The Grotto Tavern is an established restaurant in the area, having been around for many years. It is located in the old cellar, in the ancient arched warehouses. The artifacts hanging on the walls, the old wood furniture, and the soft lighting make a nice atmosphere for a meal.
Being in the basement, handicapped access is limited.
Favorite Dish: The menu is all reasonably priced, with pizza probably being the most economical (4Eur and up). The local dishes such as the stews, bragioli, etc. were all quite nice too.
Updated May 6, 2011
Address: Parish Square, 9
Phone: 214-551-138
Website: www.grottotavern.com
In the square were the Church of St. Paul is there is a nice little kiosk that sells Local cakes and snacks, I had a traditional Easter cake and Evan had a Nougat. they were large and very filling, to much to eat at once.
Written Sep 25, 2009
This restaurant offers really good not expensive genuine food. The ambiance is nothing chic or rich but just a normal comfortable place ... they serve local food but some Italian dishes too. The cakes are very delicious too and here one can buy frozen ravjul to cook at home too apparantly they are very good. Here they also make hoem made cheesecakes (pastizzi)
Favorite Dish: chicken cannellioni they are simply out of this world but once I found a snail on the parsley :-(
Written Feb 12, 2009
Address: Rabat
Cosmana Navarra restaurant is situated in Rabat, just opposite St. Paul’s church. We had a lunch there twice as we were on excursion where lunch was included. Too bad they chose the same restaurant twice. The food wasn't very tasteful both times. Many people from excursion have left dishes half unfinished. I would never come back there again.
Written Apr 11, 2008
Address: 28, St. Paul’s Street, Rabat
A visit to Malta wuld not be the same without having a taste of "pastizzi" a Maltese snack (fast food?) consisting of a pastry pocket with a ricotta cheese or pea filling. And nobody makes them better than the people of Rabat. The most famous place in Rabat where you can get these must be the Crystal Palace bar outside Mdina. Other places are Maxims (St Paul's square) and St. Phillips Confectionery (close to St. Paul's square).
Favorite Dish: I prefer the cheese filling, but they're cheap and good, so you should try both.
Written Jul 4, 2005
This restaurant is situated at the Xara Palace Hotel and one can experience a great view from here. The service is silver service. The food here is fine and esquisite cooked to perfection. Even though the portions are small but it was quite filling. Between the starter and the main dish they even serve lemon sorbet to digest the food well.
Favorite Dish: Steak was delicious as it was really tasty and delicious
Written Mar 1, 2005
Address: Mdina
'La Veduta' deriving from the meaning 'the view' so you can imagine what a beautiful view this restuarant has. This is a very relaxed and good place. The environment is nothing special but its homely. Food is also served on the terrace in Summer and in Winter one can still enjoy the view as they have a part of the restuarant that is closed with glass. I have been both in Winter and in Summer and I must say I enjoyed it both times, maybe in Summer it gets a bit hot on the terrace!
Favorite Dish: Here they serve grills, pasta, chicken, salads, nuggets with fries and pizza. My favorite dish that I chose from here was the pizza as the dough is very crunchy and teh ingredients they used made it very tastey.
Written Jan 18, 2005
Address: Saqqajja Hill, Rabat
This restuarant is a very relaxing place - simple and plain but the food is amazing. The portions were quite generous and being a person who likes Chinese food - I can say that there where some really original dishes and not the same common ones that you find in every Chinese restuarant. The service was also very good and the staff are really friendly and the food comes immediately !
A really nice experience and the food was a real bargain !
Favorite Dish: My favorite dish was sizzling lamb with mushrooms even though the crunchy beef here was not so good at least it was not as I expected it to be.
Written Jan 18, 2005
Address: Outside Mdina, Carpark of Rabat
As such I cannot recommend any restaurant in Rabat, because you are sure to find better ones in nearby Mdina. However there is one thing for which Rabat is reknowned all over the island...that is it's PASTIZZI.
Favorite Dish: Pastizzi are pastry parcels filled with either ricotta cheese, peas or anchovies. They are very cheap and can be found at a number of bars around Rabat. However the best ones can be found either at Silver Jubilee in the Main Street, or at Crystal Palace near the Roman Villa.
Written Aug 25, 2002
'The Grotto Tavern' restaurant.
Fast food and Maltese dishes.
Written Sep 12, 2002
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Reviews and photos of Rabat attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Rabat sightseeing.

'The Grotto Tavern' restaurant.Fast food and Maltese dishes.
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