Restaurants in Gozo, Malta

Eating out across Gozo

Gozo, Malta's smaller sister island, covers about 67 square kilometres and has a slower, more rural pace than the main island. Eating out here is one of the great pleasures of a visit: fishing harbours serve the day's catch, village squares have family restaurants, and the capital, Victoria, has a growing number of modern bistros.

Gozo is especially known for ġbejna, small round cheeses made from sheep's milk and served fresh, sun dried or peppered; one sun dried style is even called t'Għawdex, of Gozo. Look out too for Gozitan ftira, a pizza-like bread usually topped with thin slices of potato and baked in a wood-fired oven, quite different from the Maltese ftira sandwich.

Where to eat: Victoria and the inland villages

Victoria, also called Rabat, is Gozo's capital and the island's busiest dining spot. You will find Il-Panzier on Charity Street for regional food, Roża on Pjazza San Ġorġ for Gozitan dishes, Maldonado Bistro, Ta' Ċetta Brasserie for French and Italian cooking, and Manouche Craft Bakery and Bistro on St George's Square for breakfast and cakes. Neolitik Kitchen and Lounge offers fine dining, while Haru, Yume Fusion and Ping's Dynasty cover Japanese and Asian food and Casa Vostra serves pizza.

In the villages, Ta' Frenċ (fine dining) and Il-Loġġa are listed in Xagħra. Ta' Vestru on Pjazza San Ġużepp and D-Bar are in Qala, Il Kunvent is in Għarb, and Azure Window is at Dwejra.

Where to eat: the coast

Xlendi, a small bay on the south west coast, has a string of seafront restaurants. You will find The Boathouse and Ta' Karolina for seafood, Il-Kċina Għawdxija, Churchill, Talija, Saint Patrick's, MobyDick and Pirate's Galley for regional cooking, plus Zafiro for pizza and Sapana for Indian food.

Marsalforn on the north coast offers Arzella and L'Aragosta Local Kitchen for fish, Qbajjar Restaurant, Kartell, Pebbles and Otters Bistro on the water, Cardamom for Indian food, BoThai for Thai and Pizza Stop. Near Mġarr harbour, where the ferry docks, Għajnsielem has Tmun restaurant, Ta' Tona, Country Terrace and Geppetto.

Getting to Gozo and around the island

The Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa, at the northern tip of Malta, to Mġarr takes around 25 minutes, and a fast ferry runs from Valletta to Mġarr in about 45 minutes. Our Malta ferry guide explains both. Our Gozo guide covers the island as a whole, with more detail in our Victoria guide and Xlendi guide.

Many visitors combine a morning at the Ġgantija temples or the Cittadella in Victoria with a seafood lunch in Xlendi or Marsalforn.

Practical tips for eating out in Gozo

Gozo is quieter than Malta, especially in winter, when some coastal restaurants reduce their opening days, so check ahead outside the summer season. Booking is wise for seafront tables in summer and for Sunday lunch. Buses run across the island, but a hire car or taxi gives more freedom to reach village restaurants. Dress is relaxed, and children are welcome almost everywhere.

Frequently asked questions