Nestled in the northern part of Malta, Naxxar combines a rich historical backdrop with a thriving dining scene. Known for its charming streets and timeless architecture, this town has become a hotspot for food lovers seeking memorable yet affordable culinary experiences. Whether you’re a tourist visiting Malta for its cultural and culinary gems or a local eager to explore new eateries, Naxxar’s restaurant scene has something for everyone. In this article, we’ll uncover the top 10 budget-friendly restaurants in Naxxar for 2026, showcasing their offerings and commitment to healthy dining.
Naxxar’s Dining Landscape
Naxxar prides itself on offering a mix of traditional Maltese flavors and international cuisines, catering to all kinds of diners. With an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, many of the restaurants here are well-suited for health-conscious customers. You can expect vibrant Mediterranean flavors, cozy atmospheres, and menus that celebrate both tradition and creativity, all without breaking the bank.
The Top 10 Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Naxxar
1. Onella
Check out Onella’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
Onella, located in the heart of Naxxar, fuses the charm of a wine bar with an affordable dining experience. Known for serving a variety of wines paired with simple yet hearty dishes, this spot is perfect for a casual evening out. While it may not specialize in healthy options, selections like charcuterie boards and salads spotlight fresh ingredients.
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired plates with a focus on pairing fine wine.
- Healthy options: Limited but includes light salads and vegetable-based dishes.
2. Cheeses & Cuts
Check out Cheeses & Cuts’ rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
This Mediterranean-inspired eatery focuses on fresh, quality ingredients without compromising on affordability. Located centrally in Naxxar, Cheeses & Cuts offers a cozy dining experience with dishes perfect for the health-conscious diner.
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, featuring fresh sandwiches, cheese platters, and healthy salads.
- Healthy options: Salads, lean proteins, and vegetarian choices are readily available.
3. Ta’Stringi Restaurant
Check out Ta’Stringi’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
For a taste of authentic Maltese cuisine, Ta’Stringi is a must-visit. This restaurant excels at delivering traditional flavors at wallet-friendly prices, making it a top pick for savory, home-style meals.
- Cuisine: Traditional Maltese dishes including hearty stews and fresh seafood.
- Healthy options: Grilled fish and vegetable-based dishes offer lighter choices.
4. Palazzo Parisio’s Luna Restaurant
Check out Luna’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
Nestled within the historic Palazzo Parisio, Luna offers diners healthy and delicious meals in an elegant yet accessible setting. The focus on breakfast-to-dinner options ensures there’s something for everyone, including vegetarian and vegan delights.
- Cuisine: Mediterranean with a variety of international touches.
- Healthy options: Fresh salads, vegetable soups, and whole-grain dishes.
5. Vecchia Napoli
Vecchia Napoli Menu
Renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine, Vecchia Napoli is popular for its all-you-can-eat pizza nights at unbeatable prices. This spot prioritizes fresh ingredients, making their pizzas and pasta a wholesome indulgence.
- Cuisine: Italian, specializing in pizza and pasta.
- Healthy options: Gluten-free and whole-grain options available on request.
6. Munchies Restaurant
Check out Munchies’ rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
Located in nearby Mellieha, Munchies is worth the short trip for its varied and budget-friendly menu. With a mix of comfort foods and healthy choices, the restaurant caters to a wide audience.
- Cuisine: General, offering a mix of international and Maltese dishes.
- Healthy options: Offers grilled meat and fish, plus extensive vegetable-based sides.
7. Porterhouse Steakhouse
Check out Porterhouse Steakhouse’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
Another gem in Mellieha, Porterhouse stands out for its high-quality cuts of steak. Despite its name, this steakhouse manages to accommodate lighter eaters with an array of sides and vegetable-focused appetizers.
- Cuisine: Steakhouse with Mediterranean influences.
- Healthy options: Grilled chicken, fresh salads, and roasted vegetables.
8. La Capanna Restaurant
Check out La Capanna’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
Located slightly farther in Marsaxlokk, this hidden gem is recommended for seafood enthusiasts. Known for its fresh catches of the day, La Capanna combines affordability with a focus on health-conscious grilled seafood.
- Cuisine: Fresh seafood with Mediterranean preparations.
- Healthy options: Grilled fish, seafood salads, and minimal-oil preparations.
9. Ta’ Victor
Check out Ta’ Victor’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
An institution in Marsaxlokk, Ta’ Victor is synonymous with great value and traditional Maltese fare. The restaurant offers family-style meals in generous portions, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
- Cuisine: Traditional Maltese dishes.
- Healthy options: Grilled fish, vegetable stews, and home-cooked healthy meals.
10. Marsaxlokk Open Market
Not a traditional restaurant, this bustling market is a haven for affordable street food and fresh local delicacies. From grilled fish to seasonal fruit, the market is perfect for a quick and wholesome bite.
- Cuisine: Various street foods and local fare.
- Healthy options: Fresh seafood and fruit.
Verdict
Naxxar boasts a delightful dining scene that blends affordability with quality, making it an excellent destination for budget-conscious yet health-focused diners. Each of the restaurants listed here embraces local ingredients and Mediterranean flavors, ensuring a meal that is both delicious and wholesome. Whether you’re enjoying a casual bite at Onella or savoring authentic dishes at Ta’Stringi, Naxxar and its surrounds offer something for every palate. So don’t wait – immerse yourself in the culinary delights this quaint Maltese town has to offer!
FAQ on the Top 10 Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Naxxar, Malta in 2026
1. What kind of cuisine can I find at Onella in Naxxar?
Onella serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a focus on wine pairings. It’s an excellent spot for a casual evening and light Mediterranean fare like salads and charcuterie boards. Check out Onella’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
2. Is Cheeses & Cuts suitable for health-conscious diners?
Yes, Cheeses & Cuts offers healthy options such as fresh salads, lean proteins, and vegetarian dishes, all in a cozy Mediterranean setting. Check out Cheeses & Cuts’ rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
3. What makes Ta’Stringi stand out among Maltese eateries?
Ta’Stringi excels at offering traditional Maltese dishes like hearty stews and fresh seafood, all at an affordable price. Check out Ta’Stringi’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
4. What type of dining experience does Luna Restaurant at Palazzo Parisio offer?
Luna Restaurant provides an elegant yet affordable dining experience, complete with healthy options like fresh salads, vegetable soups, and whole-grain dishes. Check out Luna’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
5. Is Vecchia Napoli good for pizza lovers on a budget?
Absolutely! Vecchia Napoli is famous for its authentic Italian options and its all-you-can-eat pizza nights, available at unbeatable prices. Vecchia Napoli Menu
6. What makes Munchies Restaurant worth visiting near Naxxar?
Located in Mellieha, Munchies offers a varied, budget-friendly menu combining comfort foods and healthier options like grilled meats and vegetable dishes. Check out Munchies’ rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
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8. What healthy options does Porterhouse Steakhouse in Mellieha offer?
In addition to its premium steaks, Porterhouse also serves healthy options like grilled chicken, fresh salads, and roasted vegetables. Check out Porterhouse Steakhouse’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
9. Where can I find fresh seafood near Naxxar?
La Capanna Restaurant in Marsaxlokk is known for its affordable yet fresh seafood options, including the catch of the day and grilled fish. Check out La Capanna’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
10. Are markets like the Marsaxlokk Open Market worth exploring for food?
Yes, the Marsaxlokk Open Market offers fresh, budget-friendly seafood, local delicacies, and seasonal fruits, perfect for a quick and wholesome bite.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp’s expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic “without any funding and without any code,” this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call “gamepreneurship”. By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique “play to learn and earn” model.
