-Dejqa, 8, Valletta - Get directions - Facebook page
3 - Ta Kris Restaurant
Description: typical Maltese restaurant with attention to detail that offers meat and fish specialities with first quality ingredients.
Speciality: lampuki, served with potatoes and vegetables, Maltese bragioli
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: Fawwara Ln, 80, Sliema - Get directions - Facebook page
4 - Risette
Description: excellent restaurant ideal for an evening to remember this place serves refined dishes and novelle cousine
Specialities: foie gras, agnolotti with smoked oyster sauce, venison with chocolate sauce
Average price: from €60.00 per person
Address: Old Theatre street, 81, Valletta - Get directions - Facebook page
5 - The Submarine
Description: simple place perfect for a quick bite to eat without sacrificing taste.
Speciality: sandwiches of all kinds, pasta dishes
Average price: from €8,00 per person
Address: Triq il-merkanti, 42, Valletta - Get directions - Facebook page
