Ta' Rikardu

As the evening sun bleeds gold across the limestone walls, the restaurant hums with the quiet confidence of a place where tradition is served with a view, and the air is thick with the scent of Maltese cooking. The menu here is a love letter to Gozo’s terroir, with the rabbit stew – a local favourite – priced at around €20 per head, alongside a traditional platter that sets the tone for a meal that feels both rustic and refined. As one regular notes, “The best place to eat rabbit on the island. The traditional platter for starters is also amazing.” The staff, warm and unhurried, might offer a taste of local wine, making it as suited to a romantic dinner for two as it is to a family gathering. Open from 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM daily, Ta’ Rikardu rewards those who arrive early, particularly for lunch, when the goat dish – roasted to perfection with homemade cheese – is a must. The restaurant’s perch in the Citadel means it’s steps from Gozo’s historic heart, yet its charm lies in how it feels worlds away. For a taste of authentic Maltese hospitality, this is the place. For those flying in specifically for the island's food scene, it sits comfortably alongside the best of Victoria's restaurants, within easy reach for anyone arriving via flights to Malta with KM Malta Airlines.