Language/Maltese/Culture/Eating-Out
Malta has a rich cuisine with delectable dishes and drinks that have been influenced by various cultures over the centuries. In this lesson, you will learn about the dining culture in Malta and how to order food in a restaurant.
Maltese Dining Culture
Maltese dining culture is a mix of Italian, Greek and Arabic traditions, which each contribute to the island's unique food scene. Influenced by the surrounding Mediterranean sea, typical Maltese dishes are seafood-based, but rich stews and hearty meat dishes, such as the traditional rabbit “Fenek Moqli” are also popular.
Maltese people love to eat, and social dining is common with friends and family frequently dining out together, often on Sundays, for a large family lunch.
In Malta, the locals also prefer to eat their main meal in the middle of the day as opposed to the evening, with the exception of when dining out at restaurants. Ordering of food is usually shared "family-style," where the dishes are shared among everyone at the table, and not uncommon to pass around freely.
In Maltese, when dining, it is common to use phrases that express friendship and gratitude towards those dining with you.
It's not unusual for Maltese customers to linger over their food and drink, meaning a dining experience in Malta is likely to be lengthier than one in other countries. This is because a dining experience in Malta is quite social, and people tend to engage in conversation and enjoy each other's company for extended periods, often for several hours.
Malta's Restaurants
There are a wide variety of restaurants in Malta, ranging from fast food outlets to fine dining restaurants, with many traditional Maltese restaurants in between. Italians have been living in Malta for hundreds of years and the islands are home to a multitude of Italian eateries.
Malta's restaurant scene is becoming increasingly international, with new and exotic restaurants opening throughout the island that serve a broad range of international cuisines.
Here are some common phrases you may hear when dining at a restaurant in Malta:
- Grazzi (thanks)
- Jekk joghgbok (please)
- Jirridukom (enjoy your meal)
- Tifham (understand)
- Meta? (when?)
Ordering Food
When dining at a restaurant in Malta, it's essential to familiarize yourself with some basic ordering phrases in Maltese. Here are some:
- Menu - Menu
- Starter - Inqas moghad
- Main Course - Ikkursa principali
- Dessert - Ikel tal-helu
- Bill - Kontijiet
- Water - Ilma
- Wine - L-inbid
It is also important to note that many restaurants will have Italian menus with Maltese explanations printed alongside the main course. However, not all Maltese people will speak Italian fluently, so it's important to know some basic Maltese words when ordering.
The following is an example of a typical conversation between a waiter and a customer in a Maltese restaurant:
Waiter: Merħba. Jekk jogħġbok, inti tixtieq xi ħaġa? {Translation: Welcome. Please can I take your order?} Customer: Awgur, grazzi. Inqas mogħdija u ikkorsa principali. {Translation: Yes please, I’d like a starter and a main course.} Waiter: X’inhi l-inqas mogħdija li tixtieq? {Translation: What starter would you like?} Customer: Nixtieq imħarġel minestra. {Translation: I’d like some soup please.} Waiter: Sigurt, grazzi. U l-ikkursa principali? {Translation: Okay, how about your main course?} Customer: Kont tad-fenek, jekk jogħġbok. {Translation: I'd like rabbit, please.} Waiter: B’placċer, tefal! {Translation: With pleasure, sir!}
This type of conversation is relatively straightforward, and the general protocol when ordering food is to be polite and straightforward.
It is also worth noting that Maltese Meze platters are a prevalent item on restaurant menus. The Meze platter is an eye-catching spread of small plates, each containing a different Maltese delicacy. The Maltese Meze consists of dips, pastries, olives and other bite-size morsels, all of which you can share with your tablemates. Meze dishes may also consist of Kusksu soup, stuffed vegetables, and fried lampuki.
Paying the Bill
When paying the bill in Malta, the process is much the same as you would experience in other countries. In some cases, the waiter may bring the bill directly to the table, but often you will need to ask for it:
- Kontijiet, jekk jogħġbok. {Translation: The bill, please}
Apart from traditional Maltese dishes, new and exotic restaurants are opening throughout Malta which serve a broad range of international cuisines. So whether you're a fan of Mediterranean, Indian, or Chinese cuisine, you'll be sure to find something to suit your tastes in Malta. Now, are you ready to dine Maltese-style?