Vegan Food in Malta: 12 Best Vegan Restaurants to Try Now
If you’re a vegan visiting the island of Malta, you may be wondering whether the island is vegan-friendly, and where you can find the best vegan food options.
Don’t worry! To help you out, I have compiled a list of the 12 best-rated vegan restaurants in Malta, where you can eat stress-free during your holiday!
Is Malta vegan-friendly?
Yes! With a vibrant and multicultural food scene, you shouldn’t have trouble finding at least one vegan option in restaurants around Malta. As you’ll see below, there are even traditional Maltese foods that can be enjoyed by vegans.
When I visited Malta, I also found that restaurants (and even the small beach bars) were very happy to accommodate special diets, including intolerances and allergies.
In this guide, I’m going to help you find the best places for vegan food in Malta. These vegan restaurants are located all across Malta in areas like Valletta, Il-Gżira, St Julian’s, Mellieha, St Paul’s Bay, Mdina, and even Gozo.
Is Maltese food vegan?
Many of Malta’s traditional foods are not vegan. However, plenty of typical Maltese dishes are vegetarian and may also be vegan (or made vegan).
Some traditional Maltese foods that may be vegan:
Pastizzi
This is Malta’s national snack – a flaky and crunchy savoury pastry, traditionally filled with mushy peas. Check with the shop to ensure no egg wash or other animal-derived ingredients were used, and you may enjoy a vegan pastizzi!
Ftira
Ftira is a leavened bread, usually served filled with other ingredients such as capers, potato, fresh tomato, onion, and olives. It can certainly be made vegan.
Kapunata
This is a summer salad made with fresh vegetables and fruits. This Maltese version of the French dish ratatouille should be a good vegan option.
To know if a dish is vegan, look for the vegan symbol on the menu (most restaurants will include a legend for symbols used in the menu) or written references like “Vegan”, “VG”, or “VE”. If the menu doesn’t include these, check with the waiter or food provider directly.
There are also apps available that can help you find vegan food in Malta. The most popular one is Happy Cow.
If you’re looking for an itinerary to visit Malta, check out my 7-10 Day Itinerary to Visit Malta Without a Car.
The 12 Best Vegan Restaurants in Malta
1. Balance Bowl
4.8 ★ | Plant-based cuisine | Gzira | €€
Concept: Single-handedly taking the podium as the only fully vegan restaurant in Malta, Balance Bowl brings together international flavours to craft its tasty plant-based menu. As the founder holds a Master’s in Food Science, the menu is not only flavourful but nutritious too (with high-protein options available).
Why go? For a dining experience with no restrictions! Every single dish on the menu is vegan, also catering to the gluten-free and keto crowds.
Address: Il, 182 Triq Ix – Xatt, Gżira GZR 1024, Malta
Contact: https://balance-bowl.com/
2. The Submarine
4.8 ★ | Sandwiches | Valletta | €
Concept: A family-owned sandwich shop serving quick bites, from traditional Italian subs and ciabattas to Maltese Ftira and salads.
Why go? For an affordable choice that’s also a favourite with the locals. They offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Address: Triq il-merkanti 42, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1173, Malta
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063692527259
3. Gugar Hangout & Bar
4.8 ★ | Snack Bar | Valletta | €
Concept: Founded as a co-operative effort between a group of friends, Gugar is a community space including a small library and an art gallery by emerging local artists. The name of the place comes from the Hindi concept of “Jugaar” – meaning to come up with a creative solution for any problem one might encounter (“the art of making things work”).
Why go? The homely atmosphere with chilled music is one of the most common praises. Along with a good selection of beer and other drinks, there’s a fair range of vegan options such as soups, vegan burgers, falafel wraps, and snacks.
Address: 89 Republic St, Valletta, Malta
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/gugarmalta
4. Elephant Shoe
4.8 ★ | Brunch | Valletta | €€-€€€
Concept: Featuring a mix of European cuisines, generous and colourful portions, and a pet-friendly atmosphere, Elephant Shoe quickly established itself as one of the best brunch spots in Malta.
Why go? Recently awarded as 2023’s Best Eatery, this is THE trendiest place for brunch, lunch, or drinks. As far as vegan options go, there’s everything from açaí bowls to roasted and marinated tofu, bean salads, jackfruit, zucchini fritters and empanadas. No boring food here!
Address: Dar l-Emigrant Castille Place Valletta, VLT 1062, Malta
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/elephantshoemalta/
5. The Rootz Bar
4.8 ★ | Wine Bar | Valletta | €€-€€€
Concept: An Italian wine bar and osteria with live music and relaxed atmosphere.
Why go? For a chilled evening in Valletta, sipping vegan wine and eating snacks. The bar serves vegan bites such as bruschetta and piadine, as well as a vegan sharing platter. Gluten-free options are also available.
Address: 11 Strait St, Valletta, Malta
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/RootzSoulBar
6. Sotto Pinsa Romana
4.6 ★ | Pizza | Various locations | €€
Concept: Directly from Rome to Malta, Sotto Pinsa Romana was the first authentic Roman pinseria to open in Valletta in 2015. Striving to bring the Roman culinary tradition and heritage through fresh ingredients to the heart of Malta, this place puts great care into the making of their pinsa.
Why go? If you’re craving Italian food, Sotto Pinsa Romana is popular among vegans for their Marinara. You can select your favourite toppings, and they also offer gluten-free options.
Address: Full list of locations here.
Contact: https://zeroseimalta.com/stores/sotto-pizzeria/
7. one80 Kitchen & Lounge
4.6 ★ | Mediterranean cuisine | Various locations in Malta and Gozo | €€
Concept: With decades of combined experience in hospitality and 5-star hotels internationally, the founders of one80 aim to serve uncomplicated, modern, and flavourful dishes. With quality at the top of the priority list, the fresh ingredients are sourced locally from farmers and fishermen in both Gozo and Malta.
Why go? As one of the few businesses on this list with vegan restaurants in Gozo, as well as locations across Malta, one80 is a convenient choice for vegans. All restaurants have a tasty plant-based menu section, which means you can order completely stress-free!
Address: Full list of locations here.
Contact: https://one80.com.mt/
8. Naan Bar
4.6 ★ | Modern Indian cuisine | Valletta | €€
Concept: Naan Bar has established itself as one of the leading food spots for modern Indian cuisine in Malta. The restaurant promises a contemporary take on nostalgic traditional Indian dishes, featuring both a vibrant bar on the ground floor, as well as an intimate dining area on the lower ground.
Why go? Besides being a halal restaurant, Naan Bar offers a wide range of vegan and vegetarian dishes across the menu. Come here if you’re craving cozy Indian food with a modern twist.
Address: 60/1 Melita Street Corner of, Old Bakery St, Valletta VLT 1450, Malta
Contact: https://www.naanbar.com/
Looking for halal food in Malta? Check out my list of the Best 15 Halal Restaurants in Malta!
9. Bistro 516
4.5 ★ | Mediterranean cuisine | Valletta | €€
Concept: A relaxed, casual dining experience with a privileged location right by the Grand Harbour waterfront. Presenting local dishes and an extensive wine list, you should head here if you’re looking for vegan food in Valletta.
Why go? For an all-around selection with a dedicated vegan menu available, including focaccia, curry, burgers, and pasta dishes. There is also a separate, fully gluten-free menu available, as this place puts great care into catering for various special diets and in avoiding cross-contamination.
Address: Valletta Waterfront, Floriana, Malta
Contact: https://bistro516malta.com/
10. Manouche Craft Bakery & Bistro
4.5 ★ | French cuisine | Various locations in Malta and Gozo | €€-€€€
Concept: A modern recreation of the rustic, traditional French bistros and bakeries, in Malta. The artful techniques for making the organic breads and pastries served in the bakery feature in the bistro menu as well.
Why go? For their afternoon tea! Manouche offer special vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free afternoon tea set menus, including two hours of free-flowing tea and coffee. You also have the option to add a glass of Prosecco to your afternoon tea, if you’re feeling fancy!
Address: Full list of locations here.
Contact: https://manouche.com.mt/
11. Coogi’s Restaurant & Tea Garden
4.4 ★ | Italian cuisine | Mdina | €€
Concept: Lodged in a historical medieval building in the Mdina – an old Arab townhouse, with some rooms dating back to the Norman era – Coogi’s benefits from a terrace facing North, from where you can overlook St Paul’s Bay in the distance, and even Sicily on a clear day. Sitting at this restaurant is taking part in history, with a functioning underground spring, as well as a wartime air raid shelter.
Why go? The perfect spot for vegan food in Mdina. Offering a dedicated vegan set menu at the restaurant, you can enjoy from a selection of starters, mains, and desserts without restrictions. Within the vegan set menu, there are also a couple gluten-free options. If you choose to peruse the à la carte menu, some sections provide the option to swap ingredients to be made vegan (such as vegan mozzarella for pizza).
Address: 5, Saint Agatha’s Esplanade, L-Imdina MDN 1160, Malta
Contact: https://www.coogis.co/
12. Chatterbox
5.0 ★ | South East Asian cuisine | St Paul’s Bay | €€-€€€
Concept: In a relaxing setting overlooking the bay, Chatterbox was born and inspired by Southeast Asian street food snacks. Recreating the buzz of Indian street food markets, the restaurant has a vibrant atmosphere, an open kitchen with live cooking, and a bar.
Why go? For a fun and relaxed vibe right on the promenade. The menu boasts vegan dishes, as well as plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Address: Islets Promenade, St Paul’s Bay SPB 2507, Malta
Contact: https://www.chatterboxrestaurants.com/
Final thoughts
I hope this post on where to find vegan food in Malta has been helpful! As we saw, some traditional Maltese foods can be vegan, and you can look out for these.
However, if you’re looking for something different (and a little tastier than a vegetable salad), I hope this list of the 12 best vegan restaurants in Malta is useful for your next visit to the island.
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