The owners of Ir-Rokna Restaurant, a popular family-style restaurant and one of the oldest pizzerias in Malta, closed down their Paceville property after the contract ran out and the building owners raised the rent astronomically.

With rumours swirling that the building could be demolished to build a new hotel, Andre Camilleri, part of the family that ran the restaurant and the adjacent hotel for years, spoke to Lovin Malta about what went down exactly and to clarify the situation.

“There was a bit of a dispute, but let me explain why it closed down,” Andre said. “The property contract ended in 2019, and the rent price shot sky high. It was basically just not sustainable for us.”

Andre said he didn’t think a hotel would be built on the location.

After Ir-Rokna closed down, there was an outpouring of sadness at the loss of the popular Paceville restaurant

When asked about the messages of support he received following Ir-Rokna’s closure, Andre said he and his family were touched.

“It’s hard writing this, honestly, but this is how I feel,” began Andre. “You guys, all the Ir-Rokna fans, are truly the best, and you have been the backbone of our business since day one. Ir-Rokna has touched so many lives in so many ways. It was not just a pizzeria to some – it was a home.”

“It wasn’t pizza, it was comfort – you were not just our clients but you were our family, and for this we shall remember you forever. Thank you,” he said.

While Ir-Rokna as we knew it might be closed, Andre is now involved in a very different type of food: Mexican food, at the fan-favourite Avotaco

After the news of the closure, many thought that Avotaco’s opening and Ir-Rokna’s closure were related. However, the Avotaco food truck was launched two years ago, and Avotaco’s brick-and-mortar store opened back in August, pouring water on that idea.

“Avotaco and Ir-Rokna are two different entities – but they have the same love and service. While you might not able to have Rokna‘s pizzas anymore, you can always come and have our quesadillas,” he ends with a smile.

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]