Restaurant Review: Aphrodite Taverna, (St Paul's Bay)

It is fair to say that Aphrodite did not manage to grab a primo piece of real estate on which to open their restaurant.

Rather than trying to describe it's location, probably easier to just show you on this map:

Restaurant Review: Theo's (Mdina)

This is a Greek/Turkish/Calabrian restaurant located on Mdina's main street near
the cathedral.  (In case you're wondering, Calabria forms the "toe" of Italy's distinctively leg and boot shaped country.  If you are not familiar with Turkey or Greece then you should probably stick to Burger King for now).

We got there before seven, which turned out to be too early, as they weren't open.  Not only that but there were no signs in evidence, meaning that we wandered up and down the street a few times in ever more irritated fashion until they decided to open up for business.

Restaurant Review: Flora Asian-Fusion, (Qawra)

This is a nice little restaurant tucked away at the Qawra end of Tourist Street, near the bus terminal.

(You'll find it if you want to, the internet exists for such things).

Restaurant Review: Malet Restaurant

There are a lot of restaurants and cafes in Bugibba serving up standard fare and sea views for lunch and dinner.  Nothing wrong with that of course - when you visit a hot country it's nice to be able to enjoy your steak and chips al fresco, with the sun on your back.

However, if you want to try some real Maltese cuisine while you're out here, (like the rabbit in the photo above), you might want to check out Malet restaurant on St Simon's Street instead.  

Saint Patrick's Day in St Paul's Bay... but which Irish Pub to choose?

If there is one thing that St Paul's/Bugibba has a huge number of, it's libraries.

Wait.  Did I say libraries?

I meant pubs.  In fact I haven't seen a library since I've been here, but there is certainly no shortage of pubs - so plenty of options for a pint of the black stuff on St. Patrick's Day.  Come with me on a brief tour:

No messing about here.  It's a bar, and it's Irish.  No need to over-complicate things.

Bar Review: O'Reilly's Pub (Bugibba)

Sometimes it's worth hearing the opinions of other people, like these ones that went to the trouble of commenting on tripadvisor.com.   I have decided to take the first line out of the first commenter on each page (at time of writing), regardless of what they say, so as to get a properly random selection of opinions.  There are TEN pages of tripadvisor comments, so it's clearly a popular spot:

- Nice bar with very nice interior. Best i've seen in Malta so far. But with that comes a price. ;-)

- Visited this pub on two occasions while in Bugibba,nice pint and my wife enjoyed the cocktails but if your'e not a regular the staff are not too friendly,don't think I'll visit again.

- We have been to O'Reilly's many many times and we really do love it.

- If you want a large cocktail to share (or not), or even a pitcher for excellent quality and value - this is the place to go

Bar Review: The Drayton Pub

The Drayton Pub deserves to do more business than it does.  It is dimly lit, (as any good pub should be), it has a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, tv screens showing sporting events at an unobtrusive volume, and a couple of pool tables.  Okay, so the pool cues are basically sticks with a veneer of chalk on the end, but still. 

Bar Review: The Salisbury Arms

This is one of the better English pubs you will find on the island.  It is tucked away in the back streets of Sliema, but is well worth seeking out.  Good friendly vibes and no frills, usually filled with expats enjoying a few beers.  The food comes highly recommended too.

All in all, a lot of people call this place the best pub on the island, (and I struggle to think of too many that are better myself), so if you are wandering around the High Street area of Sliema and working up a thirst, you should definitely seek it out.

Best Full English Breakfast in Malta?: Wild West Bar/Restaurant

Or to give it it's full title:  'Wild West Bar, Restaurant, Pizzeria & Takeaway'

Yee-haw.

As the name and accompanying pictures may suggest, the Wild West's main problem is not the food, it is the marketing end of things that rather lets the place down.  But more of that later - what about the breakfast?  "Better than expected" would be my assessment.  Pretty nice - particularly the bacon/rashers, which were of the traditional variety - although garlic butter with the bread maybe a step too far.  But yes, generally speaking not bad and well priced for the Paceville area at just €3.75 including coffee or tea.

Restaurant Review: Gochi (St Julian's)

美味しい

Now I know this place is good, because it was recommended to me by a couple of Japanese friends.  Japanese people who found sushi they liked in Malta: not to be sneezed at.  In fact, this little restaurant gave me a new appreciation for sushi.  'Oh so that's what it's supposed to taste like', I said to myself after infiltrating a tray of rolls.  Previously I had assumed people were lying about their fondness for sushi, just because it sounds kind of chic.  Much like I always assume people are lying when they claim to love the works of James Joyce or Samuel Beckett.  Maybe I'm wrong about them too, but it will take more than cold fish wrapped in seaweed to convince me of that.  But I digress.  If you are in the mood for a healthy and very, very tasty take-away option (or sit-in if you prefer), then stop by at this little Japanese gem.

Bar Review: Lady Di

Tucked away in one of the back streets of Sliema you can stumble upon the Lady Di pub.  It is a British pub, if the name hadn't made that clear enough for you, and has a sort of musty end of Empire feel about it.  Except not that impressive Victorian British empire, more like that grim 1980's Maggie Thatcher, Falklands and Royal wedding sort of a period.
I visited the place solely out of curiosity and because I had an hour to kill on a Wednesday afternoon, so probably not fair to judge it on such a basis.  So I will anyway.

Simon's Pub (Sliema)

Not open yet... come back later

This is one of those small, quirky little bars you can come across in Malta.  It's located in the backstreets of Sliema - or in other words, not along the seafront and so less likely to be stumbled upon by tourists.  So you may have to check the map to find this place (address below), but it's worth stopping by for a beer.  The walls and ceilings are bursting with oddments and artefacts, and the pub attracts a mix of long-time regulars as well as tourists.  Friendly atmosphere inside and a nice (small) terrace outside with tables for when the the weather is warm enough.  One thing to note is that it only opens at 8.30 in the evening, apart from about an hour at lunchtime.  So if you're looking for early evening beers, look elsewhere.

Simon's Pub is on the corner of Manwel Dimech Street and Depiro Street.

Bar Review: 1927 Bar (St Julian's Band Club)

The local bands form a major part of the festas held in the towns and suburbs around Malta, so as you may expect, the St Julian's Band Club bar is to be found right at the heart of St Julian's.

This is a real Maltese bar, right in touristy St Julian's and next to symbol of commercialised 'where has it all gone wrong?' McDonalds outlet.

I went there for a beer a couple of months ago and ordered a glass of Heineken:
Received a bottle of Heineken and a glass.
Then back to the bar for a pint - (it was a Saturday, so why not?).
Got 2 bottles of Heineken and a pint glass.

Bar Review: Crow's Nest Pub (St Julian's)

This is a nice little spot, tucked away in a corner of St Julian's just next door to Dick's Bar.  It boasts an adjacent beer garden too, so is also a good place to sit outside when the sun is shining.  The small interior is festooned in various pub artifacts and has a nice cosy feel, but when the sun is shining people are magnetically enticed outside. 

Personally, of the two I prefer Dick's, but that's just me.  Their beer garden offers more scope for people watching as it's just off the main road. But I like to go down to the Crow's Nest from time to time, sit outside with a newspaper and a beer.  Prices are very reasonable and it's a decent place to while away an hour or two.

Previous Post:  Waiting for Arriva

Bars and Restaurants: City of London Bar (St Julian's)

Apparently this is the oldest pub in Malta, dating back to 1914 and built to accommodate the British soldiers stationed on the island.  Not so many soldiers around these days, but the City of London is still a very popular haunt on Ballutta Bay.  A lot of bars and pubs in the Sliema area don't have all that much outside seating, or what they do have is in a fairly unglamorous location.  The City bar bucks the trend by having lots of seats overlooking the picturesque bay, which is a pretty good reason to go there.  That's one of the advantages of setting up your pub 50 years before the competition, you get to choose the best spot.

Bar Review: The Cork Bar

Given the rivalry between the cities in Ireland, the Cork Bar should be the natural enemy of The Dubliner. And in the contest between them, there can be only one winner.  (It's not Cork).  This bar is on the small side, quite a lot of booths.  There's also a pool table and a big screen for various sporting events.  It doesn't open too early in the day, and tends to cater to an older expat crew along with various drop-ins who are passing by, and as the

Bar/Restaurant Review: Don Mesquita (Mdina)

Maltese platter.  It's good, you know you want one..

Restaurant Review: Paparazzi (St Julian's)

Upon opening the menu here, you will realise that you are not dining in one of the more sophisticated establishments in western Europe.  The various dishes are named after movie stars of past and present, and range from burgers and chips to pizza/pasta variations.  What you are paying for here is really the location, as on a sunny day you are treated to a fine view of lovely Spinola Bay.  There is sufficient variety on the menu to suit all palates from ages 8 to 80, and the servings are big enough to satisfy the hungriest of travellers.  It's good honest food on big plates, in a great spot.

Bar Review: BARcelona (Paceville)

Flashy but not too noisy, this is a chilled out lounge style bar in Paceville.  You can try a refreshing alcoholic beverage here without getting blasted out of it by over-exuberant deejaying.  It's a nice place to sit outside when the sun is shining, have a beer or a cocktail and maybe something to eat if you fancy it.  The menu features a range of Spanish tapas' and there's also an extensive cocktail menu if you are so inclined.

Bar Review: Dick's Bar & Cafe

This is one of those little bars in Malta that deliver more than they promise from the outside.  Locals and tourists rub shoulders, which is unusual enough around the St Julian's area.  The beer is pretty cheap and you can get good value food slopped out to you if you want.  Best thing is sitting outside watching the people go by and getting your head into a pint of Cisk.  Good bar.  But don't go taking up all the tables outside, because I need them.