There is something about rooftop dining in summer that immediately slows the pace. As the sun began to set over St Julian's and the Hyatt Regency Malta's pool reflected the evening light, Seed Rooftop provided exactly the kind of relaxed atmosphere that lends itself to lingering over good food and conversation.

Unlike its more refined sister venue, Seed Brasserie, the rooftop embraces a more casual concept. Think elevated comfort food, inventive flavours and shareable dishes that work equally well for an evening with friends as they do for a date night.

Front: Squid ink arancini. Back: Pulled lamb steamed manti

We began with two starters that immediately set the tone.

The squid ink arancini, filled with prawn and calamari and accompanied by a saffron mayonnaise, delivered exactly what a good arancino should: crisp on the outside and creamy within. The seafood filling was balanced rather than overpowering, while the saffron mayonnaise added richness without masking the delicate flavours.

Alongside it came the pulled lamb steamed manti. Soft parcels filled with tender lamb rested on confit garlic yoghurt, complemented by lime aubergine and finished with tarka oil. The yoghurt introduced a welcome freshness that lifted the richness of the lamb, while the aromatic oil tied everything together without overwhelming the dish. Three were not enough.

For the mains, we opted for the Wagyu beef sliders and the Dirty Fries.

Front: Dirty fries. Back: Wagyu beef sliders

The sliders were an enjoyable take on a familiar favourite. Juicy Wagyu beef, mature cheddar, pickles and tomato were elevated by a tomato and bacon jam that added a subtle sweetness. It was an unexpected touch that worked particularly well, bringing brightness to the burgers and making them feel surprisingly light for a summer evening.

The standout dish, however, was undoubtedly the Dirty Fries.

Often, loaded fries become heavy and soggy within minutes. Here, the fries retained their crispness despite being generously topped with slow-braised beef ribs and a creamy peppercorn sauce. Each bite delivered plenty of texture, while the peppercorn sauce added a comforting depth of flavour that brought the dish together beautifully. It is the sort of plate you find yourself reaching back for long after telling yourself you've had enough.

The evening ended with an espresso and a chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream. Chocolate fondants are my favourite thing to order as a dessert, so you can say I had my fair share of them. However, this one was surprisingly creamy, and although not warm, it was still very comforting. 

The view 

What impressed me most throughout the meal was the balance between creativity and restraint. None of the dishes felt overly complicated for the sake of it. Familiar comfort foods were given thoughtful twists that enhanced rather than distracted from the main ingredients.

Combined with attentive service and views stretching across the hotel's pool towards the evening sunset, Seed Rooftop succeeds in creating a dining experience that feels relaxed without compromising on quality.

Those looking for a more refined culinary experience may naturally gravitate towards Seed Brasserie downstairs. But for anyone seeking inventive comfort food, generous sharing plates and one of the more enjoyable rooftop settings for a summer evening, Seed Rooftop is well worth adding to the list.

It also left me thinking that, if the hotel were ever to introduce dedicated day-by-the-pool experiences for non-residents, Seed Rooftop would make for a natural extension of the day, allowing guests to move seamlessly from the pool to an unhurried dinner as the sun sets.