The third edition of the Malta Tourism Authority’s Quality Assured Restaurant Awards were held last week, and the amount of restaurants taking part was a staggering 112. 

Together with the restaurants which managed to renew their participation for 2017, 23 other restaurants were awarded the Quality Assured seal for the first time. Each and every participating restaurant was assessed by a mystery guest who followed a set of criteria which varied from food and ambiance, to service and hospitality. 

Aiming to “encourage best practice and recognise those establishments that consistently deliver a quality product”, the QA awards show recognised the following restaurants as the cream of the crop.

Customer Feedback Award

Commando Restaurant

Part-restaurant, part-winebar, Commando has been established for over 80 years. Perched on a hilltop in Mellieħa’s historic town centre, the established is housed within a 300-year old stone building and draws inspiration from its surroundings for a some good old Mediterranean flavours.

Best Service and Hospitality Award

3) The Stone Crab

One of Gozo’s finest, The Stone Crab in Xlendi not only specialises in local and Mediterranean, but also in a variety of fish. Its crab is one of its main specials.

2) The Villa Brasserie & Tartarun (joint winners)

Perfectly overlooking Balluta Bay, The Villa is perfect for wedding receptions, corporate events, birthday celebrations, graduation parties, family get-togethers, hen’s or bachelor’s parties… or just a great date night out with fine dining.

Tartarun, on the other hand, is one of Marsaxlokk‘s most highly-rated restaurants for seafood, which is very impressive considering it’s situated in Malta’s famous fishing village.

1) Medina Restaurant

Originally a Norman house hidden in the honeycombed streets of Malta’s old medieval capital, Medina is full of charm, character… and great food. It also took the number one spot for the QA Awards’ Best Service and Hospitality restaurants in Malta.

Best in Class Award

3) Café Delos

Consistently getting very positive reviews online, this all rounder cafeteria-restaurant has one of the Dolmen Resort’s best views of St. Paul’s Bay. With friendly homely service and an endless selection of food, Café Delos took home one of the QA Best in Class Awards.

2) Brookies

Anyone who’s ever been to Gozo will instantly recognise the popular corner-restaurant on the outskirts of Victoria. This was the second consecutive year that Brookies won the Best in Class Award, which makes us think they must be doing something right.

1) Quadro and de Mondion (joint winners)

Housed within the Westin Dragonara Resort in St. Julian’s, everything about Quadro screams opulence and attention to detail. Serving up five-star fine dining, Quadro clearly deserves to win the Best in Class Award.

Set within the Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, the de Mondion is another restaurant which regularly attracts rave reviews. As if the spectacular panoramic views from atop Mdina’s bastions weren’t enough, the de Mondion represents everything you’d expect from a top restaurant in Malta.

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).