Honestly the restaurants on republic street are mostly tourist traps with mediocre food at inflated prices trust me on this one after eating my way through valletta multiple times the waiters literally stand outside trying to pull you in like carnival barkers

Head to strait street or old theatre street instead these narrow side streets are where rent is cheaper so locals can actually afford to eat there dolci peccati opens at 6am and locals literally line up when the lights flick on tiny hole in the wall but the pastries are incredible and coffee is proper strong maltese style not watered down tourist stuff

I pupi pizzeria on old theatre street has a 4.9 rating for a reason the lasagna is actually homemade not frozen blocks they microwave and the owner maria still makes the pasta by hand every morning you can watch her through the kitchen window

Avoid anywhere with english menus posted outside in plastic holders or waiters trying to pull you in if you see mostly tourists taking photos of their food just keep walking the best maltese food is hidden where cruise ship crowds dont venture and they dont need to mark up prices 300% for people who dont know better