I visited Bottegin Palazzo Xara during my time in Mdina on 26 March 2026. The restaurant is located near the historic center, and the setting is pleasant. The building has a traditional Maltese style, and the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. It is a nice place to take a break while exploring the area. I started with fried calamari. The portion size was good and the calamari were crispy on the outside. The taste was enjoyable, although it was fairly simple and not especially memorable. I also tried a chickpea salad. It was fresh and light, with good ingredients. The chickpeas were well prepared and the salad felt healthy and balanced. It worked well as a starter. For the main course I had rabbit stew, which is a traditional Maltese dish. The meat was tender and the sauce had a rich flavor. It was probably the best dish of the meal and felt very authentic. The service was polite and reasonably quick. Overall, the restaurant offers a fairly good dining experience with traditional flavors.
