Malta’s dining scene is a flavourful reflection of its rich history – and if you love Italian food, you’re in for something special. Thanks to the island’s close ties to Italy, both culturally and geographically, Italian cuisine has taken root in every corner of Malta. From timeless trattorias to modern-day osterias, you’ll find Italian restaurants Malta locals return to again and again. Whether you’re after rustic southern cooking or the perfect Neapolitan pizza, this guide will help you uncover the best of what’s on the menu. Malta’s Italian-influenced food culture also extends to its broader dining scene, see our guide to traditional Maltese food to understand just how intertwined the two culinary traditions are.
Table of Contents
Italian Restaurants in Malta
Restaurant | Area | Style | Best For | Book Ahead? |
Trattoria da Pippo | Valletta | Trattoria | Lunch, local atmosphere | Yes |
Rubino | Valletta | Bib Gourmand | Special dinners, pasta | Essential |
Zero Sei | Valletta | Roman trattoria | Carbonara, pasta lovers | Recommended |
N’duja Osteria | Valletta | Calabrian | Bold flavours, adventurous | Recommended |
Vecchia Napoli | St Julian’s | Neapolitan pizza | Groups, pizza nights | No |
Don Royale | St George’s Bay | Waterfront Italian | Hotel guests, date nights | Yes |
Tosca | Mellieħa | Modern Italian | Seafood, summer dinners | Yes |
La Buona Trattoria del Nonno | St Paul’s Bay | Rustic farmhouse | Families, relaxed meals | Recommended |
Trattoria A Lanterna | Buġibba | Ligurian | Pesto lovers, north Malta | No |
Here’s a handpicked list of Italian restaurants in Malta where passion, heritage, and a little theatrical flair are always on the table.
Italian Restaurants in Valletta
Trattoria da Pippo
Lively, low-key, and famously beloved by Valletta’s inner circle, Trattoria da Pippo is one of the oldest and most cherished Italian restaurants Malta has to offer. Expect handwritten menus, bold flavours, and a lunchtime atmosphere that’s more family gathering than formal affair. A classic in every sense.
Order: the daily pasta, it changes with what’s fresh, which is exactly the point. Go for lunch; the lunchtime atmosphere is where Da Pippo is at its best.
Rubino
Once a humble confectionery, now a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, Rubino is among the top Italian restaurants Malta visitors seek out for a reason. With seasonal menus and impeccable attention to detail, it’s a love letter to traditional Italian cooking – with a Maltese twist.
Order: whatever the seasonal pasta is, Rubino’s Bib Gourmand status is built on its pasta work. Booking in advance is essential; this is one of the hardest tables to walk into in Valletta.
Zero Sei
If you dream in carbonara, welcome to paradise. Zero Sei is a Roman-style trattoria that’s gathered a cult following for its unapologetically authentic pasta dishes. Regularly ranked among the best Italian restaurants Malta has for pasta lovers, it’s cosy, charming, and just a little bit addictive.
Order: the carbonara, it’s why people come back. The cacio e pepe is close behind. Expect a queue at peak lunch hours; worth the wait.
N'duja Osteria
Calabria comes to Malta at N’duja Osteria, where spicy spreads, slow-cooked meats, and bold wines steal the spotlight. It’s one of the more unique Italian restaurants Malta has for those who like their flavours full-bodied and a little off the beaten path.
Order: the n’duja spread as a starter, it sets the tone for the meal. The slow-cooked lamb, when it’s on, is exceptional. A good choice for adventurous eaters who want something distinct from the standard Italian menu.
Italian Restaurants in St Julian's
Vecchia Napoli
Order: the Margherita, if they’re doing the basics this well, the rest of the menu follows. The antipasti platter is worth sharing as a starter. It’s one of the most consistently recommended things to do in St Julian’s for food lovers.
Italian Restaurants Around the Island
La Buona Trattoria del Nonno – St Paul’s Bay
Set in a charming converted farmhouse, La Buona Trattoria del Nonno serves hearty fare with a side of rustic nostalgia. Their wood-fired pizzas and soulful pasta dishes are consistently praised, earning them a spot on every list of top Italian restaurants Malta has in its repertoire.
Order: the wood-fired pizza or the tagliatelle, both are the reason locals drive out to St Paul’s Bay for this specifically.
Tosca – Mellieħa
Tosca brings an elevated edge to Italian dining in Malta, blending classic recipes with fresh island seafood. Stylish yet unstuffy, it’s perfect for date night or slow dinners with a view. Regularly named among the best Italian restaurants Malta offers for modern tastes.
Order: the fresh fish of the day, Tosca’s kitchen is strongest when it’s working with the morning’s catch. Book in advance, particularly in summer.
Trattoria A Lanterna – Buġibba
Tucked away in Buġibba, Trattoria A Lanterna is a Ligurian gem serving pesto the way it’s meant to be – bright, nutty, and unforgettable. This family-run spot is one of the best Italian restaurants Malta foodies in the north should discover for themselves.
Order: the trofie al pesto, the reason to come. The family-run atmosphere is part of the appeal; this is not a place to rush.
Don Royale – Verdi St George’s Bay Marina
Set within Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina, Don Royale offers a stylish take on classic Italian dining with a waterfront backdrop. Expect refined versions of beloved dishes, fresh seafood specials, and a wine list that leans Italian with local nods. Whether you’re sharing a sunset dinner or indulging in a leisurely lunch, Don Royale blends elegance with ease – ideal for travellers seeking atmosphere as much as flavour.
Whether you’re on a sun-drenched weekend in Mellieħa or a cultural ramble through Valletta, there’s always an Italian table waiting for you. The list above is just the beginning – an invitation to explore and uncover your own favourites. Malta offers an Italian experience for every palate and occasion. If you’re planning a stay near the heart of Malta’s dining and entertainment hubs, Verdi Hotels Malta provides a stylish, well-connected base that puts you within easy reach of top restaurants and local attractions. And for those who love pairing great food with great wine, check out these wine tasting experiences in Malta to round out your culinary adventure.
Buon appetite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Restaurants in Malta
What are the best Italian restaurants in Malta?
The most consistently recommended Italian restaurants in Malta are Rubino in Valletta (Michelin Bib Gourmand, exceptional seasonal pasta), Trattoria da Pippo (a Valletta institution beloved by locals, best at lunch), Zero Sei (Roman-style trattoria with a cult carbonara), and Vecchia Napoli in St Julian’s (Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, consistently praised). For a waterfront setting with a refined menu, Don Royale at Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina is the standout option. For modern Italian with a fresh seafood focus, Tosca in Mellieħa is worth the drive.
Are there good Italian restaurants in St Julian’s, Malta?
Yes. Vecchia Napoli is the most recommended Italian restaurant in St Julian’s: a Neapolitan pizza specialist that has been a local favourite for years. The wood-fired pizzas are the reason to go, and the antipasti platter makes a good start. Don Royale at Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina is also within easy reach of the main St Julian’s area and offers a more refined Italian dining experience with a waterfront view. Both are good options depending on whether you want something casual or more of a sit-down occasion.
Is Italian food authentic in Malta?
Malta has genuine historical and geographic proximity to Italy, and that shows in the restaurant scene. Several venues are seriously regional in their approach. Zero Sei is specifically Roman (carbonara, cacio e pepe, gricia), N’duja Osteria draws from Calabria, and Trattoria A Lanterna in Buġibba is Ligurian, known specifically for its pesto. Rubino’s Michelin Bib Gourmand reflects its quality. The better end of the Italian restaurant scene in Malta is genuinely on par with what you would find in Italy.
Where should I eat Italian food in Valletta?
Rubino is the most critically acclaimed option, a Bib Gourmand winner with a seasonal menu and exceptional pasta. Booking in advance is essential, as it is one of the harder tables to secure in Valletta. For a more informal lunch, Trattoria da Pippo is the local favourite, with handwritten menus and a lunchtime atmosphere that feels more like a family gathering than a restaurant. Zero Sei is the specific choice for pasta: the carbonara and cacio e pepe have a cult following and are worth queuing for. N’duja Osteria is the pick for something bold and less conventional, with spiced Calabrian spreads, slow-cooked meats, and strong wines.
What should I order at Italian restaurants in Malta?
It depends on the restaurant. At Zero Sei, order the carbonara — it has built its reputation on it. At Rubino, go with whatever the seasonal pasta is, as that is where the kitchen shines. At Vecchia Napoli, the Margherita is the test of a Neapolitan kitchen. At Trattoria da Pippo, the daily pasta special is always the move. At Tosca, order the fresh fish of the day. At Trattoria A Lanterna, the trofie al pesto is the reason people make the trip.
Do you need to book Italian restaurants in Malta?
For the top Valletta restaurants, yes, particularly Rubino where booking well in advance is essential. Zero Sei and Trattoria da Pippo do not always take reservations but tend to fill up at peak lunch hours, so arriving early is advisable. Vecchia Napoli in St Julian’s is generally fine without a booking on weekdays. Tosca in Mellieħa is worth booking in advance, especially in summer. Don Royale at Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina accepts reservations and this is recommended for weekend evenings.
