Malta's sushi scene is better than visitors expect and has improved substantially over the past five years. St Julian's has the highest concentration of Japanese and Asian-fusion restaurants on the island, driven partly by the iGaming sector's large Asian expat workforce and partly by the general demand for quality Asian food in Malta's most international neighbourhood. Here are the standout options.
Quick picks: Best overall quality → Zest Flavours (Michelin Plate, Spinola Bay). Best hidden gem / authentic Japanese → Club Sushi (Paceville, Ball Street). Most atmospheric → Sushima (Spinola Bay terrace). Premium Japanese-fusion → Aki Malta (Valletta, Michelin listed). Best all-you-can-eat → Okurama (Paceville).
The Best Sushi Spots in St Julian's and Malta
Zest Flavours — Michelin Plate award, Spinola Bay. The most consistently cited top-quality sushi and Asian restaurant in Malta. Menu covers Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine alongside classic Asian favourites — sushi rolls, bao buns, poke bowls, curries. The setting on Spinola Bay is excellent; book an outdoor table in summer. Prices are mid-to-premium but quality justifies it. Also offers delivery via Zest Street Food. Reservations recommended, especially weekends.
Club Sushi — On Ball Street in Paceville (easy to miss — look for the small sign). Run by Master Chef Hyun Chol Kim, this small eatery is consistently praised as an authentic Japanese-Korean experience. Top quality at prices that undercut the flashier venues. Won recognition on National Sushi Day. The Korean dishes are also worth exploring. The vibe is unpretentious and the food is the focus. A genuine local favourite.
Sushima — Spinola Bay terrace, cocktails and sushi combination. The location is spectacular — sea-facing with views across St Julian's bay. The sushi is fresh and well-executed; the cocktail list is serious. Good for a longer evening that moves from eating to drinking without leaving. Popular with the expat iGaming crowd and younger professionals.
Okurama — In Paceville, offers all-you-can-eat sushi alongside à la carte Japanese options. The AYCE format has a complex ordering system (multiple sheets, restrictions per item) that some find confusing but regulars navigate easily. Quality is consistent — better than most AYCE operations. Good value if you eat a lot of sushi. Popular with groups and date nights.
Aki Malta — Technically in Valletta (Old Theatre Street), but worth including for its Michelin listing and strong reputation for higher-end Japanese dining. Haute Japanese cuisine: refined sushi, robata-grilled dishes, izakaya-style small plates. The bar and private dining room add to the occasion. More expensive than St Julian's alternatives but a step up in formality and quality.
Tips for Sushi in Malta
Malta imports fish rather than catching sushi-grade fish locally at scale — this affects price and occasionally availability of premium cuts. The best restaurants manage their supply chain carefully; lower-end options sometimes compromise on freshness. The island's proximity to Sicily means some excellent Mediterranean fish (tuna, sea bass, squid) features prominently on better menus, often as a local-ingredient alternative to traditional Japanese cuts.
