MALTA

The first Indian restaurant in Malta – Taj Mahal - opened in 1978 and is still going strong. The second oldest is Krishna, opening ten years later. All the rest are more recent additions, including one that opened a couple of months ago (late 2004/early 2005).

According to my informant (the helpful manager of Krishna), there are 10 Indian restaurants in Malta altogether, and all are in the tourist areas strung along the coastal belt in the north of the island near Valletta. Going from Sliema, away from Valetta, there are 3 in the Strand at Sliema (including Taj Mahal and Krishna), 2 in St. Julians, 2 in Qawra, 2 in St. Paul’s Bay and 1 in Xemxija. However, whilst driving through Rabat in the centre of the island I spotted a sign advertising an Indian restaurant. Neither the manager of Krishna or the manager of Taj Mahal to whom I spoke knew of one in Rabat, so perhaps it’s new. If it exists, then there are 11 on the island.

The curious thing is that there are none in Valletta, the capital (where I stayed), which must make it probably the only capital city of a European country (except, perhaps, Albania!) without the benefit of Indian cuisine. I was told (again by the manager of Krishna) that the reason is that the local authorities impose such strict regulations on any Asian (Thai, Chinese or Indian) restaurants that may want to open, insisting they meet the highest 'luxury' standards of everything (toilets, facilities for disabled, kitchens, silver service etc.), whereas they don’t impose the same requirements for local restaurants. Indeed, the sole example of Asian cuisine in the whole of Valletta is one Chinese restaurant. I am sure this must be against some EEC rule on equality of opportunity!!

Menus and prices in the two I looked in were along the lines of the standard high street curry house in England (which they both resembled in appearance) – the Taj Mahal main dishes ran out about £5.50 and vegetable side dishes about £4, while the Krishna was marginally less. I’m sure the others would be about the same (if not more expensive, as they may be more modern). I couldn’t eat in any, which was a great shame, as (with apologies to any Maltese readers), considering the general standard of Maltese cuisine, and restaurants in Valletta, I would have have fared better.

Malcolm Wilkins – February 2005