Valletta Waterfront is buzzing again! Enjoy the coming season in this historical setting with great food and a family-friendly atmosphere.
We know evenings or Sunday lunches at the Valletta Waterfront are great. This time we decided to enjoy some lovely afternoons and check out the Autumn vibes around the place. Thankfully, it seems slowly but surely, things are returning to normal. Especially when you’re walking past the vast number of restaurants and seeing so many people seated enjoying their food on a fine October day.
With its historical setting and stunning views, the Valletta Waterfront is one of Malta’s most picturesque promenades. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of traffic and crowds, it is perfectly located in the downtown harbour area. It is one of the many stunning images tourists are graced with when entering the Grand Harbour on one of the many cruise liners which have made their way here.
The promenade is extremely photogenic, enjoying a direct view of the Grand Harbour, especially Birgu and the rest of the Three Cities. We know there are a lot of restaurants in Malta, but few can boast a combination of stunning views, long history, and a vast array of restaurants. Mostly, Valletta Waterfront offers a great atmosphere overall, which is why it is a popular destination for those seeking the best restaurants in Malta but also a great atmosphere and entertainment.
The Valletta Waterfront has a rich history as a trading port and consists of centuries-old warehouses.The place was a trading port built by the Knights of St John, the warehouses are centuries old and originally served as stores for loaded and unloaded goods purchased from mariners from far out places would moor their vessels to unload their supplies.
Being in close proximity to the British Naval forces stationed in the Harbour and the Malta Dockyard, the area was devastated by aerial bombardment by the Axis during World War II. Some of the stores were destroyed. The area was left vacant for several years and was in a state of decay till the mid-1990s.
The creation of a cruise port and the Valletta Waterfront in the early 2000s means the place welcomes people from different countries much in the same way it used to during the Knights period. It is basically the revival of a centuries-long activity in the area.
The pandemic halted these activities, but in the meantime, Valletta Waterfront underwent major renovation work during this period. A €2 million investment added a uniformly designed shading structure at the edge of the promenade where you can dine al-fresco.
This gives patrons the choice of whether to stay outside under this covered space or inside the vaults, now that autumn and winter are coming, the weather starts playing up. If you fancy some Mediterranean cuisine, perhaps you might try Ta’ Detta RestaurantTa’ Detta Restaurant a try.
It is a family-run business with years of experience in the culinary industry specializing in both traditional Maltese cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine, such as the seafood risotto we tried and were quite pleased with.
The Valletta Waterfront already had a wide range of top-notch restaurants and bars, but new restaurants have opened up recently, lending the area a hip vibe. Bentley’s Malta is a recent addition offers exciting foods and drinks with equally cool live performances featuring artists like Ben Purplle, Desi Campbell, Kevin Paul, Kurt Calleja and Gianni & Papps, amongst others. We sampled their Jack Coke Ribs and thought they were the real deal. Basically meat falling off the bone!
Another recent addition is Il-Forn Ta’ l-Għawdxi which has been known to several locals for quite a while, but now is the newest kid-on-the-block at Valletta Waterfront, bringing the unique wood oven-cooked traditional Gozitan ftira but also some classics like the lovely carbonara with big chunks of guanciale!
Today, the vast array of restaurants catering to different tastes present within Valletta Waterfront means it is sought after by anyone looking for a relaxing evening with good food and atmosphere. Craving Asian foods or looking for Chinese restaurants near Valletta? Nan Yuan has been offering intricate Cantonese tastes since 2004, which marks the date since the restaurant started operating at the Valletta Waterfront.
On the other hand, if you love sushi and Asian Fusion, Wasabi is one to try. Wasabi’s menu features Japanese offerings and innovative dishes illustrating the emerging influence of Asia on modern Japanese cuisine. Just have a look at our sushi platter. Amazing!
The great thing about Valletta Waterfront is that there are all kinds of restaurants, bars and cafes. Whether you’re looking for seafood, a hearty meal of ribs and chips, cocktails or just a simple cappuccino, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Q Bar & Restaurant is one of the Valletta Waterfront bars, which offers a unique mix of dining and lounging in chic surroundings. You may want to try the Beef Stroganoff and the Lasagne Al Forno, or do like us and enjoy some great cocktails and calamari fritti.
If you are into meat options, outlets such as Bistro 516, Browns or Crave offer a great selection of premium cuts of beef, grills and platters. There is also a selection of fish and pasta, with Bistro 516 having available a full English breakfast, a favourite with regulars, and gluten-free or Vegetarian options on request.
Also, Pepe Nero might be known for their pizza, but they also specialise in a carefully selected range of beef cuts and breeds. You really must try their BBQ dish. Our jaws just dropped when we presented the platter, not only by the sheer size but also because the quality-looking meats, especially the beef tagliata which tasted amazing.
Hard Rock Cafe Malta at Valletta Waterfront gives you a rocking attitude that is fully translated in their American cuisine, such as the Original Legendary Burger we washed down with a handcrafted cocktail. If that was not enough, we fully indulged in a sumptuous Hot Fudge Brownie, which was humongous! When you’re finished with your meal, take some time to explore the inspiring collection of music memorabilia from the greatest legends or acquire some merchandise from the Rock Shop.
Of course you can stop at Starbucks for a coffee treat. Starbucks’ story began way back in the 1970s, with Starbucks opening their flagship Malta outlet at Valletta Waterfront a few years back, offering around-the-clock food and beverages, including interesting seasonal drinks. Of course, whilst coffees and frappes are the main protagonists, if you fancy something with them, there’s the Bakery with muffins, scones or croissants waiting!
On nice sunny days, it is street entertainment that will captivate you. Get ready to be serenaded by musicians and enjoy the buzz created by the various street artists you will find along the way. On weekends, several children characters appear along this natural stage, keeping your children entertained and making the Waterfront a perfect location for a family day outing.
It is super easy to get to the Valletta Waterfront by land or sea. With the introduction of the Gozo fast ferries this summer, the Valletta Waterfront has become even more accessible from all around the islands. You can also make your way from Valletta by the lift from the Upper Barrakka.
Valletta Waterfront Parking is available a short distance away at the very heart of the destination at a flat rate, with free ample parking also on adjacent roads. We also found the Valletta Waterfront extremely safe, with restaurants taking all the necessary precautions to keep all visitors (and staff) safe in these post-COVID-19 times.
You won’t run into large crowds, whilst all the establishments observe measures, and you will be outdoors most of the time, with attractive and spacious indoor spaces.
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