Trattoria 'a Lanterna cucina Ligure

We always treat food with respect and enjoy the ritual of family meals, whether the food is “home-cooked,” fast, restaurant, pre-packaged, or take-out. We would celebrate our eating, rather than making it a duty. To get and keep the meal habit, those meals have to be rewarding – the food you enjoy. Whether you live on your own or are a busy parent, finding the time and energy to prepare home-cooked meals can seem like a daunting task. At the end of a hectic day, eating out or ordering in might feel like the quickest, easiest option. As we live alone we do not have the circumstances that make it possible to share food with our family as we used to when they were still around. Work, kids and school hold them back from frequent visits. This gives us the opportunity to dine out once in a while. Where to go and what to eat pop up every time we get the urge to eat out. Thankfully, the World Wide Web now gives us access to a previously untapped font of knowledge: the Random Nameless Stranger. Even better, a whole bunch of random nameless strangers brought together in a one-stop-shop of holiday wisdom: TripAdvisor. Although we sift numerous positive revues one can never tell whether the reviewer is rational, intelligent, experienced and fair-minded. Thus we remain sceptical about this rough ‘n’ ready litmus test of local opinion. Having said all that we both decided to try something fresh, tasting the Genoese or Ligurian cuisine. Patience in the kitchen is the one characteristic that, more than any other reflects the Ligurian way of being.... Unfortunately, La Trattoria a Lanterna in St. Paul’s Bay fell well below our expectations. My starter plate of Ravioli al ‘Tocco’ with meat sauce was served cold whilst my wife’s Verdure Ripiene was tasteless. Our main Ligurian dishes, they too were mediocre. Wife’s Trofiette al Pesto with baby tomatoes cried out for a little more pesto and my thin cuts of Roasted Beef Genoese style lacked presentation and flavour. My dessert of Panna Cotta/Pistachio was delicious. So were TripAdvisor recommendations valuable, we are sorry to say not this time around. We both agreed on making use of a more healthy dose of cynicism when in future we decide on a restaurant choice. Bill for our lunch came to €60 tips inclusive. Service OK but unprofessional for whilst the waitress admitted that the Ravioli sauce was cold she never changed it and still charged us for it.

GorgGorgaSciberras

The food in there was great! I had fish with potatoes and potatoes were melting in the mouth, the same with gnocchi - delicious!

u_spall

After the good reviews we had to check this place. Unfortunately it was late the evening before a break and the staff looked eager to close up. But the food was authentic and tasteful. From the large cheese and cold meat platter through 2 pasta dishes ending up with a lush cheesecake and tiramisu. Good value for money for both food and wine. Hopefully more people and "action" next time. Will be back.

MP A

Trattoria a Lanterna offers a great variety of food from Liguria. The owners are very welcoming and the food is delicious and truely genuine. The cured meat and cheese platter is mouth watering and the home made Genova ravioli made by the trattoria is excellent. The menu offers other inviting Ligurian dishes including salads.. pasta.. and meat which i will try on my next visit. Highly recommend this warm hearted trattoria!!

Galea1987

We stopped here after a long day of exploring around Malta and were just trying something off the beaten path. Wow, we found a great spot. This was a great choice! The staff was very friendly and we enjoyed a nice quiet dinner. The food was amazing with great flavors. I had the rabbit and my wife enjoyed Seabream (fish). We finished off our experience with a great piece of cheesecake. Definitely recommend!

mvan231

My son and I are visiting malta as a joint birthday celebration we looked on trip for a restaurant near where staying as we arrived late trattoria lantern was just 150 metres away so we thought we would give it a whirl my goodness what a.treat everything from the canopies to the bread to the wine was beautifully cooked and delicious not a huge wine list but just good quality rather than fillers but the gnocchi in cheese sauce is to die for the minestrone I tried but they wouldn't give me the recipe !! But I have to say for me who actually makes panna cotta a lot and belie e I'm quite proficient at it the star of the meal and if you go there is the pistachio panna cotta I've never eaten anything like it thank you all at the restaurant you gave us an amazing night a real treat WOW

Tony C

Had a great meal here on a quiet Tuesday night. Friendly staff. Very tasty food we had ravioli and salad. The tiramisu was delicious. Great value.

Laura922

This is really one of the best places I have been in Malta. Igor and Sabrina are super friendly and amazing cooks beside of great hosts. Enjoy a really amazing tasteful experience through Ligurian cuisine. Definitely a place to go back to.

groovyfrog

Fantastic. If you are in Malta and like Italian food eat here. A bit off the beaten (walking) track, but worth seeking out.

Egordy

Went there three times for dinner and whatever we had from starters to dessert was excellent, well-crafted and authentic Ligurian cuisine. Seafood is worth a recommendation in particular. Delicious tiramisu. Staff are lovely Italians who cared about us. The cosy location close to the Bugibba promenade is easy to find, in a quiet street where they had tables in the open. Pricing is absolutely reasonable and well worth what you get.

appomattoxic

We found this restaurant by chance as it is situated along a side road from the main road and we were so glad we did. The first time we sat inside which was lovely and cool. The food was excellent particularly the fish. The service was prompt and not intrusive so we could all eat and chat without feeling rushed. The chef came out to see us and gave us free desserts, much appreciated. We ate here again a few days later and sat outside which was quite pleasant and again the service and food was faultless.

00Ness

The dinner was very good, the food was very tasty and homy, specially the pasta dishes. For the desert we had a cheesecake that was just perfect. The staff and the chef were very nice. A place to return for sure.

veramonicaramos

It was not bad, but based on the reviews we expected more. We had rabbit (OK, but nothing to write home about) and fish (ditto, it had also been frozen). Although we did not come in very hungry, the portions were such that we definitely had room for dessert. We chose tiramisu, which was good. Complimentary liquor at the end was a nice surprise. Good service, nice place overall.

Trek55938

I always intend to write good reviews about nice places but somehow never quite get around to it, but this time I am making sure! We're currently mid family holiday in Malta and staying all inclusive for the first time ever. It's good with having kids bit not really mine and the wife's type of holiday, anyway, we need to escape and eat something that wasn't from a buffet. Trattoria a' lanterna was superb. The restaurant is cosy and welcoming, the staff were attentive but not overbearing and the food was beautiful from the first bite to the last. It's a bit off the sea front but you will be rewarded if you make the effort. Can't wait to return in the next few days!

BoardingPass635933

I'm Italian and I'm sure telling you'll be satisfied coming here You spend 20€/30€ each one for a very satisfying complete lunch appetizers, wine pasta and a very good service Also a very good coffee and a free taste of a fantastic focaccia ligure with pesto... Super recommend Here you can eat good Approved by Italian 😋

PizzeriaBarIlPonte

I chose this lovely little gem for my Birthday Meal whilst on our Honeymoon and the reviews did us proud. Complimentary focaccia was to die for, the martini Cocktail is amazing and enough to blow your head clean off! I chose a pasta dish with walnut sauce and oh my goodness it’s delicious I’ve not tasted anything as delicate and yet tasty in a long time. It’s a must visit when in Bugibba.

Sdc270719

We found this restaurant on the last day of our trip. If only it had been on the first day!. We went at lunchtime but no-one was there to start with ! Usually a bad sign. We needn't have worried, everything we had was spot on. We've eaten out a lot and this rates as one of the best. The chef knows his stuff and cooks from fresh, we couldn't fault anything. My wife had the sea bass ravioli and I had sea bream. Both cooked to perfection. The tiramisu and salted caramel pana cotta were perfect. Easily the best place to eat and off the beaten track. Don't miss this place if you like Italian food.

B M

Trattoria 'a Lanterna is a must if visiting the Bugibba area. The restaurant and outside seating area have an old world charm that make for a great atmosphere. I dined as a party of four and no one was disappointed in the quality of the food that they received. The service from the waiting staff was fantastic! The bread items and olives that we received upon arrival were as delicious as the main meals. A true, quality Italian!

wilsones1

I was here for a light dinner with a friend on our vacation. The food we ordered was wonderful, and the staff is so kind and helpful. Also, a nice, cozy and relaxed atmosphere. Would recommend to anyone looking for a place to eat in Bugibba

Fleurka