Whether it's the doughnut guy, a festa kiosk or a family-run pastizzeria, Malta offers its fair share of unique street food.
Pastizzerias
Pastizzerias are the original Maltese street food vendors, offering pastizzi, pizza, sausage rolls, qassatat, ross il-forn (baked rice) and timpana (pasta pie), amongst a host of other very tasty Maltese bites. Pastizzi are these little crunchy savoury pastry parcels which are either filled with ricotta cheese or mushy peas. Get your hands on one... experiencing Malta just isn't the same without them.
Hobz biz-Zejt
Ftira is a disc-shaped semi-flat bread made with flour, water and salt, reminiscent of a ciabatta in both texture and taste. Literally translating to 'bread with oil', hobz biz-zejt or ftira biz-zejt is filled with virtually anything, but most typically tomato paste is used to coat the interior sides of the bread while the sandwich is filled with canned tuna, pickled capers, olives, onion, and mint. You'll find hobz biz-zejt at most street food vendors, particularly at the beach.
Festa kiosk food trucks (gabbani)
Although not available every day, festa kiosk food is a local highlight throughout the year. Although the fare is not uniquely Maltese (pizza, burgers, hot dogs, doughnuts), there's something about the prospect of experiencing the animated celebrations with a bottle of Cisk (Maltese beer) and something savoury to eat from a styrofoam container.
The doughnut guy
He's unmissable. Mainly because he drives slowly through the streets calling out 'Come get your doughnuts' through speakers attached to the roof of his doughnut van. Are they good? Absolutely! Everyone tolerates his noise as a part of the Maltese backdrop in the same way they do the bread, lampuki and gas guys, so they have to be pretty good. The doughnut guy isn't the only place to find a good doughnut on the island however, The Donut Factory delivers pretty delicious ones too.
The Bavarian sausage guy
Bavarian Sausage
Ok, so hardly a local dish but one that's certainly reached quasi-iconic status with the locals. This stand moves around and there may be more than one, but you can generally find the Bavarian Sausage guy in the Sliema carpark across from the ferries or the Pama Supermarket carpark in Mosta. The sign that advises visitors to 'try their sausage' clearly works, as there's almost always a queue there.
Mqaret vendors
You'll smell these rectangular-shaped sweets before you find them at village feasts and street markets. These gorgeously deep-fried sweet pastry date-filled cakes are to die for. They're usually pop-up vendors for events, but you're sure to find them at the Marsaxlokk market every Sunday.
Soft ice-cream kiosks
These kiosks can be found everywhere in summer, and while it's not exactly artisanal ice cream, there is something to be said for the particular taste and heartwarming feel. Cover them in random sweets, vermicelli, crunched M&Ms or nuts to partake in the maximum Maltese ice-cream experience.