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.
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 |
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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.
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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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