DinaLast Updated on September 16, 2026
Unlike the typically sweet Italian breakfast, the traditional Maltese breakfast has a much stronger savoury side. Malta’s breakfast habits combine Mediterranean flavours with the influence of the British period.
This does not mean that every Maltese person begins the day with a full English breakfast or several pastizzi. At home, breakfast may be as simple as toast, cereal or biscuits. However, if you want to try something characteristically Maltese, pastizzi and ftira are the foods to look for.
Maltese breakfast: quick information
- Most famous breakfast snack: Pastizzi
- Traditional fillings: Ricotta or spiced mashed peas
- Another local option: Ftira filled with tuna, tomato, olives and capers
- Popular drinks: Coffee, cappuccino or tea with milk
- Modern breakfast areas: Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s
- Best local experience: Fresh pastizzi from a neighbourhood pastizzeria
What do the Maltese eat for breakfast?
Pastizzi
The most famous Maltese breakfast snack is the pastizz—or pastizzi in the plural. These traditional flaky pastries are normally filled with ricotta or spiced mashed peas.
You will find them across the islands in small establishments known as pastizzeriji, as well as in cafés, bakeries and takeaway shops. They are inexpensive, filling and normally eaten while still warm.
Pastizzi can be eaten at any time of day, but having one or two with a cup of tea or coffee is one of the quickest and most characteristically Maltese breakfasts. They are often eaten standing up or taken away, a little like Italians having a cappuccino and cornetto at the bar.
My Pretty Travels Tip: Do not judge pastizzi that have been sitting behind a counter for hours. Try them freshly baked from a busy local pastizzeria where there is a constant turnover.
Ftira
Ftira is a traditional Maltese ring-shaped bread with a crisp exterior and a softer centre. A classic ftira sandwich may contain tuna, tomatoes, olives, onions and capers, although numerous fillings are now available.
It is more substantial than a pastizz and works well if you want a savoury breakfast or an early lunch.
Gozitan ftira is slightly different. It is normally served open and baked with toppings such as potatoes, onions, cheese or anchovies, making it look closer to a rustic pizza.
Other savoury Maltese options
Other foods you may find in traditional bakeries and pastizzeriji include:
- Qassatat: Small pastries commonly filled with ricotta, peas or spinach
- Ħobż biż-żejt: Maltese bread prepared with tomato, olive oil and ingredients such as tuna, olives and capers
- Savoury pies: Bakeries frequently sell pies filled with cheese, meat or vegetables
Coffee and tea in Malta
Coffee culture in Malta reflects both British and Italian influences.
- Tea with milk: A clear British influence that remains popular, particularly with pastizzi
- Black coffee: At home, this may be instant coffee or coffee prepared using a moka pot or machine
- Cappuccino and espresso: Widely available because of Malta’s proximity to Italy, but without Italy’s unwritten rules about when different coffees should be consumed
- Speciality coffee: Increasingly common in Valletta, Sliema, Gżira and St Julian’s
You can order a cappuccino after lunch without attracting the same attention you might receive in Italy. Maltese cafés generally follow a more international approach to coffee.
What do Maltese people eat at home?
While everyone naturally eats what they prefer, everyday breakfast at home is normally simpler than the food served in Malta’s brunch restaurants.
Common options include:
- Toast with butter, jam or chocolate spread
- Breakfast cereal with milk
- Biscuits with tea or coffee
- Yogurt and fruit
- A simple sandwich
- Pastizzi collected from a nearby pastizzeria
A full English breakfast is also easy to find because of Malta’s long British connection. However, sausages, bacon, eggs and baked beans are more commonly associated with hotels, weekend brunch or a substantial café breakfast than with every Maltese person’s daily routine.
Breakfast in Malta and Gozo
Although the Maltese islands are small, you will notice some differences depending on where you stay.
In Gozo and Malta’s smaller villages, it is generally easier to find traditional bakeries, pastizzi, local bread and more straightforward cafés. In Sliema, Gżira, Valletta and St Julian’s, breakfast has become increasingly international, with avocado toast, pancakes, smoothie bowls, speciality coffee and all-day brunch menus.
A Maltese food tour in Valletta
If you want to try more than one Maltese speciality, this three-hour food and culture tour combines a walk through Valletta with tastings of pastizzi, ftira, traditional sweets, local drinks and other Maltese dishes.
The tour is currently rated 4.8/5 from more than 1,400 reviews and includes the food and drinks provided at the different stops.
👉 Check prices and availability for the Valletta Street Food and Culture Walking Tour
This costs considerably more than buying a few pastizzi independently. I would choose it if you want to understand the history behind Maltese food and combine the tastings with a guided introduction to Valletta—not simply as a place to have breakfast.
The activity is not currently recommended for vegans, people with gluten intolerance or visitors with limited mobility. Always check the latest itinerary, accessibility information and dietary restrictions before booking.
Modern breakfast and brunch in Malta
Recent years have brought major changes to Malta’s breakfast scene. You will now find:
- All-day brunch restaurants
- Speciality coffee shops
- Avocado toast, pancakes and egg dishes
- Smoothie bowls and healthier breakfast options
- Vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free choices
- French bakeries and international pastry shops
Best places for breakfast and brunch in Malta
Malta has evolved, and there are now many brunch and speciality coffee places. I admit that initially I did not like this habit because I preferred having breakfast at home. Gradually, however, I grew to love it.
When you go out only for coffee in Malta, it is not always like Greece, where you can sit for hours. In many places, your cup is removed once you finish and the staff may continue asking whether you would like to order anything else. Brunch gives you more time to sit, talk and enjoy the experience.
These are some of my favourite places for breakfast and brunch in Malta, updated for 2026.
Breakfast in Valletta
- TRiBE: A modern all-day breakfast and brunch restaurant with generous dishes and vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options. It is popular, so finding a table without a reservation can be difficult during busy periods.
- Elephant Shoe: Located close to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and known for creative breakfast and brunch dishes. The traditional Valletta setting is part of its charm.
- Manouche: A French-influenced craft bakery and bistro. It is a good choice for croissants, pastries and a more classic continental breakfast.
Breakfast in Sliema
- Word of Mouth: A popular choice for speciality coffee, brunch dishes, waffles, pancakes and smoothie bowls. Portions are normally generous.
- Hammett’s Monastik: Located at the Lands End Hotel on the Sliema seafront. It offers breakfast with a view and works particularly well if you prefer a hotel-style buffet.
- Ladurée: Located at The Point Shopping Mall and known for French pastries, desserts and macarons. It is elegant and convenient, although it is not a traditional Maltese breakfast experience.
Breakfast in St Julian’s
- Two Buoys: A casual Australian-influenced restaurant overlooking Spinola Bay. It is a good choice for egg dishes, a substantial brunch and beautiful sea views.
- Brunch & Beyond: An all-day brunch restaurant with international dishes in a modern setting. It is particularly convenient if your group wants a mixture of sweet and savoury choices.
Breakfast in other areas of Malta
- Java in Naxxar: A popular breakfast and brunch café with speciality coffee and smoothie bowls. It can become busy, so arrive early during the weekend.
- Felice Brasserie in Gżira: A large waterfront restaurant serving breakfast and Mediterranean dishes. Choose it for the location and sea views rather than a small, intimate café experience.
- The Newport Café & Bar in Ta’ Xbiex: A small café that is particularly convenient for takeaway coffee, pastries and a quick breakfast.
My Pretty Travels Tip: Reservations are recommended for the popular brunch restaurants, particularly during weekends. Opening hours, menus and reservation policies can change, so check the restaurant’s latest information before visiting.
Is a traditional Maltese breakfast worth trying?
Yes. Even if you normally prefer a sweet breakfast, try freshly baked pastizzi at least once. They are inexpensive, easy to find and represent a far more local experience than ordering the same hotel breakfast you could eat anywhere else.
My verdict: Begin with pastizzi and tea or coffee from a busy local pastizzeria. Try ftira when you want something more substantial, and save the modern brunch restaurants for a slower weekend morning.
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