Young Malta / Sunday Mirror Homes & Holidays magazine / January 2006

The small and densely populated island of Malta is gearing up to turn itself into a happening destination for trendy holidaymakers While the Mediterranean island has always been a popular destination with families, Malta is now working hard to attract an altogether younger and higher-spending crowd

Funky designers are opening new boutique hotels, bars, restaurants and clubs. And there is a move towards catering for independent travellers – weekenders on the lookout for exciting and stylishly cool places to conquer.

A popular destination among Europeans for years, it is now following in the footsteps of Ibiza and seeking to attract a young and trendy crowd. Young designers are making statements with new boutique hotels, bars, restaurants and clubs. There is a move towards catering to the ‘trendy’ independent traveller, looking for exciting and stylishly cool places to conquer.

On Malta’s east coast are the characteristic towns of St. Julian’s and Paceville. Originally small fishing towns, they are now a hothouse of top notch cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels. In terms of entertainment prepare to be spoilt for choice. During the day it is a quiet area, ideal for lunch in the numerous outdoor cafes around Spinola Bay, but come sunset it takes on a different look. The street’s become packed with people looking for the hottest clubs, latest music and modern dining with a difference.

I stayed at one of the only boutique style hotels on the island, the Hotel Juliani. It has modern, spacious rooms (all with broadband) and ideally situated in the heart of St. Julian’s, walking distance to all local nightlife. The best rooms have sea views of Spinola Bay and waterfront and the hotel has an outdoor roof pool open from April to October.

The Juliani is also home to Zest, a chic Asian restaurant and award winning wine bar East meets west here in both dining and décor. Dishes such as Singaporean seafood Laksa, Thai curries, continental meat dishes to Sushi can be enjoyed in a contemporary setting.

On the grapevine I heard about a restaurant that served dinner in bed. Curious about the concept, I decided to take a look. The laid back Supper Club in San George’s Bay (www.supperlounge.com) is a relaxed, seductive & stylish restaurant. It’s concept: fine wine & relaxed dining in bed. Kick back and chill out to music or watch your favourite DVD on flat screens built into the walls, while sipping cocktails. I kicked off my shoes and clambered onto the circular white leather bed. Cocktail in hand, I laid back against large cushions and watched movies as I ate my way through a Maltese Platter with sun-dried tomatoes, snails, octopus, local sausage and goat cheese (£7). The beds can hold up to ten people, so why not take a group of friends and turn it into a really fun eating experience. Under the restaurant is Sclub, where you can dance the night away to international guest DJ’s. If you get tired you can always nip upstairs for a nap!

Continuing the relaxed theme, I decided to try BED in St. Julian’s, a new Korean restaurant in the recently developed Portomaso marine area, with a cocktail of eateries, bars and luxury apartments (Posh & Beck’s are rumoured to have bought one here). Everything inside BED is white, including the chairs, tables, ceilings and even the floors. A sea of drapes hang from the high ceilings and every so often colourful lights flicker on creating a psychedelic look. A cool looking place - and the food is great.

There are many bars in St. Julian’s and Paceville, but one of my favourites was Hugo’s Lounge (www.hugosloungemalta.com). It is a great rendezvous place for cocktails and aperitifs. Gigi’s Concept Café in St. Julian’s is another fashionable hangout.

Entrance fees to nightclubs start around £4, with drinks and cocktails form £2.50. Axis (www.axis.com.mt) is the hottest club for dancing and plays the latest chart and club tunes. Nearby Bay Street is a large complex with a bowling alley, 16-screen cinema and a shopping mall open seven days a week.

A short bus ride south of St. Julian’s is the capital city of Valletta. There are plenty of scenic walks along the sea and it is quite easy to stroll from St. Julian’s all the way to Valletta. Great for clearing the head after a long night out.

Valletta’s enclosed timber balconies grace the old houses throughout the city. There are dozens of white-washed alleyways where you can find some of the most popular eateries for weekday lunch. One of the best is Rubino in Triq Il-Fran, serving Maltese, provincial & regional Italian food in a very friendly atmosphere. Prices are very reasonable and the restaurant has a well stocked bar & wine cellar.

Also try Da Pippo in Triq Melita, which specialises in Italian and Mediterranean style food…..noisy but full of atmosphere and a good place for people watching. They use excellent fresh olive oils and serve good wine.

For live music in Valletta check out Maestro E’ Fresco in Triq Nofs In-Nhar, one of the few music bars around, with small bands playing various nights of the week. The bar was once a piano shop and is decorated with old signs & photographs.

The Valletta Waterfront is well worth a visit. Originally built as warehouses, this newly renovated district now houses an array of shops and cafes with spectacular views onto the Three Cities district. The original façade has been kept but the interiors have been renovated and turned into modern shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants.

A wide promenade dotted with cafes takes you along the front of the transformed warehouses. It is an ideal place for lunch during a walkabout of Valletta. Try Re-Store Café & Bar, which offers light local snacks, Heat Bar & Diner and La Vita de La Valletta, both in Pinto Wharf.

Opposite Valletta’s Grand Harbour are the medieval fortifications of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, which make up The Three Cities. In Vittoriosa (old name Birgu) is the popular Il-Forn art gallery and wine bar (www.birgu.com). This is a small restaurant and bar serving light Maltese & Mediterranean food, hidden away among the maze of tiny back streets. I loved the tapas style dining and contemporary paintings by local artists covering the walls. It does get busy on the weekends, so booking a table is recommended.

Between St. Julian’s and Valletta is the town of Sliema.
The town is best known for designer shops, but it is also the place to be seen on a Saturday morning, to drink coffee and people-watch from one of the popular sea front cafes. You can merrily spend your Maltese Lira (Lm; locally known as the pound) on the international styles that fill shop windows.

Italy is very close to Malta and their designer influence and sharp sense of dress has rubbed off on the Maltese. You can find well-known UK high street shops and top designer outlets. Except for the Plaza Shopping Mall on Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara, all the shops in Sliema are closed on Sundays.

All information was correct at time of publishing.