Food & drink
Need a breather from the heat? Step into these cool cafes this summer
Discover what's fresh in these Malta cafeterias

Melanie Drury
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Sometimes it feels just too hot to be outside! Retreat to a cool place (literally) for a break in the comfort of air conditioning and a nice atmosphere! Or simply choose wisely when you want to have a tête-à-tête with your friends. These are the coolest cafes in Malta and each one of them is a little bit special!

1. Palazzo Castelletti

If you want to do it, do it well. Take it all the way with an afternoon high tea at Palazzo Castelletti in Rabat. Tiers of cakes, scones and sandwiches in a chic environment is the way to go. Available daily between 2.30pm and 5.30pm with pre-booking, the afternoon tea is also available with gluten free, vegan and lactose free options.

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2. Cafe Santa Lucia

Do you love pancakes with your tea or coffee? Head to Attard for such a treat and a local, friendly vibe at Cafe Santa Lucia, an iconic cafe established in 1975. The family run confectionery has a great reputation for delicious sweet pastries and cakes, artisan confectionery items, artisan quality savouries and sandwiches.   

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3. Elia Cafe

Feel like a taste of tradition? 'Bones' in November, Christmas logs in December...Cafe Elia in the busy town of Hamrun specialises in seasonal artisanal sweets and traditional savouries. The gateaux also deserve a mention as do their homemade gelato and sorbet! Enjoy them in a classic Maltese cafe environment.

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4. Busy Bee

Around the harbour area, find a bustling yet relaxing cafe atmosphere at another iconic spot in Malta, this time with a view of the Msida Marina across the road. Busy Bee was established in 1933 and may well be the inventor of the spinach qassata; it remains quite unique to taste - try it! The expert baristas' coffee, delicious pastries, sweets and fresh smoothies also ensure it is always busy as a bee.

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5. Caffe Cordina

Step inside one of Valletta's palazzos to break your visit to the capital with traditional pastizzi or imqaret (traditional fried date cakes) and coffee. Caffe Cordina is perhaps the oldest cafe in Malta, established in 1837. Located on Republic Street and opposite Republic Square, what better place to sit and people watch?

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6. Ta’ Doni (deli shop)

When you're craving good old hobz biz-zejt (Maltese tuna roll) and cafe stil antik (old style Maltese coffee), know you can get it in Rabat at Ta' Doni. Actually a deli or sandwich shop, Ta' Doni serves a selection of local produce gourmet breads as well as coffee and desserts, so delicious sandwiches are guaranteed!

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7. Cleland & Souchet Wine Cafe

Why not indulge in a yummy Oreo cupcake or cake of your fancy complete with...a glass of wine?! Slip a little bit of naughty into your cafe culture at Cleland & Souchet Wine Cafe, at the Malta International Airport or Portomaso in St Julians. Cleland & Souchet is considered to be a market leader in luxury lifestyle retailing and it is a top wine merchant - need I say more?

That's a nice selection of different moods for your coffee in cafes across the island, so you can always retreat to a cool cafe, no matter your taste or where you are in Malta.

18th August 2019


Melanie Drury
Written by
Melanie Drury
Melanie was born and raised in Malta and has spent a large chunk of her life travelling solo around the world. Back on the island with a new outlook, she realised just how much wealth her little island home possesses.

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