Ta’ Nenu

Far from the bustling crowds, deep in the heart of Valletta there’s Ta’ Nenu, a restaurant with a throbbing, vibrant yet traditional heart. Set in what was once an actual bakery, Ta’ Nenu offers a true feast of hearty food and a feast for the eyes. The setting with huge-spanning arches, splendid limestone walls, and a tableau of bread-making models in a stylised bakery is alone worth the visit. The bar is well lit and well stocked. Seating is spacious and comfortable, while the pervasive smell of cloves, bread, and baking gives Ta’ Nenu a feeling of relaxed, old-time cosiness.

Baking bread and other dough-based dishes is, appropriately, central to the Ta’ Nenu experience. Bread dipped in oil and the restaurant’s own blend of balsamic vinegar with carob make a good introduction to the menu, along with the traditional bigilla (bean pâté). 

The ftira (plural ftajjar) is Malta’s ever-favourite bread and at Ta’ Nenu the choice is deliciously mouth-watering. The names of the ftajjar are cracking winners. Go for the Karmni s-Sultana (Carmen the Queen), nicely packed with good stuff including mint and gbejniet (cheeselets). Starters are varied but the aljotta (fish soup), offers a true taste of the local seas. Enjoy the snail stew, grilled aubergines, pork shank or fried rabbit, and end it all with crunchy, tasty mqaret (date tarts).