Espiral: A Spanish Fusion Gem in Mellieħa
Espiral restaurant offers a vibrant taste of Spanish fusion cuisine in the picturesque town of Mellieħa, Malta. Known for its elegant ambiance and innovative dishes, Espiral combines the finest Mediterranean ingredients with Spanish artistic presentation, making it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and health-conscious diners alike.
Restaurant’s Story & Heritage
Located in a charming, converted Maltese townhouse with a distinctive spiral staircase, Espiral was a shining addition to Mellieħa’s culinary scene. Its story was built on the idea of blending traditional Spanish dishes with modern culinary innovation, offering food lovers in Malta a unique experience filled with creativity and cultural flair. Espiral was recognized by the MELA Index for its commitment to exceptional quality and catering to a variety of health-conscious dietary needs, ensuring every meal contributes to Malta’s vision of healthier dining establishments.
Culinary Excellence
Signature Dishes
Espiral specialized in extraordinary Spanish fusion cuisine with its standout dishes including:
- Seafood Paella , A luscious medley of seafood that brings the flavors of Spain to Malta’s shores.
- Octopus and King Prawns , Tender, flavorful, and a favorite among seafood aficionados.
- Serrano Ham-Crusted Seabass , A fusion masterpiece combining fresh Mediterranean ingredients with Spanish flair.
- Patatas Trufas , Hearty potato tapas with a delightful truffle twist.
- Vegetarian Tapas Plates , A creative assortment of plant-based options celebrating healthy choices.
Fresh Ingredients & Health-Conscious Options
Espiral prioritized fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced locally and internationally. Whether delighting in unique tapas or savoring their Spanish-inspired healthy dishes, diners appreciated the effort put into crafting meals that were both nutritious and visually stunning.
The collaboration with Nicolas Bezzina, winner of MasterChef Malta, introduced Spanish-inspired healthy items such as Pork Cheek Croquetas and Cured Mackerel, ensuring every visitor could enjoy a flavorful yet balanced dining experience.
Atmosphere & Ambiance
Espiral was designed to transport diners to Spain with its warm and luxurious ambiance. Whether seated indoors amidst elegant, modern decor or outdoors in the cozy and picturesque Garden of Delights, every corner of this restaurant offered a sensory experience. The spiral staircase that inspired its name served as both a stunning design element and a symbol of the artistic journey diners could expect during their visit.
Service Excellence
Known for its impeccable service, Espiral created memorable experiences by valuing guest satisfaction. The staff, including the warm and attentive manager, ensured every visitor felt like they were part of the Espiral family, creating a dining atmosphere that balanced professionalism with genuine Maltese hospitality.
Location & Accessibility
Address: Triq Il-Marfa Pjazza Papa Gwanni Pawlu 2, Mellieħa, MLH 9064, Malta
Located minutes away from scenic Mellieħa Bay and local landmarks, Espiral was easily accessible to locals and tourists alike.
Amenities
- 📦 Takeout Available: Quick and convenient for those on the go.
- 🍽️ Dine-In Experience: Elegant interiors and lush outdoor seating.
- 📞 Reservation Feature: Ensuring the best table for you.
- 🚚 Delivery: Spanish flavors brought to your doorstep.
- 🍺 Beer Selection: Featuring Spanish wines, cavas, and craft beers.
Perfect For
Tourists Exploring Mellieħa
Espiral was a top choice for visitors seeking authentic Spanish flavors during their Malta adventures. Conveniently located and offering dishes inspired by Spain’s vibrant culture, the restaurant provided an unforgettable culinary experience close to Mellieħa’s attractions.
Local Food Enthusiasts
From weekday dinners to special celebrations, Espiral was favored by locals for its exceptional food, unique ambiance, and creative dishes that brought an international flair to Mellieħa.
Romantic Dinners
Whether celebrating an anniversary or enjoying a quiet evening out, Espiral’s elegant setting and delicious menu made it the ideal spot for intimate gatherings.
Health & Dietary Accommodations
As a MELA-approved restaurant, Espiral catered to a range of dietary needs:
- Vegetarian-Friendly: A diverse selection of plant-based tapas and main courses.
- Vegan Options: Carefully prepared dishes that never compromise on flavor.
- Gluten-Free Choices: A variety of tapas and mains crafted with dietary restrictions in mind.
- Fresh, Local Ingredients: Everything prepared to the highest standard with nutritious and quality-driven ingredients.
Guest Reviews
“A tapas restaurant with an eclectic menu. We enjoyed the food but felt that the flavors were muted in some cases. I was a fan of the seafood paella but my wife was disappointed with the substituted ingredients.” , Gareth Genner (4⭐)
“Awesome restaurant, great vibes, good music and good food. They offer bread on the house and have tapas that are worth ordering. Spanish wines and Spanish food were excellent!” , Romin (5⭐)
“The octopus and king prawns were the most tender and flavourful we’ve ever tasted! The paella was divine, better than the ones we’ve had in Spain! Service was impeccable too. Highly recommend.” , Marjes Zammit Blatter (5⭐)
“Such a lovely restaurant with beautiful food and excellent service! The lamb was amazing quality, and every dish was paired perfectly.” , Fifi O (5⭐)
Summary
Espiral captured the essence of Spanish cuisine and elevated it within Mellieħa’s dining scene. From its creative dishes to its welcoming ambiance, the restaurant served as a hub for locals and tourists seeking a fusion of flavor and artistry. Though Espiral has now closed its doors, it remains a cherished memory for those who experienced its culinary magic.
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 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.
