Three restaurants in Malta get first ever Michelin star

VALLETTA: The Michelin Guide has awarded three Maltese restaurants with one Michelin star in the first ever digital guide published for the small island in the middle of the Mediterranean.

Established restaurant De Mondion in Mdina led by chef Kevin Bonello, Noni in Valletta led by chef-owner Jonathan Brincat and Under Grain, a new restaurant led by renowned chef Victor Borg were the first ever Maltese restaurants to clinch a Michelin star.

Three other restaurants, Terrone in fishing village Marsaxlokk, Commando in Mellieha and Rubino in Valletta clinched a Bib Gourmand. The Bib is Michelin’s distinction for good quality, good value cooking.

The guide to Malta also includes 20 restaurants that have been awarded the Plate symbol which means ‘fresh ingredients, capably prepared, simply a good meal’.

“These include restaurants that vary from classic Maltese cooking to seafood dishes, from creative modern cooking to the varied combinations of fusion cooking, there is something to suit every taste and occasion,” Michelin said.

The international director of the Michelin Guides Gwendal Pouliennec said “We are delighted to present our first ever edition of the Michelin Guide to the islands of Malta and Gozo. This selection reflects the diversity of the islands’ cuisine, the talents of its chefs and the quality of the ingredients available to them.

The full list of restaurants is as follows:

One Michelin star

• De Mondion, Mdina
• Noni, Valletta
• Under Grain, Valletta

Bib Gourmands

• Terrone, Marsaxlokk
• Commando, Mellieha
• Rubino, Valletta

Plate symbol

• Ta Frenc, Xaghra Gozo
• Tmun, Mgarr, Gozo
• Lord Nelson, Mosta
• Caviar & Bull, St Julian’s
• Susurrus, St Julian’s
• KuYa, St Julian’s
• Barracuda, St Julian’s
• Bahia, Lija
• The Medina, Mdina
• Root 81, Rabat
• The Golden Fork, Attard
• Briju, Gzira
• Capo Crudo, Valletta
• Guze Bistro, Valletta
• 59 Republic, Valletta
• Rampila, Valletta
• Aaron’s Kitchen, Valletta
• The Harbour Club, Valletta
• Hammett’s Macina, Senglea
• Tartarun, Marsaxlokk

Here is why the Michelin Guide is a big deal for Malta.