10 Maltese Foods You Need to Try When You Visit Malta 🤩
Malta is quite the culinary destination in the Mediterranean. We’re known for having traditional dishes that are unique and absolutely delicious. 👌
If you’re visiting Malta anytime soon, or if you’re a local craving something VERY Maltese, here’s a list of Maltese foods that should be on your list! 👇
Timpana
This is probably one of my favourites. Timpana is basically a pasta pie: a pie filled with pasta made with a sauce similar to bolognese. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like timpana. It’s carbs on carbs! 🤤
Bigilla
This traditional Maltese dip is made from a specific type of beans: tic beans (ful ta’ Ġirba, in Maltese). It’s enjoyed with galletti (Maltese water biscuits) or even spread on bread. 😍
Lampuki (only when in season)
Yes, only when in season! Lampuki season starts towards the end of August or beginning of September, where you’ll see a number of restaurants start serving lampuki (or mahi mahi) as specials. The most traditional ways to serve it are pan-fried, baked, or grilled, but we also had other methods in mind! 😋
Pastizzi (obviously)
You cannot come to Malta without tasting pastizzi. This Maltese snack is composed of a filling of either ricotta or peas, enclosed in a flaky, crunchy, fatty, layered pastry. You can also find ones filled with chicken and ones filled with anchovies (mostly during the Lenten period). 🤩
Twistees
The perfect cheesy, on-the-go snack! Twistees is an iconic Maltese snack that has been around for ages. You’ll find these in almost every convenience store, grocery, and supermarket around the islands. 😏
Ftira biz-zejt
Fresh bread that is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, filled with a mix of tomato paste, tuna, onions, capers, olives, tomatoes, butter beans, and a good glug of olive oil - nothing screams Maltese better than the ftira biz-zejt! Pair it with a cold bottle of Kinnie, an orange-flavoured Maltese drink, and you’re all set. 😌
Cisk beer
No, it’s not food, but how can we leave the Maltese beer out? If you love lager, you have to try Cisk! Whether it’s the regular one, Excel, Pilsner, Export, Strong, or the fruity Cisk Chill, Cisk beer has been around since 1929. If you’re looking for an alcohol-free version, there’s also Cisk 0.0! 🍺
Rabbit or horse meat (or both)
Maltese traditional dishes are not always vegetarian-friendly. When I mention rabbit meat and horse meat as traditional dishes to foreign friends, I sometimes get weird looks. However, it’s a part of Maltese culture and both dishes are a staple around the Maltese islands. Rabbit can be served pan-fried with loads of garlic or in a stew, whereas horse meat is traditionally served in a stew. ✌️
Snails, if you’re adventurous
This dish is definitely for the adventurous eaters. Snails are served in a flavour-packed tomato sauce or a stew in Malta and can be found in numerous band clubs around the island as an appetiser. You either love this dish or you hate it, there’s no in-between! 🐌
Maltese sausage
A staple in any Maltese barbeque, the Maltese sausage is salty and super flavourful. It is made with ground local pork, coriander seeds, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. 🌭
Which Maltese food is your absolute favourite? Let us know in the comments! 😎
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