One MICHELIN Star

High quality cooking, worth a stop!

Noni Fernando Gastrotheque Ion

A small quiet bistro in French style which is informal yet elegant, with contemporary furnishings, subtle lighting and soft background music. The highly talented chef here creates Mediterranean dishes with the occasional international touch and plenty of character, all prepared from the best seasonal ingredients. The wine list is worth a mention, featuring over 600 labels from across the globe with a particular emphasis on France and Italy. The restaurant is located in a small street at the back of the lively Sliema, a little town rich in tourism with a waterfront that features restaurants, bars and a busy promenade. The restaurant is small and intimate, and from its windows you can watch the world pass by on the street as if you were out there yourself.

What was once the home of ‘Xmun Borg & Sons Bakery & Confectionery’ is now an equally appealing restaurant; sit at ground level for a quiet meal or, for a livelier ambience, head downstairs, past the kitchen, to the stylish, stonewalled cellar. The restaurant’s moniker comes from the nickname of chef-owner Jonathan Brincat – whose passion involves bringing a refined, modern approach to traditional Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine.

The attentive team are happy to make recommendations from the concise menu, which showcases quality seasonal ingredients in visually appealing, well-balanced dishes, cooked with a measured approach and an eye for detail. A fairly priced list of local and Italian wines provides the perfect accompaniment.

From the moment you step out of the lift, the team at ION Harbour put all their effort into creating a memorable experience. It’s set on the 4th floor of a hotel and the magnificent view from the terrace over the Grand Harbour provides an amazing backdrop for your meal. The restaurant itself is stylish yet informal, with some tables able to catch a glimpse into the kitchen, and service is second-to-none, with some excellent wine recommendations from the passionate sommelier. Mediterranean cuisine is prepared using modern techniques and is beautifully presented, with careful attention paid to detail and colour. The highly talented chef makes a point of choosing ingredients of the highest quality for his dishes.