Mediterranean Dining Elevated Above the City.

There are few better places to experience Valletta’s golden glow than from above — watching the city’s honey-hued rooftops fade into a dusky pink horizon as church bells ring faintly in the distance. At the very top of the Embassy Valletta Hotel, The Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge offers precisely that: an elevated dining experience that captures the essence of Malta from an entirely new perspective.

In the shadow of its Michelin Guide–recommended sister restaurant, Aki, which sits at street level directly below on Strait Street, The Rooftop could easily have played the supporting act. But it doesn’t. Instead, it stands confidently on its own — a venue that combines intimate sophistication with an unmistakably Maltese sense of warmth and ease.

Above the City, Beyond the Ordinary

Before dinner, we made our way up to the terrace above the restaurant — the hotel’s highest point — to take in the sweeping panoramic views. From there, Valletta stretches out in every direction: limestone spires, church domes, and the shimmer of the Grand Harbour. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the city seemed to glow from within. It was the kind of view that slows time — a prelude to the evening that felt both cinematic and serene.

Descending to the restaurant below, we found a space already alive with conversation. Despite being fully booked — every table occupied, every seat filled — the space never felt crowded. With just a handful of tables indoors and four more beyond the glass bi-fold doors that open to the terrace, there’s an intimacy to the layout that larger venues can’t replicate. The murmur of conversation mingled with a mellow playlist, creating just the right level of energy: vibrant but never overpowering.

We had planned to dine outdoors to make the most of the open air and those postcard-perfect views, but with an October breeze rolling over the city, we chose to sit inside instead. It proved to be the right decision. The floor-to-ceiling glass panels enclosing the restaurant still provided the full panorama. Even indoors, Valletta felt close enough to touch.

Simplicity, Seasonality, and Local Soul

The Rooftop Restaurant’s culinary direction is guided by Executive Chef Filippo, whose philosophy rests on three principles: simplicity, seasonality, and locally sourced excellence. It’s a mantra that translates effortlessly from plate to palate.

The menu, inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, celebrates local produce and fresh island ingredients — from just-caught fish to sun-drenched vegetables and soft Maltese bread still warm from the oven. The wine list, too, tells its own story: Maltese vineyards stand proudly alongside select European labels, each chosen to complement the flavours of the food without pretension.

It’s Mediterranean cuisine at its most confident: unfussy, ingredient-led, and quietly sophisticated.

Starters That Set the Tone

We began with lamb tacos, one of the evening’s standouts. Served as two perfectly formed portions, they were soft and juicy, topped with pickled onions that added a sharp, refreshing contrast. The flavour built gently — rich and tender, with a final kick of spice that lingered pleasantly. My only regret was not sharing dishes with my partner, who had ordered the same starter — had we mixed and matched, I might also have tried the pulled pork tacos, which looked equally inviting.

Also gracing our table were the flame-grilled beef and guanciale skewers, smoky and beautifully seasoned. The saltiness of the guanciale was offset by a silky herb and lime mayonnaise — bright, creamy, and perfectly judged.

The Mains: Comfort, Craft and Flavour

For the main course, I chose the pork tenderloin, which arrived perfectly seared and astonishingly moist. Paired with roasted new potatoes that were soft, buttery, and lightly crisped at the edges and topped with a herbed lemon–mustard cream sauce that added a delicate tang without overpowering the dish. Every element complemented the other, harmoniously and confidently.

But it was the accompaniments that truly stole the show. The rooftop fries, crisp and golden yet still somehow fluffy inside, were declared by my partner to be “some of the best chips I’ve ever tasted” — and I’d be inclined to agree. Simple, but perfectly executed.

Every dish arrived artfully presented but never overworked — elegant without being fussy, confident without being ostentatious. The focus here is on flavour, not theatrics.

The Atmosphere: Intimate and Effortless

The Rooftop strikes that delicate balance between fine dining and comfort. Every table was occupied, yet the space retained a sense of calm. Service was attentive but never intrusive; each member of staff moved with quiet assurance, anticipating needs without interrupting conversation.

The playlist — mellow and well chosen — tied everything together. The evening unfolded like a well-rehearsed symphony: soft lighting, warm chatter, the clink of glasses, and the faint hum of the city below.

The Sweet Finale

I have a weakness for chocolate fondant. No matter how many times it appears on a menu, I can’t resist ordering it — and here, I was rewarded for my lack of restraint. The richness of the chocolate was beautifully balanced by the accompanying homemade vanilla ice cream, its cool creaminess cutting through the warmth and intensity of the dessert in all the right ways.

My stepson, more adventurous in his dessert choices, opted for the Chocolate Passion — a creative pairing of chocolate and passionfruit. It had an intriguing sharpness; the tropical tang of the fruit pierced through the sweetness of the chocolate, creating a dessert that was both rich and refreshing.

A View to Remember

Even after dessert, we lingered. The city lights shimmered through the glass, and the hum of conversation softened as diners drifted up to the terrace for a final drink. From there, the view stretched endlessly — a tapestry of stone, sea, and history illuminated against the night sky.

It’s easy to see what the owners envisioned when they created this space. Their goal wasn’t simply to open another restaurant, but to craft an experience — one that celebrates the timeless beauty of Malta’s capital from above. They’ve succeeded. The Rooftop isn’t just about what’s on the plate or in the glass; it’s about how it all feels —
the view, the music, the moment.

Final Reflections

The Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge is more than just the Embassy Valletta Hotel’s crowning jewel — it’s a destination in its own right. An evening here captures something rare: the essence of Mediterranean dining distilled into an atmosphere that’s elegant yet unpretentious, refined yet welcoming.

As Valletta’s dining scene continues to evolve, The Rooftop offers a distinct perspective — literally and figuratively. With a view that steals your breath, a menu that celebrates the island’s finest produce, and an ambience that radiates quiet sophistication, it embodies the city’s beauty from above. It’s the perfect balance of refinement and ease — where fine dining meets the effortless charm of the Mediterranean.

W: The Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge
T: +356 2016 9818
E: Information

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Written by Luxuria Lifestyle International’s Sam Mead