Ellul Wines & Spirits

Ellul Wines & Spirits is a wine merchant's heritage turned into one of Valletta's more atmospheric places to sit down with a drink. It stands on St Lucia's Street, a stone's throw from the law courts and St John's Co-Cathedral, with outdoor tables that suit a long, unhurried evening in the capital. It is listed with the island's wine merchants and its yacht arm appears in our boat charter directory.

The venue combines a drinks list built around Maltese and international wines with a short menu of bar bites, pizzas and salads, and it is open every day from 09:00 to 01:00.

Drinks, wine and cocktails

The drinks menu is wide. Wines by the glass include Maltese labels such as Caravaggio Chenin Blanc, 1919 Girgentina and Gellewza, alongside Old World choices from Italy and France and a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. There is also ruby and tawny port and a Mionetto Prosecco.

The signature cocktail list includes the Maltese Kiss, made with Bajtra liqueur, and the Ellul Sour, which adds a splash of Shiraz. The spritz list covers Aperol, Campari, limoncello and a Kinnie spritz, and a gin and tonic is built from your choice of gin and mixer, measured at 50ml. Prices are printed on the drinks menu on the venue's website. Beer is on tap and by the bottle, including Maltese Cisk and TobCo, and there are alcohol-free beers, mocktails and soft drinks. Happy hour runs from 15:00 to 19:00 daily with buy one, get one free on marked drinks. A separate list covers whisky, rum, tequila and bottles by the table, and staff can show a dedicated list of bottles and cigars on request. Whisky fans will find blends and single malts from Islay, Speyside and the Highlands, and the shots list also includes grappa, cognac and a long run of tequilas.

Food: bites, pizzas and salads

Food is designed to go with the glass. Bar bites and nibbles are the light option, hand-tossed pizzas and fresh salads fill out the menu. For something more formal, Ellul Bistro, also in the heart of Valletta, serves Mediterranean-inspired cooking from light lunches to evening meals, paired with wines from the family's own collection.

This is a good stop between sightseeing visits. The nearby St John's Co-Cathedral and the Upper Barrakka Gardens are both within a short walk, and our Valletta guide covers the rest of the city.

An Ellul family story since 1837

The Ellul name is rooted in Maltese history. The family story begins in 1837 with textile merchant Vincenzo Formosa, who bought a townhouse on Old Theatre Street in Valletta. In 1890 his daughter Giovanna married Fortunato Ellul, a wines and spirits merchant who opened his first shop on Merchant Street in 1878 and made anisette and a drink known as Maxxata, which earned him the nickname Tal-Maxxata.

A second shop followed on St Lucy's Street, run by his son Antonio, and later generations including Carmelo, Fortunato and Joseph kept the business growing, adding confectionery. Today it is run by Andrew Ellul, who blends tradition with new ideas so the Ellul name continues to stand for quality. For the history behind the city, see our Knights of Malta guide.

Ellul Charter and planning your visit

Ellul Charter is the family's yacht charter arm. Its luxury yachts are described as combining comfort, elegant design and performance, with tailored itineraries and attentive onboard service for exploring the Maltese coastline. Other operators in the same category include Adventure Cruises Malta.

If you are building a trip around Valletta, our guides to hotels in Valletta, things to do in Malta and flights to Malta from the UK will help. To ask about a table, a group booking or a charter, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Ellul Wines & Spirits.