From the humble beginning’s of pastizzi, Malta’s food scene has gone through a major evolution in a very short period. The Michelin Guide arrived in Malta only very recently, February 2020 to be exact, just before COVID hit the islands and forced all restaurants to close their doors.
With dedication and great efforts during this uncertain period, local restauranteurs pushed the boundaries and literally reached for the stars.
Leaders in the local hospitality industry, Justin Zammit Tabona and Mark Weingard, have achieved a couple of firsts in this year's Michelin Guide.
Justin Zammit Tabona, Managing Director of Infinitely Xara, can now boast that the Xara Collection has two, one star Michelin Restaurants within its portfolio: De Mondion, which has held its one star rating since 2020 and the latest, Rosami, which has just received its one star Michelin rating this year. Congratulations to Head Chef Gabriel Caruana, Head Chef Cliff Borg and their teams.
ION Harbour, Simon Rogan’s local establishment, under the Iniala Group of Mark Weingard has catapulted the Maltese restaurant scene to a Two Star Michelin standard, being Malta’s first and currently only restaurant to be awarded two stars. ION Harbour, devoted to the farm-to-table concept, ensures the use of the best local ingredients available in creating a seasonally changing tasting menu for its patrons to delight in. No easy task for Keith Abela, head of sustainability and Oli Marlow, executive chef.
Since its opening in 2020, ION Harbour has been an inspiration to local hospitality with its unwavering dedication to outstanding quality and service.
The Michelin Guide Malta 2024 has added a few other names to its list with Ayu in Gzira now on the Bib Gourmand list, Terroir in Attard, Level 9 in Mgarr, Gozo, One 80 St Christopher Street in Valletta, Al Sale in Xaghra, Gozo all now part of the recommended list. All previously awarded restaurants have retained their stars and standings giving Malta a total of 40 restaurants in the Michelin Guide, making the island a great destination for international food connoisseurs to visit.
It is a wonder how this small island with it's limited flora and fauna can inspire an entire tasting menu that has garnished a Two Michelin Star award! A true feather in the cap of those responsible, chapeau!
What will Michelin 2025 bring to this little island in the Mediterranean?
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