The prestigious 2021 MICHELIN Guide Malta awards stars to two more restaurants as the Mediterranean archipelago establishes itself as a gastronomic destination

The Malta MICHELIN Guide 2021 has awarded two more restaurants with Michelin stars on the Maltese islands. An archipelago in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta continues to establish itself as a gastronomic destination in 2021. Established in the late 19th century, Michelin has maintained its benchmark of international food for more than 120 years, fostering a culture of travel and eating out as well as recognizing some of the finest restaurants in the world. MICHELIN Guide Malta showcases the intricate compromising of cuisine that is inspired by Malta’s rich past, combining European culinary influences and local Maltese traditions. 

The new MICHELIN Guide highlights the outstanding restaurants, breadth of cuisine styles and culinary skills found in Malta and its sister island of  Gozo. This years’ Stars were awarded to: 

The 2021 Guide builds on the success of last year’s first ever edition of the Michelin Guide on the islands of Malta and Gozo. The standard of cooking on the islands continues to excite as now five, of the 31 total recommended restaurants featured in this year’s guide, have managed to earn a MICHELIN Star.

International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, Gwendal Poullennec, commented that “the last year has created enormous challenges for the hospitality industry around the world and our hearts go out to all those facing difficulties in these trying times. Our inspectors, like the restaurants themselves, have had to adapt, but we were very pleased that they were able to spend time on the islands and find two new Michelin Stars and 5 new Michelin ‘Plates’ to add to the Guide”.

ION – The Harbour (Valletta)

Situated on the stunning rooftop of the luxurious Iniala Harbour House and Residences, ION – The Harbour offers award winning cuisine surrounded by world-class design and unrivalled views of the picturesque Grand Harbour. From the ambience to the service, the food to the in-house Sommelier wine pairing, all elements have been seamlessly brought together to create a finished dish that highlights the perfect moment of taste. 

Bahia (Lija)

Bahia, a prestigious navel orange that has been the pride of the people from Lija, is now honoured with a chic bistro carrying its name. Using skills developed in some of the best kitchens on the island, Bahia values innovation and respect towards an array of high quality ingredients. Accompanying this exquisite food, is a selection of prestigious wines and other beverages to best suit the guests’ meals. 

Bajia and ION – The Harbour join the ranks of the three first Maltese Star establishments:

Bib Gourmand

Additionally, the three existing Bib Gourmand restaurants, awarded for restaurants offering high quality dining at a reasonable price, all retained their award for the year 2021 for “good quality, good value cooking”. 

MICHELIN Plates

The new Guide to Malta also includes 23 restaurants which have been awarded the Plate symbol, indicating the cuisine has “fresh ingredients, was capably prepared; and is simply a good meal”. 

To see all 31 restaurants listed in the 2021 MICHELIN Guide Malta, click here.

Ion the Harbour – copywright Christian Marot, Ion the Harbour

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife, and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. For more information on Malta, visit www.visitmalta.com.


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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.

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Media Contacts:

Malta Tourism Authority

Michelle Buttigieg, Representative North America

Tel: (212) 213-0944 

Fax: (212) 213-0938 

E-mail: [email protected] 

MTA US Editorial Contact

The Bradford Group

Gabriela Reyes/Karen Hoffman

Tel: (212) 447-0027 

Fax: (212) 725 8253  E-mail: [email protected]

About the author

Linda Hohnholz