Without a doubt, the most memorable culinary experience of our trip to Malta was dinner on the romantic terrace of La Sfoglia in Valletta.
Since we were staying just a street away, we walked past the neatly set, red-tablecloth tables on Merchants Street every afternoon. But because we were trying to keep our trip to Malta on a budget, we mostly admired the restaurant from afar—taking in the view and atmosphere without ever stepping in.
Until, on the second-to-last day, we decided to treat ourselves and booked a table for a farewell dinner. And we’re so glad we did! Both the dinner and the reservation turned out to be a great call—because La Sfoglia was fully booked every time we passed, even outside peak season. Without a reservation, we wouldn’t have had a chance.
The Atmosphere
Let’s start with the atmosphere—because in a place like this, it matters just as much as the food. (Don’t worry, the food was amazing too—we’ll get to that.)
The outdoor tables, tastefully dressed in red tablecloths, were inviting from the very first glance. While there are plenty of places in Valletta with outdoor seating, La Sfoglia had a different kind of vibe. It wasn’t one of those cheap, slightly run-down tourist spots you’ll find in every big city. There was something subtly elegant about it—maybe the red tablecloths, maybe the oversized wine glasses—but it promised a special dining experience.
And the setting only added to the charm: right in the heart of a pedestrian street in Valletta. You’re seated on La Sfoglia’s small, semi-enclosed terrace, enjoying flavorful dishes while people stroll past your table—and just beyond them, Malta’s stunning architecture unfolds before your eyes.
The service was just as impressive. Our waiters were warm, attentive, and professional. They showed up exactly when we needed something, answered our questions helpfully, and brought everything quickly and smoothly to our table.
And surprisingly, it wasn’t nearly as expensive as we expected—but more on that below.
The Food
Everything we tried was excellent. In fact, this was by far the best food we had during our entire stay in Malta.
We wanted to focus on traditional Maltese dishes, though the menu also featured tempting options like steaks and grilled fish.
For starters, we chose the rabbit liver and the mussels. The rabbit liver was served with red onions in a rich red wine sauce, delivering deep, bold flavors. The mussels were also served in a unique sauce and were unexpectedly delicious.
For the main course, we went with “Traditional Rabbit”—La Sfoglia’s version of stuffat tal-fenek. This classic Maltese dish is different at every restaurant, but here it was a true flavor bomb of rabbit leg and loin. Instead of the usual fries, it came on creamy mashed potatoes, and the sauce didn’t include the typical vegetables like carrots, peas, or potatoes. But honestly, that only added to its charm. The dish stayed true to its roots, but with a refined, creative twist—perfect for such an elegant setting.
For our second entrée, we ordered octopus stew. It’s probably not the most common way to prepare octopus elsewhere in the world, but we definitely wanted to try it. Besides rabbit, octopus seemed to be the second most common ingredient across Malta—almost every restaurant had at least one or two octopus dishes. And we weren’t disappointed here either. The thick tomato and red wine sauce paired perfectly with the incredibly tender octopus.
La Sfoglia Valletta Prices
La Sfoglia is an upscale restaurant in Valletta—it’s not a quick snack bar. So of course, there’s a price to pay for the outstanding food, charming setting, and excellent service.
But since Malta is generally an affordable destination, you can still enjoy a great lunch or dinner at La Sfoglia for a pretty reasonable price—depending on your expectations, of course.
Main dishes are typically between €25 and €30, so no, it’s not cheap. We paid a total of €110 for two people, including tip. That included one appetizer and one main course each, plus a glass of wine and water for both of us. Sure, you can cook a romantic dinner at home for less—but for a full dining experience in the heart of an EU capital city, we found the prices absolutely fair.
How to Get to La Sfoglia Valletta
La Sfoglia restaurant is located in the heart of Valletta, right at the corner of Merchants Street and Felix Street—just steps away from the Is-Suq Tal-Belt market.
