Polip-oh! These 8 Maltese Restaurants Really Know How To Serve Octopus Justice
Fishing season in Malta is in full swing and tbh it should be an all-year thing because, my God, do we love the fruits of our sea!
Malta’s got a great seafood game, but we thought we’d take a closer look at our tentacled friends: the octopus (qarnit).
These are just a few of the local spots on the island that you’l be able to find some great octopus dishes at:
1. Spagetti biz-zalza tal-Qarnit – Qbajjar, Marsalforn (Gozo)
The restaurant that over looks the waters of Marsalforn in Gozo has a fabulous dish of spaghetti with octopus.
2. Qarnit bil-lardo – Tartarun Fish Restaurant, Marsaxlokk
Using fresh octopus caught in the waters around the south of Malta, this fine dining concept mixes the sea with the land for a flavour explosion dabbed with miso and octopus ink.
3. Qarnit ta-xewm – King’s Own Band Club Bar, Valletta
A classic dish with an exquisite flavour that no one can turn down, ever.
4. Octotacos – Ristorante La Vela
This place in Pieta recently revamped their menu and one of the new kids on the block is something we don’t think Malta has seen before: octopus tacos.
5. Squid Ink Lasagne – The Grain, Valletta
This place just exudes class and their lasagne, coloured with squid ink and infused with nduja butter is the perfect filler for a light lunch in the capital.
6. The Octopus Burger – Sea Salt, Sliema
A whole octopus as a patty, braised, topped with grilled chorizo and smothered in a cherry tomato relish with chilli sauce and a few mixed leaves. Sucker me up, I want five.
7. Octopus Bolognese – The Lord Nelson, Mosta
A different spin on plain old spaghetti, Lord Nelson kicks things up about 10 bars and leaves your octopus cravings in the dust.
8. Stuffat tal-Qarnit – D’Office Bistro, Valletta
The Maltese classic, slow-cooked and absolutely savoury. D’Office offer up a hearty serving of octopus stew that’d make anyone homesick for their mother’s cooking.