Best of Valletta
Surrounded by the sea and steeped in history, Valletta is undeniably a handsome city. I was expecting to uncover cobbled backstreets and historic architecture, but I wasn’t expecting the city to be particularly trendy or ‘with the times’. How wrong I was. The tiny Maltese capital is in fact home to innovative chefs, trendy bars, speciality coffee and even raw dessert bars. Below is a mini guide to the best of Valletta showcasing just a few of my favourite places I discovered.
Best view
Not only are the Upper Barrakka Gardens as pretty as a postcard, they also offer spectacular views over the water. Duck under curved archways which open out onto beautiful views of the ancient three cities.
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Best coffee
Enjoy a flawless flat white al fresco at Lot 61 – a fantastic little coffee shop. Located down a back street with tables scattered out the front, you can enjoy your morning brew whilst local life carries on around you.
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Best view of Valletta
The best view of Valletta is hands down the view from Sliema. Hop on the ferry and cross the water in less than 5 minutes and you’ll be greeted with a perfect view of Valletta with the dome of Lady piercing the skyline.
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Best lunch
With stunning views overlooking the three cities, the tiny terrace at Harbour Club is one of Valletta’s most sought after lunch spots. Homemade ravioli and rabbit marinated in white wine are the must try local dishes. Wash it down with an aperol spritz and things couldn’t get much better.
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Best dessert bar
Valletta is definitely a lot more forward than I was expecting. One thing I wasn’t anticipating to find was a raw dessert bar selling energy balls, vegan chocolate and raw desserts. Tried and tested, this is a perfect sweet stop for health lovers.
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Best dinner
If you thought Malta wasn’t keeping up with the world’s food scene, you’d be wrong. Nonni is setting the bench mark high with innovative dishes and top notch cooking. Their slow-cooked octopus tagine is wonderful as is their saddle of rabbit with roasted garlic puree.
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Best gelato
Located inside Valletta’s food market, you’ll find Venchi, an authentic gelateria born in Italy. The classic pistachio is the best flavour in my opinion, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the choices.
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Best cocktails
Café Society is a local hidden gem. Tucked away down some timeworn steps, this is where everyone in the know spends their Friday nights. After sunset, the music gets cranked up and the cocktails flow even faster.
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Cristina – Memories of the Pacific says:
August 1, 2019 at 10:19 am
I haven’t heard the best reviews of Malta but your post probes them wrong!
What’s the name of the dessert bar? I can’t get over that delicious looking treat and coffee