Restaurants

Malta is a great place to try seafood - Lampouki is a fish that you will see on most menus - but it is seasonal. Stuffed squid is another speciality – stuffed with olives, rice, pork, and thyme amongst other ingredients. The catch of the day can always be found in local restaurants.

Malta enjoys a wide variety of cuisine which, for such a tiny country, is astounding.

Here are just a few of the local favourites:

Girasole: St Julians waterfront

Girasole is one of a few of St Julians waterfront restaurants with a prime view over the harbour.

It has colourful romantic décor with friendly staff and a varied menu including lots of traditional Maltese dishes and seafood. Price comparison: more expensive than average.

Portopala: Sliema, Tigne waterfront

Portopala is a restaurant with a great selection of dishes. Comfortable chairs, nice sea view, friendly stuff, quiet atmosphere.

Good place for a romantic dinner, sea food, marinara pasta or marinara pizza. Price comparison: more expensive than average.

Rubino: Valletta, Old Bakery Street

Rubino's is the best restaurant for Maltese cuisine. Expect a range of soups and pastas (such as fettucini with snails and saffron), meats (boiled gammon with stewed apple mustard, baked potatoes and salad), and bakes (cheese layers with fresh broad beans).

Tables are by reservation only.

Price comparison: more expensive than average.

Pulena: Marsalforn, Gozo

Pulena is one of the best restaurants in Gozo. The owner and chef Michael Meilak makes the restaurant's various pastas. Here you'll find the standard menu of pizzas, pastas, meats, fish and poultry, although for something more memorable opt for the day's specialities such as aubergine stuffed with goat's cheese. Price comparison: average.

Gesther: Gozo, Xaghra

The small restaurant is run by two sisters. Specialities include sheep cheese salad and local dishes. They churn out some memorable soups, such as the marrow soup, followed by large portions of favourite local dishes - a rabbit casserole, or bragioli (beef pockets stuffed with mincemeat, eggs, cheese, parsley, bacon) served with oven-scorched potatoes and blanched vegetables. Price comparison: less expensive than average.