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Al Sale Restaurant
Review
About
Travelers' Choice
2024
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN Guide
Our Story unfolds with Christopher Pace, born in Toronto but nurtured on Gozo, a quaint island within Victoria's heart. With a culinary journey spanning local and international landscapes, he dared to inaugurate Al Sale Restaurant amid the tempest of the Covid-19 pandemic on November 19, 2020. Fidelity to his creed, "Excellent Food, Excellent Service," bore fruits of a devoted clientele. In just three years, Al Sale garnished numerous accolades, crowned by a coveted spot in the Michelin Guide Malta 2024. Rooted in Gozo's bounty, our cuisine celebrates local produce, embracing both meat and fish aficionados. We, the Al Sale family, pledge an unforgettable dining odyssey, crafting each dish with care and devotion. Remember, culinary excellence savors time.
MICHELIN Guide: Good cooking
In the middle of Xaghra lies this outwardly inconspicuous restaurant that extends over two floors and boasts a small terrace out front. The Chef-Owner hails from Toronto and forged his independent business here in the middle of the pandemic, showing just how much heart and soul is behind his cooking! If you love simple cuisine based on fresh produce – especially when it comes to meat and seafood – try the prawn & scallop-filled ravioli with prawn bisque, or the delicious veal rack with salsa verde. Everything is uncomplicated, ingredient-led and freshly prepared. An international wine list and the friendly, attentive yet unstuffy service round off the overall experience.
Read more on MICHELIN Guide
Features
CUISINES
Seafood, Mediterranean, Healthy
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
FEATURES
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Menu
Does this restaurant serve alcohol?
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 11:00 AM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Thursday
Closed
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Contribute
4.8
277 reviews
Excellent
242
Very good
19
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
3
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daveyandmin
Horsham2 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
We revisited Al Sale after a fantastic experience there this time last year. We were not disappointed. Even though there was a nationwide power cut, the staff went out of their way to accommodate us. We sat on the terrace which is cosy and beautifully decorated, and started off with a few drinks in the hopes the power would come back, but, when it was clear it wasn’t going to any time soon, the staff talked us through what they could cook for us on their charcoal grill. We had bass, octopus and squid which were all cooked to perfection - the octopus needing special mention as it was, quite frankly, superb. Our very friendly and helpful waiter said I might find it a bit less soft than I may be used to, and that this was the way local octopus is served, but it was like putting a knife through butter! It was delectable! The bass and the squid were also totally perfect, and the prices remain extremely reasonable for the quality of the food, service and ambience. The service remains the perfect balance between friendly and professional, and the staff were very happy to chat. We went home having had another superlative evening. Cannot recommend this place highly enough. Will definitely be back next year, and thank you all for a lovely lovely evening
Written July 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maruzza82
Milan54 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
We booked at this restaurant which looks really good. It has an outdoor space and a beautiful terrace overlooking the town square. The food was good (a tartare, a fried calamari and a mixed seafood for two) but the service was really slow. After an hour they hadn't even brought us the appetizers but only the entree they offered (a bunch of dried tomatoes and a piece of local cheese). Kind but a dinner cannot last almost three hours.
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JaneB016
8 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
We decided to book Al Sale for dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary and what a good choice that was!
We have eaten here a number of times and usually order from their excellent a la carte menu, or from the specials, but on this occasion we both went for the fish tasting menu and optional wine pairing. I must admit we were not sure what to expect, since it is such a reasonable price, 45 euros for the tasting menu and 35euros for the wine flight, but I can safely say both were fantastic value and amazing quality!
Salmon ceviche, soft shell crab, prawn bisque, scallops.. and lots more. Everything beautifully plated, absolutely delicious and perfectly paired. We started with a lovely glass of Prosecco, ended with a fabulous dessert wine and had a generous journey of whites, both local and imported in between. We had exceptional service throughout, attentive and friendly but discreet and the finale of cannoli’s with “fireworks” and embellished with a “Happy Anniversary” message rounded off a perfect evening.
Thank you to Chris and your team at Al Sale, you are going from strength to strength. Well Done!!
Written October 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vinoargiano
Mons390 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
I chose this restaurant because mentioned in a famous French Guide. Beautiful terrace and efficient welcome. We are well placed on a very nice upstairs terrace with a view of the square and the church. Complete map and suggested suggestions. Very complete wine list (including French, etc ) with a selection of wines recommended by the house growing up ... disappointed with the service ... as I enter the restaurant at 20:15 and place my order at 20:30 ... I make a choice of Maltese red wine ... for the main course. The waiter informs me that the chosen wine is not available and that 2 other similar wines were not available either ( 100% merlot ). I choose another suggested one ... they serve me my pasta dish while my wife’s fish is not served synch , .. still no wine, the waiter comes to inform me that my last choice was not available ... I fall back to an Italian wine ( 100% sangiovese ) more expensive, less suitable and available while my pasta cools slowly ... my wine arrives, is opened and does not have time to oxygenate ... as for pasta I had chosen TAGLIOLINI with burrata and pistachios , beautiful plate except that the pasta is tagliatelle ... the tagliolini are 3-5 mm wide and not 10-12 mm ... which changes the taste and chew ... especially for al dente pasta. After receiving all the excuses and arguments... but it must be remembered that a restaurateur is a professional... the boss offers me the bottle of red wine. Certainly it is kind of him but my evening remains ruined... and does not leave me a good memory...
Automatically translated
Written July 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter s
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • family
We ordered one of the evening specials, steak for 2 at 50.00 euro per head. At that price you would expect the meat to be tender. Unfortunately no it was tough.
We did complain and the staff were very nice about it and offered us a 20% discount but still at 80.00 euro I could buy better myself at any supermarket for far less. For me it was just a cheap cut of meat being sold for a massive mark-up.
Written April 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Restaurant Management
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're disappointed to hear about your experience but would like to clarify a few points.
The beef you selected, the Sashi Lion beef, undergoes a meticulous aging process, offering a premium dining experience. It's worth noting that our pricing for this quality of beef is substantially lower than comparable establishments. We've served this cut to numerous patrons without any complaints.
While we respect your opinion, we believe your review may inadvertently mislead others about the quality and value we strive to deliver.
Also you paid 60 for 2 not 80.
Written April 29, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anaël
Paris922 contributions
May 2024 • solo
At first glance, the restaurant appears to be a small, unpretentious place to eat, on the church square in a quiet little village in Gozo. We push open the doors and discover a quiet establishment, tastefully decorated and with a particularly charming atmosphere. The staff is also very keen to advise you on the choice of dishes.
After a long day of hiking and beach, I chose the pistachio and burrata tagliolini with crunchy little pieces of pancetta. The dish that arrived was enormous (I couldn't finish it) and absolutely divine, both visually and taste-wise. A big congratulations to the chef!
Count around €25 for a dish with a glass of wine/a soft drink.
Written May 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarpleTraveller
Marple1479 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
This restaurant is on the square in Xaghra and is well worth a visit. The food and the service are great and it offers a good selection of local wines. There is both inside and outside seating. We were offered a table in the corner inside which allowed us to get the full atmosphere of the restaurant. The prices reflect the style of food and the reputation of the restaurant and are appropriate given the quality of what was offered.
One to return to!
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiziana D
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
Very good food and attentive service by very considerate and friendly staff at reasonable prices, most especially considering the divine food. Sterling service. Keep it up. Sea Bass al sale and chocolate fondant were divine but have no photos.
Written August 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smooth Traveller
Island of Gozo67 contributions
Dec 2024 • friends
Food was very good, nicely presented and the service was also good. However the server informed us that the chef refused to change the brioche in the rabbit liver parfait with a gluten free brioche or gluten free bread. I can understand that chefs create their menus and wouldn’t want to change the flavours by changing ingredients or food items in the composition of a dish, however, no starter from the menu was gluten/lactose free. Note to chef, to include gluten and lactose free options in the starters list. Decor of the restaurant needs upgrading.
Written December 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Restaurant Management
Thank you for your kind words about our food and service – we’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed them!
However, we must clarify our position regarding your concern about the rabbit liver parfait. Unfortunately, we are unable to modify the dish to make it gluten and lactose-free as it contains traces of milk. We take dietary requirements very seriously, and if we are not 100% confident that a dish is safe, we prefer not to risk our customers’ health. That said, we do offer a range of gluten and lactose-free options, including our crudos, from the starters menu.
Regarding your feedback on the décor, we understand that tastes vary. We invest in our restaurant each year, and have recently worked with a talented professional designer to enhance the space.
We appreciate your input and wish you a Happy New Year!
Written December 31, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Babytan
Island of Malta51 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Staff made us feel at home upon arrival and was very responsive to all our needs. Menu is quite varied and topped up by a number of specials. Food was gorgeous well presented and you get great value for money, highly recommended and would definitely go again. Location is also great situated next to the Xaghra church
Written May 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica Z
6 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
It was our second visit at a special spot in Gozo at Al Sale Restaurant for my birthday celebrations . Definitely not the last! The pistachio and burrata pasta was perfectly cooked, to perfection, and full of flavour. We also pre-ordered lobster with pasta which was also perfectly cooked and good sized portions were provided. The staff is also very helpful, ready to provide their professional recommendations. Nice ambience offering such a great dining experience . Highly recommended!
Written October 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RaquelRBOL
Zaragoza10 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
We had great dinner. John recommended us the “raw” dish (carpacio, tartare, oysters, Norway lobsters, prawns,...) a hearty, fresh and delicious dish. Second, some ravioli stuffed with prawns and scallops. John, he explained everything and was very attentive. We recommend it
Automatically translated
Written October 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ren C
Leicestershire42 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
We were lucky enough to get a table without having booked. We sat inside and arrived just before the kitchen had opened so had a short wait, staff were very attentive and helpful. Really tasty bread, cheese and olives were bought to the table, we ordered the vegetable soup (which was aubergine-unusual but really tasty) and seafood soup which was enormous and full of different seafood. We then had two pasta dishes, which were both incredible. We were also pleasantly surprised by the cost, which was not cheap but for the quality of the food was very reasonable. We were also given complimentary limoncello when we finished. Lovely meal.
Written November 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva L
8 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
The food was delicious!
The portions of starters and main courses were large. There was also a greeting from the kitchen (cheese and tomato paste, produced locally on Gozo) with bread. Unfortunately, we were so full that there was no room for dessert.
The prices are reasonable but not expensive. We can recommend the restaurant without reservation.
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
demanagain
Xemxija84 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
This has to be the very best restaurant in this price range on the whole Island of Gozo! I’ve been countless times and have always had a very good meal there. In fact I would suggest that owners of other restaurants on the Island go there, eat and learn how to run a successful establishment.
The crudi starter was deliciously fresh and generous in size, my partner’s beef cheek was melt-in the-mouth tender, my al sale fish was fresh, full of flavour and perfectly deboned at the table and the accompaniments which consisted of delicious truffle mash and simply cooked vegetables were also very tasty.
Written January 27, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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