Malta has some great places if you want to have a business meeting in an informal setting. Or it may well be that you just don’t have an office, and need to have access to a place where you can meet someone in peace and quiet over a drink and some snacks. These are our personal favourites, but we can always add to this list if there are some hidden gems we have missed.
1. Café Juliani, St Julians. Otherwise known as the lobby cum cafe of the Hotel Juliani. This is anything but your normal hotel lobby – in fact, it’s difficult to actually spot the reception area. Here you get wi-fi, comfortable seating, pastel furnishings and areas for tete a tetes or group huddles in the sofa area hidden at the back of the cafe. The food is pretty decent and you can find parking close by.
2. Café La Rive, 33-34, Tigne Sea Front, Sliema. Just walk past the really busy cafe’s at Ferries and you will get to La Rive. Wi-fi, leather sofas if you want them, and lovely pastas and giant salads. As long as you avoid the very busy lunchtime slots, you’re normally guaranteed peace and quiet. And it stays open late.
3. Prego, 58, South Street, Valletta. If you want to chat over classic ham, egg and mayonnaise sandwiches or pastizzi in 1950s decor, this is the place for you. A throwback to old Valletta, no wi-fi but plenty of atmosphere. More here.
4. Saracino’s, Pjazza tal-Knisja, Attard. Grab a wrap, a baguette or even a pizza in this converted farmhouse in a very charming setting opposite the parish church.
5. Manoel Theatre Café, Old Theatre Street, Valletta. A bit more up-market, if you want to impress your business associates in a cultural setting. And a lovely courtyard to behold.
6. Irrera, Ta’ Xbiex Wharf, Ta’Xbiex. The place to go to if you want Valletta bastions for a view. Food is OK, but it’s really the ambience that sets this one apart, especially on a sunny day. Gets busy round lunchtime.
7. Café Jubilee, 209, The Strand, Gzira. If you walk to the back of the cafe, you get some quiet seating areas. Food is good, the beer is even better and you get wi-fi if you ask for the password from the guys in the bar.
8. The Golden Harvest Bakery, San Gwann Industrial Estate, San Gwann. What it lacks in style it packs in with great value snacks, great cappuccino and fresh bread and confectioneries if you want to take some goodies back home. Not for everyone, but to be listed under ‘alternative’.
9. German-Maltese Circle, Messina Palace 141, St Christopher Street, Valletta. Grab a soup or whatever’s being served and chat to your heart’s content in the lovely converted arched inner yard.
10. Café Cordina, 244/5 Republic Street, Valletta. The queen of cafés and more. Go inside if it’s cold or want to get closer to the confectionery. Or find an isolated table in the square and put on your shades. Not the most discreet of places. But a great location if you want to impress foreign visitors.
Swatar Training Centre behind the Luxol area have a really nice canteen / cafe too 🙂
Great article, agree with the above. I prefer the many hotel lobbies for meetings, Le Meridien in St. Julian’s is great.