Looking for the best coffee in Malta? In recent years, we have seen a number of new coffee shops in Malta. We at OMGFoodMalta love a good cup of coffee, and we have been to various outlets looking for the best coffee in Malta. Here are our 9 favourites coffee shops.
Picture this. You’re sitting at some restaurant or coffee shop in Malta or Gozo, you are looking at your espresso or cappuccino. The colour is right, but there is something slightly off about it. After your first sip, a burst of acidity hits your taste buds. It is sharp and unpleasant. It is frustrating, and unless the coffee is exceptionally bad (happened a few times don’t worry), you somehow down it, make some funny face and get on with your life.
Latte at Kir Royale
It should not be that way. Coffee should be the bringer of joy. A moment to savour. From espresso to instant, coffee is part of the daily routine for millions of people around the world. There are two main types of coffee. 60% of the world’s coffee is the Arabica type (faster, and cheaper, often used to make your Nescafe), and 30% Robusta (used for the speciality type).
Coffee aficionados, however, will tell you that this is not what defines coffee. It is all about origin – the region, farm and the different climatic and soil conditions. The origin is important, because for artisanal coffee it is about giving due importance to the bean and, as a result, to the people who grew it.
Coffee at Lot61
What makes a good cup of coffee is always a topic for debate. Many of us have been raised on instant coffee, or using some coffee machine, so we learned to expect our cup of coffee to contain bitter, woody tasting liquid that needs a considerable amount of milk and sugar to make it palatable.
When we got to taste specialty coffee, it was a revelation, and so we realised that good quality coffee is worth spending a bit more. Various countries have seen a surge in specialty coffee shops in recent years. Whilst this surge has been less so in Malta, we still have experienced the opening of a number of ‘third wave’ artisanal coffee shops.
So, with that in mind, where would you find the best coffee in Malta? We give you our favourite coffee places around the Maltese Islands. Some give utmost importance to the type of coffee you drink, whilst others manage to give you a mix of coffee and atmosphere.
Lot 61, Valletta
Valletta is not home only to great restaurants. Any serious coffee lover on the Maltese Islands knows about Lot 61, specialty coffee supremos. If you are looking for some of the best coffee in Malta, this is a place for you. The people at Lot 61 source green coffee beans from different parts of the world, roast them at their roasters in Naxxar and then distribute accordingly to their own shops as well as various others. You’ll see a Lot 61 sign outside various outlets around the Maltese Islands, which normally means you’ll probably get a good cup of coffee.
Lot61 in Valletta
For us in particular, there’s something about their outlet in Old Theatre Street, Valletta. It came as no surprise to us when in 2019, it was listed in Big 7 Travel’s ‘50 Best Coffee Shops In Europe’. Lot61 in Valletta is small, charming, and located in a great location. The service has always been with a smile, and the coffee is excellent. We are particularly fond of their Mocha!
Mocha goals from Lot61 in Valletta
Mumenti, Mosta
As you know we love a good cup of coffee, and as you might have guessed by now if you have been following us, one of our favourite places to get our coffee fix is Mumenti, a charming little coffee spot in the very heart of Mosta.
Mumenti, Mosta
Having spoken to Dyan, owner of Mumenti, he had emphasised to us that for him, the place is not just about coffee, there is also a lifestyle around it. We start our day with coffee. We enjoy conversations with people over a cup of coffee. We live moments with coffee, hence the name ‘Mumenti’.
Morning coffee from Mumenti
The place also comes alive in evenings, where apart from coffee, you can also enjoy a few inspiring cocktails, and a great atmosphere. Best coffee in Malta? Certainly one of the nicest!
Kir Royale, Valletta
Originally a clothes shop for men, the Kir Royale was transformed into a cafe by owner Lee Garrard in 2019. Located in the upper part of St Paul’s Street, Valletta (a short walk away from Castille), we had the pleasure of visiting recently to get a taste of his latte and the classic cappuccino. Both were delightful in their simplicity. A selection of lovely pastries and sweets are available to enjoy with your coffee.
The perfect capuccino? from Kir Royale
Lee specializes in coffee after having studied about it in Florence. His top priority apart from serving excellent coffees is to make sure his clients are happy, hence his services with a smile. The place is also pet friendly which is always a bonus for us! Also, if you feel like something chilled, Kir Royale also offers Kombucha bottles from ‘Your Kombucha’ in a variety of flavours.
Alfred’s Bakery Cafe, Hamrun/Naxxar
Alfred’s Bakery Cafe is situated in St Joseph’s High Road and one of the busiest spots of the locality. Alfred’s Bakery Cafe is run by Clyde Cumbo, and has been a local family business since 1975, when it was started by his grandfather Freddie. Last year we were delighted when they opened their second shop in Naxxar, near the parish church. When visiting, we suggest that you pair your coffee with their homemade food (especially their pies).
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Manouche, St Julians/Valletta
Manouche is a great place for a good cup of coffee (their coffee is supplied by Lot61) and also for a dine in. If you want your cup of coffee with a great dessert you have come to the right place. Our favourites are the chocolate swirl dessert and the honeycomb chocolate. You can find Manouche in Spinola Park, St Julians and now also in St John’s Square, Valletta.
Coffee at Manouche
Coffee Circus Porto, Gzira
Coffee Circus have been on the islands for some time now. Launched in 2014, you may remember their cute little tuk-tuk selling coffee in Sliema. These days, you may have noticed a sign with Coffee Circus when passing by Rue D’Argens in Gzira. They serve Seven Beans Speciality Coffee, and we think it is one of the best coffee in Malta.
Espresso and Pasteu De Nata at Coffe Circus Porto
What we love about the place is the cosy, relaxed atmosphere. It feels as if you are having coffee at someone’s home. When there, we grabbed one of their Pasteu de Nata, a typical Portuguese sweet to accompany our espresso.
If you’re not into that strong little wonder called espresso, they have a variety of coffee types like your usual cappuccino, americano, latte and iced coffee. They also serve some chai lattes, a few beer types and of course, a small selection of sweet delights!
Cafe Berry, Sliema/Valletta
Caffe’ Berry is a tiny little coffee shop in Triq San Duminku, Sliema. The place is small and its location makes it somewhat hidden. Nevertheless, it’s catchy dark blue colour and circular sign makes it stand out and you won’t have much of a problem finding it. Cafe Berry have also recently opened a new coffee shop in Republic Street, Valletta (a few metres down from Pjazza San Gorg).
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The concept of Caffe’ Berry is a healthy cafe, vegetarian-friendly, with gluten-free options. They have several interesting drinks on the menu such as Iced Pistachio Mocha, Pistachio Cappuccino, Hazelnut Espresso, and many more. Caffe’ Berry also offers a wide range of products such as coffee beans, tea, herbs, jam, and chocolate. Of course, they also offer sweet treats such as cooked biscotti, gâteau and tiramisu. We love the variety they have on offer and really think their berrycino – a pistachio bronte coffee – is amazing! Some of the best coffee in Malta you could ask for.
Tepie’s Bar, Victoria Gozo
A Gozitan institution in terms of coffee bars. Located in St Francis Square, Victoria, it’s corner location gives it plenty of outside seating opportunities. Inside, Tepie’s Bar gives you more the feeling of a traditional Maltese coffeehouse, with it’s simple decor and continuous benches.
Tapie’s Bar in Victoria, Gozo
The atmosphere here is different from other coffee shops in Malta. Here you feel transported back in time, with various customers (mostly men) enjoying some tea or coffee with a couple of pastizzi, whilst discussing current events.
Tepie’s Bar has been in existence for around 90 years, and has been passed down for generations. It is one of those establishments that go into making up a community and shows no sign of losing out to the new Starbucks-like coffee shops.
Coffee and pastizzi. The Maltese way.
This place is not about specialty coffee, beans coming from some other parts of the world, or a fancy iced latte. This is a coffee shop where I sat comfortably, enjoying a very normal coffee and two pastizzi, absorbing the very lively atmosphere, and looking at people going on with their daily lives.
Sunday in Scotland, Valletta
Sunday in Scotland is a gem of a place located in Triq Santa Lucija, Valletta. The coffees and dainty pastries served are wonderful, whilst the choice of chocolates is fantastic. We love the decoration. From entering the place you will immediately get the feeling of top quality. The furniture and design is amazing!
Hot Chocolate from Sunday in Scotland.
If not indoor, you may opt for outdoor seating, and count on a very good location, which has some of the liveliness of the city, yet its charm. Sunday in Scotland is not exactly the cheapest of places but trust us, it will be worth every cent. If you are not feeling like having coffee, give their hot chocolate a try, you will thank us later.
