Food can make you fall in love. Hard. And, much of the joy experienced in the quickening of that heady emotion is spurred by the discovery of new vistas, spirited perspectives and sensory connections, which open eyes and hearts to a brand-new world. Indeed, the world of Middle Eastern food in Malta is filled with the teeming notes of the Levant: bold flavours, wholesome fare and seasonal ingredients feature in a cuisine which takes us closer to the souks of the medina; charming streets lined with bougainvillea and the coastal zest of the Eastern Mediterranean. It’s a cuisine which tells the story of diverse communities, each bite a personal testament to the power of taste to connect people. 

1. Ali Baba, Gzira

A firm favourite, for years, Ali Baba was one of the only eateries where you could relish that typical of Middle Eastern culinary invention: the mezze. This Lebanese restaurant, which was opened by Abdul Rahman Harb in 1987, and is now run by his enterprising son, chef Hani, quickly became a must-stop for anyone craving a bit of the extraordinary, and today, it still serves much of what made it so popular for decades: baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and arayess ghanam (pitta bread filled with aromatic lamb-mince and toasted). Their feteyell ghanam meshwieh (lamb tenderloins marinated in mixed spices, sumac and a grain mustard) is a must try.

2. Afghan Natural Food, Hamrun

This joint on Hamrun high street may not look particularly pretty (both inside and out), but don’t let that put you off, for its reputation for genuine fare has far exceeded that of fancier outlets attempting to make waves. Moving further east to the Levant in inspiration, the menu at Afghan Natural Food is slight, but their Tandoori Chicken and Lamb Curry has had people going back again and again, packing a punch way above their weight.

3. Falafel Street, Valletta

Nestled underneath the arches, across the wide esplanade in front of Valletta’s parliament building, Falafel Street serves up on-the-go lunches with a Middle Eastern flare. The more typical dishes from the region are on offer, including hummus, kebabs, baklava and, of course, those crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside falafels (get them stuffed in a wrap!). But, this small strip of an eatery also attempts to push culinary boundaries: this Middle Eastern dessert, called Mahalabia, consisting of boiled milk, slightly sweetened and flavoured with rose or orange water, is not a typical find on this island.

4. Byblos Lebanese Restaurant, Mellieha

The Labranda Riviera Hotel & Spa, near Cirkewwa, has recently undergone an extensive transformation, renovating this staple of the Northern coast, which was starting to look a bit tired, into a vibrant spot. Byblos Lebanese Restaurant now forms part of the complex, and its brightly coloured décor is part of the attraction. Once you’ve settled down, have a sharing meal with one of their heaving platters – their ‘Lebanese to share’ is the most authentic of the selection, with hummus, vine leaves, tomato kibbeh and falafel all making an appearance. 

5. Bongo Nyah, Marsascala

While not, strictly speaking, a Middle Eastern restaurant, this fusion eatery meshes influences and styles from all over the world and features many a dish with spices from the region. Bongo Nyah's lamb samosas bring together Levant and Indian cuisine in a bite which burst with taste, while their artisanal teas will finish off your meal with the comforting aroma of the east.