A Malta restaurant has achieved a milestone in MICHELIN Guide history with a first of its kind for the island nation – a two-star Michelin ranking.
ION Harbour, a Maltese restaurant in Valletta, Malta, helmed by Chef Simon Rogan, has been honored with Two Michelin Stars by The MICHELIN Guide Malta 2024, a first in the Mediterranean archipelago.
New to the list this year is Rosami Restaurant, overlooking Spinola Bay, which has been awarded One Michelin Star. The restaurants that have retained their One MICHELIN Star status are Under Grain, Valletta; Noni, Valletta; De Mondion, Mdina; Bahia, Balzan; and The Fernandõ Gastrotheque in Sliema, totaling six.
According to MICHELIN, “This year marks a milestone in the history of the MICHELIN Guide Malta, with the announcement of the first Two MICHELIN Stars restaurants in the selection, underscoring the commitment of professionals to deliver the very best to their diners. The inspectors also noticed that the Maltese culinary spirit is changing and becoming ever more zestful and innovative. Chefs are now focusing on local gastronomy, bringing the island’s agricultural economy to the fore and thereby consolidating a more sustainable approach to Maltese cuisine. Small kitchen gardens are springing up adjacent to restaurants, enabling chefs to take advantage of local Mediterranean-fragranced products.”
Furthermore, Restaurant AYU, located opposite Manoel Island, has been included in the Bib Gourmand section for the first time. Additionally, five new restaurants have been recommended by the MICHELIN Guide: Terroir Ħ’Attard, One80 in Valletta, Kaiseki Valletta in Malta, as well as Level Nine by Oliver Glowing in Mġarr Harbour and Al Sale in Xagħra, both in Gozo. This brings the total number of honored restaurants in the guide to 40.
Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef stated:
“We are absolutely thrilled by today’s exciting announcement by the Michelin Guide for Malta.”
“The addition of a new two-star MICHELIN restaurant, alongside a new one-star restaurant, a new Bib Gourmand establishment and five new ‘Recommended’ including two in Gozo, underscores MTA’s commitment to culinary excellence and diversity. These accolades not only elevate Malta’s status as a quality gastronomic destination but also highlight the incredible talent and innovation within our culinary scene. With each Michelin star, we’re inviting the world to savor the rich flavors and vibrant culture that Malta has to offer. This recognition further cements Malta’s position as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts worldwide.”
Minister for Tourism and Public Cleanliness Clayton Bartolo expressed that the MICHELIN Guide elevates the culinary reputation of the Maltese islands, providing restaurateurs with a platform to showcase the exceptional quality of food produced in Malta’s kitchens. Minister Bartolo underscored the importance of ongoing investment and improvement within the tourism sector to uphold standards of excellence. He also emphasized the critical role tourism plays in bolstering the Maltese economy.
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The MICHELIN Guide Malta selection 2024 at a glance:
40 restaurants including:
- 1 Two MICHELIN Star restaurant (new)
- 6 One MICHELIN Star restaurants (1 new)
- 5 Bib Gourmand restaurants (1 new)
- 28 recommended restaurants (5 new)
About Malta
Malta and its sister islands Gozo and Comino, an archipelago in the Mediterranean, boasts a year round sunny climate and 8,000 years of intriguing history. It is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Valletta, Malta’s Capital, built by the proud Knights of St. John. Malta has the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, showcasing one of the British Empire’s most formidable defense systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military structures from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. Rich in culture, Malta has a year-round calendar of events and festivals, attractive beaches, yachting, trendy gastronomical scene with seven Michelin-starred restaurants and a thriving nightlife, there is something for everyone.
For more information on Malta, please go to VisitMalta.com.
About Gozo
Gozo’s colors and flavors are brought out by the radiant skies above it and the blue sea which surrounds its spectacular coast, which is simply waiting to be discovered. Steeped in myth, Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso’s Isle of Homer’s Odyssey – a peaceful, mystical backwater. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Gozo’s rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites. Gozo is also home to one of the archipelago’s best-preserved prehistoric temples, Ġgantija, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For more information on Gozo, please go to VisitGozo.com.
SEEN IN MAIN IMAGE: View of the Grand Harbour from ION Harbour Restaurant – image courtesy of Malta Tourism Authority
