Basic Food & Drinks

Basic Food & Drinks is a neighbourhood grocery and delicatessen in St Julian's, close to the Paceville nightlife district. Its main selling point for visitors is the hours: it opens at 7am and closes at 2am every day, so you can buy breakfast supplies, picnic food or a late-night snack long after most supermarkets have shut. It has been trading for a number of years, which makes it a familiar stop for people living or staying in the area.

The shop is listed on VisitMalta.co.uk with other delicatessens in Malta. If you are staying nearby, our guide to where to stay in Malta covers St Julian's and the surrounding resorts.

What the shop sells

The range is wide. Food covers fresh bread, pasta, rice and noodles, coffee and tea, cereals, oils, sauces, spices, soups and pulses, fruit and vegetables, frozen fish, meat, vegetables and pizza, and a large delicatessen section with cheese, ham, salumeria, dips, milk and yoghurt. There are also sweets, biscuits (including traditional Maltese biscuits), cakes, crisps and snacks.

Drinks run from water, juices and soft drinks to energy and sports drinks, plus a substantial alcohol range: beer, cider, cocktails, local and foreign wine, prosecco and champagne, and spirits such as gin, rum, vodka and whiskey. The shop also stocks household items, detergents, toiletries and personal care, baby products, pet food, stationery and local newspapers. For example, The Times is priced at €1.20 and The Sunday Times at €2.20.

Shoppers who like to browse by category will find thousands of lines across the site, with food, sweets, delicatessen goods, alcohol and toiletries making up the largest groups. Prices are shown in euros on each product page, for example €0.80 for an Oxford exercise book, so you can compare before you order or walk in.

Food for visitors and residents

Most products come from local sources, while the shelves also carry imported foods for tourists and residents who miss home flavours, including Indian, Romanian, Russian and Lebanese products. Gluten free, lactose free and soya products are stocked as well.

The aim is to keep good products available at the best possible prices. Visitors in self-catering apartments will find it handy for basics, and our best beaches in Malta guide is a good companion when planning a beach picnic.

Everyday extras: pets, stationery and seasonal lines

Beyond food and drink the shop covers the small things a stay tends to throw up. The household range includes batteries, bulbs, cables, barbecue supplies, disposable items, kitchen and laundry accessories, party items, candles and car and travel accessories. Detergents, cleaning products and insect repellent sprays are stocked, along with toiletries such as toothbrushes, hair care, sun protection, first aid items and baby nappies.

Pet owners can buy cat and dog food, litter and a few animal accessories, and there is a stationery shelf with pens, notebooks, envelopes, glue, calculators and gift wrap. A health section holds protein bars, shakes and cereal bars, and seasonal ranges appear for St Patrick's Day, Easter and Christmas. The shop also lists hemp food and drink products and smoking products, so ask through the enquiry form if you want to check a particular item before you visit.

Ordering online and delivery

Orders can be placed through the shop's website: choose your items, pay online and wait for the delivery. Orders placed before 12pm are delivered the same day, and later orders go out the next day. Delivery is free on online purchases of €75.00.

For anything else, such as a question about stock or a larger order, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the shop. Check the Malta weather guide before you stock up for a hot week.