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The best places for afternoon tea in Malta
Traditional Maltese cuisine at this brand new restaurant in Valletta
November 18, 2019
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November 19, 2019
WHERE TO GO IN MALTA FOR AN AWESOME AFTERNOON TEA
Quick history lesson. If it wasn't for the Duchess of Bedford (in 1840) revealing her guilty pleasure of devouring tea and snacks before dinner, then the worldwide trend of an afternoon tea probably wouldn't exist. Afternoon tea in Malta has gained tons of traction and even has celebratory status.
Here's my definitive list of all the places you must go for the best afternoon tea experience on the island. From a classic high tea in a luxury hotel to a retro tea in a vintage kitchen, a Maltese afternoon tea... and everything in between.
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
1
Carolinas Petit Cafe & Tearoom, Qawra & Balzan
Both locations of Carolina's Petit Cafe & Tearoom might be different in style and decor (one being more floral, whilst the other is authentically retro), but they're equally charming and more importantly... serve amazing afternoon teas.
What: Carolina's Cafe offers several kinds of afternoon tea including a deluxe, a Maltese (which includes pastizzi) a pink, a funfair, one for kids, a vintage one, one of the traditional kind and more. Each typically serves two people.
Price: Packages range from €6 to €15 per person.
Website
2
Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Attard
Photo Credit: Brian Grech
Enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea in the regal surroundings of the luxury Corinthia Palace.
What: There are two afternoon teas to choose from. A Traditional and a Maltese. The former comes with pretty little sandwiches stuffed with Scottish smoked salmon (with yuzu creme fraiche on barley bread), poached chicken coronation on rye bread, smoked veal, roasted pumpkin and more. You can also expect a selection of luxe scones, French pastries and mini cakes. Tea includes bespoke beverages from Camilla's Tea House.
The Maltese afternoon tea comes with rabbit confit, ftira (with bigilla, chilli oil, fava beans, sweet potato paste), smoked pork, pumpkin hummus and sheep's cheese and parsley turnovers. Creatively-flavoured scones and pastries are also on the menu.
The above image is their special festive Xmas arvo tea which is available now!
Price: €22.50 per person or €26 with a glass of prosecco.
Website
3
Jalie's Coffee, Cakes & Bakes, Attard
This quaint cafe has an afternoon tea that has quite the cult following!
What: Two scones, eight finger sandwiches including two hams, two eggs, two chickens and two tunas. You can also select two cakes of your choice such as carrot or red velvet. A pot of tea or coffee is also included.
Price: €16.50 (overall) serving two people.
Website
4
Manouche Craft Bakery & Bistro, St Julian's
Manouche are exceptionally popular for their brunch dishes and expertly-prepared pastries but you need to take notice of their formidable afternoon tea.
What: The savoury options include roasted ham & Gruyere cheese on brioche bun, cucumber & goats cheese on milk bun, egg mayo & chive on wholemeal bun, smoked salmon on wholemeal bun, a chicken & mayo bun, and an asparagus & pea quiche.
The sweet offering consists of a raspberry torte, caramelised banana & white chocolate tart, a salted caramel eclair and more. Hot citrus and vanilla scones also make an appearance.
Price: €16 per person (including free-flowing tea and coffee). Add prosecco for an extra €4.
Website
5
Palazzo de Piro, Mdina
Palazzo de Piro's elegant afternoon tea is offered every Saturday afternoon accompanied by live jazz music.
What: Freshly-prepared finger sandwiches and mini buns, homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, an assortment of handcrafted French pastries and free-flowing tea and coffee.
Price: €18 per person.
Website
6
The Prickly Pear, Mellieha
The Prickly Pear only just launched their affordable afternoon tea and it's friendly on the wallet and the palate.
What: A plethora of finger sandwiches such as cured parma ham (with parmigiano cheese), Scottish smoked salmon (with cream cheese), smoked ham & cheddar and leek & cheddar tartlets.
Sweet treats include scones with strawberry preserve & cream cheese, homemade imaqret, almond petit fours, hazelnut macaroons and red velvet muffins. With any hot beverage.
Price: €7.50 per person.
Wesbite
7
Palazzo Castelletti, Rabat
Palazzo Castelletti will ensure you have a bespoke high tea experience from beginning to end and they have an offering of two.
What: The Classic showcases three kinds of freshly-cut mini sandwiches filled with smoked salmon & cream cheese, ham & cheese and cucumber. There are also pastries, three cake varieties and two scones.
The Royal afternoon tea involves five finger sandwiches high-end pastries and scones.
Price: €15 - €17 per person including free flowing Whittington Breakfast Tea and coffee.
Website
8
The Phoenicia, Valletta
The afternoon tea within the plush walls of the Phoenicia can be enjoyed in the hotel's stunning Palm Court Lounge.
What: Egg mayo, roasted local ham, classic cucumber, smoked salmon and roast beef sirloin are what you can expect as sandwich fillings. Freshly-baked scones and sweet treats including choc brownie, raspberry macaroon, baked pistachio cheesecake and an apple & almond crumble are also on this afternoon tea's menu.
The tea selection is extensive and comprises of green teas, oolong, black, Earl grey, chai and herbal infusion teas.
Price: From €24 to €40 (with a glass of Baron de Rothschild Champagne).
9
Emma's Kitchen, San Gwann
Emma's Kitchen's afternoon tea is brand spanking new having just launched in October 2019. If their brunch dishes are anything to go by... I have high hopes for this tea which I cannot wait to try. Did I mention there are two to choose from?
What: Menu A includes mini roast beef sandwiches, beet hummus, baked falafel, croissants with jam, banana bread and cheesecake chocolate chip bars.
Menu B is similar with the addition of mini cured salmon sandwiches and one mimosa/bellini per head.
Price: €15 - €20 per person.
Website
10
Hammett's Maċina Restaurant, Senglea
If you are an avid lover of afternoon tea (and stunning interiors), then Hammett's Maċina will hit the spot.
What: Here you'll find egg & mayo, salmon & chive and ham & mustard sandwiches, plain and raisin scones (with clotted cream and preserves), a selection of petit fours and cakes and carefully-selected loose teas and coffees.
Price: €19 per head, with an extra €10 for free-flowing prosecco (if taken by the whole table).
11
Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar
When it comes to indulging in a high tea within surroundings fit for royalty... Palazzo Parisio will most certainly have you covered. Enjoy it either in the jaw-droppingly beautiful tea room or in the baroque gardens, weather permitting.
What: You can expect an assortment of deluxe mini buns and finger sandwiches, scones fresh out of the oven and aesthetically-pleasing sweet treats by Le Grenier a Pain. A JING tea selection is offered to fill your pot.
Price: €35 per person
12
Rosselli - AX Privilege, Valletta
LAUNCHING SOON: When it comes to a proper luxury 5* hotel in Malta, Rosselli is at the top of the list. The chefs at Grain are fantastic and Grain restaurant is home to one of the best French dessert cheese platter i've tasted. So imagine what their afternoon tea will be like?
Well I guess I'll have to until next week (around the end of November) when their afternoon tea launches.
Website
13
Terryberry Tearoom, St Paul's Bay
Photo Credit: Google images/Josephine Cini
This cute and dainty cafe will warm your heart with their charming afternoon teas which look like they've come straight from a Beatrix Potter book. They have more than one to choose from.
What: You can expect interesting mismatched crockery with each guest getting their own different teapot (how Alice in Wonderland of them). Sandwiches, scones, cakes and other sweet treats made with love, is what you can expect.
Price: From €12.50.
Website
Elsa Messi
Food connoisseur, curiosity feeder and travel queen. Londoner who has lived in Tokyo and now based in Malta.
I like what I C: Cheese, cats, consuming cuisines, canines, cooking, clothes and countries. I also like taking long romantic walks to the fridge.
