Da Lorenzo

The story

Da Lorenzo is an Italian restaurant located in St. Julian's, Malta, created with the goal of bringing the authentic flavors of Italian cuisine to a warm and welcoming setting. Inspired by traditional family recipes, the restaurant specializes in classic Italian dishes made with carefully selected ingredients, from Neapolitan pizzas to fresh homemade pasta. Since opening, Da Lorenzo has built a strong reputation for its excellent value for money, friendly service, and commitment to providing a genuine Italian dining experience for both locals and visitors alike.

The place

The room is small — maybe twelve tables — with walls the colour of old terracotta and a handwritten chalkboard that changes with whatever was at the market that morning. Carmen's son Joseph works the floor and knows every dish well enough to describe them with his eyes closed. No music. Just conversation, and the smell of something slow-cooking in the back.

The cuisine

The bigilla — a rich, garlicky broad bean dip served with warm bread and local ġbejniet cheese — arrives without being ordered. A quiet statement of intent. Then the bragioli: beef rolled around a filling of egg, bacon and parsley, slow-braised until it collapses at the touch of a fork.

Carmen doesn't do fusion. She doesn't do "elevated". She cooks the food that kept Maltese families fed for generations, and she does it with total confidence.