For many new or much-loved and refurbished eateries around the island, the importance of great food is equal to the attention given to crafting interior spaces that do more than host guests around a table, but rather immerse them in a sensory experience that is a notch or two above the ordinary. From bold colours to opulent finishes, we’ve singled out six eateries with striking interiors that leave a lasting impression.
Rosami at The Villa
A muted yet commanding shade of red sets the tone for Rosami at The Villa, a fine-dining restaurant that was brought to life by Camilleri Paris Mode Projects Studio that was tasked with incorporating a kitchen extension and a private dining room along with the main restaurant and dining area. The distinct colour choice “changes and shifts according to the time of day and the light at play,” the studio shared. This colour was paired with a warm light grey, while subtle panelling was added to the walls to “harmonise the proportions of the space.”
Ruby Ray’s
A new addition to the culinary offering at Mercury in St Julian’s is Ruby Ray’s, featuring exotic interiors defined by ornate wall coverings, a rich colour palette and ample patterns and textures. This maximalist space, which works in tandem with the restaurant’s fusion cuisine, combines “colonial elegance with contemporary refinement,” says Jessica Cauchi who, along with Isabelle Taliana formed the design and project management team for Ruby Ray’s, from design studio DPM.
Gracy’s Art & Supper Club
Located right off St George’s Square in Valletta, Gracy’s Art & Supper Club harnesses the strength of its location, the 17th century Palazzo Verdelin, to create an elegant, old-world ambiance that is central to its experience. While it retains the original splendour and grandeur of this historic building – evident in the weathered stone arches, high ceilings, balustrades and striking architectural details – its interiors are balanced with warm colours, textures and decor that give this venue its timeless appeal.
Le GV
The latest culinary offering by the 1926 Collection, which comprises a group of upscale boutique hotels in Sliema and Valletta, is a lavish eatery located on the rooftop of the 1926 Le Soleil Hotel & Spa in Sliema, designed by Carlo Schembri together with &Bold studio. Le GV’s long and narrow footprint inspired a design that drew from the art deco opulence of the legendary Orient Express, where mirrored walls and ceilings, velvet chairs, geometric wall coverings and a lavish marble bar set a refined scene.
Hammett’s Monastik
From floor to ceiling, the interior of Hammett’s Monastik is dominated by the presence of warm and natural materials, primarily travertine and wood respectively, which create a cocoon effect that is at once homely, welcoming and complimentary with the overall chic aesthetic of Land’s End Boutique Hotel in Sliema that it forms part of. Inspired by the values of ancient monasteries, where self-sufficiency and living off the local land guide its food offering, the design of Hammett’s Monastik similarly achieves elegance with simplicity.
Minoa
Housed on the 10th floor of the AX ODYCY hotel in Qawra, Minoa restaurant holds its own unique identity within the expansive four-star hotel, designed by Box Concept Studio, Studio Abela and Sara Brincat. Patterned tiles reminiscent of traditional Maltese floors, deep earth tones such as terracotta and mahogany wood, and natural textures seen in the restaurant’s eclectic choice of decor lend it a plush persona while maintaining a level of informality that complements its location and tranquil, seaside appeal.
Main image: Rosami at The Villa / Photo by Ramon Portelli
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