Where to Eat and Drink in Xagħra

Xagħra’s food scene runs from a Michelin Guide farmhouse restaurant on the edge of the village to a 128-year-old band club just off the square, with everything in between. Victory Square itself, the same square anchored by the parish church, does double duty as the village’s dining room with plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from: Oleander and Latini both look out over it, and Rubbles and Coronation aren’t far off for something more casual. Here’s where to eat and drink in Xagħra, whatever the occasion.

Before you dive into our recommendations, please be aware that opening hours and days can shift. Especially outside peak season when it’s not unusual for places to take a few weeks off.

Fine Dining

Ta’ Frenc has been Xagħra’s fine dining landmark for almost forty years and is one of a handful of places on Gozo to hold a place in the Michelin Guide. It’s set in a centuries-old farmhouse on the edge of the village, through a stone archway into a courtyard scented by the herb garden, with views over the Xagħra, Żebbuġ and Marsalforn valley. The wine cellar runs to more than 700 labels, and in summer the garden terrace is the table to ask for. It’s also on screen, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filmed here for By the Sea. €€€.

One of the other Michelin Guide spots on Gozo, Al Sale, can be found next to the church and is one of the highest-rated tables in the village. €€€.

Local Eats

Oleander sits right on Victory Square and is great if you want to try some Mediterranean cooking with a strong local flavour, rabbit stew, fillet steak and home-style cooking are what reviewers keep coming back for. Dinner only, closed Mondays. €€.

Latini Wine & Dine, also on the square, leans towards the seafood side too, and is well regarded for its shellfish soup and fried calamari. €€.

The Bakehouse – tal-Furnar Bar & Restaurant: the name gives it away, tal-Furnar means “of the baker’s oven” in Maltese, and this place specialises in slow cooked food from a traditional oven that dates back to the 1900s. €€.

Budget

Most Gozo villages have a band club, a social club built around the local philharmonic society that plays at the village feast, and Xagħra’s is one of the oldest: the Victory Philharmonic Society was founded in 1898, the first band club in any Gozitan village. They’re not tourist spots, but they’re usually open to visitors and do a well-priced plate of food alongside the drinks. Victory Band Club sits right in Victory Square alongside Oleander and Latini. €.

At Ramla Bay

The red sand of Ramla fall under Xagħra, even though it’s easier to get to from Nadur. During the summer, you’ll find food trucks and ice-cream vans in the car park, plus a couple of restaurants overlooking the sand. My favourite is Rose’s Bar and Restaurant, which is just at the beach entrance down at the beach. It’s useful if you’re spending the day at Ramla and don’t want to head back up the hill for lunch. €€.

Bars

Rubbles Bar does food as well as drinks, so is perfect for pre-dinner drinks if you’re heading off elsewhere, or a more casual dinner.

Coronation Bistro Bar is good for breakfast and a quick lunch, and the coffee selection stands out. Newer than most on this list, still building its review count, but is well regarded so far.

Fed and watered? What to do in Xagħra covers Ġgantija, the caves and the rest of the village’s stranger corners, and where to stay in Xagħra has hotels, farmhouses and villas within easy reach of everything on this page.