Rabat and Mdina Food Tour

REVIEW · MALTA

Rabat and Mdina Food Tour

  • 5.05 reviews
  • From $112
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Operated by Best Tours Malta · Bookable on Viator

A short walk, then a full Malta meal. This Rabat and Mdina Food Tour turns two historic towns into an easy, flavorful evening plan, with Game of Thrones filming locations mixed into real local streets. I especially like that you get a structured walk plus food that feels like dinner, not tiny samples, and you also get drinks that are actually part of the experience.

One thing to keep in mind: it is a walking tour with a moderate pace, and you’ll be on your feet in narrow lanes and older streets. If weather is poor, the tour can be rescheduled or refunded, so it helps to plan for that.

Even the guide quality matters here. Reviews specifically call out local-led guides like Chris and Carl, and that matches what you want in Malta: someone who can point to daily life, not just monuments.

Key highlights at a glance

Rabat and Mdina Food Tour - Key highlights at a glance

  • Full meal style food stops, including rabbit and bragioli at the end
  • Game of Thrones Season 1 filming locations woven into the walk through both towns
  • Big Malta classics you can name, like pastizzi, ħobż biz-żejt, and Kinnie
  • Two craft beers plus red wine, with alcohol included in the price
  • Small group size (max 10) for a more personal pacing

The sweet spot: timing, group size, and meeting point

Rabat and Mdina Food Tour - The sweet spot: timing, group size, and meeting point
This tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes, starting at 4:30 pm and ending back at the same meeting place. That timing is smart for Malta. Late afternoon gives you calmer streets in Mdina, then you roll into Rabat when dinner energy is starting to pick up.

The group stays small, with a maximum of 10 travelers. That matters because you’re stopping often for food and drink, plus the guide is giving context as you walk. Small group also makes the pacing feel less rushed.

Your meeting point is Is-Serkin – Crystal Palace Bar, Triq San Pawl, Ir-Rabat, Malta. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in, get oriented, and start on time.

You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Malta

Mdina Old City: narrow lanes, old stones, and Season 1 GOT stops

Rabat and Mdina Food Tour - Mdina Old City: narrow lanes, old stones, and Season 1 GOT stops
You begin in Mdina, the walled hill town where the streets feel like they were built for slow walking. Expect narrow, winding lanes and a steady flow of history-into-life moments as you go. You’ll also pass a number of Game of Thrones locations from Season 1, so the show references land naturally while you’re actually in the spaces.

This first leg is about 1 hour focused on Mdina’s atmosphere. The tour approach here is not museum-style. It’s more about orientation: learning how this town works, where to look, and what you’re seeing instead of just being told what it is.

Practical consideration: Mdina’s streets can be tight and uneven. If you’re sensitive to steps or uneven pavement, it’s a good idea to wear solid, grippy shoes. Even if the route is only about an hour, the terrain in Mdina can feel slower than you expect.

Rabat on foot: the everyday side of Malta plus big GOT moments

Rabat and Mdina Food Tour - Rabat on foot: the everyday side of Malta plus big GOT moments
Next is Rabat, the town that feeds Mdina culturally and historically. You’ll still cover the usual top sights, including places like St Paul’s Collegiate Church and areas connected with the Grotto and the Catacombs. The difference is that you don’t stop there. You also get time in less touristy corners, including local food-and-life areas where you can see the daily rhythm of Rabat.

This Rabat segment is where the tour leans hard into food. You’ll walk through spots tied to wood-burning ovens, grocery stores, butchers, and traditional cafes. That mix is valuable because it shows you how Maltese cooking is shaped by local supply and habits, not just by restaurant menus.

You also get more Game of Thrones filming locations here. The pacing helps: you see the series references, then you immediately taste Maltese classics. So the show connection doesn’t feel like a detour from the real experience.

As with Mdina, wear shoes you can trust. Rabat streets and sidewalks can vary, and you’ll be moving throughout the 2-hour stop.

What you eat and drink: real Maltese classics, not tiny bites

Rabat and Mdina Food Tour - What you eat and drink: real Maltese classics, not tiny bites
This is a food tour where the food schedule actually sounds like dinner. You’ll get a sequence of tastings that goes beyond a quick snack stop.

At the start, you try Maltese street food style items like pastizzi. You’ll also get Kinnie, the local soft drink that’s become a Malta staple, sweet-spicy in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere.

You’ll also do something fun and hands-on: you’ll make your own ħobż biz-żejt. That’s one of those experiences that turns eating into a small skill, and it helps you remember the flavor better later. It’s also a good break from nonstop walking because it gives you a moment to slow down and focus on the food.

Then comes the drink part. You’ll taste two different local craft beers, and later you finish with red wine. Alcohol is included, so you’re not stuck doing the math mid-tour. If you want variety, this is a good setup because it covers both beer and wine rather than repeating the same option.

The tour closes with Maltese comfort food: rabbit and bragioli. That ending is a big reason the reviews feel satisfied. It’s not framed as samples that disappear in two bites. You’re eating a full course-style spread, which is exactly what you want from a $112 evening plan.

One more practical detail: the tour notes that museums and historic-site entrance tickets are not included. That fits the food-tour style here. You’ll be seeing plenty of outdoor and street-level sights, then spending your time on food and local stops instead of queueing for ticketed attractions.

Game of Thrones locations without the gimmick

If you’re a fan, this tour is built around walking through show-adjacent spots in both towns. You get Season 1 Game of Thrones filming locations in Mdina and additional locations in Rabat. The key is that the references are treated as part of your surroundings, not as a separate scavenger hunt.

I like this approach because it avoids the common problem with TV-location tours: you can end up just taking photos and leaving. Here, the show layer keeps you looking closely as you move through real streets, then the food takes over once you’ve made those connections.

Also, guides mentioned in reviews are local enough to explain what you’re seeing in terms that make sense on the ground. That helps the references feel tied to place, not just trivia.

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Price and value: why $112 can make sense here

Let’s talk money honestly. At $112 for about 3.5 hours, this tour only really feels worth it if you’re the type of traveler who will use the included food and drinks fully. Luckily, this one is set up that way.

You’re not just getting a few bites. You’re tasting pastizzi, making ħobż biz-żejt, trying Kinnie, sampling two craft beers, and finishing with rabbit and bragioli plus red wine. With alcoholic beverages included, the drink cost that usually ruins food tours (because it’s added later) is already handled.

You also get a licensed guide and a loop through two towns. That structure saves you from stitching together your own route and then chasing down tastings that might only exist in specific neighborhoods.

The other value point is group size. With a small group, you’re more likely to get attention during food stops and explanations that actually help you notice things while you walk.

So, if you want history as context, food as the main event, and a short GOT thread to make the streets easier to remember, this price can work well.

What the tour feels like in real life

This is a walking dinner plan with frequent pauses. You’ll spend your time moving between Mdina’s old-city streets and Rabat’s everyday lanes, with food stops built in so you’re never stuck just sightseeing for too long.

One detail that stands out from feedback is that the tour blends old and new in a way that feels natural. There’s even mention of a stop that feels like a sports bar within the flow of the evening. That kind of pacing makes the tour feel like you’re living alongside locals instead of moving through a theme park.

Because the tour ends back at the meeting point, it’s also easy to tack on dessert later elsewhere or keep your evening simple. Once you’re done, you’re already in the right area to continue on your own.

Who should book this tour

Book this if you fit at least a few of these boxes:

  • You want Mdina plus Rabat in one evening without planning a route
  • You love Maltese food and want to try multiple classics
  • You’re curious about Game of Thrones locations, especially Season 1
  • You prefer a small group, guided evening over self-guided wandering

You might skip it if you hate walking or if you want only museum-style or ticketed attractions. The tour explicitly notes that museum/church/historic entrances are not included, so the focus is streets, food, and local stops.

Also, if you’re booking on a day with iffy weather, keep an eye on conditions. The tour requires good weather, and if it’s canceled you’ll be offered a different date or a refund.

Should you book this Rabat and Mdina Food Tour?

I’d say yes if you want a “do it all” Malta evening: two towns, a guided walk, and a full food-and-drink payoff. The biggest strength is that the food plan is substantial, with real Maltese items and alcohol included, so you’re not paying $112 and then feeling like you only ate a snack.

If you’re more focused on ticketed attractions than street life and tastings, then the tour may feel too food-forward. But if you like mixing history with real local eating habits, this one is a solid value and an easy way to get the most out of Mdina and Rabat in a single block of time.

FAQ

FAQ

What is the duration of the Rabat and Mdina Food Tour?

It runs for about 3 hours 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $112.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 4:30 pm.

Where does the tour meet, and where does it end?

It meets at Is-Serkin – Crystal Palace Bar, Triq San Pawl, Ir-Rabat, Malta and ends back at the meeting point.

What Game of Thrones content is included?

The tour includes Game of Thrones filming locations in both Mdina and Rabat, including locations from Season 1.

What food and drinks are included?

Included items include pastizzi, Kinnie, ħobż biz-żejt, two local craft beers, red wine, and local dishes such as rabbit and bragioli, plus snacks and desserts.

Are alcohol beverages included in the price?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included.

Is there a group size limit?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Are museum, church, or historic site entrance tickets included?

No. Those entrance tickets are not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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