As 2026 unfolds, Saint Paul’s Bay in Malta remains a must-visit destination for both its beautiful coastal scenery and its thriving culinary scene. Whether you are a resident or a tourist, dining out doesn’t need to break the bank. The town offers a range of budget-friendly restaurants, many of which cater to health-conscious diners who appreciate fresh, wholesome, and satisfying meals. Here, we have compiled the top 10 budget-friendly restaurants in Saint Paul’s Bay that combine affordability with great taste, offering something for everyone.
Dining in Saint Paul’s Bay: Affordable Meets Nutritious
Saint Paul’s Bay is known for its picturesque views, vibrant atmosphere, and an ever-expanding culinary landscape. With a mix of Mediterranean influences, healthy eating options, and diverse cuisines, the town welcomes all types of food enthusiasts. In recent years, the demand for budget-friendly yet high-quality dining has grown, and many restaurants now cater to those who value both affordability and healthy choices.
From hearty Mediterranean meals to gluten-free delights, Saint Paul’s Bay has it all. Here are our top picks for 2026:
1. Tal-Merhba Kebab
If you’re in the mood for something quick and filling, Tal-Merhba Kebab is the perfect spot. Specializing in fast food with a Mediterranean twist, they offer a variety of freshly prepared kebabs, wraps, and salads at prices that won’t dent your wallet.
Check out Tal-Merhba Kebab’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
2. Happy Grill
Happy Grill blends the casual dining vibe of a pub with some fantastic barbecue offerings. Their menu includes a variety of grilled meats at budget-friendly prices, making it ideal for families or groups looking for a hearty meal in a relaxed setting.
Check out Happy Grill’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
3. Sapori Cafe
Sapori Cafe is a haven for health-conscious diners. The menu includes gluten-free sandwiches, pasta, and an array of light dishes that are carefully prepared to avoid cross-contamination. Whether you’re seeking a quick breakfast or lunch, this café offers quality meals at reasonable prices.
Check out Sapori Cafe’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
Learn more about Sapori Cafe
4. Lili’s Chinese Restaurant
For a budget-friendly take on Chinese cuisine, Lili’s stands out for its variety of gluten-free options, including fried rice, soups, and noodles. Their commitment to blending affordability with inclusivity makes it a great choice for those with specific dietary needs.
Check out Lili’s Chinese Restaurant’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
5. Paprika Gluten-Free Bakery
This spot is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in sweet treats without compromising health needs. Paprika Gluten-Free Bakery offers everything from donuts to pizza buns, made fresh daily and entirely free of gluten. The prices ensure you can satisfy your cravings without guilt.
Check out Paprika Gluten-Free Bakery’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
6. SOTTOZERO – The Gelato Factory
Who says desserts can’t fit into a budget? SOTTOZERO proves otherwise with its delicious gelato and gluten-free waffle cones. On a warm day by the bay, this gelato shop is the perfect pick-me-up.
Check out SOTTOZERO – The Gelato Factory’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
7. Bay Square Cafe
Vegetarian-friendly and easy on the budget, Bay Square Cafe offers a casual dining experience with light meals and drinks. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy a vegetarian burger, or have a wholesome salad without overspending.
Check out Bay Square Cafe’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
8. Rusty Spoon
Rusty Spoon offers a delightful mix of Mediterranean fast food and pub-style comfort foods. Whether you’re after a grilled fish fillet or a loaded burger, their menu caters to diverse cravings while staying within a moderate price range.
Check out Rusty Spoon’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
9. Vinnies
Known for its gluten-free focus, Vinnies specializes in pasta dishes that are both delicious and affordable. With options that cater to dietary requirements, this little gem is perfect for those who want to enjoy Italian-inspired meals without any worry.
Check out Vinnies’ rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
10. Fat Harry’s Pub
No list would be complete without a pub that does gastropub food right. Fat Harry’s Pub stands out with its variety of gluten-free dishes, such as ribs and fries, along with classic pub favorites. Their affordable menu makes it a great choice for an evening meal or drinks with friends.
Check out Fat Harry’s Pub’s rating in our directory of Maltese Restaurants
A Final Thought on Budget-Friendly Dining in St. Paul’s Bay
Saint Paul’s Bay offers a feast for the budget-conscious foodie. From Mediterranean kebabs to delightful gelato and gluten-free specialties, there is no shortage of affordable dining spots that cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these top 10 restaurants ensure great meals without a hefty price tag. Make your next dining experience both delicious and budget-friendly by visiting one (or several) of these gems in 2026.
FAQ on Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Saint Paul’s Bay, Malta
1. What is a good budget-friendly restaurant in Saint Paul’s Bay for Mediterranean fast food?
Tal-Merhba Kebab is a fantastic option, offering affordable wraps, kebabs, and salads with a Mediterranean twist. Check out Tal-Merhba Kebab’s rating
2. Where can I find cheap grilled meat in Saint Paul’s Bay?
Happy Grill serves delicious barbecue and grilled meat dishes with a casual pub vibe at great prices. Check out Happy Grill’s rating
3. Are there gluten-free cafes in Saint Paul’s Bay?
Sapori Cafe specializes in gluten-free dishes, such as sandwiches and pasta, at affordable prices. Check out Sapori Cafe’s rating | Learn more about Sapori Cafe
4. Where can I get gluten-free Chinese food in Saint Paul’s Bay?
Lili’s Chinese Restaurant accommodates gluten-free diets with options like fried rice, soups, and noodles, all within a budget. Check out Lili’s Chinese Restaurant’s rating
5. Is there a gluten-free bakery in Saint Paul’s Bay?
Paprika Gluten-Free Bakery offers fresh treats, including donuts and pizza buns, all completely gluten-free. Check out Paprika Gluten-Free Bakery’s rating
6. Where can I find affordable gelato in Saint Paul’s Bay?
SOTTOZERO – The Gelato Factory serves budget-friendly gelato and gluten-free waffle cones, perfect for a treat. Check out SOTTOZERO – The Gelato Factory’s rating
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8. Where can I find vegetarian-friendly dining in Saint Paul’s Bay?
Bay Square Cafe offers casual dining with great vegetarian options like burgers and wholesome salads. Check out Bay Square Cafe’s rating
9. Are there restaurants offering Mediterranean fast food in a pub-style setting?
Rusty Spoon combines Mediterranean comfort foods and pub classics, such as grilled fish and burgers, at moderate prices. Check out Rusty Spoon’s rating
10. Where can I find affordable gluten-free Italian food in Saint Paul’s Bay?
Vinnies specializes in gluten-free pasta dishes, making it a great choice for Italian-inspired dining. Check out Vinnies’ rating
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.
