Written and kept up to date by Hanna & Chris — the places we'd send a friend to
MICAS
The recent addition to the art scene — modern creativity in historic surroundings
Malta Society of Arts
The oldest art institution, housed in a beautiful palazzo
Valletta Contemporary
Private gallery
Spazju Kreattiv
Left-field movies and art exhibitions
Manoel Theatre
Classical and contemporary shows and music
R Gallery — Sliema
Contemporary art, just across the harbour
Izakaya N — Strait Street
Authentic Japanese bistro
NONI
A fine touch on Maltese cuisine — recently awarded a Michelin star
Ion The Harbour
Top views — two-Michelin-starred dining over the Grand Harbour
AKI
Asian, clubby — broad menu, great cocktails and acoustics
Da Pippo
Loud, almost impossible to get in, but so worth it
Under Grain / Risette
Fine dining in a beautiful set-up
Zero Sei
For pasta lovers
Rubino
One of the oldest and most authentic
Tico Tico
Delicious bites in the red-light district of the past
Cordina
An institution since 1837 — sit on the square, order a ftira
The Bagel Hole
NYC-style bagels, homemade fillings — a must-try
Lot Sixty One
Excellent hot and cold drinks — they know their coffees
Gambrinus
Local ftiras — eat in the heart of Valletta or head to the beach
Trabuxu
One of the oldest local wine bars — French cheeses and oysters
Sunday in Scotland
Chocolate indulgence
Ginscal — Strait Street
Quirky mezcal bar with South-American bites
Tartarun — Marsaxlokk
A great fish restaurant in the south
Salumeria Gardens — St Julian's
Best pizza on the island
Le GV — Sliema
New fine dining with an Orient Express touch
Villa Bologna — Attard
Italian trattoria in the gardens of a baroque estate
Il Corsaro — Wied iż-Żurrieq
Tiny seafood spot by the Blue Grotto — whatever's fresh that day
The coastline around Fort St Elmo
Raw nature around a mega-fortress
Upper Barrakka Gardens
The view, the midday gun salute, and a lift down to the harbour
Lower Barrakka Gardens
We love it at sunset
St John's Co-Cathedral
A unique church — and a grand Caravaggio
City Gate & Parliament
The contemporary addition, by Renzo Piano
Riviera Beach
A drink at sunset, or an early swim
Għar Lapsi
The coastal walk
Blue Grotto
Snorkelling and a swim by the cliffs
Mdina
Step back into Malta's medieval past
Miġra l-Ferħa
An adventure in nature
Hollywood
A mix of souvenirs in a beautifully restored traditional shop
Francis Bajada
The finest hats in Valletta
D'Amato Records
Since 1885 — five generations selling records on the same street
Il-Lokal — Mdina
Local art and design products
Villa Bologna Pottery — Attard
Local pottery and a beautiful restaurant
Super F# — St Julian's
Concept store in busy Paceville
