Malta holds its Michelin magic: Seven starred restaurants confirmed for 2026, one new Bib Gourmand, and five newly recommended venues

Malta's culinary credentials continue to climb, with all seven of the island's Michelin-starred restaurants retaining their stars in the 2026 Michelin Guide, released last week. Now in its seventh year, the Guide recognises 48 Maltese restaurants, including one new Bib Gourmand and five newly recommended venues.

Leading the charge, ION Harbour (Malta), by celebrated British chef Simon Rogan, retains its two Michelin Stars, maintaining its place as one of the Mediterranean's most distinguished dining destinations. In addition, six restaurants hold their Michelin Star: Rosamì (St. Julian's), Fernandõ Gastrotheque (Sliema), Under Grain (Valletta), Noni (Valletta), De Mondion (Mdina) and Le GV (Sliema).

Malta's Bib Gourmand category also continues to grow, with five restaurants now recognised for delivering high-quality cooking at accessible price points. Verbena in Mġarr earns the accolade for the first time this year, joining AYU (Gzira), Grain Street (Valletta), Rubino (Valletta) and Commando (Mellieħa).

Five venues join the recommended list, reflecting the breadth of culinary talent found across the islands: Osteria Scottadito (Nadur), Bistro Boca (Ta' Xbiex), Anima (St Julian's), Le Majoliche (St Julian's) and Scala (Mdina).

Three culinary professionals were also honoured with Michelin Special Awards, recognising excellence beyond the plate:

Young Chef Award – George Attard, Level Nine at The Grand, Gozo. At just 31, Attard returned to his native Gozo in 2025 to lead Level Nine at The Grand, perched atop the Grand Hotel Gozo overlooking Mgarr harbour. His distinctly contemporary Mediterranean menu blends local inspiration with modern technique and pure, authentic flavours.

Service Award – Rosamì, led by Charlo Cachia. Set inside a magnificent Maltese-style villa overlooking Balluta Bay, Rosamì's experienced and passionate front-of-house team delivers a seamless gastronomic journey — from warm welcome to fond farewell.

Sommelier Award – Miljan Radonjic, De Mondion, Mdina. Recognised for his gracious manner and deep wine expertise, Radonjic has become a quiet star of Malta's fine dining scene, known for thoughtful pairings that elevate every meal at the Michelin-starred De Mondion.

Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, said: “The recognition bestowed upon Malta in the 2026 Michelin Guide reaffirms the islands’ standing as a destination synonymous with quality, authenticity, and refined experiences. The retention of all seven starred restaurants, together with the expansion of recommended establishments and special award recipients, reflects the dedication, innovation, and professionalism of our culinary community. Gastronomy is a central pillar of Malta’s premium tourism strategy, and these distinctions strengthen our international reputation as a destination that consistently delivers excellence to discerning travellers.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Hon. Ian Borg said: “These accolades highlight the tangible progress Malta continues to achieve in elevating its tourism product. Culinary excellence plays a vital role in shaping a destination’s identity and competitiveness, and the sustained success of our MICHELIN-recognised establishments demonstrates this shared commitment to higher standards across the industry. As we move forward, our strategy remains firmly centred on attracting high-value visitors while ensuring that our tourism growth is rooted in sustainability, authenticity, and a consistently superior level of service for visitors and locals alike.”

Smaller than Greater Sydney, Malta punches well above its culinary weight. With seven Michelin-starred restaurants spread across the archipelago, visitors can combine world-class fine dining with UNESCO-listed historic towns and the Mediterranean coastline, all within easy reach.

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