MICHELIN will be launching the second edition of the Malta Michelin Guide on 9th April, a full month after the expected announcement.

Several industry sources had been reliably informed that the announcement would come on 9th March. While reasons behind the delay are not known, Malta announced new restrictions on restaurants just days before the expected Michel Guide announcement which could have had an impact.

The Malta Tourism Authority has now publicly confirmed the long-awaited Malta Michelin Guide will be revealed on 9th April. As things stand, restrictions on restaurants that are currently only permitted to serve take-aways and delivery will be lifted on 11th April. 

The guide, which first reviewed Malta’s restaurants in 2020, is updated annually and restaurants can lose their stars if they close during the year of assessment (COVID aside), or if they do not maintain their standards to make it into the next edition.

Last year, 26 restaurants made it into the Michelin Guide, while three leading local restaurants were awarded a Michelin star, a first for Malta.

The culinary achievement was awarded to Noni (Valletta), De Mondion (Mdina) and Under Grain (Valletta) on 26th February 2020, just weeks before the pandemic hit and restaurants were forced to close.

In the 2020 edition, three restaurants gained Bib Gourmands: Terrone (Birgu), Commando (Mellieha) and Rubino (Valletta).

In addition, 20 restaurants also received a Michelin Plate: The Golden Fork (Attard), Bahia (Lija), Briju (Gzira), Lord Nelson (Mosta), Barracuda (St Julian’s), KuYa (St Julian’s), Rampila (Valletta), Guze Bistro (Valletta), Capo Crudo (Valletta), The Harbour Club (Valletta), 59 Republic (Valletta), Aaron’s Kitchen (Valletta), Susurrus (St Julian’s), Caviar & Bull (St Julian’s), Root 81 (Rabat), The Medina (Mdina), Hammett’s Macina (Senglea), Tartarun (Marsaxlokk), Tmun (Mgarr, Gozo) and Ta Frenc (Xaghra, Gozo).