Caffe Cordina — Restaurant in Valletta

Disappointing Experience at Your Restaurant

I am writing to convey my profound disappointment with my recent dining experience at your establishment. For those who appreciate quality and sophistication in dining, I strongly advise against visiting this restaurant.

Our visit was prompted by your reputation and long-standing history since the 18th century, which makes this experience all the more disappointing. Upon arrival, we were left waiting for 10 minutes before a waitress, lacking any warmth or hospitality, handed us the menus. Instead of a polite greeting or necessary inquiries about dietary restrictions and allergens, we were bluntly asked for our order.

The food, when it came, was severely lacking. My wife's pizza was undercooked, with a thick, soggy base and uncooked toppings. My seafood dish was visually unappealing and reminiscent of pet food and was poorly described in the menu. I returned it untouched and was shocked to see it included on the bill.

What was perhaps most appalling was the response from the owner, who chose to place the blame on me, claiming it was my responsibility to inquire further about the menu. Instead of rectifying the error, I was subjected to an unwarranted lecture.

I sincerely hope you take this feedback seriously. As a director of six luxury restaurants and a hotel in London, I assure you that such disregard for customer service and satisfaction will not support your long-standing history for...

We arrived in Valetta and stopped for lunch at Caffe Cordina. Josette was our waitress. She gave us the menu and walked away. When we had gone through the menu and made our choices for main meals we told Josette what we wanted. She went away and came back 2 mins later saying the kitchen is closed. She clearly didn't know and nor did she warn us that the kitchen was closing. We had no option but to order pastries instead. Josette told us the only pastries available were cheese ones. We corrected her saying we also saw beef pastries on the way in and then she corrected herself. She served our friend with a flat beer with no head at all and walked away. We called her back and told her the beer was flat. She didn't really care but we insisted on a proper beer and she finally succumbed to our insistence. After our meal, I ordered a latte which Josette brought to the table and walked away after thrusting a long necked spoon into the latte glass almost spilling the latte. I called her back to ask where the sugar was, and reluctantly she brought a single sachet of sugar and flung it on the table. Josette's customer service and attitude needs serious changing as she is clearly doing a job she doesn't enjoy and she reflects that onto the customers. Other customers around us also noticed her attitude and they didn't look impressed. Such a shame we had to be served by her as all our other experiences in Malta were...

Well, writing this feedback with some mixed feelings. From one hand - food which me and my partner ordered (Maltese ricotta dumplings plus Maltese plate for two) at day 1 around 5 pm. It was well prepared and in general tasty. We had very kind Polish waitress who was advising us what is best to take and some history around Cafe Cordina. We ordered as well some drinks which was quite well served. But then we come into day 4 of our visit. We thought we gonna visit Cordina place as well, and here what we been facing:

1. service and waitresses been horrible. Not interested to come and clean tables, plus, despite not many people around, we have waited quite long time to place simple order. Together with us came second couple, and due to lack of interest of waitresses they have left table after sometime. Shameful.
2. Drinks were made with no quality. I can understand happy hours are not profiting for some places, but our drinks were made just to shut up us and close service as simple as possible.
3. To get a bill i had to wave to people for 10 minutes, and someone came he behaved in impolite manner. I get the impression im not the person he wants to service and get paid by. My partner had to step in and he managed rest of formalities to close bill.

Place seems to be nice when waitresses want. Otherwise, food is...