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TimetableIn Malta, we don't dine too early or too late. We start at 7:30-8pm, but the meal never lasts long. Going to a restaurant is a serious outing, business lunch at midday, family dinner in the evening. In any case, we won't go past 11pm. In Valletta, many establishments only serve lunch, but the island's good restaurants, open in the evening, are frequented by tourists and Maltese alike, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. And it's often best to make a reservation, especially for the evening meal.
Budget & TipsOf course, it all depends on what you eat, but you can expect to spend around €30 per person on a meal. On the other hand, for those who like to eat "on the go", Malta is full of good deals, foremost among which are the pastizzerija, almost a Maltese institution, which are in fact small stalls selling hot pastizzi in strategic places. You can enjoy these turnovers, often with chicken, cheese or peas, at ridiculously low prices (between €0.40 and €0.80 each). They can also be found in the many Maltese kiosks. Maltese sandwiches will also be your friends, as will ftira, the round loaves used to make Maltese "pizzas".
What costs extraWhen it comes to tips, there are two possible scenarios. Either it's already included in the bill, in which case you don't need to add it. Or it's not indicated, in which case it's customary to leave a tip of 5 to 10% of your bill, if you're satisfied with the service provided. Please note that this is not France, and neither bread nor water is free. You'll be asked if you'd like some, you'll indicate what you'd like, and it will be charged: a basket of bread or a bottle of water (no carafe).
The local wayThe Maltese have a good fork. Dishes are generally relatively hearty. Unless you're really hungry, we recommend opting for the starter, equivalent to a starter, rather than the main, corresponding to a main course. Even the starters are already impressive. It's not systematic, but quite frequent: antipasti will be served to you to wait for your dishes.
KidsMany restaurants offer a children's menu, which is less expensive than a regular menu.
SmokersMalta banned smoking in 2004. But this ban was rarely respected in restaurants. This is now a thing of the past. From now on, you can't smoke in a restaurant, unless it has an open-air terrace.
Tourist trapsA few streets from the center of Valletta, you'll be asked to go inside and sit down at a restaurant, but nothing too disturbing.