Restaurants

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"Restaurants, too, are participating in the Malta makeover, with their horizons broadening and menus becoming increasingly adventurous. Popular with bright young things is Da Pippo in Valletta's Melita Street, a trattoria that serves a blend of Italian, Sicilian and Maltese food. A little more formal, and favoured by the movers and shakers, is Rubino - with its well-stocked cellar - in Old Bakery Street. But Fusion 4 in St John's Cavalier Street is the place for dinner. Set into the 400-year-old city bastions of Valletta, and offering local and international dishes, it symbolises the new scope and ambition in the island's kitchens.

Nowhere is change more apparent than in Valletta's bars. The minimalist 222, just opened in the city walls, will doubtless act as a catalyst for similar venues catering to a cosmopolitan crowd. Walk down Strait Street - once the capital's red-light district - and nightlife is plainly thriving. Popular among the cognoscenti are Trabuxu - which occasionally hosts live bands and art events - and the larger and cooler Labyrinth. If not exactly swinging, the capital is definitely beginning to sway."

The Daily Telegraph 09/07/07

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Twotwentytwo
A contemporary space within the historical walls of Valletta. Great atmosphere bar/restaurant in an ultra fashionable venue.222 Great Siege Road, Valletta. (12 minutes walk from Valletta G-House) More Info

La Vita de la Valette
Pinto Wharf vaults, Valletta Waterfront.The brasserie caters for 300 people with seating capacity for 100 inside and 200 covers outside enjoying the spectacular atmosphere of the Grand Harbour.The cuisine caters for the different times of the day - breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or all the times in between.

Trabuxu
1 Strait Street, Valletta. Tel: 21 223 036. Wine bar with great selection of over 200 quality wines. Attracts a crowd of the city's business and legal professionals, actors and musicians. Mouth watering nibbles to complement your wine.

Legligin
119, St.Lucy Street, Valletta. Tel 21 221 699. Chill out Cafe Bar situated one corner away from the Manoel Theatre. Dishes ranging from lamb casserole to fine French cheese platters..

Heat
Vault 16, Valletta Waterfront. Tel: 21 242 400. American diner offering a mix of American sandwiches and burgers, grills, fish, salads and risottos. At midnight our Cinderella turns into a bar/club with resident DJ's.)

Rubino
Old Bakery Street, Valletta. Tel: 21 224 656. 100 year old gastronomic institution. Little-known local dishes depending on the seasonal fresh produce. Renowned for its cannoli di ricotta and Sicilian cassata.

Bocconci
75-76 Republic Street, Valletta. Tel 21 232 505. Situated within the Casa Rocca Piccola, brings the gastronomic traditions of the Campania to Malta.

Trattoria da Pippo
136 Melita Street, Valletta. Tel: 21 248 029. Open for lunch between 12.00 and 15.00 hrs, serves fresh fish and Italian veal, pasta dishes and desserts.

Slavianski
92 Old Bakery Street, Valletta. Tel: 21 248 029. Slavonic specialities in this Eastern Europe restaurant. Open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday from 19:30 to 23:00 hrs (last orders)

Ta Lukardu
64 Republic Street, Valletta. Mob: 9928 2264. Cafe and wine bar, serves baguettes, ftajjar, dips, salads, bruschettas to a selection of platters from Gozo, Malta and Italy. Also delivers food around Valletta. Open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 16:00 hrs, from Wednesday to Saturday from 19:00 till late.

Cockneys
Marsamxett Wharf, Valletta. Tel: 21 236 065. Excellent views, specialising in fresh fish and pasta. In winter open for lunch from Monday to Sunday between noon and 15:00 hrs and for dinner on Saturdays from 17:30 to 22:30 hrs.

Malata
Palace Square, Valletta. Excellent Maltese and Southern Italian menu where you are bound to meet politicians having their lunch. Ravjul (Maltese Ravioli) and fish are favourate dishes.

La Sicilia Bar and Tavola Calda
At the bottom of St John’s Street. Tables on a tiny square overlooking the Grand Harbour on one side and surrounded by grandiose Valletta architecture on the other make for a great setting. Try Spaghetti alle Seppie Nere washed down with some good Maltese Wine and followed by Mandorle and coffee.

Caffe Cordina
244-45 Republic Street. On the ground floor of the original treasury of the Knights, Valletta's oldest café. Since 1837, this ornate, vaulted confectionery has produced hot, savory breakfast pastries and qaghaq ta' l-ghasel (honey rings)

The Carriage
22/5 Valletta Buildings, South St. Phone: 21 247828. Window tables have splendid views. Reservations essential. Jacket and tie. Closed Sun.-Mon. No dinner Tues.-Wed. No lunch Sat.

Giannini
23 Windmill Street. Phone 21 237121. Among the city’s most reserved and elegant restaurants. Haute Maltese-Italian cuisine. Lounge downstairs, restaurant on fifth floor. Reservations essential. No dinner Sundays to Thursdays. No lunch on weekends.

Lantern
20 Sappers Street. Phone 21 237521. Eighteenth century town house on Valletta’s western heights with traditional Maltese food. Closed Sundays.

Trattoria Palazz
43 Old Theatre Street. Phone 21 226611. A limestone cellar beneath the city’s public library. Maltese-Italian cuisine. Reservations essential. Closed on Sundays.

Windsor Bistro
Archbishop Street. Phone 21 230636. Simple trattoria, Modestly priced. Great service.

Crianza
33 Archbishop Street. Phone 21 238120. Only does salad, pizza and pasta. Modestly priced.

Capistrano Restaurant
61, Bakery Street. Phone 21 225 329. (close to Manoel Theatre) Nice quiet little restaurant. Excellent food.

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