After enjoying exquisite dining options on board MSC Bellissima, the meals you eat in port have a difficult act to follow. Luckily, Valletta has a selection of world-class restaurants that will continue to keep the standard high throughout your visit.
Food is a fantastic way to experience the local culture and Malta’s capital will not disappoint. But what are the best restaurants in Valletta? Here are the restaurants you should make a beeline for after disembarking the ship or after your city tour excursion:
Rampila
When it comes to locations, they don’t get much better than this restaurant, which is housed within the city’s bastion walls. The time of year and weather will dictate where you want to sit, but if the climate allows, then a table on the terrace, overlooking the City Gate is an absolute must. Being so close to the sea, it’s no surprise that the house specialities at Rampila consist of seafood.
Rubino
Rabbit is Malta’s national dish, but it’s important that you enjoy it in a restaurant where it is cooked to its absolute best. One place that consistently serves up rabbit in all its glory is Rubino on Old Bakery Street. If you don’t fancy the rabbit, then you can check out the blackboard for an ever-changing array of Mediterranean and Maltese specialities that will not disappoint.
Legligin
It’s very rare to be able to go somewhere and have an authentic family-style meal if you don’t have personal contacts in a place. This is where Legligin comes in, as it is a cosy restaurant found in the cellar of a historic Maltese house, where the chef patron creates mouthwatering meals from family recipes. If you don’t have time to enjoy an evening meal at Legligin, stop by for lunch and order the Maltese meze - you won’t regret it.
Guze
You may find it hard to concentrate on your food at Guze, because the surroundings are just so beautiful. It’s said that Girolamo Cassar - the architect that designed the Palace of the Grand Masters - owned this house and as such, it’s one of the oldest in Valletta. The menu includes everything from fresh fish to fillet steaks and the panatone is enough to delight any sweet tooth.
Trabuxu Bistro
Seasonal eating doesn’t get much better than the offerings from Trabuxu Bistro and that’s down to the skill of the chefs. They take the freshest ingredients from around the island and beyond, turning them into dishes that you’ll remember for a long time. The red interior makes it a warm choice for the winter months, but you’ll definitely want to book in advance in the summer to secure one of just few outdoor tables.
Trattoria da Pippo
Fuel your sightseeing with a lunch at Trattoria da Pippo. While it’s not far from the main street, this restaurant is a favourite with locals, making it one worth descending the steps down to the cellar to experience. Order the lobster ravioli and enjoy feeling happy and full for the rest of the day. The other pasta dishes also come highly recommended and in just as large portions.
To visit the best restaurants in Valetta, book a cruise to the Med on MSC Bellissima!
