Would you drink tap water at a restaurant?

Nearly half of Maltese respondents say yes, and over 55% said they would be even more likely to choose it if it were free. That is one of several findings from a June 2025 study by Sagalytics, commissioned by the Association of Catering Establishments, which explored how people decide where and how to dine out in Malta.

The research, led by Prof. Vincent Marmarà on behalf of the Association for Catering Establishments and based on 500 interviews, captured a wide range of dining behaviours. It included 400 locals and 100 tourists. One major theme was filtered tap water, which appears to be gaining acceptance — especially if offered at no extra cost.

Despite recent improvements in water quality, 38.9% of locals and 30.1% of tourists said they still preferred bottled water. However, when asked if they would choose filtered tap water if it were free, the response shifted. 55.4% of locals and 43.4% of tourists said they would be more likely to try it.

The study also found that both groups consider food the most important factor in creating a positive dining experience. This was followed by quality of service. Ambience and location were less influential.

In terms of choosing where to dine, locals prioritised the type of cuisine (34%), followed by menu prices and food quality. Tourists gave equal weight to menu prices and cuisine (28.9% each), with location and quality close behind.