For amazing seafood in Malta, hop over to Gozo

It took a trip to Gozo to enjoy amazing seafood in Malta. One of the great joys of Mediterranean cuisine is the availability of a fabulous range of fresh seafood. When it comes to Malta, another delight is that dining on seafood invariably involves a view overlooking the sea. The best meal I had during my two-week stay involved both.

The adventure started in Mġarr, Gozo

A dockside flurry of activity greets passengers in the ferry port of Mġarr on the Maltese island of Gozo. Taxi drivers, boat operators, and tour guides jockey for the attention of visitors.

It was a taxi driver’s persistent and convincing pitch that swayed us into taking a tour of the island by taxi. His promise of a delectable seafood lunch cinched the deal.

Marsalforn, Gozo

Joey drove us to the Ristorante Arzella in the northern resort town of Marsalforn. Arzella is an Italian restaurant specializing in seafood. The sea splashed against the steps of the restaurant, and the view from upstairs took in Marsalforn Bay.

It had the potential to satisfy our craving for seafood with a Maltese twist. Although, it was a risk relying on the recommendation of someone we’d just met and whose motivation in making it was unknown.

Amazing seafood in Malta

Oh my. It was hands-down the best meal I had in Malta. We started with the Antipasti Misti (mixed seafood). It included octopus and tuna carpaccio, marinated prawns…

… home-made fish cakes, melanzane parmeggiana…

… and cuttlefish in a rich tomato-based sauce to die for. Already we were singing Joey’s praises.

Everything was fresh, tasty, and very well presented.

For the ‘fresh local fish’ dish, one of my travelling companions had grilled whole sea bream.

I shared the salt-crusted wild bream for two.

Thankfully, our server excavated the tasty flesh from beneath the protective layers of skin-and-salt crust.

And there’s something about Maltese vegetables. They taste the way vegetables are supposed to taste. It must have something to do with the beautiful Mediterranean climate and the short distance from Gozo’s rich farmlands to table.

Our meal ended with complimentary glasses of limoncello and Bajtra Liquer produced from local prickly pears.

If you found this post helpful, please share it by selecting one or more social media buttons. Thank you.

If Malta isn’t on your travel list, it’s worth adding. Include a visit to laid-back Gozo and lunch or dinner at Ristorante Arzella. For other ideas, see:

Pin for later?