Malta’s Best-Known Pastry Shops: A Sweet Journey Across the Islands
Malta’s food culture has a distinctly sweet side. Alongside traditional favourites such as imqaret, kannoli, almond biscuits and seasonal figolli, the islands are home to historic cafés, specialist confectioners and contemporary bakeries where visitors can pause for coffee and dessert. From Valletta and Mdina to Sliema and St Julian’s, these are some of the best-known places to discover Malta through its pastries and cakes.
One of the most recognisable names is Caffe Cordina in Valletta. Located on Republic Street, the café traces its history to 1837 and has become closely associated with the capital’s café culture. Its offering includes pastries, cakes and traditional Maltese confectionery, making it a natural stop while exploring Valletta. The combination of its central location, historic character and long confectionery tradition makes it much more than simply a place for coffee.
In Sliema, Busy Bee Cafe Sliema is another familiar name for anyone with a sweet tooth. Busy Bee has built a broad confectionery selection ranging from individual pastries to cakes, semifreddo desserts and celebration creations. For travellers staying in Sliema, it offers an easy opportunity to combine a waterfront walk with coffee and something sweet, while its wider confectionery range also reflects Malta’s enduring affection for classic café treats.
A visit to Mdina offers a very different experience. Fontanella Tea Garden sits on the fortified city’s bastions and has become particularly well known for homemade cakes served with panoramic views across Malta. Several of its favourites, including its chocolate cake and strawberry meringue, have remained part of the menu since 1975. Its cake selection ranges from rich chocolate creations to carrot cake, lemon cake and orange-and-almond combinations, making it a memorable stop during a day in Malta’s old capital.
For something more contemporary, Manouche Craft Bakery, Brunch & Bistro Spinola in St Julian’s brings a modern European bakery style to Malta. It is a good choice for travellers looking for handcrafted pastries and desserts in a more contemporary brunch-and-bakery setting. Its location near Spinola also makes it convenient to include during an afternoon or evening exploring St Julian’s.
Malta’s pastry scene is particularly enjoyable because it is not limited to one style. On the same trip, you can experience the atmosphere of a nineteenth-century Valletta café, enjoy homemade cake overlooking Mdina’s bastions and discover a contemporary patisserie close to the coast. The pleasure lies as much in the setting as in the dessert itself.
For guests who want to explore these sweet stops while staying in Sliema, 1926 Les Bains provides an elegant base from which to discover different parts of the island. Its central location makes it easy to move between Valletta, Mdina, St Julian’s and Sliema, while returning afterwards to a setting designed around privacy, relaxation and wellness. The property offers private spa suites and a distinctive bathing experience, creating a peaceful contrast to a full day of sightseeing and food discoveries.
After sampling some of Malta’s best-known cakes, pastries and confectionery, return to Sliema and enjoy the calm of 1926 Les Bains. Book your room now, or contact us at reservations@1926collection.com or +356 2133 3570 for more information.
