Southern Europe
Food of Malta
The 6 most iconic national dishes of Malta — real photos, key ingredients and tasty facts behind every plate.
Europe
Pastizzi
Flaky diamond-shaped pastries filled most commonly with ricotta or curried peas. They are crisp, rich and deeply associated with everyday Maltese snacking.
Did you know?
Pastizzi are famously sold from small local shops called pastizzeriji and are one of Malta’s most recognisable cheap street snacks.
Fenek stuffat
Malta’s best-known traditional rabbit dish, slowly braised until tender in wine, garlic and tomatoes. It is hearty, savoury and central to the Maltese fenkata feast tradition.
Did you know?
A communal rabbit meal known as a fenkata is considered one of the most traditional social meals in Malta.
Ħobż biż-żejt
A rustic Maltese bread sandwich rubbed with tomato and dressed with olive oil, then filled with ingredients such as tuna, capers and olives. It tastes fresh, briny and intensely Mediterranean.
Did you know?
Its name literally means “bread with oil,” though in practice it is often loaded with several classic island pantry ingredients.
Timpana
A baked macaroni pie enclosed in pastry, typically mixed with meat sauce, eggs and cheese. It is rich, filling and a classic celebratory Maltese comfort food.
Did you know?
Timpana reflects Malta’s long culinary ties with Sicily and broader Italian food traditions.
Aljotta
A light but aromatic fish soup sharpened with garlic, herbs, rice and lemon. It has a bright, clean seafood flavour and is one of Malta’s classic coastal dishes.
Did you know?
Aljotta is often compared to other Mediterranean fisherman's soups but is distinctly Maltese in its lemony, garlicky profile.
Kusksu
A traditional Maltese soup made with tiny pasta beads, broad beans and ġbejniet cheeselets. It is rustic, comforting and especially associated with springtime home cooking.
Did you know?
Despite the similar name, kusksu is not couscous but a soup built around small round pasta traditionally made in Malta.