Valletta: Food Tour with Pastizzi, Imqaret & City Walk

Summary

Pastizzi for breakfast, date pastries near the palace, and stories in every bite

You’ll taste Valletta’s best street food—from hot pastizzi to sweet imqaret—while wandering historic streets with a local guide who shares stories behind every bite. Expect laughter over Kinnie or Cisk, hands dusted in pastry flakes, and a sense of being welcomed into Maltese life for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

You don’t really know Valletta until you’ve followed your nose down those sun-bleached lanes and ended up with flaky pastizzi crumbs on your shirt. We met our guide right by the Upper Barrakka Gardens—she waved us over with a smile that felt like we’d known her for ages. First stop: pastizzi, still warm from the oven. The pastry was so crisp it almost crackled when I bit in, and I’m not sure if I preferred the ricotta or the curried pea filling. The city was just waking up, bells echoing somewhere behind us.

Walking through Valletta’s tangled streets, our guide (her name was Marisa) kept pointing out little details—like how the balconies all lean out as if they’re eavesdropping on everyone below. At St. John’s Co-Cathedral, she told us about Maltese pasta traditions before we tried imqarrun at a tucked-away spot. It tasted both familiar and not—something about the tomato sauce hit differently here, maybe it’s the sea air or just my imagination. We laughed over my attempt to order Kinnie in Maltese; Marisa just grinned and said I sounded “almost local.”

Later we dipped galletti crackers into bigilla—a garlicky bean dip that honestly surprised me. It’s one of those things you don’t expect to crave but I keep thinking about it now that I’m home. Someone ordered Cisk beer; I stuck with Kinnie (it’s like cola meets orange peel). The Grand Master’s Palace loomed nearby while we shared imqaret—those sticky date pastries are dangerously good, sweet but not cloying, with this hint of spice that lingers after you finish.

I liked that it never felt rushed or staged—just a handful of us wandering between bites and stories. By the end I wasn’t sure if my favorite part was the food or just feeling a little more connected to Valletta itself. Maybe both? Anyway, if you’re hungry for something real (and don’t mind leaving with pastry flakes everywhere), this is how you do it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Valletta food tasting and cultural walk

• Taste Pastizzi pastries
• Try Imqarrun or Ravjul pasta
• Enjoy Bigilla with Galletti crackers
• Drink Cisk beer or Kinnie soft drink
• Eat Imqaret date-filled pastries

Top questions

What foods are included on the Valletta food tour?

The tour includes pastizzi pastries, Maltese pasta (imqarrun or ravjul), bigilla bean dip with galletti crackers, and imqaret date pastries.

Is this Valletta food tour suitable for vegetarians?

The tour features several vegetarian options such as ricotta pastizzi, bigilla dip, and some pasta dishes—but check ahead for full details.

How many stops are there on the Valletta food tour?

You’ll visit at least four different stops throughout Valletta during the tour.

Are drinks included in the Valletta food tour?

Yes, water is included plus your choice of Cisk beer or Kinnie soft drink (alcoholic drinks only for guests over 18).

Does this food tour include entry to attractions like St. John’s Co-Cathedral?

No entry tickets are included; you’ll pass by landmarks like St. John’s Co-Cathedral but focus on food stops nearby.

Is hotel pickup included for this Valletta food tour?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet your guide at a central location in Valletta.

Can children join this Malta food tour?

Yes, children can join—the route is stroller-friendly and service animals are allowed too.

What language is the Valletta food tour conducted in?

The standard language is English; other languages may be available upon request.

What’s included

Your afternoon comes with an English-speaking local guide leading you through at least four tasting stops in Valletta—including water and either Cisk beer or Kinnie—and by the end you’ll have eaten enough for a full meal without ever feeling rushed along the way.