Browns Kitchen has flourished after almost a decade under the delightful husband and wife patronage of Sandro and Diane. Driving down to the Valletta Waterfront, flanked by high fortifications, offers a surreal start. The strip of brightly fronted restaurants along the water’s edge, with frequent live animation, is a firm family favourite. The massive outdoor space in front of Browns’ double fronted vaults is attractively kitted out for all eventualities of Malta’s unpredictable weather. Both of Browns’ double height ceiling vaults- with exposed flagstone interior, make for impressive dining halls. Through the arched doorways, repurposed wine crate lampshades hang from thick ropes over chequered flooring and an imposing bar.
Staff are eager to showcase original items on the dynamic menu. Shared cheesy garlic knots served with rucola, honey and sesame seeds are pure pizza genius. The antipasto of fish offers an abundance of Mediterranean delights, from fresh sea bass fillets to calamari two ways (pan-sauteed or deep fried), steamed succulent mussels and clams, whitebait fritters, lobster ravioli and flavourful local prawns. The vegan selection is refreshingly varied. Browns’ helpful servers will be only too happy to recommend wine pairing suggestions. Round off the meal with a traditional imqaret—thick date filling encrusted in flaky pastry—to end the meal on a high note.
