Loony For Lampuki: 5 Maltese Restaurants That Will Satisfy All Your Lampuki Needs
We all know it, we all love it. From lampuki pie to breaded lampuki, there’s a million-and-one different ways you can eat Malta’s favourite fish. With lampuki currently in season, following all the Santa Maria festivities, there really is no better time to get your hands on it.
Here are 5 of the best Maltese restaurants where you can get your annual lampuki fix:
1. Rubino
Starting off as a dolceria way back in 1906, Rubino is one of the oldest surviving establishments in Valletta.
Situated in one of the capital city’s most iconic streets – Old Bakery Street – Rubino has been rapidly converting unsuspecting customers into fish-fanatics. This restaurant serves up lampuki in 2 ways; between two layers of pastry in a traditional, Lampuki pie, or simply filleted and cooked to perfection. Either way, the generous portions of this Valletta eatery will undoubtedly leave you satisfied.
2. Fins & Gills
It’s safe to say this tiny shop in the heart of St. Paul’s bay has been making waves in the local fast-food scene.
Fins & Gills’ menu often changes depending on what fish are in-season, and then proceeds to give your fish-of-choice the good ol’ fish-and-chips treatment – battering & frying it, and serving it with a hearty portion of fries. This eatery serves our beloved lampuki in three differently delicious ways; grilled, breaded, or as part of a fish-and-chips dish.
3. ZOZI’s Bar & Restaurant
This family-run restaurant in Mellieħa will take you in and treat you as one of their own, and there’s no way you’re leaving with an empty stomach.
Zozi’s excels in serving up hearty portions of some of our favourite local dishes. Their lampuki is received fresh and prepared perfectly – as is the rest of their fish – and served with a number of side dishes. This place also offers some great vegan and vegetarian options, so it’s safe to say that everyone’s welcome at Zozi’s.
4. Ta’ Victor
There really is nothing more Maltese than a quaint sea-view, a pjazza, and a Parish Church – and you’ll get to enjoy all three over a delicious dinner when you’re at Ta’ Victor.
Run seamlessly by chef & owner (drumroll please) Victor, this restaurant looks to give customers a taste of the entire spectrum of local cuisine. From abundant Maltese platters to traditionally-cooked lampuki, Ta’ Victor surely does Maltese food justice.
5. Palazzo Preca
A quaint dinner at this luscious restaurant will have you feeling like a straight-up kavallier. Situated inside a 16th century Palazzo in Valletta, Palazzo Preca’s candle-lit dinners are the perfect opportunity to treat your sweetheart to a romantic dinner-date.
Serving their lampuki as either a marinated tartare or filleted with some crunchy roast potatoes and a crisp salad, Palazzo Preca brings together traditional and fine-dining.