ION Harbour By Simon Rogan — Restaurant in Valletta

My partner and I visited ION Harbour after receiving numerous recommendations from friends across the island. We opted for the full tasting menu, hoping for an exceptional dining experience. Unfortunately, the stunning terrace view ended up being the highlight of our visit.

The service was inconsistent and often subpar for a Michelin-starred establishment. Our initial interaction regarding water options was handled well, with the staff accommodating my preference for Aqua Panna. However, a simple drink order - a Coke with lemon and no ice - was mishandled twice. More concerningly, while my partner was offered several drinks throughout our stay, I was completely overlooked after my initial Coke. This discrepancy in service persisted for our entire three-hour visit.

The food itself was unremarkable. As I reflect on the meal, no particular course stands out as either exceptional or terrible. The dishes were simply adequate but forgettable.

The pacing of the meal was problematic. The first five courses arrived in quick succession, while the next six were stretched over nearly two hours with increasingly longer waits between each course. This inconsistency significantly detracted from our dining experience, ultimately leading us to leave before the dessert menu due to sheer boredom.

In conclusion, our experience at ION Harbour was disappointing, especially considering its Michelin star status and positive recommendations. The combination of inconsistent and neglectful service, forgettable food, and poor pacing makes it unlikely that we'll return for...

I had been looking forward to visiting ION for quite a while. Unfortunately, the dinner we had didn't quite live up to my expectations of a Michelin star restaurant.

Pro: nice view of the habour and 3 cities, i.e. perhaps lunch during daylight hours would be a better option extensive 14 course tasting menu that included local ingredients. all at a very reasonable price. focus on vegetarian and fish service was fast paced; at times perhaps even a bit too fast.

Con: very noisy in the covered patio; another party of young people was rather drunk and loud and the waiters didn't do anything about it to preserve a Michelin star experience for the other guests. What a let-down. the service team seemed to be junior without much experience and they were difficult to understand. the standard wine pairing was nothing special and not to my taste (we didn't try the 2 more expensive pairing options to be fair though) the 3 amuse bouche tasted quite intense, whereas the main dishes seemed rather a bit on the dull side the 3 or 4 desserts were all very similar - some form of yoghurt/cheese paired with a fruity sweet compote. out of the 14 dishes only one featured meat, namely duck breast, which unfortunately is not my favorite. the heater in the covered patio was uncomfortable, as it was strong and just facing one side of my face. Also the air was dry as a result.

Maybe we had a bad day and it is better to visit in summer...

Perfectly positioned in Valletta at the Iniala Hotel, ION Harbour offers spectacular views over the Grand Harbour and Three Cities. Both the setting and atmosphere strike an impressive balance between refinement and comfort.

From the start, service stood out for its thoughtfulness - they accommodated our dietary preferences with a customized menu and managed to arrange outdoor seating despite being fully booked. Staff members proved attentive without hovering, maintaining a perfect balance throughout our evening.

Each course of the tasting menu revealed creative flair and precise execution. Highlights included a carrot tartlet with lampuki, but the true revelation was an unexpectedly memorable "lettuce" dish featuring dill-brined gem lettuce, horseradish, shimeji mushrooms, and Alba truffle. Following this, a Sea Bream with black garlic and roasted shrimp arrived with skin crisped to perfection.

Impeccable timing brought warm focaccia just when we were craving it, and by meal's end, we felt pleasantly satisfied rather than overwhelmed. As evening temperatures dropped, a thoughtfully offered blanket added to our comfort.

While we chose not to photograph every course to maintain the ambiance, our experience confirmed that ION Harbour masterfully combines innovative cuisine with polished service in a stunning location. It's a significant addition to Malta's fine dining scene and warrants a special...