Is-Serkin - Crystal Palace Bar — Restaurant in Rabat

Don't be deceived by the name and don't be deceived by the first part of this review, read until the end.

This is a low scale tiny bar/coffee shop located opposite the car park in Rabat. It is a real authentic typical Maltese place where locals gather and socialise over a drink and its main delicacy (more about that later) . The owners defiantly do not put on a show for tourists and prices are really fairly priced for what it offers and what you get in return of your money.

The place is usually crowded, mainly by men, mostly working class but also by many tourists and locals alike. Coffee and tea are served in glass cups. Everything is served from behind the tiny bar. You wait behind a considerable amount of people waiting to be served until it's your turn. Sometimes someone jumps you cause they know the person behind the bar and they are served first. This is normal.

However it is the most well known place in Malta as it makes the best Pastizzi on the island. They are always fresh and this places sells hundreds and hundreds of them on a daily basis. No place I've tried in Malta serves mouth watering delicious Pastizzi like this and believe me, in Malta there are several Pastizzi shops in every locality. Prices are cheap but the quality is great.

If you want to try the best you have to try those served at Crystal Palace as no where in Malta do you get the same taste, the same quality and the...

Is-Serkin Crystal Palace is known for their pastizzi, a Maltese pastry made of crispy phyllo dough baked with various fillings. The choices here included ricotta, mushy peas (demonstrating the British influence on Malta), and my favorite, mushy peas with anchovies, which gave the filling a salty, umami depth. Though I’m a fan of foods with crispy textures, even I found the pastizzi pastry a little too hard and crunchy, as they had been baked for a long time in the oven to a dark brown crisp. I also tried the Qassatat, a circular pastry with the same fillings but made with a soft, chewy dough. Finally, we had the classic Maltese street food Ftira, a sandwich of tuna, marinated olives, beans, and vegetables on a crusty ring-shaped bread brushed with tomato paste. The fillings of the sandwich were tasty and nicely balanced, but the crust of the bread was extremely hard and dry. On the side, we got a cup of tea, a weak and milky British-style tea. That’s because this bar (which is named after the London suburb “Crystal Palace”) was popular with the British during the time when Malta was a British colony! While I thought the food and hole-in-the-wall atmosphere were just average, everything here made for an extremely cheap meal, and it was fun to eat at such a famous...

This is a beloved pastizzeria located in Rabat, Malta, just outside the walls of Mdina. It holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike, thanks to its: Authentic Pastizzi: It's renowned for serving what many consider the best and most original pastizzi in Malta. These traditional Maltese pastries, with their flaky crust and savory fillings (typically ricotta or mushy peas), are a must-try. Local and Unpretentious Atmosphere: The bar maintains a genuine, down-to-earth ambiance, reflecting the true spirit of Maltese culture. It's a place where people from all walks of life come together. Traditional Service: Enjoying pastizzi with a glass of tea is a classic experience at Is-Serkin, adding to its authentic charm. Historical Significance: It has been open since the mid 1940's, and has a rich history, that includes serving many different demographics of people over the years. Variety of Local Puff Pastry: They offer a wide variety of the local puff pastry, giving patrons many options to choose from. Is-Serkin is more than just a place to grab a quick bite; it's a cultural institution. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its commitment to quality...