Guidebook for Birgu
Food Scene
Run by two lovely Venetians - the food is exquisitely genuine and unpretentious. Set in a small house on three levels, it's just across the road from Indulgence Divine.
18 locals recommend
Osteria. Ve
Alessandru VIIRun by two lovely Venetians - the food is exquisitely genuine and unpretentious. Set in a small house on three levels, it's just across the road from Indulgence Divine.
No menu to choose from, just a dizzying array of tasters from a most passionate chef. Make sure to book.
38 locals recommend
Tal-Petut Restaurant
20 P.SciclunaNo menu to choose from, just a dizzying array of tasters from a most passionate chef. Make sure to book.
If you wish to discover genuine Maltese food and treat yourself, this intimate restaurant is the place for you. Take the ferry or a water taxi to Valletta.
19 locals recommend
Rubino
53 Old Bakery StreetIf you wish to discover genuine Maltese food and treat yourself, this intimate restaurant is the place for you. Take the ferry or a water taxi to Valletta.
Everything Else
For fresh bakery and for all your other grocery needs, here's one place to try. They have all the traditional Maltese baked cakes and bread. It's a 20 min walk or 5 minute car journey.
Maypole Fgura
Hompesch RoadFor fresh bakery and for all your other grocery needs, here's one place to try. They have all the traditional Maltese baked cakes and bread. It's a 20 min walk or 5 minute car journey.
Drinks & Nightlife
Traditionally wine bars were once the place to spend the evening. Del Borgo has made it trendy again to do so.
38 locals recommend
Del Borgo
33 San DuminkuTraditionally wine bars were once the place to spend the evening. Del Borgo has made it trendy again to do so.
Look out for their live jazz sessions from May to October. Sitting out on the steps under the stars with a glass of wine and listening to live music.
40 locals recommend
Bridge Bar
LiesseLook out for their live jazz sessions from May to October. Sitting out on the steps under the stars with a glass of wine and listening to live music.
Waiter-service café-bar, located on Valletta's Republic street, has rapidly become one of the places to be in Valletta A small Belle-Epoque-style café, Charles Grech serves breakfast, light lunches (including sandwiches, salads and Italian dishes), snacks and coffee as well as cocktails, wine and an extensive collection of spirits, especially whiskies (this family firm has long been one of the main importers of spirits to Malta). A great place for continental breakfast, an aperitif before dinner or a nightcap after.
6 locals recommend
Charles Grech
10 Republic StWaiter-service café-bar, located on Valletta's Republic street, has rapidly become one of the places to be in Valletta A small Belle-Epoque-style café, Charles Grech serves breakfast, light lunches (including sandwiches, salads and Italian dishes), snacks and coffee as well as cocktails, wine and an extensive collection of spirits, especially whiskies (this family firm has long been one of the main importers of spirits to Malta). A great place for continental breakfast, an aperitif before dinner or a nightcap after.
This quirky little bar overflows on the street at weekends, especially in summer. Get there early for one of the pink velvet armchairs in the alley outside. Tico Tico is a less seedy reincarnation of the original bar (of the same name) on this site that until the 1970s entertained sailors with drinks, floor shows and other services. Strait Street used to be known as 'The Gut' and was full of sailors' bars. After the Royal Navy left Malta, the area fell into dereliction. Tico Tico was one of the first in a new breed of places there.
42 locals recommend
Tico-Tico Bar
61 Strait StThis quirky little bar overflows on the street at weekends, especially in summer. Get there early for one of the pink velvet armchairs in the alley outside. Tico Tico is a less seedy reincarnation of the original bar (of the same name) on this site that until the 1970s entertained sailors with drinks, floor shows and other services. Strait Street used to be known as 'The Gut' and was full of sailors' bars. After the Royal Navy left Malta, the area fell into dereliction. Tico Tico was one of the first in a new breed of places there.
Sightseeing
Recently restored, this amazing fort played a great role in the Great Siege of 1565 when the Knights of St John won against the great Ottoman Empire.
55 locals recommend
Fort St. Angelo
Recently restored, this amazing fort played a great role in the Great Siege of 1565 when the Knights of St John won against the great Ottoman Empire.
Arts & Culture
One of few surviving worldwide. Look out for the graffiti on cell walls. Re-live the Inquisition.
45 locals recommend
Inquisitor's Palace
Triq Il-Palazz Ta' L-IsqofOne of few surviving worldwide. Look out for the graffiti on cell walls. Re-live the Inquisition.
Exhibits such as mid-18th century model of Order’s vessel in old British naval bakery.
34 locals recommend
Malta Maritime Museum
Il - Habs L - AntikExhibits such as mid-18th century model of Order’s vessel in old British naval bakery.
Guided tour in English through World War II underground shelter.
33 locals recommend
Malta at War Museum
Triq it-8 ta' DicembruGuided tour in English through World War II underground shelter.
One of the oldest theatre in Europe. Take a tour to learn about its fascinating history or see what's on at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt
50 locals recommend
Teatru Manoel
Old Theatre StreetOne of the oldest theatre in Europe. Take a tour to learn about its fascinating history or see what's on at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt
Contemporary theatre, art gallery and world cinema in a restored 16th century fort.
22 locals recommend
Spazju Kreattiv
Contemporary theatre, art gallery and world cinema in a restored 16th century fort.
Parks & Nature
Top views of the Grand Harbour from this lovely historic garden.
150 locals recommend
Upper Barrakka Gardens
292 Triq Sant' OrslaTop views of the Grand Harbour from this lovely historic garden.
Shopping
Birgu Farmers' Market
Triq Il - Gublew Tal - FiddaThink early morning for this fresh veg Saturday market.
Locals go there every Tuesday morning for clothes, household, groceries and fresh produce.
Birgu Market (weekly Streetmarket)
Triq Il - Gublew Tal - FiddaLocals go there every Tuesday morning for clothes, household, groceries and fresh produce.
Sunday mornings. It’s a cross between flea market and car boot sale. You’ll have to jostle past the jumble sale stalls with hoards of women picking over second-hand clothing. But wend your way up and down the rows of stall holders, who’ve set up pitch at 5am to get pole position, and you’ll find some of the quirkiest, weirdest, kitschiest objects you’ll have ever stumbled upon. Need a whole jazz band from the southern USA (in statuette form)? Or some religious memorabilia? Of course, you’ll also find some rare vintage pieces like those 1960s retro lamps you’ve always wanted. Not to mention army surplus that’s great for the kids’ dressing-up box.
16 locals recommend
Birgu Farmers' Market
Triq Il - Gublew Tal - FiddaSunday mornings. It’s a cross between flea market and car boot sale. You’ll have to jostle past the jumble sale stalls with hoards of women picking over second-hand clothing. But wend your way up and down the rows of stall holders, who’ve set up pitch at 5am to get pole position, and you’ll find some of the quirkiest, weirdest, kitschiest objects you’ll have ever stumbled upon. Need a whole jazz band from the southern USA (in statuette form)? Or some religious memorabilia? Of course, you’ll also find some rare vintage pieces like those 1960s retro lamps you’ve always wanted. Not to mention army surplus that’s great for the kids’ dressing-up box.
Minimarket, grocer, shopping, daily needs, 24 hour convenience store.
11 locals recommend
Convenience store
Triq D'ArgensMinimarket, grocer, shopping, daily needs, 24 hour convenience store.
Gormina Traditional Bakery
Triq il-PellegrinaġġA grocery store/bakery.