From beaches to brunch places, our team picks their top spots on the Maltese Islands.
2018 was a big year for GuideMeMalta – it was the year we were unleashed unto the world! And since launching last February, the team’s been around, a lot!
No one loves the Maltese Islands like we do, and we love nothing better than exploring all that our island home has to offer. So, given our penchant for discovery, we thought we’d share some of the team’s favourite spots on the island throughout the last year.
Apart from my own favourites, we gathered favs by our lovely digital media & marketing manager Raisa Mazzola, our go-getting head of sales Matt Spiteri, our super patient head of accounts & admin Marvic Cutajar, our champion sub-editor Becky Anastasi, and one of our fantastic contributors Jill Mallia. From newly opened hotspots to timeless places of natural beauty, here they are: it’s GuideMeMalta’s 2018 Awards!
Left to Right: Sarah Micallef, Raisa Mazzola, Matthew Spiteri
Left to Right: Marvic Cutajar, Becky Anastasi, Jillian Mallia
1. Favourite café
Sarah – “Coffee Circus at the Mosta square. I like to start my weekend mornings there, and always run into a bunch of friends that live in the area. It’s like a real-life episode of Friends.”
Raisa – “Manouche! I mean, have you tried their desserts?”
Matt – “Café Santa Lucia in Attard. I can revisit the place over and over. There’s always a new sweet to try. I’m not in to coffee or tea. But their milkshakes are the best.”
Marvic – “Grotto Tavern/Coffee Circus Rabat – very good coffee and my favourite place on Sunday mornings. It’s lovely to relax and watch people pass by.”
Becky – “Not really a café, but I love the Palm Court Lounge at the Phoenicia hotel! Their high tea is one of the best on the island and they even offer these small, delightful shortbread biscuits with every cuppa.”
Jill – “I’m not a café kind of girl, but if I had to choose, I would say Flora’s. The homemade bakes and sweet treats are the best.”
2. Favourite brunch spot
Sarah – “Emma’s Kitchen for the Turkish eggs, and Danny’s for their fantastic eggs baked in a loaf.”
Raisa – “U Bistrot. I just love sitting outside watching the world go by whilst digging in to my pancakes.”
Becky – “Definitely U Bistrot in St Julian’s. And not only for brunch – this place has the BEST chocolate fondant I’ve ever had (and I’ve tried my fair share!)”
Jill – “U Bistrot. The eggs benedict and English breakfast are LIFE.”
Matt – “Hot dog from Bavarian Sausage in Sliema or Pama Mosta. Easy to stop next to. Fast service with a smile and a German beer on the side – perfect!”
Marvic – “Carob Tree Food Court at Spinola Park – a very wide choice to feast my taste buds!”
3. Favourite restaurant (winter)
Sarah – “Newly discovered Taro at The Villa. Have you read my review? I meant every word.”
Raisa – “Taproom. I absolutely adore Valletta in the winter time and Taproom is the perfect stop to get some grub before exploring the rest of the city. Also, the food is great and it’s such a cosy place.”
Matt – “Has to be Munchies at Mellieha Bay. The staff is professional and well trained. Their food quality never takes a dip. It’s a warm environment on the edge of the beach. Sitting by the window gives you a pleasant view of the sea and all the water activity. Enjoy anything from Pizza to lobster.”
Marvic – “The restaurant inside MUZA, in Valletta. I discovered it recently, and the food and ambiance was amazing – I want to visit again.”
Becky – “Trabuxu in Valletta. The menu changes frequently, but one thing you can be assured of: fresh, spectacular food!”
Jill – “It’s not an actual restaurant (and I’m not being biased here since it’s my boyfriend’s place), but it’s definitely the new Po-K. That’s the one thing I crave nowadays. I also love Hugo’s pizza and pasta – the ravioli with pork belly and walnuts makes me weak. For fine-dining I’d go for L’ Agape – very cosy atmosphere and fantastic food, especially for meat lovers.”
4. Favourite restaurant (summer)
Sarah – “The Harbour Club. The view of the harbour from the outdoor terrace is fantastic, and the food is always exceptional.”
Raisa – “Il-Kantra (Ta’ Cenc Gozo) – the view is amazing and the place really does bring those Maltese summer vibe to life.”
Matt – “Trattoria AD 1530 in Mdina – Xara Palace – Lovely outdoor area in the pjazza. A perfect location for your kids. You can take a walk and enjoy an ice cream after your meal whilst strolling the quiet streets of Mdina.”
Marvic – Paradise Exiles – good food & very relaxed. I love to go there after a nice swim.”
Becky – “Adesso in Valletta. This is more of an all-year-round favourite. Their cocktails, service and imaginative dishes are a treat every time.”
Jill – “Naar Restobar. It’s the perfect summer location if you ask me! It overlooks Balluta bay, and has everything from drinks and nibbles to not-so-traditional pizzas and pasta dishes which are mouth-watering.”
5. Favourite bar/pub
Sarah – “Café Society in Valletta. The vibe is always great, and I love their cocktail name puns! When I’m feeling low key, it’s Grasshopper Bar in Lija, or is-City Bar in Mosta.”
Raisa – “Bridge Bar in Valletta – it’s such a unique concept and the vibe is always so great!”
Matt – “Grasshopper in Lija. Enjoy a casual drink with your friends in a relaxed environment and if you’re lucky enough – enjoy some magic tricks from the owner. Central, location too. Easy to get a small group of friends together for a quick drink in a short time frame.”
Marvic – “Definitely Grasshopper in Lija – everything is good about this place! It’s relaxed and has really tasty appetizers.”
Becky – “Any place which offers a mean G&T!”
Jill – “As a wine bar I’d say Il Vecchio Forno in Mosta – we go there all the time and the pizza and wine selection is the bomb. As for pub, I’d have to say Zmerc – who doesn’t love endless FREE appetizers?”
6. Favourite nightlife spot
Sarah – “Valletta, in general. The vibe is great, and it’s an excellent place to bar hop.”
Matt – “Must be Valletta with all its new spots.”
Becky – “Valletta, in the summer. There’s a whole host of events during the warmer months which pull me into the capital.”
Raisa – “Infinity by Hugo’s – it’s all about them good vibes.”
Marvic – “Charles Grech or Strait Street… Valletta in general really!”
Jill – “Bacco by Hugo’s. We’ve been there so many times that the barmen and receptionists recognise us (oops). They have various offers throughout the week and it’s the best joint for a cocktail fix!”
7. Favourite beach
Sarah – Ghajn Tuffieha (Riviera) in Malta and Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo.
Marvic – “Riviera (tat-tarag). The setting makes it truly amazing, especially at sunset.”
Becky – “Riviera, first thing in the morning, before the crowds troop down those stairs.”
Raisa – “Ghadira (Mellieha Bay). Sand and crystal blue waters – what more can you ask for?”
Jill – “Ghadira Bay (Mellieha). It was our summer go-to spot since we were kids and we go there all the time. Plus there are three beaches to choose from – doesn’t get any better than that!”
Matt – “Imgiebah Bay close to Selmun. It’s secluded enough to avoid all the crowds. Lovely water and views.”
8. Favourite place for a walk
Sarah – “Dingli or Chadwick Lakes if I’m after countryside, Valletta or The Three Cities if I’m up for a bit of urban exploration!”
Raisa – “Sliema front. It’s where I grew up and always brings back the fondest memories from my childhood.”
Matt – “West side of the island. Anywhere from Girgenti, to Fawwara to Dingli and Bahrija. Lovely areas for a dose of climbing and bouldering too.”
Marvic – “Dwejra in Mgarr – very nice views and peaceful place.”
Becky – “Through my hometown of Rabat on a Sunday morning.”
Jill – “Wied il-Ghasel (Mosta). It’s literally down the road from my house and the views from the little chapel are insane. It’s also a quick hike that can be done in around an hour.”
9. Favourite cultural attraction
Sarah – “This is a hard one, but if pressed I think I’d have to choose the Bibliotheca, Malta’s National Library in Valletta. It’s like an Aladdin’s cave of wonder for me!”
Raisa – “Teatru Manoel. I just love the theatre but I also think there’s something so special about the Manoel. It also brings back some of the best memories from my childhood – Panto on Boxing Day has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember.”
Matt – “Must be Buskett woodlands. Gives you shelter from the heat in summer and all the freshness you need in winter. Lovely spot for a short family walk.”
Marvic – “Going around Valletta. I just love it, day and night.”
Becky – “Valletta Film Festival, of course (I programme some of the events, so I’m biased!); Esplora with my nephews and nieces.”
Jill – “Mdina. The history fascinates me and every time we visit, we learn/explore something new (and obviously indulge in some Fontanella cake).”
10. Favourite spot to get away
Sarah – Gozo, either with family or friends in a traditional farmhouse, or with the sisters at the peaceful Dar Madre Tereza Spinelli in Ghajnsielem, which I was very pleased to discover last year!”
Raisa – “Dingli Cliffs. Peaceful, green and far away from all the chaos.”
Matt – “Is-Salib Tal-Gholja. It’s a perfect location to combine with a run. Challenging place to reach with lovely views once you reach it.”
Marvic – “If I need to relax, Gozo is the place to be – I love booking a boutique hotel and going for long walks to discover new spots. Wied il Mielah is one of my favourites.”
Becky – “If it’s for the weekend, the Kempinski Hotel in Gozo. It may be a little bit on the expensive side (and so requires some saving), but you do get bang for your buck. Its gardens and pool area are a breath of fresh air.”
Jill – “Gozo, hands down. Fav spots include Dwejra, the gorgeous Citadel and San Blas bay.”
And there you have it! A not-so-concise list of the team's favourite spots throughout last year! Do you agree? Let us know your favourites below!