In Malta, the dinner menu can vary based on the season and what’s locally available, but there are some classic dishes that are popular and often featured during mealtime.
- Pastizzi – A savory pastry, typically filled with ricotta cheese or peas. It’s more of a snack but can be part of a casual dinner.
- Rabbit Stew (Fenek) – This is considered one of Malta’s national dishes. The rabbit is slow-cooked in a rich sauce with wine, garlic, and herbs. It’s hearty and flavorful.
- Bragioli – Beef olives, which are thin slices of beef stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, herbs, and sometimes bacon or other fillings. These are then braised in a rich sauce.
- Lampuki Pie – A traditional fish pie made with lampuki (a type of fish, also known as mahi-mahi), vegetables, and a pastry crust.
- Imqaret – For dessert, this is a date-filled pastry, often deep-fried and dusted with sugar.
- Ħobż biż-Żejt – A simple but delicious dish often served as a starter or snack. It’s a crusty bread topped with olive oil, tomatoes, tuna, olives, and capers.
Dinner is often served with local wines like those from the island’s vineyards, and you might find a variety of pasta dishes, as well as Mediterranean influences in their food.