Espiral Restaurant offers an unforgettable Spanish fusion dining experience with creative dishes, excellent service, and a beautiful setting.
Jump directly to:
So, you know how we always look for a great dining spot up north in Malta? Well, we've got one for you: Espiral Restaurant Mellieha.
In the past few months, we’ve visited this restaurant occasionally, and we think it might be just what you’re looking for. If you are hunting for where to eat in Mellieha, whether you’re a tourist exploring the island or a local undecided about where to go next, hear us out!
Warm Welcome and Excellent Service
Right from the start, you're in for a treat at Espiral. As soon as we walked in, the staff greeted us warmly, with smiles and a genuine willingness to make our visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.
Then there’s Albert, the manager. This guy is a gem. Seriously, he makes you feel like you're a VIP. The service was spot-on the whole time, with staff who cared about our experience and knew their stuff regarding the menu.
A Unique and Picturesque Location
Espiral is located right in the heart of Mellieha at Misraħ iż-Żjara tal-Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II. Mellieha is known for its beautiful beaches and rich history, so it’s no surprise that the restaurant is in a beautifully converted townhouse. The spiral staircase inside is lovely and perfect for those Instagram shots.
Speaking of Mellieha, if you’re into sightseeing, you’ve got the Pilgrims' Lodge nearby. It’s a museum now, all about the history of pilgrimages to the sanctuary of Our Lady. It's worth a visit while you're in the area.
Espiral in Mellieha is seriously elegant. It has a warm, inviting vibe, modern design, and cool Spanish art touches. Picture rich colours, high-quality materials, and super comfy seating.
They go all out to engage all your senses – the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes are all on point. The soft lighting makes it perfect for a classy evening out.
Plus, it’s in this beautifully converted townhouse, and they’ve kept the architectural charm, including this awesome spiral staircase that winds up like a thread through history.
Brunch at Espiral: Bold Flavours and Bottomless Drinks
If brunch is your thing, Espiral has you covered. We suggest you go for the Bottomless Brunch deal, which is €24.50 per person. You get two hours of unlimited Sangria and Mimosa plus a choice of one savoury and one sweet dish.
We had some delicious Poached Eggs on Toast (€8.90) — grilled sourdough topped with avocado, poached eggs, patatas bravas, and hollandaise. We also tried their English breakfast (€9.90), which is a bit on the posh side but was tasty nonetheless.
For something sweet, the fluffy pancakes (€6.90) with caramelised banana and dulce de leche are a dream. The dulce de leche was rich and perfectly matched with the soft, fluffy pancakes.
Brunch at Espiral is served daily from 9.30am onwards. Head to the full Brunch menu here.
Creative Cocktails and Delicious Tapas
Espiral's drinks menu is no joke. They've got a fantastic selection of wines from Spain and worldwide. The cocktail menu is just as impressive, with Espiral No Sangria (€9.50) made with secret ingredients and more inventive creations.
We kicked off our dinner with some of these cocktails. The Baron (€14) was a hit—made with Mezcal, Nordesia Bianco vermouth, Mr Zas Padrón pepper liqueur, and Dehydrated Padrón pepper. Served in a very particular 'glass', it was a great start to the evening.
Next was the Espiral Martini (€11.50), comprising Vodka Absolut Raspberry, Pomegranate juice, Prickly pear puree, Lime juice, Dulce Orange & Blossom foam. Delicious!
To accompany our Espiral Martini, we tried the Jamon Serrano Croquetas (€10.90) in the Tapas to Share section of the menu. These were crispy on the outside and creamy inside, with Jamon Serrano.
The Calamares y Mejillones (€14.90), cooked in Chardonnay and served with braised chickpeas, confit garlic, and onion sauce, were delicate and flavourful.
This is a small note on something that is probably one of our favourite items at Espiral. The Pimentos de Padron seem a staple ingredient, as you will find them in various items, from cocktails to main dishes.
They are an absolute must as a dish by themselves. Chargrilled and not too spicy, that slight burn brings out these little delights' piquant, sweet, and nutty taste.
Authentic Flavours with a Modern Twist
We also had the Carrillera con Patatas (€15.90), beef cheek, confit apples, Padron peppers and potato gratin. The meat was tender, and the accompaniments' tangy and slightly bitter flavours worked well.
When it comes to dinner, Espiral doesn't mess around. The Paella de Mariscos (€45) was incredible. It's a seafood feast with Calamari, Catch of the day, Octopus and Prawns. The flavours were rich, and the seafood was perfectly cooked.
Decadent Desserts
Espiral's desserts are worth every calorie, and they deserve a section in this review. During our visit, we couldn’t resist diving into some of the sweet offerings on Espiral's menu, and let us tell you, they didn’t disappoint.
From the brunch menu, the churros (€4.90) were a classic done right—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and served with a warm chocolate sauce with just the right amount of richness. The orange sugar added a subtle citrusy kick that paired beautifully with the chocolate.
We also tried the pistachio cronut (€4.50), which was part of their pastry selection. This cronut was light, flaky, and generously filled with a creamy pistachio filling that was both indulgent and satisfying.
They also offer other pastry varieties like Nutella (€3.90), berries (€3.90), and dulce de leche (€4.50), so there’s something for every sweet tooth.
The Tarta de Queso (€7.90) stood out from the main menu. This Burnt basque cheesecake with figs, honeycomb, rum, and raisin ice cream has complex flavours that complement each other and make for an indulgent dessert.
Finally, the Emocion de Chocolate (€6.90). This dessert is a must-try for chocolate lovers—a creamy chocolate mousse topped with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt, which enhances the chocolate's deep flavours.
The crispy bread tuille added a nice crunch, making this dessert as texturally interesting as it was delicious.
Collaboration with MasterChef Malta
Oh, and the people at Espiral have teamed up with Nicolas Bezzina, the MasterChef Malta Season 1 winner. He's brought some awesome Spanish-inspired dishes to the menu.
During a recent event, we got to try the various types of food inspired by Nicholas, including the Pork Chek Croquetas (€10.90) and the bitter orange and coffee bread pudding (€6.50). Both were top-notch.
Overall Experience
So, what's the verdict? Espiral Restaurant Mellieha is a spot to try and, in our opinion, easily one of the best restaurants in Mellieha. The service is excellent, the food is creative and delicious, and the setting is lovely.
Essential information on Espiral
Website: https://espiralrestaurant.com/
Opening Hours: Mon – Thus 12:00pm till late | Fri – Sun 9:30am till late
Location: Triq il-Marfa Misraħ iż-Żjara tal-Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II, Mellieħa MLH 9064
Sign up for our newsletter to receive every update from OMG Food Malta.
Kommentare