| The island of Malta is typically Mediterranean, | | | | renowned for wine production, the Maltese wines |
| especially when it comes to food and wine. In | | | | have been extremely successful in international |
| Malta, one can find a vast array of restaurants, | | | | competitions, winning several accolades in France, |
| cafés and take-outs that range from typical | | | | Italy and further afield. Maltese beer has also been |
| Maltese food, to Japanese sushi and Oriental | | | | awarded several prizes in international |
| Cuisine. | | | | competitions and should definitely be considered |
| Maltese cuisine itself is rustic and seasonal. One | | | | when visiting one of our several bars. |
| very popular year-round meal is the | | | | International grape varieties grown on the Islands |
| ‘Fenkata’ where Maltese families go to | | | | include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, |
| very casual and usually small specialized bars and | | | | Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Carignan, |
| restaurants in order to eat a meal of rabbit. This | | | | Chenin Blanc and Moscato. The indigenous varieties |
| is usually made up of a first course of spaghetti | | | | are Gellewza and Ghirghentina, which are |
| with rabbit sauce, followed by rabbit (usually fried | | | | producing some excellent wines of distinct body |
| in garlic and tomatoes), and finally nuts and | | | | and flavour. Many wineries have begun to organise |
| sweets. The sweet that is most often coupled | | | | guided tours and tastings. Depending on the |
| with the rabbit is the ‘Helwa tat-Tork’ | | | | season, tours may cover the entire production |
| which is a sweet sugary mixture of crushed and | | | | from the initial fermentation through to the ageing |
| whole almonds. Another dish that is sometimes | | | | process. They also include wine history museums |
| served before rabbit, but can also be found in | | | | and opportunities to taste and buy a variety of |
| many typical Maltese restaurants, is | | | | vintages. |
| ‘Bebbux’. Bebbux is the Maltese word for | | | | Many of the restaurants on the island specialize in |
| snails, which is a delicacy in Malta. When visiting | | | | typical Mediterranean food, particularly Italian. |
| Malta or Gozo, be sure to give this a try! | | | | Thus, pizza, pasta and seafood are probably one |
| ‘Lampuki Pie’ is another dish that should | | | | of the most common finds in most Maltese |
| be looked out for when visiting the islands and is | | | | Restaurants. One great element here is the mix |
| basically a typical Maltese seasonal fish pie. Other | | | | of Mediterranean recipes with Maltese ingredients |
| interesting dishes are the Widow’s Soup | | | | since most of the vegetables, meat and fruits are |
| (consisting of vegetables and Maltese goat | | | | locally cultivated and freshly selected. The variety |
| cheeselets) and ‘Brajoli’ (stuffed beef | | | | of the fish found in Maltese waters can be |
| rolls). Two extremely popular snacks that can be | | | | appreciated at the Marsaxlokk market every |
| found in the majority of bars and cafés | | | | Sunday morning, where local fishermen display |
| throughout Malta and Gozo are ‘Hobz | | | | their fish to be sold for Sunday lunch! |
| biz-zejt’ and ‘pastizzi’. Hobz biz-zejt is | | | | Oriental cuisine and sushi is also very well |
| literally translated as ‘bread with oil’ and is | | | | accounted for throughout the island. Most |
| usually made with typical Maltese bread that is | | | | common are the typical Chinese restaurants |
| dipped in oil, spread with tomato paste, and filled | | | | which specialize in dishes such as spring rolls and |
| with anything from tuna, olives, capers, onions and | | | | wontons, egg fried rice, noodles, sweet and sour |
| the like. Pastizzi (cheese-cakes) are ricotta-filled | | | | pork, duck and so on. Sushi and Japanese cuisine |
| pastries that are fried and served warm. These | | | | has also become popular over the past years and |
| can be bought from small specialized vendors that | | | | can be purchased from both takeaway outlets, or |
| litter most of the streets in Malta and Gozo. | | | | in formal elegant restaurants. |
| The love for Mediterranean flavours such as | | | | Café life, particularly in towns like Valletta and |
| olives, tomatoes, olive oil and bread has led to the | | | | Sliema, is extremely popular and provides the |
| opening of several Malta wine bars, particularly in | | | | shopper, business man, or passerby the perfect |
| the characteristic towns of Valletta and Birgu. It is | | | | opportunity to sip a hot cappuccino, or chilled glass |
| the perfect occasion to sip wine, while snacking | | | | of wine, accompanied but a light salad, plate of |
| on a cheese platter, cold cuts platter, dips or | | | | pasta, platter, sushi, or perhaps a divine dessert, |
| Maltese platter. Although Malta may not be | | | | while basking in the Mediterranean sun. |