59 Republic — Restaurant in Valletta

This restaurant damn near saved my life. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but here's the story:

It was 2pm on an unreasonably hot and humid day for October and I was sweating from every pore. I'm easily overwhelmed by sensory stimulation because I have autism and it was our fist time in Valletta and picking a restaurant in a busy tourist-y area can be tricky. My brain no longer had the capacity to make decisions. I was on my very last nerve.

After a bit of wandering, we happened to choose 59 Republic, and chose to sit downstairs. The air was cool, the staff were understanding, and they were happy to keep bringing me iced drinks. We explained about my autism and they turned the music down for us. There was nobody sitting downstairs but us, everyone else was on the square upstairs, but that suited me fine. The food was honestly the last thing I was thinking about. I ordered a steak as I started to cool down and feel more human. We didn't order an appetiser but they gave us some nice bread with a couple of dips and some olive oil and balsamic.

Our meals arrived and my steak was absolutely delicious. It was a melt in the mouth Argentinian fillet, rare, cooked perfectly. I was with my dad who had sea bass and he was just as happy as I was, they recommended a wine to pair with his fish and he thought the choice was outstanding. Excellent truffle mashed potatoes as well. I cannot tell you how much better I was feeling.

We stayed for desserts, and my strawberry cheesecake was actually in the shape of a strawberry. Fantastic presentation, and it tasted just as good as it looked. Nice light texture, sweet enough even for me.

I don't think I've ever left a restaurant feeling more invigorated. Five stars, best meal experience I've had in ages, couldn't recommended...

I left Malta fifty years ago although I am a frequent returner and I have seen the New Year in with my family on the eve of Valletta becoming the European City of Culture.

In my medical student days there was an Italian eatery at 59 Kingway (now Republic Street) known as the Bologns Restaurant which offered excellent pastas.... My foodie sister told me about this new restaurant, 59 Republic, on the site of the former Bologna Restaurant. She had seen their menu and thought that their meat dishes would be an attraction. My daughter and I were in Malta to attend a family funeral and our first meal together on the island was at lunchtime at 59'

It is a small restaurant with a cosy modern decor. It was a quiet time and service was polite and immediate but both of us were surprised and delighted with the menu and, despite my meat eater identity, we both chose fish starters and mains.

Pat had a beautifully crafted seared Scottish scallop starter enhanced with salami, sautéed chimes mushrooms, garden pea and porchetta soup and crispy pancetta and the result was an example of perfect flavouring. I chose a saffron infused risotto enhanced with salami topped with a butter topped poached lobster tail - divine'.

We both chose the pan roasted sea bass dish as our main course. It was cooked in a creamy caper and lemon veloutemain course and other goodies and the flavours were once again the hallmark of this creation.

This is a fantastic little restaurant which will become a foodies destination in Malta's capital, and deservedly so........

An Unforgettable Dining Experience at 59 Republic

From the moment we stepped into 59 Republic, we knew we were in for something special. Nestled in the heart of Valletta, this gem offers the perfect blend of elegance and warmth. The atmosphere is nothing short of magical—chic yet welcoming, with a cozy, intimate setting that feels both upscale and relaxed.

The service was impeccable. The staff are not only professional and attentive, but genuinely passionate about what they do. From start to finish, they made us feel like royalty, catering to every detail with grace and enthusiasm. They were knowledgeable about the menu, offering excellent recommendations that enhanced our dining experience.

As for the food—wow! Each dish was a masterpiece, crafted with creativity and precision. We started with the freshest seafood appetizers, which were an explosion of flavors and beautifully presented. For the mains, we had the Beef Wellington and the Argentinian steak, and both were exceptional. The Beef Wellington was perfectly cooked, with tender beef encased in a flaky, golden crust, while the Argentinian steak was juicy and bursting with flavor, cooked to perfection. Every bite was a delight. We finished off with decadent desserts that were almost too pretty to eat—almost.

59 Republic offers the complete package: impeccable service, exquisite food, and a captivating atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can tell that every detail has been thought out to create an unforgettable dining experience. A true culinary treasure...