De Mondion –  Xara Palace Hotel

The food was exquisite. The Chef brought an interesting twist in every dish. The balance between the acidity, bitterness and sweetness of each dish was well kept. I would recommend the foie gras and octopus for starters, followed by the beef for the main. The service was excellent and we were well looked after.

1 star Michelin Lunch for 75€/pers Very good selection of Malta’s wines by the glass Top notch service (at the level expected for a Relais Châteaux) The food was very conforting (unusual in gastronomic cuisine) you can feel the love and the chef’s « gourmandise » in every bites. Everything was excellent and toped with a great view. We are even thinking about coming back before the end of our holidays to ré-experience everything again. 300€ in total for 2 with 5 glasses of wine, 1 glass of top whiskey, 3 espressos, 2 glasses of non alcoholic wine and 1 sparkling water (it could have costed 100€ more and we would have still though it was worth it).

We've returned to De Mondion several times over the past years, drawn back by its breathtaking setting in Mdina. The restaurant offers spectacular views over Malta's countryside and coastline, and is particularly enchanting in winter when the wood fireplace adds extra warmth to the atmosphere. The standout during our lunch last week definitely was the service team, particularly our main waitress and the exceptional sommelier. Her deep knowledge of both international and local wines, including Malta's vineyards, led to perfect pairings throughout our meal. Our lunch started promisingly with a delicious gazpacho and excellent bread selection - the sourdough and their olive oil were particularly memorable. It's nice knowing they source some ingredients from their own garden. While the foie gras starter with beetroot impressed, the risotto, though good, was oversized and not our favourite. Our mains - the Foraged Mushroom with 'Baħrija' Onion and Brioche, and the snapper with leek, basil, and onion vinaigrette (topped with Sturia caviar) - unfortunately fell short. The mushroom dish lacked harmony, with bland portobello and uncomfortable pastry texture, while the generous portion of snapper was visually uninspiring and rather neutral in taste. The cheese selection for dessert was fine but unremarkable, though the homemade prickly pear jam was a lovely touch. One note on service - while attentive, the practice of refolding napkins during absences feels outdated and perhaps unsanitary. Despite some disappointments with the dishes, De Mondion's exceptional wine program and the sommelier's expertise continue to impress. While the food might not have met our expectations, the stunning location and professional service make for a memorable evening out.

What an experience. Recommend the 7 course sample menu. The staff was exceptional. I'm not a wine drinker, but the single Malt pour was good for Malta. The executive chef served me the last dessert dish, way cool!!! Worth every penny.

If you're going to have one special meal on your holiday, you should make it the de Mondion. Tasting each course is like watching a professional footballer in the last days of his career. The skill, expertise and coolness, the way the chef plays with flavours and arranges them skillfully and perfectly had us in awe. Whether it was soft, subtle flavours or strong, rich, creamy creations, which warm your soul and almost ticked the box of "comfort food ", not a single course could have been better than it was. The staff are absolutely fantastic, friendly, attentive and make the whole experience an absolute joy. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and gives you a panoramic view over the island. Now all of this comes with a European price tag but it's worth the experience.