Gourmet Boutique by Cargo

Gourmet Boutique by Cargo sits on the Birgu Waterfront, facing the harbour in one of Malta's oldest fortified towns. It is part delicatessen and part gift boutique: a place to buy extra virgin olive oil and Maltese nougat, a bottle of single malt or a hand-poured candle, and have the lot wrapped in a black gift box with a ribbon. Visitors who arrive by cruise ship or ferry will find it an easy stop for presents and local specialities, and the waterfront setting makes it a pleasant place to browse before or after a harbour walk. Opening every day of the week means there is no need to plan around a closing day.

On VisitMalta.co.uk the shop appears in our directories of delicatessens in Malta and gift shops in Malta. Birgu, also called Vittoriosa, is covered in our Vittoriosa guide, and the wider harbour area in the Three Cities guide.

Gourmet food, wine and spirits

The premium gourmet selection covers chocolate and sweet delicacies, tea and coffee, olive oil and savoury bites from European and Maltese producers, wines, and spirits and liqueurs. Wines include red, white, rosé and champagne, while the spirits shelf runs from single malts to artisan gins and digestifs. A Maltese artisanal food collection brings together local flavours, including peppered cheeselets, which are the island's small sheep cheeses.

Cargo Crafted Delicacies is the shop's own line, made by Maltese hands and inspired by the island's flavours. It includes Maltese nougat, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, and it is packaged in dark, elegant boxes that make easy presents.

Gift boxes and Maltese brands

Gift giving is the heart of the shop. There are ready-made luxury boxes, a Festive Gift Collection, gifts for kids and teens, quirky presents, grow-your-own sets and greeting cards. If you would rather choose each item yourself, the Build Your Own Gift Box service lets you fill a box to suit the recipient. Gift vouchers are available too, and regular customers can apply for the shop's VIP card.

A dedicated section highlights Maltese brands: Tinqixa and Lazarus tiles, NemNem candles, the artist and surface pattern designer Stephanie Borg, Maduma, an organic fashion label, perfumer Stephen Cordina and the stationery label k.arti. Tinqixa tiles are a distinctive form of traditional Maltese flooring, each Lazarus tile is handmade and unique, NemNem candles are hand-poured and hand-finished, and Maduma calls itself Malta's first fully organic fashion label, built around Maltese tile patterns. Buying here is a good way to take home something made on the island rather than imported.

Home, kitchen and wellbeing

The home and lifestyle range includes candles, home diffusers and scented wax melts for wardrobes, Japanese knives and kitchen accessories, drinkware, decanters and whiskey stones, travel mugs, books and stationery and garden gifts. Beauty and wellness lines cover handmade aromatic soaps, men's grooming, makeup accessories, lip balm and skincare, and designer clothing.

Drinkware includes wine, gin and whiskey glasses, and the travel mug range includes sleek, sustainable designs from Yoko Design and others. Decanter sets and whisky stones are among the best-selling items, which suits a gift for someone who likes to entertain at home.

Planning a visit to Birgu

The shop is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00, so it fits an afternoon of walking the waterfront. Pair it with the sights in our Knights of Malta guide, or read about things to do in Malta and where to stay in Malta. For a day on the water, Adventure Cruises Malta is in our directory, and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum and Ħal-Tarxien complex are within a few kilometres.

To ask the shop a question, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the business.