The Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants announces Malta’s restaurant awards
de Mondion Restaurant, has this year won the top overall Restaurant Award in Malta and Gozo for the third year running, on the basis of food, service and ambience according to the annual survey conducted by The Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants supported by MTA, HSBC and Marsovin.
More than 1300 regular diners took part in the survey – the largest response to date, voting for their favourite restaurants on the islands. As respondents eat out at least twice a week on average, this is the equivalent of more than 132,000 individual dining experiences. The 2013 edition sees 45 new restaurants entering the Guide. The results were revealed on Monday 10 December when Josef Formosa Gauci, CEO of The Malta Tourism Authority, Paul Steel from HSBC and Alfred Cuschieri of Continental Purchasing presented awards supplied by Continental Purchasing on behalf of Villeroy & Boch at the Guide’s Gala Dinner – which has established itself over the last 12 years as the most prestigious food event in Malta and the equivalent of the ‘Oscars for Restaurants’ – at the Grand Hotel Excelsior in Floriana.
The Guide and the updated version with the latest survey results of www.restaurantsmalta.com were also launched on the evening. Denise Briffa on behalf of The Definitive(ly) Good Guide Co said of the Guide: “For 13 years, The Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants in Malta and Gozo has been seeking out the best restaurants in Malta and Gozo by conducting a restaurant survey. The results each year are always very exciting with a number of restaurants continually being rated, as well as a great number of new additions to the restaurant scene. Thirteen years on, the Guide is still considered to be the number one restaurant survey and restaurant guide in Malta for objectivity and comprehensiveness”.
The restaurants that received restaurant awards based on food, service, ambience and overall ratings (in order from top rated) were:
de Mondion, Tarragon, Ta’ Frenc, Rebekah’s, Oceana, Medina, Palazzo Preca, Beppe’s, Gazebo, The Villa, Pulito’s, Zest, Tartarun, Zeri’s, Blue Elephant, Palazzo Parisio and Gardens – The Luna Collection, Ta’ Karolina, Bottego del Vino, Essence, Grill 3301, Nargile, Sa Re Ga Ma, Ristorante Da Marina, Pintonino, Merkanti Bistro, The Arches, Giuseppi’s, La Capanna, Tmun Mgarr, The Boat House, The Lord Nelson, Il-Mithna, Temp- tAsian, Parapett, The Pegasus, Rickshaw, Paranga, Guze’ Bistro, Duo, Patrick’s Tmun. Additional awards were given to: • Best Food (sponsored by AirMalta) – de Mondion • Best Service (sponsored by Charles Grech) – de Mondion • Best Ambience (sponsored by F Busuttil & Sons) – Palazzo Parisio and Gardens • Best Maltese Food (sponsored by Ministry for Tourism) – Ta’ Marija
Best Business Entertainment (sponsored by The Catering Centre) – Tarragon
Most Romantic Restaurant – Tarragon.
Best Children-Friendly (sponsored by the Malta Baby & Kids Directory) – Mamma Mia.
Best Restaurant offering Vegetarian options (sponsored by Good Earth Ltd) – Angka Cafe. Best Restroom – Blue Elephant. Best Value for Money (sponsored by Jolly Ltd) – Mamma Mia
Tarragon wine list was rated for ‘The People’s Choice’, Patrick’s was voted for best ‘Presentation & Accessibility’ wine list and best ‘Overall’ wine list. De Mondion wine list was voted best for ‘fine wines’ and Ta’ Marija had the best list of ‘Maltese wines’. The wine awards were supported by Marsovin, which, with MTA and HSBC, support the Guide.
The results of the Restaurant Survey can be found in the 2013 edition of The Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants in Malta and Gozo and is now available to purchase online for €8 on www.restaurantsmalta.com which will also entitle you to the online Guide and a free hard copy in the post. It is also available at leading stationers and bookshops in Malta & Gozo.