ION Harbour by Simon Rogan

The story

ION Harbour by Simon Rogan | Two Michelin Stars in Valletta, Malta

ION Harbour by Simon Rogan

From the fourth floor of the Iniala Valletta hotel, ION Harbour looks out over the Grand Harbour, the historic heart of Valletta. The restaurant is Simon Rogan’s first in the Mediterranean, and in 2024 it became Malta’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant, a recognition of the kitchen’s precision and its deep commitment to the farm-to-table philosophy Rogan pioneered at his three-starred L'Enclume in the UK.

The menu changes with the seasons, guided by hyper-local ingredients harvested, fished or foraged by sustainable regional producers. A recent spring tasting menu featured Hokkaido pumpkin from Ta’ Guzman with a sticky yolk from Red Earth organic farm and a Benedettin cheese sauce infused with rosemary, followed by a buckwheat custard with strawberries from Siggiewi, black mint oil and a frozen buttermilk ice cream. Each dish reflects the unique terroir of the Maltese islands.

The team behind the stove is led by executive chef Oli Marlow, whose career includes stints at Eleven Madison Park, Maaemo and The Fat Duck, and head chef Christian Cali, who grew up in a family bakery in Sicily and brings a deep knowledge of sustainable gastronomy. Together with head of sustainability Keith Abela, they champion growers who are environmentally conscious and passionate about their craft. The kitchen even preserves seasonal ingredients like locally foraged mushrooms in pickling solutions, reducing waste while extending the life of the island’s best produce.

A carefully curated wine list sits alongside a unique drinks list that uses surplus ingredients from the kitchen – peels, stalks and stems – turning what might be discarded into something memorable. Guests can choose between a multi-course tasting menu for lunch or dinner, or a shorter lunch option.

The setting is as striking as the cooking. Perched on St Barbara Bastion, the restaurant offers panoramic views of the historic Three Cities and the harbour that has shaped Malta’s story for centuries. The atmosphere is refined but unhurried, a place where the food and the view share equal billing.