Xemxija Café Lounge: Cozy Mediterranean Café in St. Paul’s Bay
Experience the charming ambiance and diverse flavors of Xemxija Café Lounge, nestled in the serene village of Xemxija within St. Paul’s Bay, Malta. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and hearty meals, the café caters to locals and tourists alike with its wide-ranging menu, from breakfast to dinner, complemented by breathtaking sea views.
Restaurant’s Story & Heritage
Xemxija Café Lounge has been a beloved fixture in the peaceful town of Xemxija, offering a welcoming space for travelers and locals to unwind. Its prime location near Mellieħa Bay makes it an ideal spot to indulge in heartfelt Mediterranean flavors paired with the laid-back charm that St. Paul’s Bay is known for. Whether starting your day with fresh croissants or indulging in a hearty wrap, Xemxija Café Lounge balances traditional comfort food with a contemporary café vibe.
MELA Index Recognition
While Xemxija Café Lounge is not officially MELA-certified, it boasts several healthy and health-conscious dishes on its menu, including Mediterranean-inspired salads and wraps prepared with fresh ingredients. Their emphasis on quality and balance ensures diners can enjoy both indulgent and lighter options.
Culinary Highlights
Signature Dishes
- Fresh Croissants , Start your morning with golden flaky croissants, praised by regulars as some of the best in Malta.
- Fish Soup , A perfectly seasoned, hearty soup bursting with freshness, loved by diners as the best on the island.
- Breakfast Classics , Eggs and ham cooked to perfection, offering homely comfort to start your day right.
- Kebab Wraps , A robust option for quick yet satisfying dining, packed with couscous, kebab meat, and a hint of garlic cream sauce.
Fresh Ingredients & Health-Conscious Options
Xemxija Café Lounge takes pride in leveraging Mediterranean ingredients such as fresh vegetables, olive oil, and lean proteins to craft wholesome dishes. Guests seeking lighter meals can opt for their salads or grilled options, although the menu is versatile enough to cater to richer cravings.
Atmosphere & Ambiance
The café exudes a cozy and calm atmosphere, ideal for quiet breakfasts or relaxed evenings. Its picturesque location offers diners mesmerizing views of the sea and countryside, inviting you to unwind while watching the world go by. The setting is particularly popular with remote workers and small groups looking for a serene spot to brainstorm ideas over coffee.
Service Excellence
Known for exceptional hospitality, Xemxija Café Lounge staffs a dedicated team that ensures prompt, professional, yet unobtrusive service. Whether assisting with reservations or recommending a dish, all staff members bring warmth and efficiency to make every visit seamless.
Location & Convenience
Prime St. Paul’s Bay Location
Located in picturesque Xemxija Bay, just a 10-minute drive from Mellieħa Bay. The café is an accessible choice for beachgoers, passing tourists, or locals exploring the St. Paul’s Bay area.
Address: Xemxija Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, Malta
Getting Here:
- Public Transport: Conveniently accessible through nearby bus routes.
- Parking: Street parking available.
Accessibility & Amenities
Xemxija Café Lounge embraces inclusivity and functionality with the following amenities:
- 🚚 Delivery: Enjoy your favorite dishes delivered straight to your door.
- 🥡 Takeout Service: Quick and efficient takeout options for busy schedules.
- 🍽 Dine-in Experience: Spacious seating for indoor and outdoor dining.
- 📞 Reservations: Recommended during peak hours to secure your table.
- 🍺 Serves Beer: Pair your meal with a refreshing beer selection.
Perfect For
Tourists Searching for Relaxation
Xemxija Café Lounge offers an authentic Maltese dining experience, with casual, hearty meals served against stunning sea views. Ideal for tourists seeking a laid-back café to begin their day or unwind after exploring Mellieħa Bay and the scenic surroundings.
Local Residents
Locals love this charming café for its friendly atmosphere and consistent quality. Whether popping by for a wrap or stopping for coffee during errands, Xemxija Café Lounge provides a welcome retreat from everyday hustle.
Remote Workers & Entrepreneurs
With its quiet environment and café ambiance, Xemxija Café Lounge is a hidden gem for remote workers or small groups looking for a calm setting for meetings or brainstorming sessions.
Health & Dietary Accommodations
Although not specialized in health-focused menus, the café offers several customizable options to accommodate dietary preferences and healthier choices:
- Vegetarian-Friendly Items: Salads and veggie wraps.
- Lighter Options: Mediterranean breakfast or soups.
- Personalized Requests: Ask the friendly staff to adapt meals based on dietary needs.
Guest Reviews
“What a gem of a restaurant. Menu had a wide selection of dishes, and the coffee was the best on the island. Service was exceptional. Oh, and did I mention their fresh croissants?”
, Geraldine Reddan (Ireland)
“Amazing food! Best fish soup ever! Staff amazingly friendly! We ate there everyday!”
, Henry Spencer
“Great wrap… hearty and delicious. Also, a cute place with very café/brunch vibes!”
, T. C
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.


