Commando: Michelin-Recognized Mediterranean Dining in Mellieħa
Commando stands as a beacon of fine dining in Mellieħa, Malta, offering a harmonious blend of historical charm, Mediterranean flavors, and professional service. This MELA-approved restaurant boasts a menu crafted with fresh and seasonally inspired ingredients, ensuring a nutritious, flavorful dining experience for tourists, locals, and food enthusiasts alike.
Restaurant’s Story & Heritage
Housed in a beautifully restored 300-year-old stone building, Commando carries a legacy that dates back to the 1930s, when it served as a wartime support station for the Royal Marines before transforming into a culinary gem. The restaurant remains family-owned, celebrating years of tradition with a contemporary approach to fine dining.
Celebrated for its Mediterranean cuisine and commitment to quality, Commando embraces Malta’s MELA Index recognition, reflecting its dedication to promoting healthier dining without compromising on flavor or presentation. Whether guests are seeking a romantic evening or exploring Malta’s culinary scene, Commando offers a memorable experience in a venue steeped in history.
MELA Index Recognition
As an enthusiastic advocate for Malta’s healthy dining movement, Commando integrates wholesome, nutritious meals into its offerings. Their tailored menu features dishes that align with MELA’s vision, including options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-sensitive diners.
Healthy Dining Highlights:
- Grilled Fish Market Selection: Rustic yet refined, complemented by a medley of seasonal vegetables.
- Vegan Risotto: Made with locally sourced sun-ripened ingredients and plant-based stock.
- Heart-Healthy Duck Breast: Lean and flavorful, prepared in a low-sodium marinade.
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Fondant: A guilt-free indulgence for dessert lovers.
Culinary Excellence
Signature Dishes & Specialties
Commando’s award-winning chefs masterfully prepare Mediterranean classics with a creative twist. Their menu celebrates fresh seafood, decadent meats, and artisanal desserts that enchant both adventurous diners and traditionalists.
Highlights include:
- Truffle Rabbit Risotto: Northern Italian truffle paired perfectly with tender rabbit.
- Torched Scallops: Delicately charred, meltingly tender with a burst of flavor.
- Duck Breast: Expertly seared, a top choice among regulars.
- Pappardelle with Duck Ragù: Rustic pasta complemented by rich hazelnut notes.
Ingredients & Health-Conscious Options
Commando sources local produce and seafood daily, emphasizing quality and sustainability. The result is dishes that showcase Mediterranean cuisine at its healthiest and most vibrant, ensuring a dining experience that is both nutritious and indulgent.
Dining Experience
Atmosphere & Ambiance
Commando’s interior combines rustic Maltese architecture with elegant modern touches. The stone walls and exposed brickwork create a timeless setting, enhanced by wooden furniture and soft lighting. Their intimate dining area is ideal for romantic evenings, while the outdoor terrace offers a tranquil space overlooking Mellieħa’s picturesque streets.
Service Excellence
The service team at Commando is known for its professionalism and warmth, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and valued. Whether recommending wine pairings or sharing insights about the menu’s origin, the staff delivers a 5-star experience that complements the restaurant’s luxurious yet approachable environment.
Location & Convenience
Prime Mellieħa Location
Located at the heart of Mellieħa’s charming village core, Commando is a short stroll from key attractions, including Mellieħa Parish Church and the breathtaking Ghadira Bay. Its central position makes it an excellent choice for tourists exploring this coastal gem.
Address: Misraħ Iz-Żjara tal-Papa, Mellieħa, MLH 1080, Malta
Getting Here: Easily accessible by public transport, closest bus stop Mellieħa Church. Limited street parking is available nearby.
Accessibility & Amenities
Commando ensures a welcoming experience for all guests, offering:
- 🍽️ Dine-in Experience: Intimate indoor setting & outdoor seating terrace.
- 📞 Reservations Available: Recommended for evenings and weekends.
- 🍺 Serves Beer: Selection of craft beers and local favorites.
- 🌿 Outdoor Seating: Perfect for dining under Malta’s sunny skies.
Perfect For
Tourists Exploring Mellieħa
Discover authentic Mediterranean dishes in a historic village, enriching your Maltese experience. Whether savoring fresh seafood or indulging in a duck ragù, Commando delivers a taste of local culinary heritage.
Local Malta Residents
Commando is a beloved choice for locals celebrating milestones or indulging in quality dining. Its mix of classic favorites and creative specials ensures variety for repeat visits.
Romantic Occasions
A gem for couples seeking fine dining and intimate ambiance, Commando’s cozy setting and candlelit decor set the stage for unforgettable evenings.
Health & Dietary Accommodations
Commando caters inclusively to dietary preferences:
- Vegetarian Options: Beetroot carpaccio and wild mushroom risotto.
- Vegan Choices: A dedicated vegan menu featuring plant-based appetizers, mains, and desserts.
- Gluten-Free Dishes: Gluten-conscious items, including desserts crafted with almond flour.
- Heart-Healthy Selections: Lean protein and Mediterranean vegetable medley.
Guest Reviews & Recognition
“Absolutely stunning meal! The staff are professional, knowledgeable and make you feel right at home. The food is divine! Fresh, flavorful and something for everyone. This is a must when visiting Malta.” , Sloan Vereecken.
“Especially the truffle rabbit risotto was indescribably tasty. The flavor of the truffle from Northern Italy was very rich and went really well with the rabbit. Everything else we had was also very delicious and we certainly enjoyed our time at the restaurant. Definitely my fav in Malta!” , Hana Ishii.
“We were quite impressed with this restaurant. A relatively small menu with great delicious dishes. The torched scallops were amazing and practically melted in your mouth. The staff were also very attentive.” , Oleg Lukanin.
Commando invites you to explore its exceptional Mediterranean offerings while soaking in the rich history and charm of Mellieħa. Whether visiting Malta for the first time or enjoying your hometown, this Michelin-recognized restaurant promises a dining experience you won’t soon forget.
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.
