Il Horza Malta: French/Maltese in Valletta
French/Maltese · Valletta, Malta
Our Review of Il Horza, Valletta
Food at Il Horza: 14/20
Hoorah, another new restaurant! Or rather an old restaurant that has been taken over by a good pair of new hands. Yes this one is quite a find. James loves his food and takes his cooking seriously, so we welcome this new incarnation with three cheers. The menu is quite simple, majoring on the "classics". The starters include some daily specials such as a trio of scallops which won praise, along with regular classics such as a dark prawn bisque at just €12, and his signature dish, prawn bruschetta (seared large prawns with a Pernod/Thermidor sauce, persillade and gruyère) at €16. For main courses there is a traditional braised rabbit (of course, this is Valletta), and he claims it is his grandmother's secret recipe. It's priced at €28. Lasagne at just €20 is well executed and certainly enough to have as a main course, a classic Steak Diane at €32, and of there is fresh fish each day at market price (€26 the night we dined).
Atmosphere at Il Horza: 8/10
Tucked away on the side of Valletta in one of the older houses, it could be said to be small but perfectly formed. Even "quirky but romantic." There are two levels – a ground floor and a basement, which I wouldn't normally choose, but in this case it is very cute with a window into one of the ancient cisterns built by the knights. With just a few tables on each level this is definitely the place for a romantic dinner, but obviously you should book ahead.
Service at Il Horza: 8/10
James is very much present, not just in the kitchen but also front of house. The service is very friendly and efficient. You won't have to wait long for anything here. The wine list is perfectly chosen and very well priced. We started with a standard pecorino at €26 and then quaffed an excellent 2021 Pomerol for just €35.
Cuisine
French/Maltese
Price Level
€€
Ratings
Il Horza — Frequently Asked Questions
What type of food does Il Horza serve?
Il Horza is a French/Maltese restaurant in Valletta, Malta.
How expensive is Il Horza?
Il Horza is rated €€ for price (on a scale of € to €€€€€).
Where is Il Horza in Malta?
Il Horza is located in Valletta, Malta at 6 St. Christopher's Street, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1468.
Is Il Horza worth visiting?
Il Horza scored 30/40 in our independent Malta Guide review, covering food quality (14/20), atmosphere (8/10) and service (8/10).
Can I book a table at Il Horza online?
Yes, Il Horza accepts online reservations via their official website.