Wandering Rabat’s quaint streets is like taking a trip back in a time, where the houses, beautiful palazzos, and every adorned village corner take us back to a different age. So when you get the opportunity to dine inside a little historical nugget you take it. 

Bottegin Palazzo Xara is one such place, a three-hundred-plus-year palazzo that has been beautifully renovated to suit the everyday local or the curious traveller. Here’s why…

1. Like a true każin, this place is bursting with life

Whether you’re a wandering tourist, or a local who just needs to get out of the house more often, you need to visit a Maltese każin at least once in your life. The palazzo is buzzing from the get-go, opening its doors as early as 08:00 on some days and soldiering on well into the night. 

2. You can chat over traditional te fit-tazza…

Visiting at any time of the day will allow you to experience its casual and friendly vibe, but if you’re an early riser, nothing says Maltese like te fit-tazza. A morning visit to Bottegin will likely bring you in touch with locals and club members alike, the perfect time for a quick catch-up before you start your day. 

3. … drop by for beer and a snooker game…

Afternoon hangout spots have already taken Malta by storm, so why not take it up a notch with a jaunt to a local palazzo. The place has everything on hand for a casual session with friends or colleagues – draft beer, an age-old snooker table, and the sound of soft but traditional symphonic music that is so classically ‘każin‘.  

4. …or just make a night out of it

Rabat is the perfect destination for a dinner date, and eating in a palazzo should definitely be on your bucket list. And if food’s not what you had in mind, we can definitely see this as your cocktail stop pre-night out. 

5. The palace is big on locally-sourced produce…

Rabat as a whole takes traditional meal-making to heart, and Bottegin Palazzo Xara has certainly followed suit. The enterprise aims to use local genuine products where possible and also promotes the use of local ingredients including traditional ġbejniet, pickled onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and even a daily fresh selection of vegetable and bread!

6. … and its menu serves up the perfect slice of Malta

If you’re pressed for time, you need to check out the food at the palazzo. You can try out everything from a Maltese platter made with fresh appetisers and English-styled beer-battered fish-and-chips, to grilled rib-eye and in-house tasty burgers. 

Of course if there’s one thing you should absolutely try, it’s Bottegin’s speciality and Maltese favourite – imqaret, served with traditional almond liqueur. 

7. Relaxing to a crisp Rabat breeze is now a thing…

That’s right, you can now dine under the stars in a 300-year-old garden! Bottegin’s aptly named Secret Garden courtyard/garden combo is open during the warmer months, perfect for an evening summer BBQ vibe while also watching Rabat locals meander the roads as they pass by. 

8. … and you can enjoy a true Maltese vibe with complete privacy

For our antisocial AF readers, or for those simply looking for some fun with family or friends in absolute comfort, the palazzo even has a private room just off the każin‘s main room. You can enjoy a carefully curated menu and wine selection specially made for private functions or special events!

If it’s wide open space you’re after, Bottegin also offers the glamorous Baroque Hall. There’s nothing quite like the ambience of a true sala tal-każin, and with its renovated carved ceilings and swooping chandeliers, the hall is the perfect spot to party into the night. 

9. It’s a historical gem in its own right

The palazzo was originally constructed in the early 18th century, after an earthquake shook the islands in 1693. It is built in the baroque style, as was custom at the time. 

BONUS: One of Malta’s oldest band clubs calls this place home

Founded way back in 1860, the l’Isle Adam Music Society is the de facto first Maltese band club. The band club purchased the palazzo from the Xara family in June 1951 and oversaw several renovations to the present structure. 

Interested in checking Bottegin out? Tag a friend in the comments section to be in with the chance to win a free lunch for two!

Matthew Baldacchino

Self-titled resident SJW and expressionless in-house Head of Internal Marketing. Matt loves prepping vegan and vegetarian food, consumes way too much coffee, and has an unhealthy penchant for storyboarded Instagram Stories. When he's not trying to figure out social media policies, marketing strategies or cracking SEO conundrums, you can catch him as the host of Basically, Livestream Of Consciousness or Lovin Daily. Hit him up if you've got a story about the environment, arts and culture, health, politics and activism, or LGBTQI+ issues. He's also a doctor, but we don't talk about that.