Situated in the middle of Valletta is a food market that opened in the newly renovated historical building that is over 230 years, Is-Suq tal-Belt Food Market. It consists of 4 floors of restaurants, fresh fruits and vegetables, delicatessen, and much more. Right in front of the food market is Star Café, the restaurant where they serve a range of food like breakfast, lunch, to dinner, from Italian pasta to a traditional Maltese platter where you can feel the true vibe of Malta while dining in the middle of a historical atmosphere with the wonderful backdrop of an iconic building, Is-Suq tal-Belt.
Star Café has tables available both inside the food market and outside on the terrace. Each tabletop has a different Maltese tile design which adds a Maltese vibe to your experience at Star Café. The decorations mainly consist of brown-colored furniture as you can see from the wooden floor and the chairs. If you sit outside you will be overlooking at the old building surrounded around and scenery of Is-Suq tal-Belt. There are numerous tables on the terrace where we recommend you to sit outside on a warm sunny day. Don't worry if it will rain or be cold as there is a roof that can be opened and a heater to warm you up.
Nothing is better than an appetizer before the meal. At Star Café there are many choices of appetizers in the "Selection to Share" to choose from and to share from 17:00 until 23:00. The one appeared in the picture above is the Maltese Platter consisting of local Maltese herb Ġbejna, Bigilla, sundried tomatoes, olives, Maltese sausage, beans which is served with traditional Maltese Galletti. This platter is full of Maltese vibes which will make you feel even more blended into the Maltese culture. You can enjoy this platter with your friends or family while waiting for the main course to be served. Besides, there is more from the "Selection to Share" menu which is the Trio of Dips, Cheese Platter, and Italian Platter.
The first main course served is the grilled rib-eye steak cooked to your liking served along with the creamy peppercorn sauce. Radish, tomato, and salad are hidden under the beautifully grilled steak to add more flavorful and fresh taste. All the main courseses include a choice of side salad or seasonal vegetables, french fries or roast potatoes, mushroom, pepper, or hollandaise sauce. Inform the waiter of any additional items you would like to have and enjoy the meal!
Chicken breast is well cooked with grill marks which adds a crispier taste to the meal. Vegetables placed under the chicken keep the dish fresh and light. It is a perfect combination to have it along with freshly fried french fries and fresh salad. This may look simple yet it surprises you with an amusing taste.
A piece of grilled sea bass larger than the serving plate with a handful of mussels, topped with grilled tomato and fresh salad, sided with grilled lemon. The waiter will ask if you would like all the fishbones to be removed, do not hesitate to say yes, but if you would like to do it yourself then feel free to dive in. You can see immediately that the fish is fresh just from looking at it. There will be different fish every day depends on the day you visit, just ask the waiter what they are serving when you arrive!
The perfect dinner could not be perfect without dessert. The Sweets Platter consisted of brownies, passion fruit tarts, strawberry cheesecake, carrot cake, chocolate choux cream, and gelato from Venchi, the premium gelato and chocolate shop from Italy.
Star Café is open from 07:00 until late night every day, so you can come and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu ranges from egg benedict, salad, pasta, antipasti, burger, to steak as well as the kids' menu, check out the menu on the Star Café website. The restaurant is situated right in front of Is-Suq tal-Belt Food Market in the middle of Valletta. You can just pop in here, have your meal, a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine and continue to discover Valletta, as simple as that. Download O'bon Paris coupon to get a 10% discount at Star Café. Present the coupon to the waiter before placing your order, and the coupon can be used on all the meal and drink options! Make sure you will not miss this chance.
Words and Photographs by Aphinya Kasemsukphaisan
Address: Is-Suq Tal-Belt Food Market, Triq il-Merkanti, VLT1175, Valletta, Malta
Transportation: Bus line 133 Nawfragju Station
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 07:00-22:00 / Friday and Saturday 07:00-00:30
Website: Click here