Tartarun Restaurant — Restaurant in Marsaxlokk

Tartarun is a more refined seafood restaurant

N35°50.476' E14°32.707' this restaurant is located on the harbourside of the small fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Unlike other restaurants, it has no terrace on the quay, only one unattractive table outside. However, inside it is lovely and Tartarun offers a more sophisticated take on fish. Run by the Schiavone family for more than a decade, son James treats its guests to a daily selection of local seafood. Carnivores are catered for too and their 150-plus wine list is renowned locally.

In October 2021, we ordered the seared swordfish, cucumber relish, garum & ginger oil (€8.90) and crostina of toasted sourdough focaccia, anchovies, tomato & parmesan (€8.90) as starters at this Michelin Guide restaurant (no stars or Bib Gourmand). Especially the swordfish had delicate flavours. Very good starters. As main courses, we ordered the catch of the day, which slipped out of the waiter’s hands and would not be caught a second time, and the calamari. The fish was excellent prepared and full of flavours. The Gran Cavalier Savignon Blanc white wine was a very good accompaniment to the dishes (€27). Nice to experience that the island of Gozo can make excellent white wines. For dessert, we enjoyed the ricotta cake (€7.50) and the apple terrine (€7.50).

The service was personal and attentive. After the fish slipped out of the waiter’s hands, he accidentally started preparing the wrong fish for our table. He soon discovered his mistake.

Tartarun is a more sophisticated seafood restaurant to enjoy well-prepared dishes....

Food remains excellent, honestly, especially pasta, fresh fish and home made dessert. Well done Chef!

But service was better years ago. No more warm welcome... just a number, not a customer, especially when considering 'what you pay' for.

Wine list remains good and interesting, but prices for 'standard but good and still enjoyable' wine (not referring to customers who want to spend hundreds on wine) is too much on the high price. Not fair.

Other small points but still worth noting are for example the 'dry' Maltese bread slives that were placed (not served) on the table, and without any butter or other spread or good olive oil..., and the poor 'tiny' salad that accompanied the mains for two people... or empty plates (after eating) which took ages to be removed from the table. Yes simple things which at other 'much less expensive' restaurants are the norm.

It was much better some time/years ago. Not worth anyomore the money spent (although food remains the forte).

Ambience can also significantly improve considering such a strategic good located 'expensive' south restaurant.

Again, well done...

Let me start by saying I am no lover of fish but my wife is. She is a very good cook but was not impressed so much with the overall quality. This was our first visit here and the expectations were high considering the very good reviews we saw on this restaurant. We travel quite a lot and our favourite country is Italy where food is normally excellent in the cities and towns we visit, but back to the review. I ordered veal ribeye and ordred this medium cooked. Needless to say, it came medium to well but more on the well done. The meat menu has only three items, as maybe it is a fish restaurant. Nevertheless, I expect that with a limited menu the food is cooked excelently and to expectations. Moreso when that plate costs 25 euros. The meat quality/grade was however excellent. I also had the Aljotta, the traditional fish soup. The soup was very strong on the tomato side and fish was very limited. The staff were very well trained and nice but to be honest, I expected better quality for the price charged. Maybe I am too critical, it is my nature. Like with like, I give an overall...