Noni — Restaurant in Valletta

Visited for the second time - STILL AMAZING!

I know my food. It's very difficult to reach my standard where I can genuinely say that the food is great and one that I can't stop raving about! NONI delivers a perfect meal: perfectly seasoned, on-point temperature, complete with the perfect balance of textures, and perfectly cooked food. Your experience does not end with food - from the moment you walk into the restaurant, you will be taken care of by the staff who are attentive and will make sure that you will have a top class dining experience. The ambience is very modern, perfect lighting, the seats and table are very comfortable. A well-deserved Michelin star!

I love their small one bite wonders, served in the beginning of the tasting menu. The parmesan tuile that is perfectly thin so the cheese will not overpower the other components in the tuile and when you take that one bite, it sings in your mouth!

The first time I visited Noni was with my two girlfriends during Spring/Summer of 2021 and had the tasting/degustation menu. I always choose to have the tasting menu instead of the Ala Carte menu because I want to be surprised and be taken on a journey personally prepared and crafted by the chef for me, from beginning to end. And it did not disappoint! Food was amazing - I was humming all throughout the courses "hmmm...... hmmmmm.....hmmm" as I pick through each and every component on my plate. Loved all 7 courses, they are all outstanding - but special mention to the pre-dessert pickled dates and orange blossom - super simple but packed with powerful flavors, and of course, I have my top favorite that is the Hobz Biz Zejt. This is their modern interpretation of the very simple, traditional Maltese dish. This probably was the one dish that totally blew me away. It is so far from looking like the traditional dish: very modern and neat plating, and the humble ingredients such as tomatoes, ricotta, basil sing together in perfect harmony without losing their identity! Definitely tasted like Hobz Biz Zejt, but more refined!

I went back to NONI 2 days ago, 8 Dec 2021 and they still delivered! Still took their tasting menu and I love, love, love it! The summary of this visit? Ingredients we initially hate, we now love because of NONI

Restaurant Review: Noni

Overall Experience: Noni not only met but exceeded our dining expectations, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and palates. We're already looking forward to our next visit.

Service: The service at Noni was nothing short of spectacular. The staff impressed us with their in-depth knowledge of the menu and their engaging and witty demeanor. What set this experience apart was the warm and personal interaction with the owner, Ritienne, making us feel like cherished friends.

Food and Drinks: Noni's culinary offerings were nothing short of culinary artistry. Every dish was a vibrant reflection of Malta's rich culture. The fish soup was a revelation of flavors, and the tiramisu sent us to dessert heaven. If we could offer a minor suggestion, it would be to feature a broader selection of Maltese wines and provide a bit more backstory behind the dishes' inspiration.

Atmosphere and Ambiance: Noni's decor transformed the restaurant into a captivating haven that enhanced every moment. The spacious, elegant setting opened up to an intimate experience, striking the perfect balance between interaction with fellow diners and enjoying our private space. They didn't crowd the tables, which allowed the timing of dishes and personal interaction with the owner and waitstaff to feel uniquely personal.

Price and Value: While Noni's prices may lean towards the higher end, every euro spent felt justified for the superb quality of food, exceptional service, and an unforgettable dining experience.

Cleanliness and Hygiene: The restaurant's impeccable cleanliness extended to the tidy and well-maintained restroom, complete with thoughtful additions ensuring our comfort throughout.

Reservations: Reserving a table was a breeze, thanks to a well-functioning online portal that made planning our visit hassle-free.

Crowd and Noise Level: Noni's approach to not overcrowd the dining area allowed us to relish an intimate atmosphere. It fostered connections with fellow diners while preserving our personal space, making the timing of dishes and interactions with the owner and waitstaff even more special.

Special Dietary Needs: Their accommodating attitude shone through when they adapted a dish on the tasting menu to exclude an ingredient I didn't prefer. They thoughtfully set it aside, and I ended up trying and falling in love with it.

Location and Neighborhood: Nestled in the heart of Valletta, Noni's location contributes to the restaurant's elegant and charming atmosphere, further enhancing our overall experience.

Recommendations: For fellow diners, we strongly recommend indulging in the fish soup and leaving room for the heavenly tiramisu. These are absolute must-try items on the menu.

Areas for Improvement: While the dining experience was exceptional, a more comprehensive selection of Maltese wines with the tasting menu and additional information about the dish inspirations could elevate it even further. We'd also welcome a wine pairing option for the cheese platter.

In conclusion, Noni offers an unmatched dining experience marked by exceptional service, creative cuisine, and a captivating ambiance. It remains a must-visit for anyone seeking a special, heartfelt culinary adventure. We're left with no choice but to declare that Noni deserves not just one more Michelin star but a whole...

Noni Restaurant: Michelin Star with a regular 4 course menu and a tasting menu. Y’all know whenever we go to restaurant with a tasting menu we get the tasting menu but this one was too much food, even for me. I went for the 4 course tasting menu and it did not disappoint because they straight up made it like a tasting menu by presenting me with dishes to “try.”

The evening started out with one of the best dirty vodka martinis I’ve had this side of the Mediterranean. Then this brother and sister duo took me on a culinary experience.

It started with 5 canapés: (1) Fish consume tea (they encourage you to drink/sip it like tea). Which I did and it was mind blowingly delicious. (2) shrimp tartare with cream (just eat it), (3) caviar salmon mouse (again just eat it), (4) homemade local bread with butter and smoked sea salt and local made olive oil and (5) a black olived served on a spoon that must be eaten in 1 bite from the spoon. For those who don’t like olives (e.g. Jack), trust me it doesn’t taste like olive at all because the inside is filled with caponata and the outside with coco butter outside. The olive is just the vehicle because it’s not olive forward at all.

Course 1: Jerusalem artichoke expressed 3 ways - tea with chive oil, fried skins on top of rice and artichoke donut spritzed with 30 year old balsamic. OMG this was insane.

Course 2: Tortelloni stuffed with Comte cheese and mushrooms sitting atop a bed of chanterelle mushrooms topped with freshly shaved winter truffles. INSANE.

Course 3: Rabbit expressed 3 ways. Yep you guessed it, INSANE!

I was too stuffed to get the 4th course but they wouldn’t let me leave without tasting something sweet and proceeded to present me with 4 dessert tastings.

Everyone knows when I travel I don’t eat like a tourist. I eat like a local. While folks are lining up for Starbucks, I’m sitting at the cafe where the taxi drivers go for coffee and that coffee blows away any designer coffee (i.e. soy low fat free extra whip double pump venti of whatever).

An explorer at heart, I like to find the off the beaten path (ie. no tourists) places to explore and eat. A self described foodie, I love good food and will wake up at 3 am EST to secure reservations at restaurants in different countries (like the one Jack and I went to in Modena). I found Noni Restaurant. It’s Michelin starred and it’s a brother sister establishment. The brother is cooking up delectable delights in the kitchen and his sister is taking care of front of house. They are killing it front and back. Every dish is presented (you see I didn’t say served) and explained in the most effective order to eat to maximize taste and the ingredients. I can say with full confidence as I have eaten at the #3 restaurant in the world and every top restaurant in NYC, Noni Restaurant gives them all a run for the title of best. You don’t dine at Noni, you are taken on a culinary adventure that is impeccably guided by an attentive, knowledgeable team who are just as excited about what they are presenting as you are to eat it.

If you find yourself in Malta, find Noni Restaurant at 211 Republic Street. It’s small but mighty so book your table because it...