Headquarters Bar & Grill: Authentic Serbian Dining in Mellieħa
Located in the scenic town of Mellieħa, Headquarters Bar & Grill is your destination for authentic Serbian cuisine brought to Malta. Known for its warm Balkan hospitality, high-quality meat dishes, and health-conscious options, this family-owned restaurant offers a memorable dining experience for locals and tourists alike.
Restaurant’s Story & Heritage
Founded in 2023 by a Serbian family, Headquarters Bar & Grill embodies the rich culinary traditions of the Balkans with a modern twist. With their origins rooted in Serbia’s café culture, the owners sought to bring their passion for comforting food and exceptional service to Malta. Since opening, they’ve not only become a local favorite but also earned recognition for their focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and commitment to healthier dining options in line with Malta’s MELA Index standards.
MELA Index Recognition
As a MELA-approved restaurant, Headquarters Bar & Grill contributes to Malta’s goal of promoting nutritious dining options. Their menu incorporates several healthy dishes without sacrificing authenticity, including fresh salads, grilled chicken, and lean meats prepared using health-conscious methods such as charcoal grilling for reduced fat and enhanced flavor.
Culinary Highlights
Signature Dishes
The restaurant’s chefs specialize in authentic Balkan flavors, including:
- Ćevapi: Flavor-packed grilled beef kebabs, a Serbian classic.
- Pljeskavica: A juicy beef and pork patty seasoned with regional spices.
- Karadjordjeva Pork Schnitzel: A Serbian specialty stuffed with kajmak cheese, lightly breaded, and fried to perfection.
- Uštipci: Bite-sized meat and cheese balls, ideal for sharing.
- Healthy Option , Srpska Salad: A mix of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and olive oil, reflecting heart-healthy Mediterranean influences.
Fresh Ingredients & Health-Conscious Options
The restaurant imbues its Balkan favorites with a health-conscious touch, using fresh Mediterranean vegetables, lean meats, and olive oil to retain flavor while reducing unhealthy fats and sodium. Their menu includes vegetarian and gluten-free options, offering something for everyone.
Dining Experience
Atmosphere & Ambiance
Step into a cozy yet vibrant setting decorated to reflect Serbian charm, complete with rustic wooden elements and warm lighting. The intimate atmosphere is perfect for family dinners, romantic evenings, or celebrations. The outdoor terrace provides stunning views and a relaxing ambiance ideal for unwinding after a day of exploring Mellieħa’s attractions.
Service Excellence
The restaurant’s friendly and attentive staff, led by the exceptional Nikola (as noted in glowing reviews), ensure every guest feels welcome. Whether you’re new to Balkan cuisine and need recommendations or are a seasoned fan returning for your favorites, their dedicated team prioritizes quality service and guest satisfaction.
Location & Convenience
Prime Location in Mellieħa
Headquarters Bar & Grill is centrally located on Triq il-Kbira, a short walk from Mellieħa Parish Church and Mellieħa Bay. Its accessible location makes it perfect for both tourists exploring the area and locals seeking a hearty meal.
Address: 268 Triq Il-Kbira, Mellieħa, MT
Getting Here: Street parking is available, with public transportation options just a few minutes away.
Accessibility & Amenities
The restaurant offers a variety of features to ensure a convenient dining experience for all guests:
- ♿️ Wheelchair Accessible: Step-free entrance and accessible restroom facilities.
- 🚚 Delivery Available: Quick, island-wide delivery via Wolt and Bolt Food.
- 🥡 Takeout Service: Prompt counter service for your favorite Serbian dishes to-go.
- 🍽️ Dine-in: Cozy interior seating and a spacious outdoor area.
- 📞 Reservations Welcome: We recommend calling ahead for Fridays and weekends.
- 🍺 Full Bar: Offering local, Balkan, and international beer selections.
- 🌿 Outdoor Seating: Perfect for al fresco dining or pet-friendly visits.
- 🎵 Live Music: Featuring Serbian folk and acoustic performances every Friday and Saturday evening.
Perfect For
Tourists Exploring Malta
Whether you’re visiting Mellieħa’s historic sites or relaxing at its beaches, Headquarters Bar & Grill is a must-try destination. Sample dishes like ćevapi and Karadjordjeva schnitzel for a true Balkan culinary experience, and relax with live music on weekends as you soak in the local ambiance.
Local Food Enthusiasts
Residents of Mellieħa and neighboring areas love Headquarters Bar & Grill for its blend of hearty food and welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great spot for weekday lunches, weekend dinners, or special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
Health-Conscious Diners
With its MELA-approved menu, the restaurant caters to those looking for nutritious yet flavorful options. Enjoy balanced dishes like Srpska salad, grilled chicken, or Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian offerings.
Guest Reviews
“Absolutely loved this Serbian restaurant! The food was incredibly delicious, full of rich, authentic flavors, and the desserts were just amazing. The staff was super friendly and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better. Highly recommended!” , MD
“The food was incredibly tasty, and I must say, it was the best veal soup (čorba) I’ve ever had! A special thanks to Nikola for the outstanding service. He made our evening truly memorable!” , Maja Djuric
“Authentic Serbian dishes cooked to perfection! The staff and chef were super friendly and explained the dishes so well. Thank you for the great suggestions!” , R F
Health & Dietary Accommodations
Headquarters Bar & Grill ensures everyone can enjoy their dining experience with the following options:
- Vegetarian-Friendly: Try their fresh salads like Shopska or Srpska.
- Gluten-Free Choices: Enjoy their grilled meats and veggie sides.
- Reduced Fat Options: Charcoal-grilled specialties for a leaner, healthier choice.
- Heart-Healthy Meals: Olive oil-based recipes packed with fresh vegetables.
Whether you’re indulging in Balkan classics or exploring their lighter menu options, Headquarters Bar & Grill delivers on both flavor and nutritional value, making it a standout choice in Mellieħa.
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.
