10 Must Try Foods & Snacks in Malta & Gozo

Traditional savoury pastry Pastizzi from Malta with Valletta old town on background, Malta Island
Adobe Stock

Malta’s cuisine blends Mediterranean freshness with centuries of Arabic, Italian, French, and British influence. Seafood from the waters around Malta, Gozo, and Comino shapes many dishes, while rabbit, vegetables, and rustic breads reflect flavors coaxed from the islands’ rocky terrain.

Even everyday street food carries a deep tradition.

Drinks are equally distinctive. Kinnie adds a bittersweet citrus sparkle, and Bajtra offers a sweet prickly pear digestif. Local wines draw on two thousand years of history with varietals like Ġellewża and Girgentina, complemented by innovative producers near Dingli.

Cisk leads the beer scene, joined by creative craft brewers using homegrown fruits and botanicals.

Pastizzi

Typical Maltese pastizzi snack, filled with ricotta and with peas
Adobe Stock

Malta’s go-to snack is the pastizzi, a crisp filo pastry filled with creamy irkotta or seasoned mushy peas. Some shops experiment with flavors like chicken, chorizo, pistachio, or Nutella, but the classics remain the most loved.

Many pastizzerija also serve qassatat, small shortcrust pies that use the same traditional fillings.

Zalzetta-tal-Malti

Grilled Zalzetta tal Malti platter
Adobe Stock

Zalzetta tal Malti is a traditional Maltese sausage seasoned with coriander, garlic, and pepper, giving it a bold and rustic flavor. Locals often grill it, stew it, or simply enjoy it uncooked with fresh bread, making it one of the island’s most distinctive everyday foods.

Imqaret

Maltese date filled pastry called Imqaret served with ice cream on plate.
Adobe Stock

Imqaret are crisp, deep fried pastries filled with spiced dates, a favorite treat across Malta. You will see them sold warm from street stalls or served in restaurants with ice cream or citrus sauces. Their sweet, fragrant filling and flaky texture make them a beloved local indulgence.

Wood-fired Breads

Bottle of wine, artisan bread in wicker basket and marinated cheese in a jar on a wooden barrel. Traditional food products of Malta.
Adobe Stock

Feasting on Malta’s wood-fired breads is essential for understanding the island’s food culture. Traditional ftira is baked into a ring shaped loaf with a crisp crust and soft center, often piled with olives, capers, and anchovies.

Another favorite is Ħobż tal Malti, a tangy, sourdough-style bread that becomes Ħobż biż Żejt when layered with olive oil, tomato, tuna, and black pepper.