Rodney's Fish Shop

Rodney's Fish Shop is the kind of fishmonger that Malta's cooks tend to hold on to: small, owner-managed and focused on good seafood rather than volume. It stands on Vjal L-Indipendenza in Mosta, the town best known for its great rotunda, and sells everything from whole fresh fish to frozen seafood, breaded favourites and ready-made gourmet dishes you can finish at home.

If you are planning meals on the island, whether you live here or are staying for a longer visit, this is a useful place to know about. The shop appears in our directory of fish markets in Malta, alongside other places to buy the day's catch. You can send an enquiry through the form on this page and we will pass it to the shop.

A family business with a fishmonger's background

The shop is owned and managed by Rodney Cauchi. A love of the sea runs in his family, since he inherited the interest from his own father, and it still shapes his working day. Before opening his own premises he worked as a fishmonger for some of the largest commercial fish companies in Malta, which is where he learned how the market behaves and how to judge quality.

His aim was always something smaller and more personal than those big operations: an artisan shop that serves local families. Buying from Rodney's means supporting a small family firm, and customers are promised friendly service, top quality fresh fish and seafood, and daily offers. Mosta itself sits close to the old capital, so a trip to Mdina and the surrounding villages fits easily with a visit to the area.

What the shop sells

The core of the range is fish, available fresh or frozen. The fresh counter has local favourites such as lampuki (dolphin fish), sea bream, sea bass, red mullet, swordfish, tuna, grouper and John Dory, and the online catalogue shows both wild and farmed versions of some species. Wild sea bass, for example, is caught in local waters and a fish of 1kg to 1.6kg will usually feed three or four people as a main course. Meagre is another local choice, with a mild flavour that suits people who do not usually eat much fish.

Beyond whole fish there is a seafood section covering crustaceans, molluscs and shellfish, with items such as clams, mussels, scallops in the half shell and other shellfish. A breaded range gives you quick options for the oven or pan, and the gourmet range includes thaw, cook and serve dishes, soups and sauces, delicatessen items and smoked fish.

A smaller essentials section stocks wines, pasta, and herbs and spices, so you can pick up the extras for a seafood supper in the same order. The shop also lists an Off the Hook range, and its pages carry local chefs' tips and recipes for anyone unsure how to cook an unfamiliar Maltese fish.

Delivery, cleaning and ordering

Two services make the shop practical for busy households. Delivery is free on all orders over €20.00, and the team will scale, gut and fillet your fish for you without charging for it. If you have ever been handed a whole bream and wondered where to start, that second offer alone is worth knowing about.

Orders can be placed through the shop's website, which shows prices in euros and offers a dollar view too. Support is available during working hours. Stock changes with the catch and with imports, so a species listed on the site may occasionally be out of stock, as the catalogue itself shows. For anything specific, such as a particular fish for a dinner party, ask by enquiry before you rely on it.

Seafood is central to Maltese eating, from lampuki pie in autumn to simple grilled bream, and our Malta weather guide helps explain why different fish appear at different times of year. Visitors exploring the island can read our things to do in Malta page for ideas on what to do between meals.

Finding the shop and getting in touch

The shop is in Mosta, in the middle of the island, which keeps it within a short drive of Valletta, Mdina, the north coast and the southern villages. Our Valletta guide is a good starting point if you want to combine a shopping trip with a day in the capital, and the about Malta page gives wider background on the island.

If you are weighing up a longer stay or a move, the relocation guide for UK residents covers everyday matters such as shopping, services and settling in, while the Malta holidays overview is the place to start for shorter trips. A beach picnic with good seafood is hard to beat, and our best beaches in Malta list will help you choose where to eat it.

To ask about availability, delivery or an order, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Rodney's Fish Shop.