Roman's Den Rabat: The Most Entertaining Restaurant in Malta?
Roman's Den Rabat: The Most Entertaining Restaurant in Malta?
Location: Rabat, central Malta | Cuisine: European grill, British classics | Price: €€ | Our Score: 28/40
There are restaurants you visit for the food, restaurants you visit for the setting, and then there are restaurants you visit for the experience. Roman's Den in Rabat firmly belongs to the third category — and it's one of the most enjoyable evenings you'll have on the island, for reasons that are difficult to predict in advance.
What Is Roman's Den?
Roman's Den is a basement restaurant at 58 Triq il-Kbira in Rabat, the town that sits directly next to Mdina. It's been serving grilled meats, British and European classics, and good wines for years, and it has quietly developed a cult following among long-term Malta residents and repeat visitors who've been told by someone in the know.
The owner, Daniel, originally considered calling it "The Lion's Den." He went with Roman's Den instead. He will almost certainly tell you this story himself.
The Food (14/20)
The menu is a reassuring roll call of classics — no experimental foam, no deconstructed anything. This is a restaurant for people who know what they like and want it cooked properly.
Starters:
- Smoked salmon (€12) — straightforward and well-done
- Avocado and prawn salad (€11) — a classic, competently executed
- Chef's pâté (€11) — heartily recommended; a proper pâté in a world of spreads
Pasta dishes are on the menu and reliable, but pasta isn't why you come here.
The grills — the main event:
- Sirloin, T-bone, Rib Eye — €27 — solid cuts, cooked to order
- Fillet — market price
- Lamb chops — €26 | Pork chops — €20
- Various sauces available
Important note on steaks: Be specific when ordering your preferred doneness. The Maltese interpretation of "medium rare" can differ significantly from the British or American understanding. Describe what you want in terms of colour and warmth at the centre — don't assume shared definitions.
Chicken classics — cordon bleu at €23 and chasseur at €20 — are well-executed and popular with the restaurant's mostly traditional crowd.
Food score: 14/20 — honest, reliable cooking that delivers what it promises. Not innovative, not trying to be.
The Atmosphere (6/10)
Let's be honest: Roman's Den is a windowless basement. If you're claustrophobic or planning a glamorous date, look elsewhere.
But here's the thing — the basement has a warmth to it that you don't expect. Traditional décor, warm lighting, a crowd that's largely older visitors and long-term expats who've become regulars. The noise level is easy; you can have a proper conversation. And the entertainment value of the room comes almost entirely from Daniel.
Atmosphere score: 6/10 — the room itself is modest; the character more than compensates.
The Service (8/10)
If you've ever watched Fawlty Towers, you'll understand the reference. Not because things go wrong — they don't — but because Daniel operates as a one-man show of warmth, opinion, and digression. He will come to your table. He will ask what you want. He will then tell you what he thinks you should have instead. He may sit down. He will almost certainly tell you something you didn't know about the wine list.
On our visit, there was a bargain bottle he'd recommended to another table. When we asked for it, he informed us, with complete cheerfulness, that of course they didn't have any left — and then steered us toward a different wine from a different country, explaining precisely why it was the only bottle currently in the cellar that a person of discernment would want. He was right.
"I was surprised there wasn't an entertainment charge on the bill" — is our actual tasting note from the evening.
Service score: 8/10 — one of the most enjoyable hosts in Maltese hospitality.
The Wine List
Compact, occasionally surprising, and genuinely good value. Daniel has opinions about what you should drink and is usually correct. Ask him what's good rather than studying the list independently — you'll get better results and a better story.
Practical Notes
Later opening hours than most Maltese restaurants — particularly useful if you're attending a classical music concert at one of the Rabat or Mdina churches, which regularly run late. Roman's Den is well-positioned for a post-concert dinner.
Dress code: Casual. This is not a formal restaurant.
Booking: Recommended, especially on weekends. The basement has limited covers.
Is Roman's Den Worth Visiting?
Yes — with clear expectations.
Don't go expecting innovation or a Michelin-level kitchen. Go expecting honest, well-cooked grills and classics, fair prices, a good wine list, and an evening that will generate at least one anecdote worth repeating.
For visitors combining Mdina and Rabat in a day trip, Roman's Den is the obvious dinner choice — good value, full of character, and open later than most.
Our verdict: 28/40 — the food is solid, the experience is irreplaceable.
Practical Info
| Address | 58 Triq il-Kbira, Rabat RBT 1012 |
| Price band | €€ — good value |
| Best for | Grill lovers, character seekers, post-Mdina dinner |
| Opening hours | Later than most — ideal after evening events |
| Book ahead? | Yes |
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Food | 14/20 |
| Atmosphere | 6/10 |
| Service | 8/10 |
| Total | 28/40 |
Visiting Mdina and Rabat? Read our complete Mdina guide or browse all our Malta restaurant reviews.
