The 5 best cafes in Malta for great coffee and sweet treats
There’s truly nothing like a good cafe. I personally find that the best way to enjoy the Maltese sun is through a nice cup of coffee and a lovely pastry. But finding a great cafe requires careful consideration, especially when it comes to the vibe.
A good cafe needs to have good coffee and pastries. But it doesn’t stop there, the atmosphere and vibes should also be lovely, and don’t forget the prices should be reasonable.
So, I’ve explored most of the popular and hidden gem cafes in Malta and have compiled some of my favourites. These places will surely captivate you, and you will certainly find a new place to hang out.
1. DATE
Address: 134 Triq Dom Mintoff, Bormla BML 1921
Contact Details: +356 7719 1870
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM
I personally love the vibes at DATE. The comfortable, open areas are often filled with locals and expats looking to mingle. The most special spaces are the floor cushions, which are a great place to chill.
The cafe offers a wide range of food and drink options. Whenever I drop by, I can’t help but order the non-classic English breakfast and pair it with an iced cappuccino—together, they cost €19, which is quite reasonable.
I also like that customers can host events at DATE, which are often among the most memorable I’ve been to. I’ve seen hen/bachelor parties here, as well as staff parties and birthday celebrations.
There’s also a dedicated date menu, and some friends have used this to full effect to impress their dates. It’s through these unique services that they earned a Restaurant Guru Award in 2025, which showcases their strong focus on customer satisfaction.
However, the cafe can get quite packed, so be sure to arrive early as there’s limited space.
We had the most romantic experience here
“We had the most romantic experience here. Even though we arrived too late for the breakfast menu, they still made it possible for us — no hesitation, just pure kindness and great service. That alone deserves 5 stars!
The seating is super comfy and viby, and the whole atmosphere of the place feels warm, special, and truly one of a kind. Perfect for a relaxed brunch date or a cozy dinner.
And the pancakes… amaaaaaaaazing 😍🥞
Highly recommended if you’re looking for something unique and memorable!”
– BERlion, Google Review
A very unique cafe and restaurant with opening hours til late
“A very unique cafe and restaurant having opening hours till late. Glad we found it and could order something for dinner. The Tom Yum soup was good though a bit too spicy for my taste; the Greek Salad was all right. We were sitting in a dome – shaped transparent tent, quite original place for lunch. The other places – like greenhouse – shaped shelter – were being installed and decorated. All in all, it was a nice meal in a very unique location- right next to the bridge.”
– Monika Monique, Google Review
2. Coffee Circus
Address: Basement, 106D Triq San Gwann, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1169
Contact Details: +356 9944 8528
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Coffee Circus is a beloved fair-to-farmer and direct trade cafe that sources its beans from speciality farms across South and Central America. These specialised beans create some of the best coffee I’ve had in Malta.
The cafe has several locations across Malta, with the most notable being those in Lisboa and at the University of Malta. Additionally, they have reliable mobile cafes, which often pop up across Malta.
The overall vibe of the Lisboa location has a grunge and rustic aesthetic that’s comforting and homey. Antiques litter the place with fairy lights, and it’s simply a magical place to hang out at.
I love their croissants here, especially when paired with an Americano. They have speciality ones as well, some covered in cream cheese, while others are filled with matcha.
Just note that some customers have experienced long wait times for tables, so it’s best to keep that in mind.
The interior is nice and cosy
“Excellent café, orange cake and pasteis de nata were incredible, coffee as well. Caffè latte was better here than in other places as it was dense and had an intensive flavour.
The staff is super friendly, they charge my phone behind the counter.
There is not many places to sit inside and you must use a narrow staircase to get there, but there are also tables outside in the street. Still, the interior is nice and cosy.”
– Helena Kliwison, Google Review
Would recommend coming and trying it out if you like speciality coffee
“I came to this coffee shop a few days ago, it was a cozy spot with a welcoming vibe, you need to go down some stairs to get to the cash area/seating area inside. I had a double espresso, and their cakes looked nice (attaching a few photos). A good place, would recommend to come and try it out if you like specialty coffee ☕️”
– Ignatius, Google Review
3. SNUG CAFE | Coffee Shop in Valletta
Address: 234, 235 St Paul St, Valletta VLT 1215
Contact Details: +356 9970 2994
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM
SNUG CAFE is the best place for you to pause, sip, and belong. This modern cafe is beloved by tourists and expats alike.
I find that the decor reflects the cafe’s modern approach to service; much of it is contemporary, sleek, and polished compared to other cafes. This offers a cleaner look that’s more preferred by those who want to take Instagram photos.
The menu itself is quite extensive, with several hot, cold, and blended options to choose from. I personally go for the chai here, as it’s fairly cheap at around €3.50. I also often pair it with a tuna mayo sandwich that’s around €4.50.
If you’re looking to try some Maltese delicacies, they serve them here as well. Notable ones are the chicken kiev and the egg mayo ciabatta, both priced at €5.
Yet again, the store is often run by a single person, which causes order delays.
Pros:
Really nice vibe
“Delicious! Great coffee (iced pistachio latte) and pastries (Nutella croissant). Really nice vibe in the place, quiet snug areas to sit and relax – a must visit.”
– Neil Andrew, Google Review
Cute place, great prices
“Cute place, great prices, nice atmosphere”
– Sophiaa Genart, Google Review
4. Jacob’s Brew Café
Address: 144 Triq Is-Salini, Wied il-Għajn
Contact Details: +356 2163 7259
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Jacob’s Brew Cafe is well-known for its activism and care for the Maltese people. I genuinely value that they work closely with Survivors Malta, paying forward their revenue to help families facing trauma or hardships.
The cafe itself is quite simplistic in its presentation. I much prefer this, as it’s not too overpowering and lets me simply enjoy my time there rather than be bombarded by decor.
The menu is fairly simple, yet the food is absolutely delicious. Whenever I’m here, I always find myself ordering their wraps, specifically the vegetarian one. It’s a tasty snack and often pairs well with their smoothies or frappes.
However, I found this shop quite expensive, with most items costing over €5. Still, their revenue goes to a good cause, and the portions are larger than those of other shops. Additionally, customers can donate directly to the NGO through its website.
Everything was delicious and fresh
“Came here for the first time and left completely touched.
First of all, the location and view are nice: right on the seafront in Marsaskala.
The coffee, omelette, and croissant… everything was delicious and fresh.
But the real magic is in its story: this place was born from the miracle of Jacob, the “Titanium Man” who fought death countless times. It’s Malta’s first social enterprise café. With the “Pay It Forward” system you can buy one coffee and gift another, and part of the proceeds go to Survivors Malta.
Sitting here you don’t just drink coffee; you become part of a family’s incredible journey, Jacob’s smile, and a powerful “never give up” message. Everyone inside is smiling, the staff are so warm, the atmosphere is unbelievably healing… it feels like you’ve been invited into someone’s home.
This was hands-down the most meaningful latte I’ve ever had.
Endless thanks to Jacob and his family. You exist for a reason, and you now have a very special place in my heart ♡”
– Deniz Öner, Google Review
This is the place to visit when going to Malta
“This is thé place to visit when going to Malta! Amazing café, great food options, but most important; this project is %100 love. In so many ways inspiring and connecting to what matters most in life.”
– MUSEUM HAUS, Google Review
5. Busy Bee
Address: 38 Triq Ix – Xatt Tas-Sliema, SLM 1022
Contact Details: +356 2334 4000
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Busy Bee is a cute and chic cafe that has an abundance of pastries for customers to choose from. It doesn’t stop there; they also sell several other baked goods and even have a fresh deli that’s simply unique compared to other shops.
Established in 1933, the Busy Bee has been serving Maltese and tourists alike some of the best sweets and savouries on the island. I really fancy how the decor has kept up with the times with its contemporary display cases and fixtures. I also frequently find customers hosting events here.
I prefer to head to the one in Sliema, as it’s the most accessible. As for my order, I gravitate towards a lovely Italian Steak Pinsa, which is delicate and savoury. When being a bit extravagant, rather than some coffee, I go for a nice local red wine.
However, the food here is far too expensive, with most dishes above €10.
Great cafe with French Parisian vibes
“Great cafe with French Parisisn vibes! Chill and cozy atmosphere, great decor, warm ambience, tasty food menu, great choice of coffees, absolutely seductive cakes and desserts! Very happy to visit and will come again!”
– Yury Sapezhinsky, Google Review
We always love going here
“We always love going here every time we either (temporary) live on Malta, or just visit for a short holiday. This is one of the places we always come back to. Great cappuccino, ice cream, cakes and pastries. Lovely personnel always helping with a smile.”
– Andrew, Google Review