Moving to Malta
Malta Supermarkets Guide: Where to Shop and What to Expect 2026
Malta has a mix of international discount supermarkets and local chains. This guide tells you what each is good for, where to find halal and international products, and where local markets are held.
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Supermarket overview
| Supermarket | Best for | Price level |
|---|---|---|
| Lidl Malta | Budget staples — pasta, rice, dairy, eggs, frozen veg, seasonal specials | Low |
| PAMA / PAVI | General weekly shop — widest branch network across Malta | Mid |
| Welbee’s | International products, better range of specialty items, good deli counter | Mid–High |
| Greens Supermarket | Tourist belt areas (Sliema, St Julians) — convenient location, slightly premium | Mid–High |
| Arkadia (Valletta) | Valletta-area residents — premium supermarket in the capital | High |
| Local convenience stores | Late-night essentials — avoid for weekly shop (prices significantly higher) | Very High |
Halal food in Malta
Malta has a resident Arab and South Asian community, which has created a small network of dedicated halal grocery stores and butchers. Main areas:
- Gzira and Msida: Several halal butchers and Arabic grocery stores along the main roads.
- Hamrun: One of the more established halal grocery areas — multiple shops with Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian products.
- Paola: Halal butchers and grocery stores serving the Southern Malta community.
- St Julians: A few halal options near the iGaming/expat cluster.
For a dedicated guide to Arabic-speaking community resources and halal food, see the halal food in Malta guide.
International and specialty products
Welbee’s is the best option for international products — British, Italian, French, and Middle Eastern items are available. PAMA and PAVI also carry an international section, though smaller.
For specific products from home countries:
- Asian groceries (Chinese, Filipino, South Asian): Paola area has dedicated Asian grocery stores.
- African products: Limited availability — some items at Hamrun stores.
- UK products: Welbee’s carries a reasonable UK food section (Marmite, Heinz, etc.).
- German products: Lidl’s own brands come from the same production network as German Lidl products — close but not identical.
Local markets
Malta’s outdoor markets are worth visiting for fresh produce and fish, which are notably cheaper than supermarket prices:
- Marsaxlokk Sunday Market: The most well-known. Huge fresh fish section (Malta’s main fishing village), large produce section, crafts. Runs Sunday mornings from around 7am to midday. Gets busy — go early for fresh fish.
- Valletta Market (Is-Suq tal-Belt): A restored 19th-century covered market. Now partly a food hall and partly a fresh market. Good for local produce, cheese, and prepared food.
- Local village markets: Many Maltese villages have a small weekly market (often Wednesday or Friday morning) with produce vendors.
For detailed grocery price information, see the Malta grocery prices guide.
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