Il-Kcina Ghawdxija

In the Gozitan village of Xlendi, with a gorgeous view of the sea right from its doorstep, sits a restaurant that will make you feel like you’re visiting your grandmother’s kitchen for a meal cooked with love and devotion. Il-Kcina Ghawdxija has been around since 2016; it was created on the wealth of experience in the industry garnered by its owner, Charlie Bonnici. His aim was to create something different, a restaurant that will take you back to your roots whilst enjoying the fresh air, and this is something he’s definitely managed to accomplish.

As soon as you open the menu, you will understand the importance of the restaurant’s name. With year-round staples such as the Balbuljata ta’ Wiġi and the Torta tal-Fenek, you will be transported to a simpler time, when food was made with care and locally sourced ingredients. The menu includes a vast variety of dishes, from soups and salads to pasta and meat. Keep your eyes out for the specials menu, however – Charlie enjoys changing this up depending on seasonal ingredients. In September and October, for example, you’ll be sure to spot an abundance of lampuki dishes, such as a hearty lampuki pie. Top off your meal with some imqaret served with a scoop of ice-cream, and you’ll be walking out of Il-Kcina Ghawdxija with a full stomach and a broad smile.