Mdina and Rabat taste like real Malta. This 3.5-hour guided food walk pairs old-capital streets with Game of Thrones filming locations, then keeps you moving from snack to proper sit-down food. I like that it’s led by a fully licensed guide, so the history doesn’t feel like a lecture, just context while you eat and walk.

What I especially love is how the tour bounces between Mdina’s calm, ancient look and Rabat’s more everyday energy, so you get both the postcard and the lived-in side of Malta.

My other big win is the food plan. You’ll try a serious lineup: pastizzi, Kinnie, homemade-style ħobż biż-żejt, plus rabbit and bragioli, ending with sweet imqaret. You also get Maltese beer and wine, and you’re not just sampling bites from tourist menus.

One possible drawback: there’s a lot of food and drink in a short time. Come hungry, and if alcohol is an issue for you, plan to go slow or ask how they handle alternatives.

Key moments to plan around

• Old capital + filming locations in one route through Mdina and Rabat
• A real Maltese tasting flow, not just a few token samples
• Traditional dishes you actually want to order again like rabbit and bragioli
• Snack to dinner pacing over about 3.5 hours
• Small-group feel, with time for questions and conversation
• Diet needs are handled as best as possible when you flag them

Walking Mdina and Rabat with food as the map

Mdina and Rabat sit close together, but they feel different. Mdina is the quieter, more cinematic one: stone streets, historic walls, and that sense of stepping into an older Malta. Rabat feels more like daily life, with neighborhoods where food is part of the routine, not the performance.

This tour makes that difference useful. Instead of only explaining history, your guide ties it to what people ate and where they went. You’ll also walk past Game of Thrones filming locations in these towns, which helps if you’ve watched the show and want the places to click into place fast.

I like that you’re not stuck doing one long museum-style stop. The route keeps breaking up the walk with tastings and short guided moments, so you stay engaged without rushing.

Where you start: Is-Serkin (Crystal Palace Bar)

You meet at Is-Serkin – Crystal Palace Bar and your tour returns there at the end. It’s a straightforward meeting point, and you’ll know exactly where to regroup once the tour finishes.

Practically, it helps to arrive a few minutes early, especially since the first tastings happen soon after you start. If you’re coming from Valletta or elsewhere, build in a little buffer for getting yourself oriented in Malta’s narrow streets.

Rabat first stop: local snacks and an easy warm-up

The tour kicks off with a Rabat segment that includes guided context plus local snacks for about 20 minutes. This is a smart start. You get your bearings while you’re still fresh, and it also tells you the tour’s style: eat first, learn as you go.

You’ll be tasting Maltese street-style foods and local drink early on. That matters because once Mdina’s quieter streets settle in, your taste memories from Rabat make the whole day feel linked.

A quick practical note: if you’re sensitive to dairy, gluten, or anything else, this is the time to flag it. The experience notes that dietary restrictions can be accommodated as best as possible, but it’s always easier for the guide to plan early.

Mdina guided hour: history you can see, not just hear

Then you move into Mdina for about an hour of guided exploration. This is where the tour earns its “old capital” title. Mdina isn’t just pretty; it helps you understand why Malta’s identity is so rooted in place.

The guide focuses on the stories tied to the town itself, and you’ll also get your bearings on how Mdina and Rabat relate—same region, different character. I like this portion because it doesn’t feel like you’re being rushed through viewpoints. You get enough time to walk, look around, and absorb what you’re seeing.

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, this is also where the filming locations start to feel real. Even if you’re not chasing the show, Mdina’s feel lands quickly once you’re standing in the right streets.

Rabat food tasting and coffee: a palate reset

Back in Rabat, there’s a tasting segment that includes coffee tasting for about 20 minutes. This acts like a palate reset before the heavier meal portions.

Coffee in Malta often comes with a social rhythm—quick, friendly, and meant to be enjoyed with conversation. Here it works as a break from walking while still keeping the tour moving. If you drink coffee, this is one of those moments where you’ll appreciate the pacing.

If you don’t drink coffee, you might still find it useful to ask what’s available in your case. The food and drink are part of the package, so it helps to communicate needs early rather than waiting.

The beer-and-tapas window: tasting Malta’s grown-up side

Another Rabat stop brings you into a longer tasting stretch (about 30 minutes) that includes Maltese beer plus snacks, food tasting, and tapas.

This is where the tour leans into variety. You’ll try two different local craft beers, and the tasting flow is built so you don’t feel like you’re just drinking to drink. You’re learning by contrast: one beer, one dish, then the next.

You’ll also be tasting more of the classic “hang out and eat” foods that Malta is known for. It’s not flashy. It’s practical food, served in the way locals actually consume it.

If you’re not a beer person, don’t assume this portion will be wasted. The tour also includes food tasting around the beer, so you’re still getting the cultural side through what’s paired and served.

Dinner finale with wine and sweets: rabbit, bragioli, and imqaret

The last and longest segment is the dinner portion, around 45 minutes. This is where the tour earns its “proper food” reputation: you’re not just grazing, you’re landing a meal.

Here’s the lineup you’ll typically taste through the end of the experience:

• Rabbit, a Maltese classic
• Bragioli, a traditional Maltese dish
• Local wine for a wine tasting
• Imqaret, Maltese sweet pastry (an ender you’ll remember)

The order matters. You start with savory dishes and then finish sweet, which is the natural rhythm for a meal that includes wine. I also like that the tour ends this way because Mdina and Rabat can feel timeless and slightly serious, and imqaret gives you a warm, satisfying goodbye.

One more thoughtful point from the experience: the tour includes ħobż biż-żejt—you even do your own version—along with Mediterranean foods. That tactile, hands-on element helps the meal feel less like a scripted tasting and more like something you participate in.

If you’re worried about timing or fullness, just know the tour is designed so you don’t hit a wall with one giant meal. The tastings spread out across the route, even if the final dinner is substantial.

What’s included (and why it’s good value)

At $80 per person for about 3.5 hours, this tour isn’t priced like a quick snack stop. It’s built like a guided meal experience, with multiple food and drink tastings included.

Included items listed for the tour include:

• Pastizzi
• Kinnie soft drink
• Ħobż biż-żejt with Mediterranean foods
• Rabbit
• Bragioli
• Mqaret
• Maltese beer (including two craft beers)
• Local wine

So the value isn’t just “you pay once and eat a lot.” It’s that you’re guided to the right cultural places and given a sequence that makes sense: street snacks, then sit-down style food, then the sweet finish.

On a vacation, I look at value in a simple way: will I pay for this if I were planning it myself? For something like Mdina and Rabat, it can be hard to find the best order of dishes and the right places without lots of trial and error. This tour compresses that into a guided route with tastings already handled.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong fit if you want:

• Mdina and Rabat together in one package
• A food tour that covers classic Maltese dishes rather than generic bites
• Game of Thrones filming locations without a separate detour
• A guide who explains what you’re eating and why it matters

It’s also a good choice if you like talking with the guide. One review notes the group tends to be relatively small, which usually means you get more chances to ask questions and actually connect the history to daily life.

A few smart tips before you go

1. Come hungry. Even with the walk breaks, the tasting list is substantial.
2. If you have restrictions, tell the guide early. The tour aims to accommodate dietary needs as best as possible.
3. Pace the alcohol. Wine and beer are included, so plan to enjoy them without turning the end of the tour into a blur.
4. Wear comfortable walking shoes. You’ll be moving through old streets, and the tour relies on walking between stops.

Should you book the Mdina and Rabat food tour?

Yes, if you want Malta in the most practical way possible: history in the right streets, plus a lineup of dishes that go beyond souvenirs. The best reason to book is the combination of Mdina/Rabat context and a structured tasting route that includes real classics like rabbit, bragioli, and imqaret.

Skip it only if you’re not interested in trying a wide range of Maltese foods, or if alcohol-inclusive tastings would be a major problem for you. The experience includes wine and beer, and while you can pace yourself, the tour is designed around those tastes.

If you like guides who bring Malta’s stories alive while you eat, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Mdina and Rabat food tour?

The tour lasts about 3.5 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $80 per person.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Is-Serkin – Crystal Palace Bar, on the benches just across the road from the bar.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes pastizzi, Kinnie soft drink, ħobż biż-żejt with Mediterranean foods, rabbit, bragioli, mqaret, Maltese beer, and local wine. It also includes coffee tasting and includes food during the dinner portion.

Does the tour include Game of Thrones filming locations?

Yes. The tour includes walking along Game of Thrones filming locations in Mdina and Rabat.

Is the guide available in English, and how does cancellation work?

The tour is guided in English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve and pay later.