Il-Kartell | At the water’s edge

Ever since its opening in 1994, Il-Kartell has been as popular with Maltese diners as it has with Gozitans, and tourists get to sample a truly Gozitan meal enjoying delicacies made on Malta’s sister island.

Il-Kartell’s prime location, in the bustling Marsalforn Bay, allows patrons to dine at the waters edge, enjoying the warm summer evenings as well as the delicious food.

The focus of the restaurant is on everything local. Vegetables come fresh, every day, from Il-Kartell’s sister company Ta’ Mena Agriculture just two kilometres from the restaurant.

It is not only the vegetables that come from Ta’ Mena – delicacies such as a sun dried tomato paste are also made specially for the restaurant. Olive oils are also produced at Ta’ Mena and the sea salt comes straight out of Gozo’s salt pans.

The wine list also includes some of Gozo’s hidden gems. Ta’ Mena has started to produce its own wines and has come up with a wine list that shows promise, drawing from their vineyards across Gozo in Marsalforn Valley, Ramla Valley and San Raflu Valley.

Local gbejniet are particularly special in Gozo and Il-Kartell makes the most of these fantastic cheeselets. Whether they are served on their own, with a side salad and dressed in basil and olive oil, or used in other recipes, like their home-made ravioli stuffed with gbejniet and Parmeggiano, served with tomato sauce, the Gozitan titbits are sure to go down a treat.

Every seaside restaurant should have a good selection of fresh fish, and Il-Kartell does not disappoint. The selection of fresh fish varies from day to day according to the fishermen’s catch, and is cooked in the most simple ways to ensure the delicate flavours of the fish are not lost.

A Maltese style fish soup (alijotta) served with plenty of crunchy garlic bread is a perfect mix of local fish cooked to traditional recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation.

If fish is not your thing, then Il-Kartell still has options. A grilled fillet of beef is served with a peppercorn or mushroom sauce, or try the traditional rabbit braised in red wine, served with potatoes and peas. 

For those who have not yet had the pleasure of dining at Il-Kartell, make an evening of a wonderful trip to Gozo for dinner. Those who are regulars need no advice.

Il-Kartell is open everyday for lunch between 1200 and 1430 and for dinner from 1830 till 2300

Marina Street, Marsalforn, Gozo

For more information contact 21556918 or [email protected]