Maltese Food & Allergies: What Tourists Should Know Before Ordering

Maltese favourites

VisitMalta highlights traditional foods including pastizzi, Gozitan ftira, local cheeses, Maltese bread, honey and olive oil. Here is what to think about with common dishes - remember recipes vary.

• Pastizzi - flaky pastry usually filled with ricotta or peas: may contain wheat/gluten and milk.
• Ftira - Gozitan-style bread or pizza-like bake: wheat/gluten; toppings may include fish, cheese or other allergens.
• Ġbejniet - small local cheeses: milk.
• Imqaret - date pastries: wheat/gluten; may be fried in shared oil.
• Seafood dishes - fish and shellfish.
• Maltese bread and sweets - wheat/gluten; some sweets may contain nuts, sesame or eggs.

Ask, don’t assume

• Tell staff clearly what you are allergic to.
• Ask about cooking oil and cross-contamination.
• Carry a translated allergy card if helpful.
• Bring your own prescribed emergency medicines if you have them.

If you have a reaction

Mild symptoms such as itching or a mild rash may still need medical assessment. Call 112 immediately for difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or collapse - use an adrenaline auto-injector if you have been prescribed one.