The story
In the heart of Valletta, on Old Bakery Street, Rubino has been a fixture since 1906, when it first opened as a confectionery. Today, it remains a place that greets you upon entering – a private, homely affair with a romantic and exclusive atmosphere. The restaurant describes its cooking as a place where “wistful flavours, beautiful textures and wholesome ingredients are wedded in a repast of harmony, excitement and nostalgia.”
Rubino’s ever-changing menu revives traditional Maltese and Italian dishes. Starters might include aljotta (Maltese fish soup) or smoked in-house octopus on carrot purée. Among the main courses, you’ll find fenek moqli (fried rabbit), pork fillets with honey and thyme, and a tagliata di manzo. Pasta lovers can order orecchiette with Maltese sausage and ’nduja. Desserts stay true to the island’s sweet tooth: cassata Siciliana, vanilla panna cotta, and crème brûlée. An extensive wine list of local and international bottles is thoughtfully selected to pair with the cuisine.
For seven consecutive years, Rubino has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand – a mark of good quality, good value cooking. It’s a fitting nod to a kitchen that honours Malta’s culinary heritage without pretension. Whether for lunch or dinner, the experience is one of understated warmth and genuine flavour.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
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