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Espiral
Review
About
Espiral is a Spanish fusion restaurant located in the heart of Mellieha, known for its unique blend of traditional Spanish flavors with a modern twist. The restaurant features a diverse menu of tapas, paellas, and seafood dishes that are sure to satisfy any palate. Another highlight of Espiral is its wine cellar, which boasts an impressive selection of wines from the region and around the world, carefully curated to pair perfectly with it's delicious food.
Features
CUISINES
Mediterranean, European, Spanish, Central European
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Private Dining
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Can a vegetarian person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed today
Sunday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Contribute
4.8
356 reviews
Excellent
312
Very good
23
Average
5
Poor
11
Terrible
5
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Joanne Suda
9 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
Yesterday, we dined at this Spanish restaurant for the first time as a group of seven adults. The ambience inside was really inviting and comfortable. Our server, Senson, was knowledgeable, friendly, and extremely accommodating—especially toward one of our friends who is lactose intolerant. Senson guided him carefully on which dishes were suitable, ensuring a great experience for everyone.
After being seated, Senson brought us water and menus, explaining the options in detail. We could choose a tasting menu or order à la carte with tapas to share, followed by main courses or paella. He gave us ample time to decide and, after taking our order, brought out complimentary bread with a delicious olive tapenade and butter. For our lactose-intolerant friend, Senson thoughtfully provided a different type of bread suitable for his dietary needs.
We decided on 8 tapas dishes to share, including manchego cheese and truffle croquetas, rabbit croquetas, pulpo a la gallega, and fritto misto. Each dish was packed with flavor and beautifully prepared. For the main course, we ordered two paella de montaña and one paella arroz negro to share—just as delicious as the tapas!
Throughout the evening, Senson checked in with us to make sure everything was to our liking. For dessert, we indulged in churros, some ice cream, and coffees, which were the perfect finish to a wonderful meal.
Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with delicious food, attentive service, and a lovely atmosphere in the heart of Mellieha. We’ll definitely be returning!
Written September 22, 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear Guest,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. I'm glad you and your group enjoyed dining at Espiral.
Senson will be pleased to hear your kind words. We pride ourselves on accommodating all dietary needs, so it's great to hear your lactose-intolerant friend had a good experience.
I’m happy that our tapas and paellas hit the mark for your group. The manchego cheese and truffle croquetas, and paella arroz negro are some of our favourites too.
Sounds like you had a great end to your meal with churros, ice cream, and coffee.
Looking forward to your next visit.
Best,
Albert Garcia Mozley
ESPRIAL Restaurant Manager
Written September 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MGP
4 contributions
Oct 2023 • friends
I have been there with some colleagues for a team dinner.
I have to say it has been one of the best experiences I had in Malta!
Starting with location, the atmosphere is welcoming since you step in from the door, with lights, colours and cushions used at their best to make you comfy and relaxed.
Staff is brilliant: we had the pleasure to be guided through our tasting by Dayana and Beltram, who were exceptionally professional and helpful.
And finally the food - it' simply amazing. The tasting menu is a very well built voyage through some of the iconic dishes of the spanish tradition, with a pince of fantasy that makes the every course great and appealing to taste.
Definitely an experience that deserve to be shared with family or friends!
Written October 14, 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear Matteogabrielep,
We're thrilled that your team dinner at our restaurant was one of your best experiences in Malta. From the welcoming atmosphere to our exceptional staff, Dayana and Balram, to the amazing food, we're delighted you had a fantastic time. We can't wait to welcome you back.
Best regards,
Damian Sallazo
Restaurant Manager
Written October 20, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JamesCollinsWorld
Southampton105 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
Wow, simply blown away by the service and the quality of the food.
Our waiter, Sourav, was on point with all he did. No pressure to order, eat and get gone like some other local places. We were relaxed straight away and he gave us some great tips on what to order and also where else to visit during our trip.
The food was absolutely delicious and very well presented (first bite is with your eyes). We had some Tapas as well as the Sea Bass to share and a lovely Cheesecake to finish it off.
Although it’s pricey for Malta, it’s certainly not over priced for what you get and when compared to UK prices it’s great value.
Written November 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're glad you enjoyed the food, location, and service. Sourav and our team take pride in knowing their wine and food, so it's lovely to hear you appreciated their efforts. We're pleased to be the highlight of your week, and your recommendation means a lot to us.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Best regards,
| ESPIRAL Restaurant Manager
Written November 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sylvana B
Island of Malta31 contributions
Sep 2024 • friends
The atmosphere here is exceptional and the service was great. However one of the waiters was misinformed, lacked expertise and was a bit rude. We were 8 and 5 of us decided to take the set menu. Some of the food was good but definitely not exeptional. As a starter to our set menu we were given just 1 croquette (4cm round ball) very small for a starter. My husband is a chef and together with my daughter they tried a variety of tapas. The bun for the sliders was dry. The bone marrow tartare lacked seasoning, the meat was brown in colour and there was no bone marrow taste in it. The truffle potato croquettes were not even a croquette but shredded potatoes and pressed into a dish, then cut into square pieces. The shrimp dish was very good however a bit expensive for the amount given, on the pictures it shows 5 shrimps but we were served only 4. The beef tagliata was quite small in portion for a 29€ dish, served with less than a handful of extra mini skinny fries, without any vegetables or salad. At the time of dessert we were told that the creme catalana included in the set menu was finished, if only we had been told at the beginning it would have been much better. The waiter informed us that they were serving us churros instead. We asked if we could have something else and instead of bringing the dessert menu, he mentioned a cheesecake and a pudding. He was not well informed about them, and when I asked what flavour was the cheesecake, he simply replied plain without mentioning the other ingredients. The least he could do was to bring the dessert menu to us. Instead he rushed us and told us hurry up as I need to tell the chef, giving us no time to see a menu and choose. We ended up having the pudding which wasn't bad but there was no foam on it as presented in the photos. After paying the bill, the spanish waiter offered us a drink on the house, which is very nice and kind of him, you rarely see this gesture nowadays. We really appreciated it. Baseline to the owners, before you recruit people, make sure you give them training on etiquette, food service standards and that they are well informed about the menu. Dining is not only about food but about the full experience, including service. While it is understandable to have such prices nowadays, the quality and portions must reflect this pricing. One last thing, make sure you keep your standards at all times not just the marketing business. Most of the plates did not compare to the pictures you advertise on your page.
Written September 16, 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear Sagipearl,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent visit to Espiral. We greatly value your feedback.
I’m sorry to hear that your experience didn't fully meet your expectations. We're thrilled to know you found our atmosphere exceptional and appreciated the service, though I understand there were concerns. We recognise dining is more than just food; it’s about the entire experience, and your comments on the inconsistencies with several dishes, portion sizes, and the knowledge of our staff are invaluable.
Your insights into the set menu's portion sizes and the presentation of certain dishes will certainly be discussed with our culinary team to ensure they align better with expectations. We will also closely review the point about the professional conduct and training of our staff to make sure they are well-informed and courteous, providing the best service possible.
I understand your frustration regarding the dessert situation, and this is something we will look into right away. It's critical to communicate menu changes clearly to ensure our guests have the best experience.
Rest assured, your feedback is taken seriously and will be reviewed with our management team. We constantly strive to maintain and improve our standards.
Thank you once again for your detailed review and for dining with us. We hope you might consider giving us another chance in the future.
Warm regards,
Albert Garcia Mozley | ESPIRAL Restaurant Manager
Written September 20, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Raffaella S
3 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
Last night in Malta. We decided to opt for a restaurant with a Spanish menu, after having dinner and lunch in several lidos and restaurants, enjoying fish and typical Maltese dishes. Knowing the Spanish cuisine we can only say..... disappointed... beautiful location... for the rest nothing to do with Spain... portions really scarce .... without love or flavor ..
Exaggerated prices ... but the surprise was the wine. ... we chose a white that then turned out to be unavailable ... so they propose another reporting a difference of 5 euros ... the bill was then very different ... the difference of the wine 15 euros....
Automatically translated
Written September 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.
Bally112
3 contributions
Dec 2024 • family
Awful, waited 1 hour for water! Food was dry n over priced! All on Xmas day n no customers …poor service, food disgusting n over priced would not recommended wit kids or even as a couple l…never again!
Written December 25, 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.
Alessandra Z
1 contribution
May 2024 • friends
We ended up paying €35 per person for a glass of wine and a very small portion of paella (barely a starter portion) and really nothing extraordinary taste wise. Although the menu says for 2 to share this certainly is not the case and strangely enough the waiter actually told us that if we only have the paella to share we will be hungry as portion is small... but costs €40 on average! Thank god for the slice of bread we were given at the start !
Written May 29, 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.
Calypso100
Birkirkara16 contributions
Sep 2023 • family
We had been looking forward to trying this Spanish restaurant in Mellieha and had been following the lovely publicity ads on its FB page before its official opening. However, sadly the food did not live up to its expectations for a number of reasons. Our first surprise came when we tried to order Sangria. This Spanish restaurant does not serve Sangria, but tries to sell you a cocktail that tries to imitate Sangria at a rather high price. Anyway we tried the Sangria cocktail which came with a huge lump of ice that filled three quarters of glass leaving little room for anything else. That was the first disappointment. Then some sliced cold bread was served with some olive oil. Why such lack of finesse? Why cold sliced bread? Can't some nice warmed crunchy bread rolls be served instead? Anyway, the bread was left untouched and we hoped the tapas we ordered would compensate. Sadly, the same thing happened. The potato and egg dish was served cold, the supposedly Wagu beef tapas were wrapped in pancetta and were not worth the money spent. They were small and also served lukewarm. The other fish based tapas were better, but they were not bursting with the lovely traditional flavour one expects from an authentic Spanish restaurant. The Crema Catalana we ordered for dessert was another disappointment. It had a strange unpleasant taste and the cream was not smooth but rather grainy. We could not even finish it and left it there. Overall the food also took a rather long time to be served, and I wonder whether this is lack of kitchen staff or waiting staff. On the positive side, the place and location is beautiful and the woman taking the orders was really lovely. Sadly this restaurant did not live up to its expectations and we will not be back any time soon. It could be so much better.
Written September 2, 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear Calypso100,
Thank you for sharing your recent dining experience at Espiral. We are truly sorry to hear that your visit did not meet your expectations.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the Sangria and the bread, and we will certainly take this into consideration as we continue to refine our offerings to better match our guests' preferences.
Your comments about the tapas and dessert are valuable, and we will work hard to ensure that these dishes meet the high standards of authentic Spanish cuisine that we aim to deliver.
We apologize for any delay in service, and we will assess our staffing to ensure a smoother and more efficient dining experience for our valued guests.
On a positive note, we are delighted to hear that you appreciated our beautiful location and found our service staff to be lovely.
We understand your disappointment, and we sincerely hope you might reconsider visiting us again in the future. Your feedback is essential in helping us enhance our offerings and provide a more enjoyable experience.
Thank you for your feedback.
Warm regards,
Damian Sallazo
Restaurant Manager
Espiral Restaurant
Written September 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ivor M
6 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
Whilst the ambiance was good, the whole experience was let down by the fact that 1. Items in the menu were not available 2. Too few staff resulting in a protracted drawn out experience 3. inexperienced staff for what is a €€€ menu restaurant.
Felt as though we were an inconvenience.
Would not recommend the restaurant.
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.
Julia B
8 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
We dined at Espiral to celebrate my birthday.
Booking was easy - made online the night before.
The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. The food and wine were delicious. We had 5 or 6 tapas dishes and none of them disappointed!
My husband happened to mention that we were celebrating my birthday. After the meal the waiter Senson delivered a lovely ice cream dessert with a sparkler, and his team of waiters all sang Happy Birthday! A lovely thoughtful way to make it a memorable evening. Thanks, Senson!
Written October 12, 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your delightful experience with us at Espiral. I'm so glad that we could be part of your birthday celebration. It's great to know that you found the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming and that the food hit the spot for you and your husband.
I’m thrilled that Senson and the team made your evening extra special with the ice cream dessert surprise and birthday song. It's always our aim to create memorable moments for our guests.
Wishing you many more happy memories, and we hope to see you again soon.
| ESPIRAL Restaurant Manager
Written October 16, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marika Azzopardi
Island of Malta12 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
I like the spanish concept at espiral, i dont know of many such restaurants in Malta but i believe this will be one of the good ones. We were welcomed by Senson who explained what specials they have and the detail of the items we chose to order, not something you come by often, so it was refreshing and we instantly felt we are being treated well. The bread with olive paste was a good appitizer. We were suggested to have some starters as the seefood paella takes 45mins, and we chose the pork cheeks crouquettes and tortilla de patate. All was delicious, definitely the best paella i had in Malta! I would recommend this place :)
Written August 26, 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.
Jules
91 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
Visited while staying at a nearby hotel. Location is lovely just outside of the square. Food was nice, shared a paella however we thought it lacked atmosphere. Maybe as the season is coming to a close ? also we had to ask staff for serving spoons and to give us fresh plates (having used them for bread so full of crumbs). service was not as we expected unfortunately.
Written September 11, 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear JimJamJulie,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed our lovely location and the paella.
I understand your concern about the atmosphere and the service you experienced. We aim to provide a warm and inviting setting regardless of the season. We're sorry to hear it didn't meet your expectations during your visit.
As for the serving spoons and fresh plates, we understand how important these details are to ensure a pleasant dining experience. We'll review your comments with our team and ensure any necessary improvements are made.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will be addressed by our management team to ensure we maintain our high standards.
Kind regards,
Albert Garcia Mozley
ESPIAL Restaurant Manager
Written September 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leanne Borg
Mellieha16 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
Tapas and Paella are top rated.
We had a few tapas, then opted for a main course. My partner had the paella de mariscos and I had the Pargo Rojo (Red Snapper). I was a bit disappointed by my main course (Red Snapper) since it came on a bed of beans, which was a bit too much. I knew it had beans, so that part was my fauly. The fish had a few fish bones in it. The sauce that came with the fish was more of a broth, which was a further disappointment.
The rest of the food however, was really good, and I had a glass of wine which was lovely.
My suggestion- do come- but perhaps focus on tapas and share a paella. These are worth it.
Our server Souraz was amazing. Very attentive and courteous.
Honestly, despite the main course, I would come again.
Written January 5, 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the tapas and paella; they are indeed some of our favourites too.
Apologies for the beans and broth with your Red Snapper not living up to expectations. We'll look into it for future visits. We’re pleased to know you liked the wine and found your server, Sourav, attentive and courteous.
We appreciate your suggestion and hope you'll join us again for more of those tapas and a shared paella.
Best wishes,
ESPIRAL Restaurant Manager
Written January 6, 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ed K
Manchester29 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
The restaurant is in a beautiful setting next to the church with outdoor seating. It was a toss up between the set meal and the tapas. In hindsight we should have gone for the set meal. The tapas was fantastic but in terms of value a 5 course set menu that included tapas would have given us the opportunity to try a bit more. The wine list was expansive with wines reaching €800+! However if you dig around there are some great €30-€40 bottles from Spain and Italy.
Written September 12, 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.
Espiral Manager
Dear Guest,
Thanks for sharing your experience of dining with us at Espiral. You’ve captured our setting perfectly; nothing beats the view next to the church with some fresh air, right?
I'm glad to hear the tapas hit the spot. Our set menu does indeed offer a wider sampling, so it’s a brilliant choice for your next visit.
Our wine list is something we're quite proud of. While you did spot some of our high-end bottles, I’m pleased you found those hidden gems in the €30-€40 range. We do love offering a varied selection for everyone.
Hope to see you again soon.
Best,
Albert Garcia Mozley | ESPIRAL Restaurant Manager
Written September 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fef223
Malta23 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
Ambience is very creatively designed and it immediately gives a good vibe. Everything was just right. From our server Flevi who was always helpful and friendly, food was delicious and gives you a spanish experience … will surely be back 👏🥰
Written April 6, 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.
Espiral Manager
Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted you enjoyed the food and unique cocktails. Fievin is a gem on our team, and we're thrilled to hear he provided delightful and attentive service. We hope to see you again very soon. Espiral Team
Written July 22, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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