Before going to Malta I really hadn’t thought too much about what food I would eat there. I knew very little about Maltese food in general, but I wanted to try as much as I could while there.
The reason I was even visiting Malta was for a travel conference happening there in April of 2023. As part of the mid week they did have a food tour set up, but unfortunately it filled up before I could sign up. So when a friend suggested we do a food tour specializing in traditional Maltese food, I couldn’t say no!
The food tour guide takes you to all the local spots they recommend, tells you the history, and shows you what foods to try. Our guide even gave us suggestions for our return to the same restaurants and others.
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Maltese Foods
Kinnie
This bittersweet fizzy soft drink is one you should try! It has an orange taste and a bit bitter. The fizzyness makes it feel like your drinking an orange flavored soda, but not as sweet.
Ftira
Ftira is an open sandwich that’s pretty popular during the summer. It’s served on Maltese bread (hobz) topped with sweet potato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, tuna, drizzled with olive oil. It can also have capers, green olives, and chopped green peppers.
Pastizzi
Pastizzi is a street food classic you must try when in Malta. They tend to be greasy and crunchy and way too high in calories, but absolutely delicious! You can choose one that’s filled with peas or ricotta cheese. They usually go for 50 cents and you can find them on most corners. It’s been almost a year since my trip to Malta and I still dream of these every so often.
Sfineg
These fluffy and crunchy specialties are anchovy fritters traditionally eaten during Lent. It’s a fried dough ball with an anchovy placed inside.
Bigilla
This is a typical dish you can find at most Maltese restaurants. It’s made with mashed tic beans, this bean paste is eaten on Maltese bread or water crackers. Most Maltese chefs add parsley, garlic, and a mix of other herbs to add more of an aromatic flavor.
Imqaret (Date cakes)
Another typical street food are these little date cakes. They are small bite-sized and often served with ice cream. These pastries are actually a legacy of the time Malta was under Arab rule. In Tunisia, a similar pastry is called macrood and best eaten with an espresso.
This was definitely one of the best experiences I had during my time in Malta! Some of these dishes I had tried before, but most I hadn’t. This Maltese food tour makes a great way to try different dishes and know where to try them.
Related Posts
Check this out for tips on how to get from the Malta Airport to Valletta, Sliema, and other cities. Not sure what cities to visit in Malta? Check this out for tips!
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