When it comes to stuffing yourself in an affordable manner in Malta, you’re totally sorted. But if you want to dine in style, live on the fancier side of life, and eat in-house smoked salmon poached in olive oil, all while not breaking the bank, you are a little bit screwed.

Most fine-dining places charge €15 for a measly starter. However, two new neighbouring restaurants in Luqa are charging just €15 and €17 for entire meals – and this isn’t low quality food either, with the likes of Sous-Vide Chicken and Veal Blanquette En Vol Au Vent on offer.

So how is the price so affordable?

Runway and The Voyage are staffed entirely by ITS students, and watched over by their lecturers.

The talented students get to show off their skills and creativity when creating the menu and cooking the dishes and, with their literal diploma hanging in the balance, the students on the floor and in the kitchen are bringing their A game to impress diners.

Pictured: ITS students hard at work

Lovin Malta tried out the Chef’s Tasting Menu at Runway, which is €17 and includes five courses as well as a welcome drink and coffee

The menu at The Voyage is slightly cheaper, at €15, offering a toned down menu with an exceptional sweet trolley and vol-au-vents.

But Runway is where the white glove service is really emphasised, and, as you will see below, the food really is something to write home about.

Your welcome drink: Champagne, Hennessy, and raspberry cocktail

With an in-house bakery, Runway excels at making the Maltese feel at home with scrumptious breads

They even bake gluten-free rolls for you, free of charge, if you let them know in advance.

The first course is a light and fresh fish dish, to start off slowly

Don’t wolf it down just yet.

Buckwheat blini, tuna tartar, salmon roe and crème fraîche

Before delving into these little glorious parcels of happiness

Pulled pork + ravioli = a way into any Maltese person’s heart

Agnelotti of oyster mushroom and pulled pork, and wilted spinach and sage froth

Fish-lovers will not want to miss the next dish, which is smoked in-house and then poached in an olive oil before serving

Not bad for a bunch of students!

In-house smoked salmon, Tabbouleh, and roasted bell pepper coulis

And a trio of textures – with a very interesting coffee-based sauce – is the right amount of fancy to get super full on

Like, reeeeally not bad for a bunch of students.

Sous-vide chicken breast, crushed potatoes, braised Belgian endive, coffee bean infused jus

Of course, there’s always room for dessert, and this crumble, just like mama used to make, gets a thumbs up from us

How can you say no to this?

Warm apple and cinnamon cake, deconstructed almond crumble, vanilla ice-cream

You’ve heard of Irish Coffee, but Runway’s very Maltese take on the classic ends the meal in particular style

I don’t even like coffee, and I couldn’t stop sipping this

Using Maltese honey liqueur instead of an Irish whiskey, this incredibly tasty little concoction is made fresh in front of you.

The meal finally ends with some super cute – and chocolatey – petit fours

It’s basically just fancy speak for “little balls of awesomeness”

And just in case you were still in need of something sweet, did we mention The Voyage next door has some seriously tasty desserts?

Tag someone who needs to take you out for a fancy meal ASAP!

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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]