Malta's 2026 Michelin Guide Adds Six New Spots
Malta's 2026 Michelin Guide highlights 48 eateries, including six new ones and five Bib Gourmands. All seven previously starred restaurants retained their status, confirming the island's culinary peak. The guide reflects Malta's growing reputation as a Mediterranean dining destination.
The prestigious guide's seventh edition for the islands underscores a growing culinary scene, now boasting a total of 48 recognized establishments. This marks a significant expansion since the guide first launched in Malta in 2020, a venture supported by a five-year agreement with the Malta Tourism Authority. Among the six new additions is Verbena in Mgarr, which earned a coveted Bib Gourmand for its high-quality, good-value cooking. This brings the total number of Bib Gourmand restaurants across the archipelago to five. The award for Verbena, a family-run restaurant with a "From Earth to Plate" ethos, highlights its focus on local, seasonal ingredients. The five other new entries joined the recommended list: Osteria Scottadito in Nadur, Bistro Boca in Ta' Xbiex, Anima and Le Majoliche in St. Julian's, and Scala in Mdina. These additions showcase the geographical spread and increasing diversity of quality dining experiences available across both Malta and Gozo. For the third consecutive year, ION Harbour by Simon Rogan in Valletta maintained its two-star rating, the only restaurant on the island to hold this distinction. Michelin inspectors praised its modern cuisine, precise execution, and strong "farm-to-table" philosophy. The six restaurants retaining their one-star status are De Mondion, Noni, Under Grain, Fernandõ Gastrotheque, Le GV, and Rosamì. The continued recognition for all previously starred establishments is seen as a sign of the local culinary scene's consistency and maturity. Beyond the stars, the 2026 guide also celebrated individual talent with three special awards. George Attard of Level Nine at The Grand was honored with the Young Chef Award, while the team at Rosamì received the Service Award, and Miljan Radonjic of De Mondion won the Sommelier Award.
