The Best Restaurants in Sliema

I consider food a crucial part of understanding a country’s culture, so of course I like to indulge in food while traveling. And let me tell you that it is the most delicious kind of research possible. Given that, I ‘had no choice’ but to eat at a bunch of restaurants in Sliema during my month of living and working there.

And let me tell you that it was a real pleasure to eat my way through the menus of Sliema’s restaurants, as this town certainly knows good food. Located between Valletta and St. Julian’s it has long since been popular among locals and tourists alike, and now, it is also a hotspot of digital nomads.

Thanks to this diverse crowd you can find a large range of different restaurants in Sliema that offer everything from Maltese to Italian and even Japanese food. And of course, it is this diversity of cuisines that makes Sliema one of the foodie hotspots of the country. There is a restaurant for every budget and taste, and based on my own experience, the following are the best restaurants in Sliema.

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Aside from being a foodie hotspot, Sliema is also great if you want to swim in the ‘Roman baths’ or the ocean, relax at the stone beaches, or go scuba diving. There are also plenty of charming streets full of colorful balconies, picturesque churches, and Tigné Point (the best sunset spot with a view of Valletta).

Best Restaurants in Sliema for Maltese Food

Ta’ Kolina

Address: 151, Tower Road

Ta’ Kolina is the place to go if you want to eat Maltese food in Sliema. The menu contains a wide variety of local dishes ranging from a Maltese platter to Raviollo Ricotta and Maltese Pasta. And of course, they also have a dish with rabbit and seafood. The portion sizes are very generous, so be prepared to take some food with you for another meal.

If you eat here, I recommend starting your meal with the Maltese platter. It is enough for 2 to 3 people and consists of young goat cheese with pepper, grey bean paste with galetti, bread with tomato paste, beans, capers, fried onions, and artichokes. Usually, there are also Maltese sausages, but if you are vegetarian or do not eat pork, you can ask for them to be replaced by more of the other foods.

The atmosphere feels rather homely. The interior of this restaurant is a perfect blend of a historic place with stone arches and wooden beams at the ceiling, mixed with ‘modern’ touches such as the lamps and pictures of Malta with a selected coloration.

My recommendation: Maltese platter + ravioli ricotta

Best Restaurants for Italian & Mediterranean Food

Peppi’s Restaurant

Address: Tower Road

Peppi’s Restaurant (at the sea) is an Italian-Mediterranean restaurant located right at Exiles Bay, so you can enjoy a stunning view of the vibrant blue bay as you eat. There is an indoor area, but on sunny days, it is the terrace that is the best option. The food here is delicious and more than good value for your money.

My recommendation: Chicken Fillet Burger (with 2 chicken fillets)

International Restaurants in Sliema

TemptAsian

Address: Triq Il-Kbira

TemptAsian is a fantastic Asian restaurant on the rooftop (level 9) of the AX The Palace, a five-star hotel, and therefore comes with certain expectations concerning the food quality – and it does not disappoint. The menu includes Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese dishes. And while a large variety like this often has some downsides, this restaurant in Sliema will blow you away as everything is delicious.

When it comes to the flavor and presentation of the food, there is nothing to say other than that the food is amazing and on point. And the same can be said for the service. While the restaurant closes at 10 PM, you are not rushed to finish your meal and it is still possible to order dessert. This goes to show that service is a craft and that your restaurant experience is enhanced if the staff is friendly and helpful.

The staff was very accommodating of food restrictions and even brought out a different free starter. The waiter was fantastic when making recommendations for alternatives if the alteration of a dish was not possible.

There are different rooms in this restaurant and if you choose the right spot, you get to eat with a stunning view of Valletta. So reserve a table in advance and ask for either a table in the second room right at the window or a table on the balcony facing towards Valletta. There are also tables surrounded by curtains that are ideal if you eat with a group of four to six people and are celebrating something.

Given the quality of the food and the excellent service, it should not surprise that this Sliema restaurant is at the higher price end of the price range. And yet, the prices are more than acceptable if you want to treat yourself to a good meal in an elegant restaurant where people tend to dress up.

My recommendation: dal ka shorba (lentil soup) + Mirgh Makhani (Indian butter chicken); cocktail: Caipirinhai Twist (with passion fruit)

Sakura Japanese Cuisine & Lounge

Address: 122, Tower Road

Sakura is a Japanese restaurant right at Sliema’s promenade and has both an indoor and outdoor sitting area, whereby even the outdoor area is covered. I more or less stumbled upon it while looking for a sushi place and was more than pleasantly surprised by the great ambiance and incredibly friendly staff.

The food here is tasty and there is a wide selection that includes a range of vegetarian options and even chicken sushi – which is ideal for ‘chicketarians’ like me. My friend and I ended up ordering a large selection of food, and every single dish was delicious. The cocktails were great as well.

The prices were more than fair for the quantity and quality of food. All in all, I highly recommend Sakura if you want to eat at a Japanese restaurant in Sliema.

My recommendation: teriyaki chicken maki, age-dashi tofu, yakitori & seaweed salad

Best Brunch in Sliema

Hammett’s Gastro Bar

Address: 33, 34 Tigné Seafront

On the weekend, Hammett’s Gastro Bar is the perfect place if you want to enjoy a good brunch with friends. Their brunch menu is amazing and can be ordered from 11 AM to 2 PM (weekends only).

In addition to brunch, Hammett’s also has a lunch and dinner menu. Everything on it has an Asian touch and there are many vegan options. While I only ate brunch at this fantastic restaurant in Sliema, the lunch plates looked and smelled amazing. And given how happy everyone was with their food, it is safe to say that the regular menu is just as good as the brunch menu.

Surfside

Address: Tower Road

Surfside is a combination of a terrace, a sports bar, and a club that is spread out over three levels. Located right at the ‘Roman baths’ and Font Ghadir, all levels offer a stunning view. The Terrace is on the top floor and is a cozy, open area with comfy chairs and heaters in the colder months. The sports bar resembles a British pub and has a good atmosphere. ‘Lido Club’ has beach access and is on the lowest floor.

From Monday to Friday, you get breakfast at half the price between 9 AM and 11:30 AM, which makes Surfside a great place for brunch. The food here is good, and so are the cocktails. Hereby, I particularly recommend the ‘Forever Summer’ cocktail.

If you eat at the sports bar, I highly recommend trying to sit around the corner right next to the window (facing northwest), as this is where you have the best sunset view of this restaurant in Sliema.

Patisseries & Cafés in Sliema

Manouche Bakery

Address: Triq Mons. G. Depiro (at the corner of St. Francis Street)

Unlike the Manouche Bakery in Valletta, the one in Sliema is quite small and does not have a real sitting area except for a bench in front of it. And yet, it is a great place to buy a delicious slice of cake or a different sweet treat. I highly recommend getting your cake in a to-go box and eating it at Sliema’s oceanfront promenade or on your hotel balcony.

Manouche is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM, but I recommend visiting the small patisserie no later than 2 PM or the sweet treat you want could already be sold out.

Gelaterias in Sliema

Rivereno Gelato

Address: Tower Road (opposite Peppi’s Restaurant)

Rivereno Gelato might be a gelateria chain that does not just exist in Malta, but that does not mean you should not eat ice cream here. After all, their Italian gelato is very creamy and tasty and is made on-site every day. While the ice cream here is not exactly cheap, it is more than worth the money. And unlike other gelaterias in Sliema, Rivereno is open very late (9 AM – 12:15 AM).

Gelateria

Address: Tower Road (opposite the Rolling Marble Sculpture)

Great Restaurants near Sliema

If you do not mind a short walk along the waterfront, the following restaurants near Sliema are also great options. They are located in St. Julian’s along Balluta Bay and Spinola Bay and are more than worth the walk or UBER ride there once you have checked out the fantastic restaurants in Sliema that are listed in this article.

Gululu — a Maltese restaurant right at Spinola Bay with an outdoor and indoor area. Rated the best Maltese restaurant of the year, the food here is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and is very flavorful. Reserve a table in advance.

Crudo — an Italian restaurant that is a great place for brunch. The food is tasty and the staff is more than friendly. And while the place is small, the table placement makes it feel more spacious.

Klay — a Mediterranean restaurant right at Balluta Bay with an indoor dining area and an outdoor bar & café combi. They have a good selection of local wines, and the food is a delight. Just know, that the portions are not as large as at many other restaurants in Sliema and St. Julian’s.

Crust Bistro & Bar — this restaurant takes pub food to the next level. They have a good selection of burgers, but also pasta, pizza, and seafood. The food is very flavorful and the portion sizes of the main courses are massive. They have a good selection of vegetarian options.

If you want more details about these restaurants and recommendations on what to eat there, you should read this article about restaurants in St. Julian’s.

What to know about Sliema

If you are a traveler who is currently planning your trip to Sliema, you might also be interested in where to stay and how to get to Sliema. Given that I have lived there for just over a month and had the chance to explore the town extensively, I recommend the following options:

Where to stay in Sliema

There are plenty of hotels and other accommodations in Sliema, and many of them are close to the two seafronts where you also find a lot of Sliema’s restaurants. I recommend staying at one of the following hotels, as they offer great facilities and are in good locations.

Backstage Boutique Townhouse ($) — a great option if you are traveling on a budget, but do not want to stay in a hostel. This hotel is music-themed & has a stylish, modern design.

How to get to Sliema

The best way to get to Sliema depends on where you are located: should you be located in Valletta, the least expensive options are to take the Valletta to Sliema ferry or take the bus. Alternatively, you could also order on UBER or Bolt.

If you are located in St. Julian’s, you can either walk there, whereby the seafront promenade is the most beautiful route and is also where many great restaurants in Sliema are located. Alternatively, you can also take the bus, whereby routes 13A, 14, 16, 222, and 225 follow the seafront. At night, it is better to order an UBER than to take the bus after eating at a Sliema restaurant.

Should you be staying elsewhere in Malta, but not too far away, I highly recommend just ordering an UBER to Sliema, as taking the bus likely means you would first have to take a bus to Valletta before boarding a bus to Sliema.

Roundup: Restaurants in Sliema

As you can see, there are many fantastic restaurants in Sliema and the surrounding area, that cater to all tastes and budgets. Obviously, I did not get the chance to check out every single restaurant, but after first researching the best Sliema restaurants and then eating there, I highly recommend the selection I presented above. They all have amazing menus full of delicious dishes, and I do not think you can go wrong with any of them.

Keep in mind that it is perfectly fine to take away the rest of your food in case you do not eat everything. Nowadays, all restaurants have takeaway boxes – and most of them are eco-friendly – and you do not have to feel weird about asking them to pack up the rest of your food. It is the perfect way to enjoy another meal while also being more eco-friendly as the food is not wasted.

In conclusion, I can only say that eating at all of these eateries certainly showed that Malta has somehow managed to become somewhat of a foodie destination despite the fact that the traditional Maltese cuisine is rather limited – in part because it includes meats that are not that popular in other countries.

Many amazing international restaurants give the food a twist by using local ingredients, and then there are also Maltese restaurants that seem to be turning the traditional cuisine around by giving the food a modern twist. Often, it is a mix of local food and international cuisine, and the result makes for one (or many) amazing dining experiences in Sliema.