The Malta dishes to try first
4 dishes anchor this guide. They are the names you are most likely to see on a menu, and the ones worth ordering before you start improvising. Each card links to a full page with place, price band and dietary detail.
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01
Pastizzi
Flaky pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas.
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02
Rabbit stew
Slow-cooked rabbit with garlic, wine and herbs.
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03
Ftira
Sourdough flatbread filled with tuna, tomato and olives.
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04
Kapunata
Maltese ratatouille of aubergine, tomato and capers.
Bakery and street staples
Bakery items are where a food culture shows its daily habits: what people grab on the way to work, what fills the gap between meals, and what costs almost nothing. The Malta index lists 2 items in this group.
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01
Hobz tal-Malti
Long crusty loaf, the base of the local sandwich.
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02
Qaghqaq tal-ghasel
Honey ring biscuit with aniseed, eaten at Easter.
Coffee in Malta
Coffee is not a footnote in most food guides, and it is not one here. The 2 indexed coffees are tagged 2 espresso. Use the cards to tell an espresso-style order from a manual brew or a milk-heavy drink.
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01
Espresso
Short coffee, the default order at any bar.
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02
Cappuccino
Espresso with steamed milk, usually before noon.
Other drinks worth ordering
Beyond coffee, the index tracks 2 drinks for Malta, tagged 1 juice and 1 tea. These are the cold drinks, teas, juices and sweet options that show up on the same menus.
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01
Kinnie
Bittersweet herbal soft drink, the national soda.
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02
Lemon tea
Hot lemon and honey, common in winter.
Where to eat in Malta
Most Malta entries are listed as nationwide rather than tied to one city. Treat the guide as a menu to look for wherever you land, then ask locally which version is worth the detour.
- Nationwide
Vegetarian, halal and pork at a glance
Dietary tags describe the dish as indexed, not a guarantee about every kitchen. Of the 10 Malta items we track, 4 are tagged vegetarian, 0 carry a halal tag, 0 are tagged pork and 1 are tagged seafood.
Vegetarian tags can still include fish sauce, anchovy stock, lard or shared fryers. Halal tags are not certifications. If either matters to you, use the dedicated guides and ask the venue directly.
What food costs in Malta
Price bands are planning estimates in US dollars, not live menu prices. They are most useful for comparing one destination with another and for deciding where to spend.
| Band | Typical range | Items | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | usually under US$8 | 8 | Pastizzi, Ftira, Kapunata |
| Mid-range | roughly US$8–20 | 2 | Rabbit stew, Cappuccino |
| Premium | usually US$20 and up | 0 | — |
More food guides in Southern Europe
Compare Malta with its neighbours, or open the drinks guide for a coffee-first view of the region.
Malta food: common questions
What food is Malta known for?
Pastizzi, Rabbit stew, Ftira and Kapunata are the dishes most strongly represented in our Malta index. Each has a dedicated page with its description, typical price band and the place it is linked to.
Is Malta food vegetarian friendly?
Yes, there are options: 4 of the 10 indexed items are tagged vegetarian. They include Pastizzi, Kapunata, Hobz tal-Malti and Qaghqaq tal-ghasel. Ask about stock, fish sauce and cooking fats if you need to be strict.
Can I find halal food in Malta?
No Malta item in our index carries a halal tag. Look for dedicated halal venues and ask about meat source, alcohol and shared fryers rather than relying on the dish name alone.
How much does food cost in Malta?
Most indexed items are in the budget band (8 items). 2 are mid-range and 0 are premium. Street stalls and bakeries sit at the low end; sit-down restaurants and hotel dining push prices up.
What should I drink in Malta?
Espresso, Cappuccino, Kinnie and Lemon tea are the drinks we index most often. The drinks guide separates coffee from everyday non-alcoholic options, so you can order without guessing.
TasteBridge indexes 10 Malta items from public menu and food-culture sources. Price bands are planning estimates, not live menu prices. Last reviewed 2026-11-06.