My journey around the globe is all about adventure travel, and food is a big part of it because it can tell you a lot about the culture of a region or country. So of course, I ‘had no choice’ but to check out the local food scene during my time on Malta’s main island. And while I spent more time exploring the food scene of Sliema, I also ended up eating at some fantastic restaurants in St. Julian’s.
And let me tell you that I am very glad I did so: after all, St. Julian’s is home to the award-winning ‘best Maltese restaurant’ and more fabulous restaurants. Malta might not be traditionally considered a country to visit for food, but these restaurants alongside many others all over Malta are the proof that it is a fantastic destination for foodies.
With that being said: there are many restaurants in St. Julian’s and I only had the chance to eat some of them. In fact, I focused on trying restaurants near Balluta Bay and Spinola Bay. Therefore, this article does not include every single fantastic place to eat in St. Julian’s.
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Best Restaurants in St. Julian’s for Maltese Food
Gululu
Address: 133, Spinola Bay
Awarded the title of ‘Maltese Restaurant of the Year‘, Gululu is the perfect place if you want to eat Maltese food. From the first bite onwards, it is clear that the food is cooked with high-quality ingredients that are combined to create a perfect balance of flavors. The food here is a real treat and would not be out of place in a gourmet restaurant.
After ordering, you are served Maltese bread ‘ftira‘ with olive oil, and this simple starter already makes it clear what you can expect from your main course. And aside from the food, the cocktails are also good.
Located right at Spinola Bay, this restaurant in St. Julian’s has an outdoor sitting area with 50 seats and an indoor sitting area with 110 seats.
And even during the shoulder season, every single seat is necessary, and you will have to wait in line before you get a table. Given that this is already the case in the early shoulder season, you definitely need a reservation from mid-May onwards.
Despite the high quality of the food, the atmosphere of Gululu is rather relaxed, so it is not necessary to dress up.
My recommendation: Koxox tat-Tġieġ (chicken with kappunata)
Other Restaurants in St. Julian’s
Crudo
Address: 25 Main Street Balluta
If you want to eat brunch in St. Julian’s, Crudo is the perfect choice. After all, they serve breakfast with an Italian touch all day long. The menu consists of traditional breakfast options alongside dishes like focaccia, buddha bowls, and salads. And of course, you can also order fresh juices.
The food is very tasty, and the staff is friendly, which makes it the perfect place for a long chat with great food. A fact that I can vouch for as this is exactly what I did on my first full day in Malta.
Situated at Balluta Bay, right at the corner to Sliema, it is a charming little restaurant in St. Julian’s that is easy to reach regardless of where you are staying.
My recommendation: Avocado & Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Klay
Address: Censu Tabone St.
Klay is a Mediterranean restaurant at Balluta Bay, and has both an indoor dinning area and an outdoor area that mainly serves as a café and bar. The menu consists of a selection of pizza, pasta and tapas, and they also have a selection of local wines. Ask a member of the friendly staff for a recommendation that is ideal for your meal.
The food here is tasty, but it should be noted that the portion sizes are on the smaller side when compared to those of other restaurants in St. Julian’s and Sliema. Nonetheless, the food is more than worth the price and is in fact the perfect serving for lunch on a hot, sunny day.
The atmosphere here is rather casual which makes it a great place for meeting friends and family meals alike. Just know that you might have to wait a bit longer if you order certain dishes including the mushroom lasagne.
My recommendation: Ravioli Ricotta di Pecora (tossed in sage butter & grana)
Crust
Address: 64 Mensija St.
Crust Bistro & Bar is a great restaurant in St. Julian’s if you want to eat burgers and takes pub food to the next level. They have a good selection of burgers, but also pasta, pizza, and seafood. They have a good selection of vegetarian options.
Overall, the food is very flavorful and the portion sizes of the main courses are massive. Meanwhile, the starter portions are rather small and perfect if you just want to grab a few bites while drinking. Do yourself a favor and keep this in mind when choosing your meal.
You can sit outdoors or indoors, whereby the service tends to be faster indoors. In the evening, they have a 2-for-1 cocktail special.
My recommendation: Crispy Chicken Burger
eeetwell
Address: 14 George Olivier St.
Usually, fast food chains do not end up on my list of recommended restaurants, but this eeetwell is a special case because of two things.
Located right at Balluta Bay, it offers a stunning view of the bay promenade and beach. And while it is a fast-food restaurant, the food here is healthy and fresh. The menu is based on the seasonality of the ingredients, which makes it more sustainable than other fast-food chains.
Thanks to this, it is a great place to eat if you want to grab a quick bite while enjoying a fantastic view.
Cafés in St. Julian’s
Sundays in Scotland
Address: 39 Main Street
If you want to treat yourself to delicious pastries while in St. Julian’s, then Sundays in Scotland is the place to go. While it started out as a chocolate boutique, it is now a charming café chain with four boutique cafés in Malta. Thanks to its timeless design, this café invites you to stay a while and to enjoy the pastries as much as you can.
They have everything from small chocolate pralines to tarts and panqué cakes. And let me tell you that the ‘intense lemon panqué cake’ is something you should not miss out on. It was the best sweet treat I ate while in Malta, and I could not recommend it more.
The café in St. Julian’s is right at Balluta Bay. The other Sundays in Scotland are in Valletta and in Sliema. There is also one at the airport and to the joy of travelers that fall in love with the delicious pastries, there are plans to open two boutique cafés each in the UK and in Germany.
Great Restaurants near St. Julian’s
If you are staying in St. Julian’s and do not mind a short walk, the following restaurants in the nearby Sliema are also fantastic options for you. Sliema is one of Malta’s foodie hot spots, so you will find a large selection of incredible places to eat at.
Ta’ Kolina — this Maltese restaurant is a wonderful option if you want to explore Maltese cuisine at another restaurant. The menu is quite different from that of Gululu, so it is well worth a visit.
TemptAsian — THE best Asian restaurant in Malta. Situated on the rooftop of a hotel, this restaurant offers an incredible view of Valletta. However, the view is only the cherry on top of the food, as this restaurant manages to offer high-quality, authentic dishes from several Asian countries.
Hammett’s Gastro Bar — this restaurant is the place to go for a wonderful weekend brunch. The food is amazing and if you sit outside, you have a great view of Valletta. They also have great lunch and dinner menus that offer a range of Asian fusion food.
Sakura — there might be Japanese restaurants in St. Julian’s, but given the quality of the food and service, you should head take the bus here if you want a fantastic experience.
What to know about St. Julian’s
If you are a traveler and have not yet booked your Malta trip, you might also be interested in where to stay and how to get to St. Julian’s. I spent the first two nights of my two months in Malta in St. Julian’s and also attended a conference there, and based on those experiences, I recommend the following accommodations and ways to get there:
Where to stay
St. Julian’s might not be that big, but it has different areas. And if you want a good night’s rest, it might be best to stay at an accommodation that is not in the Paceville party district. It might be a good place for a night of karaoke and partying, but if this is not your main reason for visiting Malta, the area near Ballutta Bay is a much better option.
Hereby, I recommend the following two options near Balluta Bay:
Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa ($$$) — this 5-star hotel is located right at Balluta Bay and offers a scenic view from its terraces. It has a modern interior and is an all-around wonderful place to stay in St. Julian’s. It has a rooftop pool that is ideal if the water of the bay is still too cold for swimming.
Hostel Malti ($) — this hostel is a great option if you are traveling on a budget, but want to stay in a great location. Aside from dorm rooms, you can also stay in private rooms in the building next door, which makes it the perfect option if you love the social aspects of a hostel but want more privacy. It has a small but well-equipped kitchen and a rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi.
How to get to St. Julians
The best way to get to St. Julian’s depends on where your journey begins: if you are located in Valletta, the least expensive option would be taking the bus. Hereby, the following bus routes are good options: 13, 14, 16, 24 & 35. Alternatively, you can also order on UBER or Bolt.
If you are located in Sliema, you can simply walk there. The seafront promenade is the most beautiful route and will take you right to the restaurants near Balluta Bay and Spinola Bay. Alternatively, you can also take the bus, whereby routes 13, 14, 16, 212, and 222 are the best options. At night, it is better to order an UBER than to take the bus after eating at a restaurant in St. Julian’s.
Should you be staying elsewhere in Malta, I highly recommend just ordering an UBER. Taking the bus likely means first taking a bus to Valletta and then taking another bus to St. Julian’s, which makes it a rather time-consuming journey to the restaurant of your choice.
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Roundup: Restaurants in St. Julians
As you can see, the food scene of St. Julian’s is diverse and there is a great restaurant regardless of what you are looking for. There is everything from traditional Maltese food of the highest quality, to Mediteranean food and even healthy fast food.
If the cuisine you are looking for is not on this list of great restaurants in St. Julian’s, it does not mean you will not find a great place to eat at. And while I cannot make recommendations based on my own experience, I talked to enough locals to say the following: there are many amazing restaurants in the area framed by Triq Spinola, Spinola Bay, St. George’s Road and Gululu. I’d go there if I wanted Greek food or was looking for an Asian pub.
More about Malta
If you are planning a trip, you might also be interested in these Malta travel guides:
Malta Travel Tips
Things to do in Mellieha
Which of these restaurants will you eat at?
Let me know in the comments!
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