Located on the Maltese coast north of the capital city of Valetta, St Julian’s is a major tourist destination, with attractions centred around the Paceville area.
As with many towns on the island, this destination has a unique and fascinating history, but as well as providing some interesting cultural sites, this history also informs the town’s cuisine, which has grown in response to waves of immigration and the demands of a modern tourist economy. Read on to learn more about some of the very best places to eat in the area.
Barracuda
Close to the centre on a popular coastal promenade, Barracuda is the perfect restaurant for tourists, boasting a strong selection of starters and mains mostly focused on fish and pasta. After flying into Malta airport (MLA), this is a great place to start your Maltese holiday.
Top Tip: Make sure to bring your camera, as Barracuda is near the imposing Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – the city’s main centre of worship and a beautiful photo location.
Spinola Terrace
A little further out, this quiet, secluded restaurant overlooks Spinola Bay from a high perch. It’s further out than nearby competitor St Guiliano, and therefore usually the much quieter of the two.
Come for the views, but stay for the contemporary décor, great service and varied menu, which includes favourites such as pork belly, mussels, lasagne and more! Even better, customers are greeted with a free amuse-bouche and complementary liqueur.
Caviar & Bull
As the name might suggest, this is one of the fanciest, most high-end eateries in the area. Located inside the palatial Corinthia Hotel, Caviar & Bull offers guests their choice of inside table or outside terrace with spectacular views of St George’s Bay.
The kitchen staff and chefs here ensure every meal pops with flavour, offering unique and sometimes experimental twists on modern Mediterranean cuisine. It’s expensive, sure, but it’s the perfect place to splash out for an evening – and the food looks almost as good as it tastes, completing the aesthetic experience.
Chapter One
At the other end of the spectrum, Chapter One specialises in simple, satisfying food. The menu is notably shorter than those at other restaurants in St Julian’s, but don’t let that put you off – in addition to making ordering much simpler, it also keeps quality high and waste low.
This hidden gem also offers especially personal service, letting guests enjoy a homely sense of comfort.
Top Tip: Since it’s located on a small side street near Portomaso, it’s easy to miss. Look it up and get good directions before setting off.
Peperoncino
The friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere make Peperoncino another restaurant where you’ll never feel out of place. Though it only opened in 2005, this eatery has fast gained its great reputation for its fusion of Maltese and Italian cuisines. The best dishes? Anything with fish – seafood is caught daily and the best specimens are selected by the chef.
Zeris
We’ve saved perhaps the best restaurant for last here, and you definitely shouldn’t miss the excellent mixture of Mediterranean-inspired meals, served in a beautiful setting by the Portomaso Marina.
The menu includes:
- Locally sourced fish and seafood
- Italian pasta dishes
- A variety of grilled, stewed and roasted meats
The staff are especially accommodating – although it’s best to make a reservation, (especially if you want to eat overlooking the marina), the staff will work hard to secure you a table.
Where to Stay
Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel – Located near the centre of town in the Paceville area just a short distance from Malta Airport (MLA), the Golden Tulip gives guests access to two restaurants, including one overlooking the Mediterranean, and the Newtones Leisure Club which includes a sauna, hot tub and pool. Rooms come with all the amenities you’d expect, and most have sea views to enjoy from the balcony.
Luma Residence –Again in Paceville, Luma is 650 yards from Spinola Bay, making getting to some of the restaurants on this list that much easier. Rooms come with flat-screen TV, minibar, electric kettle and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and shower. It’s a great choice for those who don’t mind fewer facilities if it means they get comfort and cosiness in exchange.
How to Get There
Flights to Malta Airport (MLA) from the UK are very affordable, especially when you travel outside of peak months. Six airlines offer approximately 50 direct flights per week, and the journey takes around three hours in total.
When you arrive, a Shuttle Direct transfer from the airport to town is the best way to make the journey quickly and in comfort, without having to worry about Maltese transport.
Overview
- UK to MLA Flight Time: 3 hours
- Malta Airport (MLA) to St Julian’s Distance: 14 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 15 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
With friendly and experienced drivers happy to give tips and guaranteed to get you where you need to go on time, Shuttle Direct is proud to be Europe and North Africa’s best regarded airport transfer operator.
