Ion Harbour Malta: European, contemporary fine dining in Valletta
European, contemporary fine dining · Valletta, Malta
Our Review of Ion Harbour, Valletta
Food at Ion Harbour: 19/20
ION Harbour is Malta’s only two Michelin star restaurant and sits high atop the highly rated Iniala Harbour House hotel. You may need oxygen, not just for the heights but also for the prices. The tasting menu is €195 plus 10% service, so €214.50 each. Nonetheless, the cooking is quite outstanding, and given that the menu is 12 courses long expect a lengthy sitting. As ever with Rogan, there is a strong emphasis on the farm to fork concept and local produce. Sample menu : Amberjack cured in juniper, with beetroots from Joseph’s farm and quince jelly: Truffle pudding glazed in carob molasses, stout from The Brew and aged Maltese Pecorino; Raw aged Limousine beef from Rabat, wild caper jam, oyster and daikon; Red eye potatoes cooked in chicken fats with horseradish, roasted chicken skin, yeast flakes and wild garlic; Raw south coast rossi prawn and sea jelly, whey and smoked pike perch roe; Celeriac baked in salts from Gozo, nasturtiums, sugar kelp and Siberian caviar; Dry aged red bream cooked over embers, roasted shrimp sauce spiked with tarragon vinegar (Supplement of caviar blend - €35); Guinea fowl stuffed with shiitake from Mġarr, fermented garlic cloves, snowball cauliflower and a sauce made from the roasted bones; Frozen Benedettin cheese with sugar plums, toasted sourdough and Maltija olives; Cocoa nib tartlet with Bambinella pear, caramelized miso cream and frozen juices; Sunflower chocolate; Jerusalem artichoke cornet with coffee molasses; Baked chestnut and bay leaves.
Atmosphere at Ion Harbour: 9/10
Wow what a view. What padded luxury. Simon Rogan’s London restaurant is hidden away in a not very salubrious alleyway, and patrons sit round a single table. The sister restaurant in Malta couldn’t be more different. You get your own table outside with truly spectacular views across Valletta’s Grand Harbour to the Three Cities. This food requires hushed worship. Given the prices the crowd is overwhelmingly well healed tourists, many of them often American. Booking is compulsory.
Service at Ion Harbour: 8/10
Service is highly professional as you would expect at a Two Star. The wine list is also exceptionally well stocked, and thankfully has all vintages listed (not always true in Maltese restaurants). Expect few bargains - I would suggest the 2023 Domaine Hamelin - 1er Cru Vau Ligneau Chablis 1er Cru at €90. Les Folatières Puligny-Montrachet goes for €315. If you’ve come into an inheritance than perhaps 2019 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Abbaye de Morgeot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru at €800. The red burgundies go from 2022 Jean-Paul Brun - Terres Dorées at “only” €75, through the 2021 Comte Armand Volnay at €180 or a 2018 Domaine Faiveley - Vougeot Grand Cru at €420, up to the Romanée-Contis - 2019 Richebourg Vosne-Romanée Grand Cru at €4000, or even a 2015 La Tâche Vosne-Romanée Grand Cru at €6800. Lots of good Bordeaux in the €1000 - €2000 a bottle bracket.
Cuisine
European, contemporary fine dining
Price Level
€€€€€
Ratings
Ion Harbour — Frequently Asked Questions
What type of food does Ion Harbour serve?
Ion Harbour is a European, contemporary fine dining restaurant in Valletta, Malta.
How expensive is Ion Harbour?
Ion Harbour is rated €€€€€ for price (on a scale of € to €€€€€).
Where is Ion Harbour in Malta?
Ion Harbour is located in Valletta, Malta at 11 St Barbara Bastion, Valletta VLT 1961, Malta.
Is Ion Harbour worth visiting?
Ion Harbour scored 36/40 in our independent Malta Guide review, covering food quality (19/20), atmosphere (9/10) and service (8/10).
Can I book a table at Ion Harbour online?
Yes, Ion Harbour accepts online reservations via their official website.