There’s nothing quite like a te fit-tazza ! Here's a guide on how to order your tea like a local, and the best spots on where to get your fix on the islands.

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How to order your tea

There are many - many - ways to take your te fit-tazza. Order like a local with these handy phrases:

1. Black, no sugar, no milk? Simply tell the guys behind the bar, “te vojt”;
2. Add a lemon to that perhaps? Ask, “te vojt bil-lumi”;
3. What if you NEED sugar? “Te biz-zokkor” is the phrase to use for one spoonful of sugar or “te tnejn zokkor” for two;
4. Fresh milk? “Te bil-halib”. And to add two spoonfuls of sugar, “te bil-halib, tnejn zokkor”;
5. But, if you want a true taste of the Maltese, take a healthy dose of tinned milk! “Te bil-halib tal-bott” or simply put, “te b’ tal-bott”;
6. Fancy a strong brew? Ask for “te kark”. 

Quite the ordeal right? But, here’s where you can start practicing.

1. Suiga, Burmarrad

Situated on a busy road, Suiga is one of the top snack bars in the St Paul’s Bay area. Older men sit at their tables, discussing religion, politics and their wives, while savouring a hearty ‘snack’ (if that's what you'd call a plate of pasta like the below) and sipping a te fit-tazza (right before heading home for a full lunch prepared by - yes, you guessed it - their wives). Order your tea ‘kark’ here. You won’t be disappointed.

2. Is-Serkin, Rabat

This place is the bees knees for any te fit-tazza lover! With its seats packed with more older men, jostling for a space with a swarm of tourists who find their way here after a visit to the old capital of Mdina, is-Serkin is not just a bar - it's an institution.  Order your pastizzi ‘tnejn u tnejn’ (two of each filling - pea and ricotta) and get your hands on a large tea because a small one just won’t do!

3. Tapie's Bar, Victoria, Gozo

Found in Victoria, Gozo, Tapie's Bar is best known for its ftajjar and pastizzi, and this ultra relaxed bar is home to, you guessed it, a bunch of older men who seem to spend most of their time here, drinking tea and watching the cars go by. A stone’s throw away from Victoria centre, Tapie's specialty is the glorious tea ‘tal-bott’ . And, their cheese pastizzi are the best across the islands.

4. Zagallo, Rabat

Pizza and tea anyone? Hmm… maybe not at the same time, but Zagallo in Rabat makes it a point at offering the best of both! It has great pizza, cooked to order, with a variety of toppings. Typical of the Maltese snack bar, Zagallo also serves up burgers, little bites and a full English for lunch. But, you might have to beat away the queues for your tea - if you can!

5. Lollies, Floriana

Lollies in Floriana is best known as a workman’s pit stop for those bustling in and out of the capital. It serves up a good ftira or sandwich which will keep you going till dinner time. And, getting your tea here before you start your day, or after a long slog at work, is a great way to bookend your routine.

Snack bars in Malta and Gozo are pretty common and are very much loved for their cheap and cheerful food, available throughout the day. But no visit would be complete without that quintessential te fit-tazza - guaranteed to perk you up!