Cafe Malta Reviews

My husband and I went for an early dinner on a Sunday. The restaurant decor is very pleasing.. It has the feel of an upscale restaurant but it's in a strip mall and reasonably prices. The happy hour Crostini appetizer was good. We each had a salad. The Summer Salad and Levant salad were exceptional. We loved the light dressing and flavors of both. We had a pork dish for our entree. It was good but not exceptional. That is the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. But, we definitely want to go back and try more of their dishes! Service and staff were very friendly and welcoming.

We have tried Café Malta three times now. The food quality and service is very consistent. There is always a good daily special.

We have been wanting to try Cafe Malta for quite a while and finally decided to go on a week night to celebrate closing a business deal. It is in the heart of south Austin in an unassuming strip center near our house. The wait staff and bartender in one was a great guy with pleasant attitude and good knowledge of the menu. We were in the mood for fish and split the mussels appetizer and a salad and both were delicious. The broth was so good for the mussels that i requested a mug to pour it in to drink. I had the bouillabaisse and my partner had the fish of the day and we enjoyed both very much. I cannot say anything about dessert because we couldn't eat another bite, but I can say their martini's were very good!

I came to Cafe Malta with anticipation after looking at the menu, which hits all the right marks for Mediterranean influenced dishes. Although we arrived early to a packed restaurant, we were warmly greeted and seated. Appetizers were very good, albeit some portions were a bit on the small side. Rillettes were very tasty, and blended a bit of a new world approach to a classic dish. The hummus was a bit odd, as it was very separated, and seemed to need some help before ready for serving. The cheese board included tasty selections, but had one small slice or dab of each (more cheese, please!). Entree choices are very diverse, and blend in influences from Europe and Texas. My hanger steak was a bit underdone for my tastes, but was already sliced when served, so I was hesitant to ask for a refire. The dish worked very well all-around, but next time I'll ask for medium. I gave a run at the chocolate chili creme brulee, but that just wasn't to my liking. Nothing wrong with the dish per se, I just didn't care for the overall taste. One complaint -- the size of the cocktail servings are puny! Believe me, I'm not one to ask for the prototypical gargantuan American size portions, but the drinks were very small for the price. I'd go again. I might not run to get there, but I'd go back.

I went on a friends recommendation. Delish cocktail at very reasonable happy hour price- had the Licosa. Then a really creative Grilled Pear and Kale Salad with Gorganzola crumbles. Very tasty and unusual. The menu looked interesting and they do have many Gluten-free dishes. The marinated Grilled Steak was good-very tender and flavorful. I was not too interested in the potato gratin(sounded better than it tasted but it was OK. Dessert was a big disappointment- and I told them as much. i have had flourless Chocolate cake in many places but this was the worst- dry, tastleless and very small serving. The waitress said to try the Panne Cota next time- we shall see. I will go back- maybe wait a few months and see if they iron out the kinks- I would go back for Happy Hour and an appetiser anytime.

Cafe Malta is for sure someone's dream made reality. The Mediterranean touch is perfect and I must thank you guys to bring my home country memories (Portugal) back in my palate.

We only ordered several starters for everyone to eat around the table. My favorites were the hummus and gnocchi. Beautiful presentation, fresh and interesting flavors. I will return here next time I'm in Austin. Wait staff was very friendly and we were promptly seated on a busy Saturday evening. Service was fast. If I had one objection, was that it is so loud in there, you feel like you are yelling at everyone around the table all night. But, that's ok too. Busy restaurants are good for business!

I had lunch with a friend. We split a small salad, and she had a pasta special, both of which were very tasty. I had their mussels. While I thought the mussels were overly salted, that could easily just be a matter of taste and could be ameliorated by eating bread with them. However, 3 of the 12 mussels were closed tightly. The waitress didn't check back until we'd finished, and she asked if I was still working on the mussels. I said that the three left were closed, so I couldn't eat them without risk of getting quite sick. (Actually, there would have been no way to pry them open since I only had a cocktail fork to use, and it was hard enough eating the partially opened mussels with that as my only utensil.) The waitress said that she would tell the cooks that they should check the mussels they sent out that day. She didn't offer to replace them with opened mussels, to make some other offer such as a dessert or to omit charging for the dish, one of which I would think any good restaurant would do if one quarter of an entree was inedible, and not just disliked by the patron. Not only did the restaurant not stand behind its food, why would they only ensure safety with mussels for the rest of that day? I'd think that this would be something they'd want to do every day. I gave Cafe Malta 2 stars because the two other dishes were fine and the setting is pleasant, but I'd never go back when Austin is full of restaurants.

We stopped in on a dreary night hoping for some decent food in South Austin - not always easy to find! We were even more leery when the door had a sign that there was a fixed 4-course meal menu that night. We happened in on one of their "Tour de Forks" evenings. They were very busy and the atmosphere and noise level could have been better but the food and the service were excellent. For anyone interested - the Tour de Forks is a 4 course meal with a different country 2x/month. There are 2 choices for each of the courses except dessert. The meal also includes an aperitif. We were impressed enough with it that we made a reservation for the next month to try it again. We were fortunate but if going on one of the Tour de Forks nights - I'd strongly suggest a reservation.

We have been to this trendy restaurant numerous times and have recommended it to friends as well. Located in a strip center, It is small and European-like in decor and cuisine. Seating is not very comfortable but service and food usually excellent. It has a complete bar and fair selection of wines. The menu, albeit short and changing, has a nice variety of freshly prepared dishes as well as evening specials. Their appetizers are very good--especially the PEI mussels and the cheese board. Presentation of dishes is appealing as well. This last visit was disappointing because, in spite of there not being very many customers that evening, service was slow, the hanger steak was over cooked and we had to ask for more water. Hope this was just a fluke.

A friend and I weren't sure what to expect from a place called Cafe Malta - Maltese cuisine, perhaps? So we went for brunch one day and were pleasantly surprised not only by the friendly staff but also the excellent food. We each had a bellini, then he chose the steak & eggs while I went for the Croque Madame (oversimply put, egg on thick toast), which was delicious and just enough. We were served quickly, although the cafe wasn't crowded that morning and that could account for the speed. We'll definitely be back for brunch the next time in Austin.

we went there in a group of 8..I am not a fan of squash, but wow.. however they roasted it, it was Wonderful!. I had the "Bistro".. it was fantastic.. I would go there again. the waitress was professional and friendly and did a good job of attending to all our needs.

Thanks to the TripAdvisor ratings, we were lucky enough to find this little gem. We wanted something different than our "usual" places on the south end of William Cannon--Kirby Lane, Chuy's, Mandeloa's, Jack Allen's, or Thai Spice. We found one that really is different and we liked it, the food, the service (when we got it--the one waitress was working the entire room!), the ambiance, and the location (it is in a strip center that is a cut above most). It is a relatively small (25 tables?) restaurant on the leading corner of the strip mall. There is a great Mediterranean menu that changes on a seasonal basis--so we were told. They also have some special evenings (2 a month) of Mediterranean country themed meals. Unfortunately, the Sardinia (one of our favorite places in the Med) 4 course meal was sold out weeks in advance. The one on Israel is still available, but we are not fans of entire Israeli meals. The place had half the tables active when we arrived at 2 PM! Most of the customers were drinking wine. The wine list looked OK, and not too expensive. There is a bar that is a focal point of the dining room. It is reasonably attractive. The art is "standard" silk screened Med boats, but it works! Parking is ample in front of the entrance--next to a specialty (international) grocery. The outside "view" is of the parking lot!

Cafe Malta looks like it is trying very hard to be a cozy little neighborhood restaurant serving healthy, locally grown veggies. Unfortunately the evening we tried them, the food didn't measure up to our expectations. The hostess and waiter were very nice and attentive, and not overly so, though the waiter never offered us another drink and took away our water bottle before we were finished with our meal. We looked forward to the touted heirloom tomatoes on the featured salad, but were disappointed that the tiny pieces were hard to find in our serving. We ordered the Bistro Steak to share. Liked the au gratin potatoes and steamed squash cubes, but the steak was very tough, even cooked medium-medium rare, as it was. For the price, it was even harder to swallow. I had high hopes for this little spot that had come highly recommended by friends in the 'hood. Maybe we just ordered the wrong thing or caught them on a night when the usual chef was off, but if this is the norm, we'll most likely try another spot next time.

Great muscle appetizer— well seasoned broth with garlic and tomato. Well balanced. Lots of good choices for entrees— had a brisket braised in Chardonnay in a ravioli. Basil panna cotta was light and smothered in a strawberry sauce. Great local spot.

My wife and I met our in-laws for lunch at this small restaurant. Menu is very different from most restaurants in the neighborhood. Our food was very good and our waiter made good suggestions on what to order. I had Brisket Ravioli and it was very good. I had a couple of beers that were very good and the mixed drinks were well received also. On my next adventure here, I am going to order the Malta Burger (half ground beef, half lamb).

We went here upon a recommendation from a friend and REALLY enjoyed it!! We were here on a Monday around 6PM so there was of course no wait and happy hour specials were still available. My friend had given us the heads up that portion sizes are small to moderate so we opted for a happy hour drink and appetizer to start. Since it wasn't busy we took our time dining and decided what we wanted as entrees. The wait staff was attentive and was well informed about specials and made helpful recommendations as this was our first visit here. Everything was excellent!! We were both fully satisfied but had to try the basil feta peach cobbler. It was amazing! Good experience here; we made reservations for their next Tex-Med wine pairing. Hoping that goes as well.

My husband, I meet up with a group of friends for dinner. We were a bigger party and Cafe Malta luckily does take reservations. However, I felt that our party may have been a little too large to accommodate. We were there, I felt, longer than we needed to be which was fine since I was not in a rush. I started off with a glass of the Chianti wine which is $4 dollars during happy hour. The Chianti was quite decent and a great price. They have other drinks on the happy hour menu to try. Be sure to check it out. My husband and I ordered the hummus platter. On the menu, it is described as a Creamy dip of chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and tahini, with crudité & grilled flatbread. I was able to get gluten free crackers and raw veggies to enjoy since I don't eat gluten due to food sensitivity issues. The gluten-free crackers were really good and were a score in my book. The hummus was good but I felt it was missing something overall. For our main meals, I ordered the grilled salmon salad. The presentation looked amazing but the salmon was overcooked and I felt it was also overpriced for the size of the salad. My husband ordered the LOMBATELLO, hanger steak salad, which was really good. It was funny to me because my husband was confused by it being called a salad when he got his plate. It was a chunk of romaine lettuce, grilled tomatoes, onions and about 4-5 ounces (at best of the steak). Overall, the food was hit and miss. I would like to come back maybe another time to try something else and be in a smaller party. I had looked around at other people's dishes and it looked really good so maybe I ordered the wrong thing?

I always love going to Cafe Malta. They use fresh ingredients straight from the farm, their menu changes depending on what is in season. Small and cozy and great place to eat with friends or with a date. The wait staff is friendly and prompt. I am never disappointed when I choose Malta!

I want to like this place so badly, but..... I waited until we've been here 4 times to write this review, because I wanted to give it a real chance. Unfortunately, I will never go back. Some background: I love local ingredients, local owners, and made from scratch, unique seasonal offerings. Also, my husband and I have a combined 25+years of working in the restaurant business. The first time we ate here (some time last year), I was immediately impressed with the quaintness, the softness, and the simple decor that transports you out of the strip mall the restaurant is located in. This impression was slowly deflated the more we interacted with the bartender. (we typically eat at the bar when we can). The service: Every time of the 4 times we've been here, the service at the bar was downright irritating. 3 different staff members, each with their own way of portraying the feeling "I wish you would go sit at a table, I have better things to do than serve you." One of our visits, we didn't even stay to eat. We walked in, I believe it was a pre or post holiday night, and asked the bartender if they were open. His response was "I don't know." We stood there for a moment while he continued drying glasses (and probably hoping we wouldn't take a seat at the bar) and decided our business was obviously not wanted. From apathy to lack of personality I've never felt welcomed at this bar. We wondered if the service is better at a table, but I won't be back to find out. The food: While we've had no real specific complaints on the food, I can't recall a dish that has wow'd me either. You can tell the ingredients are fresh, and the food is handcrafted, but it just lacks something. I can't say what. It just doesn't make me reel with delight with every bite. The pricing is OK for what you get. I do like that the portions are a satisfying size, meaning not too big. Because I live in Way-South Austin, I too wanted a great local place to have dinner without going downtown or North of Ben White for that matter. Oh well. I tried Cafe Malta, I really tried.

Cafe Malta has a very enticing, interesting menu. Their portions are not huge, which we like since we go for flavor, not to get stuffed. We shared a smoked fish appetizer (Croquettes) that was very light and tasty. We shared a Levant salad with very fresh avocado, tomatoes, butter lettuce and cucumber with a lemony dressing that my fussy husband actually liked (he hates vinegar dressings). He had the eggplant lasagna which had corn, and chard in it -- quite tasty. Eggplant not cooked enough -- just on the edge of being underdone. We commented on that -- eggplant isn't a typical vegetable and should never be served al dente. It contains oxalic acid which can be upsetting to anyone's stomach and the only way to get rid of it is to cook thoroughly!! My mushroom tart was delicious. I had a cocktail -- unusual for me: dark rum and Main ginger brew. What a set of complex flavors! Appropriately called Dark and Stormy.

We came to Cafe Malta because our first preference was overbooked and the lines were long. What a great surprise! Mussels and Croquettes in the style of Spain, a ground lamb pasta entree, and a beautiful salad with Med ingredients. Attentive and personable service. A delicious and fairly priced tempranillo. Much cheaper than a flight to Barcelona! I left happy to have paid my bill, which didn't break the bank. We'll be back.

While the small place was pretty crowded, even arriving at 6PM, the staff hustled to keep up with the crowd. The kitchen was buzzing and the waiters were great. It took a bit longer than you might want to receive your dinner, but I'm also glad the wait was due to popularity as opposed to lack of service. Many good restaurants in Austin have a hard time surviving. My wife had the chicken breast special, which I also tasted and it was very good. A large enough portion that we took about half of it home. Subtle flavors, married well. I had the unusual 'Brisket Ravioli'. The brisket filling was a little tough, which is pretty hard to get with brisket, but it was flavorful in a light sauce. The Hummus is always a great starter as is the Lavant Salad that my wife had. Nice neighborhood place. Decent bar. Good selection of alcohols. It was our second visit and we'll likely return.

My friend treated me here for a birthday lunch. It was a perfect place for a special meal. Our choices were well prepared and delicious and the service was attentive, too. My lasagna was the best ever, but I only wish that the portions were a bit larger. I could have easily eaten a double portion of what I was served.

Cafe Malta is one of the nicest restaurants in south Austin. It is a great place for a date or to go with a group of adults. The restaurant has an intimate feel. It is small with maybe 20 tables and there is a bar but it is never loud. Their menu changes all the time so there is always something new to try. They have special theme nights where they feature food from different regions with wine pairings which are always fun and a great way to discover new foods. The service is always impeccable. If you love to try new foods or have a nice leisurely meal and enjoy your company and good food than this is the place for you. Reservations are a good idea but with a small group you can usually get in without them.

This is not my first visit in this restaurant. I have been many times, because I enjoy the food and like the service. I had a croque-madame and I ioved it. They have a "Tour of the Forks" that I promised myself to try out. They have a menu from a different country and the wines to accompany them. Looks like a lot of fun. Make a reservation, they are often busy, which is always a good sign.

What a wonderful find in what is normally a desert with respect to fine dining. Located in a nondescript strip mall at the corner of William Cannon and Brodie in South Austin. While the prices are very low for the high quality of food, I expect this to change as the "word gets out". The Maltagliati is absolutely great, the service prompt and professional, and be sure and start off with a Crostini and a nice glass of wine. I've been several times already and you'll probably see me there again soon :-)

It took almost 45 minutes to get a table even though we made a reservation through Open Table. The host had to go to the back of the restaurant to check for our reservation. We watched several couples walk in without reservations and be seated. Finally we checked in with the manager and we weren't even on their paper list. The manager apologized but didn't offer to comp anything for our inconvenience. Our waitress was new or poorly trained; she couldn't answer basic questions about the small menu. When our food came it was good but lukewarm. We were so hungry at that point we didn't want to send it back. This was our second visit and we won't be back. Try it at your own risk!!

Had a fabulous lunch today with fellow foodies. We were welcomed to this delightful, unpretentious venue by our server Stephen. I started off with "I Can Explain Everything", a very interesting and inviting cocktail with cachaça, lemoncello, sweet limon juice and prosecco that set the mood for the upcoming culinary, delectable delights. I ordered the special of the day, Chicken Fettucini with tomato, basil, garlic and parmesan which was beyond measure. And the bread served was made in-house. Our table was also graced with the Gnocchi Bleu in a creamy sauce of gorgonzola, garlic and thyme as well as Mussels, steamed in Texas chardonnay, tomato, garlic and harissa, with a fresh house baguette. I selected the Famega Vinho Verde to pair with the main course. Indeed, I will without a doubt return as there were items on the menu and I could not consume in addition to what I had savored today.

Had a great dinner!! Drinks were fantastic and different and new.. Terrific food. Atmosphere is wonderful. Would love to go again! I saw all kinds of people in all various dress and age.... but I think it's more of a 10 yrs old and up kind of place, if only to enjoy the food and drink appropriately. Filled up fast, even at 5 pm!

We went for valentines dinner and I was interested as we have visited Malta. Prefixed menu of tartare (steak or tuna), Risotto and steak. Everything was fantastic. Service and atmosphere was great! Will go back

We have been there a few times, had great meals except one it was a Sunday, so maybe Sunday is not a good day to go out to eat? We both enjoyed our meals, we had a great attentive waitress even after the restaurant was fully packed. We had an appetizer and a small plate dinner it was delicious, the menu changes often and they have specials. We shared a good bottle of Pinot too!

We live near by Cafe Malta. We really like to support local business, but the menu is limited and we've had a few mediocre meals. Enough so that we go back about once a year to see if it's changed. So far..it's still hit-and-miss.

Ok now this was my third time back and did not like the food at all. It had such promise the first time, bad the second time and I was willing to try one more time because they have a nice looking menu with lots of locally sourced items. Well, so sorry but I have to say YUK. Inedible lamb again- full of gristle and over cooked. The cocktail must have just had the alcohol passed over it as there was no buzz at all and I am easy to affect- like usually one drink gives me quite a buzz. Slow service and over all disappointing. I will not be back.

Service was good, ravioli appetizers were under cooked but otherwise tasty. The hanger steak entree lacked some spices but was excellent .

This charming restaurant sources many of it's foods locally so on our last visit, we each found something satisfying to eat. For our starters we had a delicious hummus served with vegetables and pita bread, ( I wish it had more vegetables,) then several salad choices, (all good), and entrees ravioli with home made pasta, vegetable lasagna, and a salad with steak strips. Our server was attentive and informative and offered suggestions. The place was busy with a harmonious hum. It is good to have an establishment like Cafe Malta in southwest Austin!!

Have been here a couple times for lunch and while they don't have a large menu, the quality of the food is good. The menu is such a nice change from the usual places around. Plan to go back soon. The decor is simple, tables cloths on the table (not plastic ones). It was pretty busy at lunch time the last time I was there. Would recommend.

The list of good food here is extensive. My wife and I enjoy eating here every time we go. It is a quaint little cafe in a shopping strip, but don't let that fool you. The food is superb. The hanger steak on top of a bed of augratin potatoes is unbelievable. Every night they have different specials on the black board. The wine list is good and they also have a full bar. The inside seating is set up well for couples meeting for the first time. It is a little noisy, but just from the happy people eating and drinking. The prices are also very well set (most under $20). I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone living in Austin or coming to visit.

Went with a friend on a Saturday night. Called ahead for reservation. Seated immediately. The staff were all quite friendly, attentive, & helpful. My friend had the steak which was very good. But we both agreed that my ravioli was even better...& cheaper!

Yes, it's located in a strip mall and yes it is small on the inside but I loved the different flavors and the way they were presented. The roasted pork chop was juicy and tender - the crimini and red onion marmelade was divine - I wished I had more! The date and pancetta appetizer was fantastic - my friends and I fought over the last one! And the happy hour Licosas made with Hornitos Resposado Tequila, Paula's Texas Lemon, Paula's Texas Orange, fresh lemon juice. Tex-Med in a frosted pint glass were excellent. I loved it all!!!

We read about this place in the Austin Chronicle's annual food edition in which their critics list their favourite restaurants. It's sounded great, and had tables outside that allow dogs, so as it was a sunny day, off we went. I have to say I was a bit taken aback by the location in a strip mall. The view was the parking lot and other businesses. Inside though you are transported out of the strip mall straight to the Mediterranean. The dining room is simple but elegant with a bar along one side. We, however ate outside, but that didn't diminish our enjoyment. The service was so friendly and warm, the food delicious and light with reasonable portions. We liked it so much we went back a few days later. The server was different, but every bit as nice. Haven't been for dinner as sadly our Austin visit was ending, but will put it on the list for our next trip to town. A real gem.

This was a second visit to Cafe Malta for lunch and even though I looked at the menu, I had to get the steak salad...really, I have been craving this since the first time we were here! The grilled greens, perfectly cooked steak, and the gorgonzola dressing are just the perfect pairing. The avocado and blistered tomatoes add just the right amount of freshness. It's really my idea of a perfect lunch salad. And, this time we started with the hummus, which was also good - though could have had a bit more lemon and garlic for my taste. The veggies served with it were a bit limp - like they had been cut too early and not kept on ice. Next time, we'll just stick with the salads. As noted on our first visit, service is fine, but nothing special. Our server did not bring us steak knives with our salad and as the only server, she was busy and we couldn't get her attention to ask for them. The meat was tender, but not easily cut with a regular butter knife. We really need to try this place for dinner and see what wonderful things are on the dinner menu.

We went yesterday to have dinner at cafe Malta. We didn’t have reservations so we sat down at the bar. After we ordered, it took them 1.45 min to bring the order. The waitress told us several times it was almost ready. Then she approached my husband to tell him they were out of the pork.... He switched to fish and got his order 10 Min after ours. Portions were tiny, flavor was ok.

Cafe Malta is one of my favorite places to take people who are visiting us. The restaurant is small but not terribly noisy (except on Saturday night). The for is good and fresh, and the service people are all lovely. I've been there many times, and it has been a bit uneven--I ordered lamb stew, and it was more like salty broth with a piece or two of lamb. My last two visits were good, though, so I feel like they have improved in the kitchen. The portions aren't huge--to me they're just right. Just a nice neighborhood place.

This is a small restaurant in a strip mall. The restaurant itself is very nice and the waiter was very attentive and helpful. The portion sizes were more European, but that was OK. The chicken pie I had was very mediocre. My husband enjoyed the restaurant a lot more than I did and he had a pork dish which he thought was very good. We were going to share, but had no indication that the pork dish was very spicy. I do not eat spicy so I just ate the pie. I do not think it is a place that we will return.

The service was excellent, and we went on a Saturday night. There was no wait and we got greeted right away. We had the Gorgonzola Gnocchi and the vegetarian lasagna. The gnocchi was very tasty! The lasagna, was interesting. It does not taste like any lasagna I've had before, and the sauce kind of tasted like BBQ sauce. But it wasn't bad, just different. There were a total of three vegetarian entrees, plus some salads, so we will be going back. Slightly higher end on the pricing scale, $13 a plate, but we will be going back. They also have a huge selection of Texas wines, so be sure and have a glass!

Small and intimate, yet easy to converse without extraneous noise. Servers are competent and friendly, but the excellence comes from the creative food dishes that are beautifully prepared, perfectly seasoned ,and are an excellent value. Chic casual is the interior theme, with the ever changing specials printed on a large blackboard.

I have loved Cafe Malto the two times I have been there and I can't wait to go back. I always get the steak with the layered potato thingy on the side, it is so delicious, but there is one problem. They do not give enough food. I mean it. I leave Cafe Malta so hungry! I always get dessert. My favorite is the basil panna cotta. Cafe Malta has good service, somewhat below the level of the deliciousness of the food. The space is nice, comfortable enough. If they would just give a little more food it would be a perfect restaurant. I want to add the have an awesome kids menu! It is inexpensive and has great choices.

I have eaten here twice and both experiences were very good. We have had the grilled steak salad (lambatello), the brisket ravioli, and the eggs Malta. All of the food we have sampled has been very tasty, original, and fresh. The prices are quite reasonable and they have daily specials. This was really a strip mall surprise and a pleasant experience when you're in the area.

My wife, our daughter (who lives in Austin) and I went to Café Malta to see what kind of food they have in a strip mall. The restaurant has maybe 12 - 15 tables. The wait staff was very attentive, and friendly. The food was very, very delicious. My wife had a pasta dish with 3 types of meat in the sauce. I had an eggplant and corn lasagna. Our daughter had a salad and an appetizer because she wasn't too hungry. My wife and I also split the special salad of the day, and the two of us had a glass of wine each. I had a wonderful chocolate dessert, and my wife and daughter split a crème brullee. The total cost with a 20% tip was only $103, very reasonable.

Cafe Malta has this great idea, called Tour de Forks, where they feature cuisine from various places around the world every other Tuesday of the month - we used to go fairly regularly but it didn't quite live up to expectations. While the idea was great, the execution was a bit dulled (in terms of spices, flavor, taste). On the flip side, their regular menu is excellent! Last time we went, I had the Champignon, which are mushrooms in a flaky crust and it was delicious. And their service is even better! If you go, ask for Zach as he will be very honest with you about what's good - we have always followed his recommendations and have not been steered wrong. On the plus side, it's less busy if you go on a non-Tour de Forks night. The location is very unassuming, and you'll barely miss it in a strip mall on the corner of Brodie & William Cannon. But they have plenty of parking available.

I had shrimp fettuccine. Excellent sauce with what tasted like homemade noodles. Delish! Good service. A little pricey.

Tasty food. Good service. Interesting menus. The water glasses are very small, so I always ask for a larger one.

Great menu. Great service. Great food. Mussels were outstanding. Hangar steak was perfectly prepared and portioned correctly. All at very reasonable prices. Nice and varied wines by the glass menu. The Margarita was very good. Happy Hour was nice for drinks but very limited on food specials. A most enjoyable evening.

Date night out and it was wonderful. We have driven past it for years and not even known it was there. A refreshing, new take on Mediterranean cuisine will certainly please your palate.

Cafe Malta has been one of our go to restaurant for special occasions for many years and always left highly satisfied. This past experience was a bit of a let down. For a starter, we had the pork crostini. The crostini was good, but was seasoned with a bit too much black pepper. The topping for my hanger steak was very salty and the herbs overpowered the taste of a perfectly cooked medium rare steak. My wife's CHAMPIGNON, (mushroom pie), was also a disappointment. The crust was heavy dough, not light and flaky, and the mushroom filling was very salty.

Cocktails were way too sweet. Steak salad included grilled romaine, which just made the lettuce hard to eat. Steak was properly cooked. Brisket ravioli is just wrong. Sausage/cheese toasts appetizer was tasty. Cheese board was fine.

I have wanted to try this restaurant before, but due to the small size, there is always a bit of a wait. It's a tiny restaurant in a small strip shopping center down south. If I hadn't been told about it, I may never have seen it, but I'm glad I did! Be sure to get reservations is you go on a weekend! A menu of First, Second and Third courses, all seem like wonderful homey and comforting Italian/Mediterranean dishes. They seemed very busy and the waiter was also doubling as the bartender for the whole restaurant! He was still very pleasant and accommodating, even with all the extra work. Toward the end of the meal he mentioned that they had just grown in popularity so quickly they would need to hire more hands. There are so many interesting things to try! We started with the cheese plate, which consisted of 3 well picked cheeses, some pickled veggies and amazing homemade bread. I got a second course of a salad and stopped there. It was full of flavor and wonderful veggies. I wasn't super hungry, and both dishes were more than enough for me. I would love to go back and try the final courses! They had several different vegetarian options which I look forward to trying. My boyfriend got the steak and potatoes. He loved the steak, and for a guy who doesn’t care too much for blue cheese he gushed about the blue cheese scalloped potatoes, I tried them to, mouthwatering and delicious! It was accompanied by collard greens, which were also very tasty. They had quite a few wines to pick from and a full bar. The cocktails sound so interesting, I can’t wait to go back and try something else. Overall a great find down south in Austin and I’m glad to have such a unique gem near home!

It was a special occasion celebrating a visiting relative. Another cousin made the reservations. She likes the place. The restaurant itself is pleasant. The food was good. I particularly enjoyed their Mussels appetizer; very good. What detracted from the whole experience was the lackluster service. The most important factor that makes any restaurant memorable is the quality of service. Other things as the decor, the atmosphere, the quality of food, of course also count but not as much as the quality and friendliness of the waiters.

We enjoyed most of the appetizers with one questionable. The hummus was delicious, Levant salads were tasty, as was the gnocchi. The one appetizer that had problems was the brisket ravioli, the pesto sauce overpowered the taste of the brisket, both had great flavor but did not compliment each other. The ratatouille was good but have enjoyed better polenta. The Maltese chicken was the hit of the meal. The staff was very pleasant and helpful with a nice decor, especially loved the painting of the boats.

Small quaint place hidden in a small strip center in South Austin. Had a great Sunday brunch. Nice variety of egg dishes all done with a Mediterranean twist from locally sourced ingredients. Bar looked fun and the cocktail menu looked like it would have been fun later in the day. Cheese board appetizer was really good and service was good as well

Great food, great atmosphere! Their vegetarian lasagna is just the right portion size and not too rich. Loved finishing up the meal with a cappuccino. I was her for a business lunch and the waiter was very patient and waited until their was a lull in the conversation to ask for our order. I've been here several times and find this a very easy place to have a conversation and not feel rushed.

We have lived in South Austin for almost 20 years and I had no idea Café Malta was even there! I don't know when this jewel of a restaurant opened, but I am so glad we found it! It is located in the strip center behind the gas station on the southeast corner of William Cannon and Brodie. The inside has a nice casual elegance and probably seats 35-40 people? We were there at lunch during the week and it was not overly crowded, but with their amazing food, I imagine the evenings could be busy - but the website shows they take reservations! The menu was not huge at lunch, but had several apps, salads, mains, and a few sandwiches. Full bar available with a decent wine list. And, a couple of specials. Our group had the salads, but they were far from "just a salad". The hanger steak with avocado and grilled veggies was wonderful and the gorgonzola aioli was absolutely amazing. I need the recipe! The steak was tender and perfectly medium rare. If anything was lacking, I would say the service was so-so. Our server was fine, but not extremely welcoming or friendly. And, manager seemed to be sitting at the bar on the phone the entire lunch shift. Looking forward to going back for dinner soon.

Cafe Malta is tucked out of the way, but is worth visiting. They have excellent drinks. My personal favorite is the Dark and Stormy, a dark spiced rum drink that has the perfect amount of bite. Their food is also very good. My personal favorite is the brisket ravioli. The portions and drinks are pretty small though.

Not what we expected at all but SO HAPPY with what we found! It's in this crummy little shopping center, but you walk in, and it's a whole new country! They have some amazing specials and great bar selections. They made a believer out of me when I, a well-known olive hater, tasted their fig tapenade and almost liked the bowl clean! Beware that their daily specials can run out early though! I'm heartbroken that they ran out of peach creme brulee at 9pm on a Friday! I knew we shouldn't have eaten dinner late so now I have to just go back! Oh, well! Looking forward to it. Lovely find! Great for a date or showing up in flip flops with the family. Their menu is always changing with new ideas!

We dined here on a Sunday afternoon and enjoyed a nice meal that was both unusual and tasty. The starters were hummus and home made chips along with a couple of orders of skewered meat flavored with spices and cilantro. I had the gnocchi for lunch and it was very good while others in our party had the steak & eggs, french toast and one of the sandwiches. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals and the cost was not too extreme. The service was slow but polite and helpful. I would return to further sample the varied menu.

Took my wife to Cafe Malta and had a very good dinner. First course was a baked artichoke stuffed with cauliflower ... very nice! Next it was mussels in a slightly spicy tomato, garlic and onion broth ... nice size portion, 18 mussels, delicious broth and nice bread for dipping. Finally a vegetable lasagna that was unique in it's preparation and presentation ... it looks like an individual mini lasagna and was a delightful blend of grilled vegetables with unusual wide noodles, some of which were crunchy on the edges from the preparation with a nice almost rose tomato based sauce. Desert was a lemon curd shortcake that was perfect ... fresh biscuit like shortcake stuffed with lemon curd. WIne selection was good and prices fair. All in all, another good "go to" neighborhood spot. Check Google Earth to see how you access this strip mall behind a gas station ... lots of parking.

Cafe Malta is located in a strip center, although the inside is nicely done. We were greeted and seated promptly. This was my first visit, my daughter's second. I would have been happy with any of the excellent and unusual selections, and expect to go back to try them all. Then I'll have to try all the selections on the fall menu, I had the mushroom gnocchi, my daughter had the lamb. I also had a very nice glass of prosecco. The prices are surprisingly reasonable for this quality of food. Looking forward to a return trip.

We recently tried this restaurant after several friends recommended it. They were not wrong and we had a wonderful meal. Service was excellent but not "too" attentive. My wife and I both had fish which were excellently prepared. Mine came with a very tasty pancetta risotto which provided a quite nice flavor combination. Our amaretto chocolate tart for dessert was a nice way to top off a very nice meal at a reasonable cost.

For a strip mall restaurant, were pleasantly surprised by the decor and friendly service. Had the scampi special, right sized portion and very tasty. Brisket ravioli was a hit. Worth a try.

We ate dinner at Café Malta on Saturday Jan 10th 2015 and had a very disappointing experience. We booked in advance and clearly articulated that this was a Birthday celebration. The party consisted of four adults and two kids (aged 5 and 7), and despite the cost being in excess of $200 no special attention was paid to the double Birthday celebration (despite reiterating this again upon arrival). In addition, this is not a kid-friendly establishment. Our starters were hummus and the cheese board and both felt ‘out of a can’. I had the vegetarian lasagna and it was pathetic. The serving size was minute (much smaller than a starter and significantly smaller than the kids meal), it was tepid, tasteless, and consisted mostly of sliced carrots instead of a vegetarian equivalent of the classic Italian dish. There were no desserts that were suitable for kids as all options either contained alcohol or nuts. The waitress agreed that there was nothing suitable on the menu. Despite the cost we were obliged to finish the meal at a nearby takeaway establishment. It certainly bears to relation to any Maltese restaurants I’ve ever eaten at (in Malta). We will not be going back.

Mussels, salad, steak, pork, wine, and dessert all for $82! Everything was absolutely delicious. I work in the industry and couldn't ask for much more! Great place for date night!

After a friend's recommendation, I viewed the online menu and instantly knew I had to try Cafe Malta. We (a party of 3) went in early on Saturday evening and were promptly seated. Service: Our wait was polite, knowledgeable, but not too chatty (we go out to talk with each other, not the waiter). The only complaint was that a party had a small child (1-2) that was having a tantum. While it's not the waiter's fault, I am accustomed to many restaurants asking a parent to step out with the child until it calms down, and that didn't happen. Appetizers We shared the brisket ravioli in a pecan pesto sauce (the menu item that made us want to go!) and the smoked cod in creme fraiche with salted flat-bread. The brisket ravioli was simply incredible. The brisket's richness, moistness, and texture were a unique alternative to traditional beef filling, and the flavor balanced well with the pecan pesto. I would love to see it as a main course, but my wife says it might be too rich. We received 4 good-sized ravioli that left us all wanting more, but in a good way. Definitely try this when you go! The smokiness of the cod in creme fraiche was strong, but not overly so, and the salt on the grilled flat bread complimented the cod very well. Main Course This was the weakest part of the entire meal. I had the maltagliati (pasta in a pork & beef ragu),which was disappointly bland. After the brisket ravioli, I expected the flavors & textures of the meats to really pop, but the tomato sauce overpowered the flavor and the meat was diced too small to stand up to the thick al-dente bite of the pasta. My wife had the braised brisket with currant couscous and broccoli. Again we expected more from the brisket, but it was surprisingly dry (as was the couscous). Our friend had the Cacciucco (a variation on a traditional frutti di mare), and it was on par with what we've had at italian restaurants. Her only real complaint was the extra heat. We are both very gringo, but it didn't bother me (I only had a couple of bites, though). Dessert We almost left after the main course, but when the dessert menu arrived, we changed our minds. Boy were we glad! I chose the basil panna cotta with grapefruit gelee. The basil was very subtle, the tartness of the grapefruit was bright but well-balanced with the sweet of the gelee, and the contrasting texture of the gelee & panna cotta was interesting. My wife had the chocolate-chili creme brulee. The crust of the brulee was perfectly toasted, and the chocolate, chili and cinnamon were well-balanced. Our friend had the apple bread pudding in a rum & caramel sauce with fresh heavy whipped cream. The bread pudding was moist, the whipped cream was stiff and stood up to the warmth of the sauce & pudding, and the apples were slightly tart, adding a bit acid to the taste. Final Thoughts We will most definitely return in the future, but unless the daily special main course is truly special, we will just order a sampling of appetizers and desserts and treat it like tapas.

After 4 years of thinking about going to Cafe Malta we finally stopped in for lunch today. It is a cool and dreary winter's day and we were looking for some comfort food. Well, this is the right spot. First, I must tell you it is behind a gas station in a little strip mall, next door to the Ciggy Stop. So, expectations were pretty low. Walking in the door all of that changed. What we found was a tastefully decorated space that belies its exterior. There is a large, dark, copper covered bar to the left. It looks like a great spot to while away a rainy Wednesday afternoon. Seating is a mix of dark wooden booths and banquette seating with some 3 and 4 seat table in the middle of the room. The walls are a pale yellow/tam with large, bright paintings of some Mediterranean seashore. There is a faux pressed tin ceiling and tasteful lighting. Tables have tan linen tablecloths with butcher paper on top. All very warm, inviting and classy. Another nice touch was the water for the table. It arrived in a clear wine bottle with a couple of small glasses. Convenient, quaint and just plain nice. Now, on to the food. We shared the Crostini di Hill Country as an appetizer. Four appropriately sized portions of nice sausage slices on about a one inch thick slice of baguette a nice, mellow pesto. All of this is topped with a generous piece of stinky cheese and then broiled. Mellow, earthy and hearty. I had the Bistro, which is a reasonable sized piece of medium rare steak, nicely seared and pre-sliced. and served with an herb salsa. The gratin potatoes with gorgonzola were nicely done, generously portioned and were a perfect companion to the meat. Lastly, the sauteed broccoli was just crispy enough and served with a balsamic reduction. Overall, this is a solid, reasonably priced meal at $11. My wife ordered the mussels. The only complaint with this dish is that there were more than the normal number of broken shells in the dish. Otherwise, it was fantastic. There was a generous number of mussels. The broth was rich with garlic and wine. It was served with half a dozen slices of baguette and every last crumb was used to soak up that fantastic liquid. We switched plates half way through the meal and I stand by my choice, but no tears were shed in finishing up the mussels. The mussels came in at $10.50. So, my overall impression of Cafe Malta is extremely positive. The decor is spot on. The service is efficient but not in your face. I never wanted for anything and was never needlessly bothered by the waitstaff.

Is it really possible to have a unique restaurant in a strip mall? YES! Our son tripped over this one while looking on Yelp and insisted we try it. SO HAPPY WE LISTENED! His instinct was spot on! Definitely make a reservation (though we opted to just walk-in, get on their standby list, and wait outside with a bottle of wine and 6 glasses). It was worth it. Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere. Let's hope this slice of Europe brought over by the owners and transplanted here is able to remain humble and centered. If so, they'll do well. We'll be back.

I have now gone twice to Cafe Malta. Once on a couples date and a second time on a date with my wife. Both times I was very impressed with the atmosphere, the food and the overall experience. The location is a bit, odd, nestled in a shopping center behind a gas station and a taco bell. Driving buy you'd give no notice and it was only that some friends of ours called it out that we even took a second look. Once you get inside it's a warm atmosphere with candle lit tables, a large bar and thankfully only a tiny TV up and out of the way (why does every bar think they need a TV?). The menu is small and the prices are reasonable. Both trips I chose the special of the day on the board and was not disappointed. Last night was large noodles with Mediterranean meat balls (cinnamon, cumin and coriander). They were awesome. But even better were the muscles we had for the appetizer. Excellent. My wife and I shared our meal (muscles, arugula salad with goat cheese and and the noddle/MB special). We each had a glass of wine and shared a (quite small) slice of cake for dessert. Total bill? $60ish. Reasonable. My only compliant is to stop being skimpy on the bread. When ordering I verified that bread would be coming with the muscles. One of my favorite things is to sop up the tasty broth - of which this one was particularly good. They brought 4 little (baguette sized) slices. That was gone in an instant and when I asked for more they brought 4 little (baguette sized) slices. Disappointing but I didn't ask a third time. Though I wish i had. A fair amount of the broth went to waste. Regardless, overall very nice experience and I recommend this hidden gem.

Unexpected quality and creativity - located in a small strip mall outside of Austin . We enjoyed a very tasty meal at affordable prices. Short but creative wine list with some nice affordable choices. Service was excellent. Would certainly come back!

Upon the recommendation of my brother and sister-in-law, we visited Cafe Malta for lunch. Located in a shopping center in the far south end of Austin, this restaurant provides delicious food and friendly service. I had the brisket ravioli and my brother and sister-in-law each had the champignon; my brother also had the Levant salad. We were all pleased with our selections. Cafe Malta is a clean, up beat place that provides good music during the dining experience. I would certainly return to this restaurant.

I've been several times. Personally, I love the place because it's right down the street from house. The food is awesome!! It's really nice to have a place in South Austin that isn't smushed in the Soco or first street and Barton springs area. Plenty of parking. The atmosphere is great. Hell, yes I will go there again and fabulous date dinner outing.

My wife and I enjoyed a great dinner here. Dont let the outside discourage you. The inside is comfortable but not overdone. Nice bar with a fairly extensive wine list. Service was above average and friendly. We had the pork tenderloin and brisket. Both were delicious but felt the pork tenderloin portion was a bit small. The brisket had five nice size pieces, potatoes and sautéed green beans....would order again. Two beers, appetizer, salad and 2 dinners $58.00.....good value. Recommend and would return.

We had a fabulous experience at this tiny bistro tucked into a strip mall. Pleasantly surprised by the decor, food and service that was presented. Top notch.

Canceled my reservation for this evening via email. It’s New Years Eve! I had already received an email confirmation AND a reminder email. Completely unprofessional! Not the first time they have dropped the ball, but it will be the last.

Sometimes strip centers have the best restaurant gems. Last night while in Austin on business my colleague and I decided to venture out to a restaurant other than our usuals and found Café Malta. I checked out the reviews and liked what I read so we were game. Several reviews complained about a limited menu and perceived small portions. Personally I prefer a menu with a few entrée options that are appealing and mouth-watering as opposed to pages of food selections. As far as the small portions are concerned, I still had some of my entrée boxed for the next day because we had the cheese board for an appetizer as well as a wonderful bottle of Rioja Reserve. Our server was Sal. He was charming, attentive and engaging but not over-bearing. We enjoyed our experience at Café Malta and when business brings me back to Austin, I hope to enjoy its culinary delights again. Thank you!

Very tasty but it keeps you wondering about the small portions! We went there for brunch on a Sunday in October 2015. Had a small salad which was very crisp. Later a hanger steak flanked in roasted vegetables (tomatoes, romaine lettuce) . Very nice. Called the LOMBATELLO, Grilled hanger steak, grilled romaine, blistered tomato, red onion, avocado, gorgonzola aioli dressing & balsamic redux, Excellent. But it just wasn't a lot of food.

My dear friend has frequented Cafe Malta in the past and did not have glowing reports: under-seasoned, just not....there. So we decided after a year to try again. The old chef is apparently gone, the sous chef has taken over. I was largely and sadly underwhelmed. We had the ravioli appetizers - the were a tad undercooked and quite thick - not nearly enough butter sauce- barely any at all. The tuna carpaccio also had no seasoning, hardly any tuna atop dry somewhat wilted arugula and black beans. It didn't make sense. And again, a few dribbles of a sauce around the plate - would pass on this app again. Ordered the Autumn Apple salad - again, where's the dressing?? IMO, the arugula should have been tossed with the dressing. Finally, we had the pork tenderloin recommended by our waitress - this was delish - it was the saving grace. Cooked and seasoned perfectly, couldn't have eaten more of this! It's a bummer b/c the menu looks fab, but there is a fail in delivery. It's very hit and miss. Our service was great, our waitress was gracious, no complaints there.

What a find this place is: good food, well proportioned, great bar and excellent service. Will be going back. Loved being able finish the meal at an out door table with espresso and pana cotta.

A hidden gem of a restaurant tucked away in a strip center at the corner of Brodie Lane and William Cannon - an eclectic mix of fresh ingredients molded into delicious dishes. The mussels were outstanding and I elected to try the vegetarian lasagna - what a way to get your vegetable servings in for the day! Delicious! And I topped it off with the peach cobbler, a favorite of mine on a hot summer day -- served with whipped cream. Wonderful meal. The other people in the restaurant were engaged in lively conversations at their table and the restaurant has an inviting beautiful wood bar. Excellent meal. $14 for the lasagna. $11 for the mussels. A little pricey but a nice date or special event restaurant.

The fun part of traveling is trying new restaurants. There were several vegetarian options on the menu at Cafe Malta. The Gnocchi appetizer, Levant salad, and Champignon (mushroom based) main dish were all delicious. Darell was an excellent server and ensured that dishes came to the table in an appropriate sequenced timing. While the restaurant is housed in a strip mall-type environment step inside and have a great experience.

Nice restaurant, good food, friendly overworked staff(due to employees not showing up). Service was not as fast as you would like making the time between seating, ordering and dinner longer than one would want, but once the meal arrived it was excellent with one exception, The exception was the au gratin potato's were cold. I brought this to the waiters attention and he more than took care of it. He gave us 2 free deserts and cooked a fresh au gratin side. The food was very good, nice atmosphere, good selection of drinks. The star of the meal was the desert of "Chocolate pot de crème with crushed pistachios". A to die for desert.

The salad was wonderful, my hanger steak was great, as was the cheese board. The chicken pot pie, was not enjoyed. I would go back, but don't get the pot pie. They were very accomidating, and removed it from our bill.

Excellent service from Matt. The the crostini app and the heirloom tomatoes Salad were very good. The hanger steak entree was enjoyed by everyone. My cod was good, though next time I’ll get something with some more flavor zing. Chocolate chili creme brûlée was a hit at our table. We also took advantage of the happy hour beer, wine, and app specials.

The food and service here are great. The wait staff and management is friendly. The food is fresh, locally-sourced and/or fair trade and often organic. They have a gluten-free menu, and they service yummy local wines. Try the chocolate-chili creme brulee for dessert. Portion sizes are adequate and thankfully not overwhelming like they are some places. The coffee is delicious (and only $2 a cup).

You might not look for an excellent Mediterranean-oriented cafe in a nondescript shopping center but Cafe Malta is exceptional! The food is wonderful, service is attentive. Kitchen has a light, perfect hand with flavours and textures. [Probably the best place in Austin for mussels.] We celebrated a recent birthday there and the restaurant was able to accommodate a vegan guest as well as those with various food allergies. 10 STARS!!!

Tucked in a strip mall on the outskirts of Austin is this bistro called Cafe Malta. My old college roommate and his wife took us there for dinner since it is their favorite go to place. Rather than trying to be fancy the place is set up to be friendly and comfortable. But one really goes there for the great tasting food. Three of us were drawn to the lamb fettuccini which we all agreed was an excellent choice particularly because of the tangy way they seasoned the lamb. Fortunately, my wife ordered the brisket ravioli so we had at least two data points with which to judge their food. She rated her dish very highly as well. We also appreciated that the portions were reasonable enough that one did not have struggle just to finish one's dish. So if you appreciate European-sized portions, you will like it here. If you prefer super-sized portions this may not be the best place for you. And you will have room for dessert. I recommend highly the mango pomegranate mousse.

A blend of Mediterranean dishes in an intimate setting sums up Cafe Malta. The service was very good and many of the dishes hit their mark. The tables are made up plainly but the creativity in the menu more than offsets that. The restaurant has a large board of daily specials that added some nice options, e.g., cauliflower soup and onion tart, to the menu. The waiter helped us select a nice wine that kept everyone happy. Started out with PEI mussels (huge bowl full, nicely seasoned, but a couple of off-tasting mussels), brisket ravioli (fantastic clean taste - highly recommended) and gnocchi (overcooked and way too salty since it was smothered in gorgonzola - returned to the kitchen) as appetizers. That was followed by salads: Autumn Apple Salad (generous bed of dinosaur kale, apples, pecans and blue cheese with a light dressing), the Levant (very good, albeit a bit small) and the grilled watermelon (nothing to write home about taste-wise and missing obvious signs of the advertised pickled rind ). Main courses were paella (more mussels, squid, shrimp and fish and a large bed of spanish rice - above average), the Maltese chicken (very good and generous portion) and the seasonal lasagna (really interesting tasty vegetarian version - highly recommended). Deserts were creme brûlée (nice with a twist as it was infused with spicy chili powder) and flour less chocolate cake (really yummy with a side of apple-pear compote). Coffee and espresso were all done up correctly. Prices were reasonable for the quality of food and service. With the exception of the gnocchi, the few strange tasting mussels,and the uninspired watermelon salad, the remainder of the food was very good to excellent. Overall, three thumbs up from our table.

Cafe Malta is an incredible fine dining, top quality restaurant tucked (not so) glamorously into a south Austin strip mall. Don't be fooled by the location - this restaurant would thrive on congress or second or anywhere. The food is that good! All the ingredients are fresh and they try to support local producers. The brunch is phenomenal! The orange juice is fresh squeezed, right behind the bar. One downer, portions are not Texas sized so prices feel slightly high. But again, it's worth it.

When you pull into the shopping center where Cafe Malta is located, you might double check the address and worry you're in the wrong place. Yes, it really is behind the Exxon station in a strip mall! And yes, it really is EXCELLENT! I have been for lunch, brunch and dinner. It is a fine dining oasis in south Austin and was named one of Austin's best restaurants with good reason. It's one of my favorite restaurants to go to with friends and out of town guests, because it's excellent quality food prepared with fresh and local ingredients, but away from the hipster hoopla that is the Austin dining scene today. The decor is smart, elegant and Mediterranean. The menu draws from Eastern and Western Mediterranean countries. My best advice is to go there for a leisurely lunch. The menu mirrors the dinner menu only the portions are a bit smaller and the price is right. I recommend the brisket ravioli. The ravioli is homemade and the sauce is delicious. You can have a delicious and memorable 3-course lunch there that won't break the bank. Staff is attentive and knowledgeable. If you're looking for a hidden dining gem in Austin, definitely Cafe Malta a try!

I usually have the Bistro Hanger Steak and it’s the best. And reasonably priced. Definitely a recommended dinner place.

This is a small neighborhood restaurant and it's a real gem. It has been in business for many years, so has withstood the test of time. Limited menu, but a good variety, and everything we have eaten here was excellent. Try the hanger steak.

Small, neighborhood cafe and full bar with a menu heavy on fresh, local and organic ingredients, prepared with a distinctly Mediterranean flair. Blackboard specials. We have never, ever had a bad meal here.

This was my fourth or fifth time I have been to the Cafe Malta for lunch or, in one case, brunch. We continue to return to this delightful restaurant - located in a shopping center - because of the wonderful food. On this most recent visit I had the brisket ravioli, which is always good. The service is friendly, the restrooms are clean and well maintained, and the food is always fresh. The Cafe Malta had an interesting selection of wine and other spirits.

This is a true gem of a restaurant. It's in a strip mall and there is nothing that would make you say "Hey I need to go in there." But oh my gosh you would surely miss out. The food is exquisite. The prices are about 2/3 what you'll pay in downtown Austin. Cafe Malta is the only fine dining south of Town Lake. The wine list is good, the cocktails are excellent and the servers are first rate. This is not a place to bring young children.

Cafe Malta is perfect--or will be soon. With an enticing, original, creative menu of mediterranean-inspired dishes, great service, and pitch-perfect prices, it's just the place I've been looking for. Even the wine list got me excited, with its great selection of (mostly french) wines not seen elsewhere, and fabulous deals (almost all wines are priced around $24 for the bottle). The hard part was deciding which dishes and drinks to order and turning down all those other wonderful-sounding options. From then on we were left undistracted by waitstaff (there when we wanted them, unobtrusive when we didn't) to enjoy the nice atmosphere, great conversation, and mixed crowd. Prices were very reasonable, and portions spot-on: generous, but not so big you feel you should be sharing them. One caveat: our waiter told us the place is only 6 weeks old, and I hope that explains the undercooked pastas (otherwise delicious chevre/pumpkin ravioli and linguini with meatballs). Flavors were good enough that we'll definitely give them another chance. Cafe Malta was a great place to meet parents coming from Wimberley--I just wish it were closer to North Austin!

Friends had recommended Cafe Malta so we stopped by one Sunday evening for dinner for two. The first thing I noticed was how loud it was in there. Definitely not the place to go for a quiet, romantic dinner. Otherwise, our experience was top notch all the way around. For added ambiance, while I was being seated, and as my guest made her way to the washroom, I tossed onto our tabletop red rose petals from a rose bud I had in my coat pocket. Selena, our waitress (who was also top-notch the entire evening) inquired if this was a special occasion. "Yes, we're celebrating our two years together today" I replied. Shortly after my guest returned, Selena returned with two gratis glasses of champagne to help us celebrate. Nice touch! We ordered the gnocchi bleu as an appetizer, but was informed they were out of it, so we settled for the special, Smoked fish creme fraiche with garlic-toasted baguette & daikon greens, which was indeed smokey, and tasty. Then she ordered the Levant (butter lettuce, tomato, cucumber, fresh mint & parsley in a grilled lemon vinaigrette, avocado and olives) and I had the Wintergrill (Texas beets, turnip & carrots over spinach in dill vinaigrette, candied pecans & Bleu des Causses). Portion sizes were just the right for one & while both were well executed, we preferred the Wintergrill. For entrees I had the special of pan seared lamb medallions with couscous and herb/goat cheese, cooked a perfect tender & moist medium. She had the Champignon (crimini, shiitake & oyster mushrooms, caramelized onion, goat cheese & fresh herbs baked in a flaky pastry crust, with mornay sauce & seasonal vegetable sauté). She enjoyed it thoroughly. For dessert, we shared an delicious baked apple cobbler (we'd shared an apple pie on our first date).. The bill came with no issues. While this is not one of the most expensive restaurants in Austin, it does make a decent dent in your wallet. If I am paying higher than average prices for a meal, I expect higher than average quality and service. We were not disappointed in any way. Before we left I asked for the manager. Nick, also part owner, dropped by and I thanked him for helping make our experience at Cafe Malta a most pleasant memory we both shall always cherish and that we will highly recommend Cafe Malta to our friends and others, which I have now accomplished.

We visited Cafe Malta just after 8 pm on a Friday night to celebrate a birthday and were seated immediately. As other reviewers have commented, don't let the drab strip mall exterior deter you - the interior of the restaurant is attractive and comfortable. The PEI mussels appetizer was excellent, and our two entrees - a swordfish steak and the hanger steak - were also well prepared and delicious. Service was efficient, friendly and unobtrusive. We tried the chocolate chili creme brulee for dessert at the recommendation of our waiter and were not disappointed. Add a couple of glasses of wine and a cocktail and the cost per person with tip was about $50. We will definitely be back, as restaurants of this quality are not common in southwest Austin.

This place has a fairly limited menu but all the selections are fresh and delicious, and the service is friendly. I particularly enjoy the brisket ravioli, which is outstanding.

On Saturday my wife, sister-in-law, and brother had brunch at Café Malta. This was my third time to dine at this restaurant and my wife’s first. The service was friendly and attentive. For a starter we had hummus, which was quite tasty. My wife had the San Marfzano tomato salad followed by the gnocchi blu and I had the Levant salad followed by an order of mussels. My brother and his wife each had the Lombatello, a steak salad. We were all very satisfied with our respective selections. I was particularly impressed with the mussels, which were prepared to perfection and were delicious. In addition to good food, Café Malta serves alcoholic beverages; it offers a nice selection of wines. This is a popular restaurant, and for good reason. Located in the Cannon Oaks Center, this restaurant has access to plenty of available parking space.

Food was so so. My husband and I ordered the cod special, and all who tasted said, too salty. Maybe that is cod? Our friends fared better with their eggplant soup and gnocchi appetizers but one was not crazy about their Garlic-and-herb-roasted pork. The most favorite meal was what a friend loved: lasagna of sweet potato, collard greens, tomato, gruyère. My husband wanted to substitute the rice with the cod for pasta - fettuccine was on the menu. The friendly server said, he didn't see why not. He came out rather sheepishly within a few minutes apologizing that, the owner said, no substitutions. Really, have you ever seen Five Easy Pieces with Jack Nicholson? Look for the diner scene: no substitutions? Like what we experienced. Side order of wheat toast denied - pasta denied. "Chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, hold the butter, lettuce and chicken so I can have the toast." Not the experience we expected in an otherwise pleasant restaurant. Beautiful bar and interesting artwork.

Small restaurant tucked in strip mall. Great menu chafes with season, Mediterranean menu. Great wine list it too expensive either. If you like Mecitrranean food thus us the p,ace to go,although small it has a friendly vibe!p with great food.

Had a good Birthday diner here for my love. The ravioli with brisket/pecan/pesto/parmesan, very good, ordered one pei mussels, liked it very much and ordered another one. Had heirloom tomato for salad which was good not spectacular. Have been here before, different menu also good

We have eaten here several times, had the pleasure of Steven as our waiter who is really helpful and very knowledgeable about the dishes offered. Meals are flavorful and delicious with a large variety offered. Service is very good and friendly.

This was really a tough call. Cafe Malta is quite frankly a diamond in the rough. However to get it really going it will need some polishing. Despite a 2 star review, I will be going back. Mainly because I can definitely see the potential that it holds. I personally think that when this place does get hopping it will be loud and a busy place to kick back and eat/drink. It is a simple layout, a non-existent waiting area and a beautiful copper top bar. Lot's of white wall space currently and cool mirrors and hanging lights. They had wonderful music piped in which made me feel very relaxed. The kitchen area is somewhat open with a frosted plexiglass as a divider, which also is quite chic. You will find ample parking in the strip mall where she sits off of Brodie and William Cannon. The building used to house Block Buster Video store or right next to it. Being only three weeks old, they have some glitches which need to be addressed, like not offering Crown Royal, but Makers Mark hit the spot as an alternative. The menu is simple and light in options, which is fine for me. Apps, Salads, Entree's and desserts. A couple of specials on the board as well. We went for the Pork Belly Appetizer, I wanted the ravioli but they were out so settled for the Pork Shoulder and Suz had the Ahi Tuna. Pork Belly arrived with a potato and carrot confit. The presentation was really quite good and the portion size of the Pork Belly was quite substantial. It looked like a slab of meatloaf at first. It had a nice char on the outside. However, I found it really quite fatty. I know, it's supposed to be a little fatty, but I found this version to be mostly fat. I would have preferred it if they would have trimmed it down a bit, but we ate it all. The potatoes were nice little chunky bites and the carrots were more of a decoration gracing the plate with some color. My Pork Shoulder was a big let down. Unfortunately, I think they may have left off the Date demi-glaze or if it was on there then it was a complete non sequitur addition. My first bite was fat.. I realized at that point that they probably should have trimmed the pork shoulder a bit more prior to roasting it. Or perhaps provided a better selection of medallions since I cut off the fatty bits and was left with half my entree. I guess the roasted apple couscous was meant to be a little bit like dressing?... I really couldn't get a flavor profile other than the taste of the roasted pork. The brightness that the apple could have brought to the plate would have helped in my opinion. As it was, it all just seemed to blend together. The broccoli was fine if not unimaginative. The Ahi-Tuna was a massive serving. A huge chunk of fish. It was like they caught Charlie the Tuna and served him on one plate. It was perfectly cooked rare, Suzie had asked for it to be cooked chef's choice. It was served lightly grilled with Basil Oil. I had a couple of bites and it was tasty, but again I felt it was lacking some spice, perhaps a wassabi smear on the plate would have been nice touch. The rapini and baked polenta cake was a nice companion for it. Our server Chris, who ended up as our bartender since we moved to the bar after our dinner was very helpful, polite and did a fine job. I truly think they will get this down. They bill themselves as Tex-Med or a European Trattoria and they seem to be on their way to accomplish this. We will be back, they have some killer looking drink specials and hopefully we will have a better experience.

I'm sorry but I just cannot like this restaurant. The noise level is excessive and not enjoyable. Our server, Sal, was not friendly, not welcoming, not helpful with our orders. I feel the food is pricey for what comes on the plate. Our friends love it, so we go to be with them, but maybe not next time...

If it were socially acceptable, I'd've licked my plate clean. Gnocchi in sage cream sauce was fabulous, complete with two slices of toasted baguette to sop up whatever was left on the plate. My husband, who is rarely enthused about food, felt much the same about his pappardelle. Although the beef and lamb burger was great, my daughter filled up on the wonderful fries and had to box up the remainder. My only regret was not ordering the tongue special. The menu is unusual, requiring a lot of thought and care to put together, so don't rush when ordering. Several nights a week they feature foods of various countries near Malta. Service was spot on. I only wish we lived closer.

It's so nice to have another great restaurant in SW Austin. Adding Cafe Malta to the list is a real pleasure. This intimate new gem is located in a strip center (what else...right?) at Brodie and Wm Cannon. There are probably 20 tables (tops) so be sure to get there either early (before 6:30) or a little later (after 8:30) so you don't have to wait. We've met the owners - who are always around, and they even live in the neighborhood. The last time we were in for dinner EVERYTHING from the appetizer (get the raviolis!) to the soup/salad, entree were spectacular. The service is friendly and quick. Pricing is what I'd say is reasonable for the quality and service you'll receive. Expect to spend over $50 especially if you include a wine or cocktail. In short you will not be disappointed in this treasure of a restaurant.

consistently good food and clean enironment and friendly service. Not the fastest service/kitchen but worth waiting for

When I dine out with good company, I want pleasant atmosphere, great food and attentive waitstaff and Cafe Malta passed all 3 with A+'s! Café Malta is a very delightful Mediterrean bistro. I love their booths but no matter how many cans of Slim Fast I drink, my expanded girth won't allow me to squeeze into them so I have to opt for a table. I had to start off with my favorite cocktail, 'I Can Explain Everything' which reminds me of a lighter version of the Brazilian cocktail, Caipirinha. I had lunch for the first time two months with friends and I was surprised that our server Steven remembered me and well pleased that he would be assisting us. I ordered the Gnocchi Bleu, homemade potato dumplings in a rich creamy sauce of gorgonzola, garlic and thyme for my appetizer. I failed to asked Steven to add some extra sauce so I could sop it up with their delicious house made baguette, nevertheless, it was absolutely delicious. For my main entrée, I ordered the L'amette, house made pasta, tossed with Texas ground lamb, apple, rosemary, arugula, garlic and parmesan reggiano. With my first bite, my sigh of approval may have sounded a bit obscene but it was that savory. It was paired with a Pinot Noir, Macedon, suggested by our server Steven. It was a magnificent evening and dining experience. I will definitely be back to partake of uncharted delectable delghts on the menu.

I have been to Café Malta many times over the last few years. What draws me back is the consistent level of food quality, service, and the ever-changing menu "Specials". Here's a place where dining is inventive, flexible, and interesting. There bar always consistently puts out flavorful well-made cocktails. I highly recommend the dining here. HOWEVER: The MAJOR downside to Cafe Malta is the wine selection, much of which draw from local Texas vineyards that are not terribly good, especially if you a seasoned lover of good wine. Most recently, I contacted the restaurant to ask if I might bring a special bottle to a meal with a large group, and was willing to pay any appropriate fee, but management - hands down- refused me. Since I intended to entertain 6-8 ppl for dinner there, knowing that half of the table would be flexible enough to order from their cocktail menu, I was completely dumbfounded by the emphatic "NO" and as a result ended up taking my group elsewhere. Sadly, Malta missed out on a large dining tab that night (and anytime I am entertaining a large group in the future) by this complete inflexibility. While I would return on a quiet evening with a friend to enjoy the great food, its unfortunate that I can never share this experience beyond a companion or two.

Just came home from a very enjoyable late lunch/early dinner at Cafe Malta. We wanted to eat light, so we shared an order of mussels which were prepared to perfection in a spicy wine sauce, an order of crostini which was delicious, and a levant salad which was refreshing. It wasn't crowded at all, and I'm sure this was because of the time of day, but we ran into friends who said they are frequent guests here. The ambience was very pleasant, jazz playing softly in the background, and the decor was pleasing as well. We definitely will return.

Cafe Malta is a Mediterranean restaurant that is a small, quite and clean place to dine where it's easy to talk and get to know your guest. The menu was not too large or small and you felt the Chef was personally involved in making every entrée. We had 4 at our table and everyone liked their order including me. That Sunday evening was the end of Austin's Formula 1 race weekend and likely every restaurant was expecting good business. That's what puzzled me as there was only one waitress and one bartender/waiter on duty. When we got arrived there was only 2 other couples seated at 2 two tops. Soon after there it became 5 two tops and 4 four tops counting us. However those 2 managed I don't know but they did and our guy was very personable. My dish was ok and the others seemed to like theirs too. Upon leaving I handed the waiter my VISA where it said on back, CID. He very courteously did and I thanked him for that.

Excellent food and ever changing menu. Great place to take a date or a dinner out with friends or solo. Chill bistro. Nicely located with amazingly easy parking given it's location.

I have visited for both lunch and dinner and have not been disappointed. The service is good and the food is really good. The location in South Austin is great for a nice meal without having to stress about parking. We also took 2 kids for one of the visits.

You don't expect this type of food quality from a restaurant in a strip mall. Cafe Malta is a great restaurant with a Mediterranean menu that make seasonal accommodations. You get to explore the food from various Mediterranean countries. They also do country specific dinners. And, unbelievably, the prices are reasonable too. We have taken two couple to dinner with us there, and each has gone back on their own. The brisket ravioli is a wonderful indulgence. Since it is a small restaurant, I am almost hesitant to recommend, for fear that it will gain more popularity and I might not be able to get in! Enjoy!

Great varied menu, good prices, exceptional service. We had the Brisket Ravioli and the Bistro, two of our favorite meals at a place we never fail to visit when we're back in Austin. Not at all crowded on weeknights, but it's not a quiet dining area, so conversation takes a back seat to eating. Knowledgeable, friendly staff that this time went above and beyond. I left my credit card here and left town without it -- they mailed it back to me, no prob.

We really enjoy this small bistro, tucked away in a strip center. Have eaten at Cafe Malta five times now. Cafe Malta takes reservations -- a rare thing in ATX. It has a beautiful bar and is a very cute restaurant. In cooler weather, one can dine outside. The restaurant has a fun drink menu. For food, the brisket ravioli is solid, and the Levant salad is fantastic....light and lemony. The only negative I have is this restaurant gets very busy, and subsequently gets louder and louder as the evening goes on. Go early in the evening (or for lunch) if you or your party needs to have a quiet conversation. Cafe Malta is on my list of favorite places to dine!

While visiting family in Austin we had dinner here at the high recommendation of some friends. The food was great but the service was horrible. It took almost an hour after ordering for our food to arrive. To compensate they gave us free desserts, but by that time we already had a bad first impression. Our advice is to go on maybe a Monday when they aren't as busy.

We found out about Cafe Malta on Trip Advisor while searching for a restaurant on our way to the outlets in San Marcos. After reading the reviews we decided to turn around and grab lunch before our flight back to SFO, and were glad we did. We already knew it was in a strip mall behind Taco Bell, so we were prepared for that. We still entered with fingers crossed and were immediately put at ease once we saw how many diners were in the restaurant. We were promptly seated and brought a glass bottle of water to the table so we could keep refilling our glasses. Might not sound like much but we're in a drought in California so we have to ask for water here. There were so many options on the menu that sounded interesting we ordered way too much food, but wanted to taste a bit of everything. We started with an appetizer -I can't remember what it was called, but it's similar to some kind of pork bruschetta. Then followed it with two salads - the Levant (fresh and light) and the Lombetello (more substantial -along the lines of an entrée). Then onto the PEI mussels. So good, but the broth is a bit spicy. Thank goodness for that water! Next we had a pasta dish with brisket but can't recall that either. And if that wasn't enough we ordered the peach cobbler for dessert. This was the least favorite thing we had. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't as good as everything else we had prior. Our server was great from the beginning -giving great recommendations - in fact she tried to steer us to a different dessert, and in hindsight we should've listened. We did not order from the bar so can't comment on the cocktails, but we absolutely loved everything we ordered. When in Austin we usually stick to the downtown area and always find great food. It was nice finding a neighborhood place that did more than compete!

Second time I tried this restau w boyfriend. First time wasn't great- small portions, 1/2 pour of wine, a certain lack of attn to details that made everything just... kind of blah. The gnocchi app was delish, but small, and the salad was tiny (for a $9 salad), as was my main. Would've needed 2 more dishes- just for me, and I'm 5'3" 120lbs... Decided to try it again for brunch recently. But, sadly, it was all just that again- sad. From the inability to get thru via phone to the place to begin with, bad strip mall/gas station view and waitress' black thong sticking out while she served food to the one-leaf-of-lettuce salad and the (again small) Croque Madame that had no bechamel sauce. When I pointed this out to our waitress, she said she'd bring some out. I thought fine, I don't like to waste food, don't need the kitchen to make a new one. But it was a while before anything came out (waitress said sorry, they had to make some more), so dish was cold... and the bechamel sauce was more like lumpy tasteless glue than bechamel sauce. The biscuit the eggs came on was good - It's not like everything was horrible- but it almost was... I hope they up their attn to service, make their veg dishes bigger, and pay more attn to details in general.

Beautifully presented delicious dishes served gracefully and with the perfectly matched wine recommendation. Vegetarian options also available!

Ok, empty tables galore, but we were not seated immediately. Our young energetic server answered several questions we had about menu items and helpfully gave her suggestions. Her biggest suggestion was for the brisket ravioli. Ok, my choice was made! No salad. And here comes my small plate of ravioli and sauce. That's all. I admit the sauce is delicious. The brisket ravioli are, too, BUT somehow there are cheese raviolis mixed into this portion. Remember, the menu stated BRISKET ravioli not brisket and cheese. My friend had the exact same situation. When this was pointed out to the server, she seemed so surprised. We did not pursue this, but later she came back to say she'd checked in the kitchen, and they admitted they'd made a mistake. Yeah, right...on two plates. Somehow I do not think this was a mistake at all, hence my review!

...and completely delightful! Madame and I wanted something simple and good on a recent Sunday night, when we were trying to escape the clutches of the NFL on television. We'd read about Cafe Malta and, fortunately, it is in a part of Austin we know well, so even though it is back from the street in a little strip mall, with no troubles we found ourselves in a comfy bistro-style space at a nice table, looking over a great menu. The welcome was warm and friendly, and the smallish space (maybe, what, seating for 35-40 at a handful of tables, some booths, and banquettes?) held a cheerful and varied clientele, yet was quiet enough for nice conversation. That's a big consideration with us. For the football-addicted, of whom there are one or two in central Texas, there was a television with the game on, but it was silent and tucked away from most tables. The room reminded me a lot,in fact, of a spiffed-up version of a small place we used to enjoy visiting in Burgundy. After a lot of dithering, I started with mussels -- a perfectly-sized (which is to say, ample but not gargantuan) serving of really nice _moules_ done with just a little bit of spicy heat in the broth. Absolutely delicious, and both the mussels and the broth became history fairly quickly. My main dish was a swordfish special -- done with Meyer lemons and served over surprisingly good orzo. I happen to love swordfish, so I was a happy guy. Madame had chicken kofta as a starter, followed up by a Catalan chicken dish, both of which really pleased her. Dessert was a little pecan cake with an orange drizzle. The wine list is small-to-middling in size and offers quite a range of reasonably-priced bottles. As our sampling shows, Cafe Malta's menu is sophisticated and diverse, and the kitchen really delivers on what the menu promises. Service was friendly, expeditious, and knowledgeable. As another reviewer has noted, sometimes small strip-mall places hold real delights (other times, of course, not so much). In this case, we could tell we were in good hands as soon as we walked in, and all the surprises were on the upside. We will certainly return. One advantage of the strip-mall location is that Cafe Malta has plenty of free parking right out front. Reservations are accepted, even for parties of two, as are all the major flavors of plastic.

This is one of my favorite places in Austin, unfortunately not well located to my home but worth the drive. The food is always creative and delicious, the service is gracious, and the venue is unassuming but comfortable, with a relaxed ambiance. The pasta dishes are perfect. The semi-monthly "Tour de Forks" event is an amazing value -- four courses and a drink for about $25. The standout at my most recent visit was the drum fish soup.

Don't let the small strip mall deceive you, this place is top notch and very classy. All of their dishes are delicious although portions are not shareable but perfect portions for one. The small cozy atmosphere makes you feel like you're on vacation and is further complimented by their delicious drinks. I recommend the Licosa and the Thank You Sir, May I Have Another. Their service is also very attentive, personal and knowledgeable.

The 1st & 3rd Tuesday the have special menus from around the World. You can enjoy a 4-course meal of authentic, traditional dishes for a staggeringly reasonable $25. The last one we attended was Tuscany! Be sure to try & get Steve as your waiter he was very helpful & knowledgeable about the dishes offered. Service is very good and friendly. They also serve lunch and we enjoyed that also!

Wow! This restaurant is out of this world. No, not really, it is a Mediterranean restaurant. The emphasis is more on the Eastern European Coast. For starters, I had the lamb sausage, my husband had a good salad. I had the lamb fettucine and have never tasted anything like it. It reminded me a little of strogonoff but way better. My husband had the mussels and they were fall out of the shell delicious. For dessert my husband had the pumpkin cheesecake very good. i had the chili chocolate Creme Brulee great way to cap off the dinner. Oh wait, no, I also had Coffee so more which has a good liquor in it.

Ate at Café Malta for about the fourth time, with my wife, although it was pre-Covid when we were there last. A charming, small venue, when not crowded, that quickly deteriorated into a hard to hear yourself talk fully packed venue that has a completely different, and not overly enjoyable, vibe once it filled up. Thus, unless you want an Irish Pub/more raucous vibe for dinner, I suggest you show up around 5 pm, unless it’s a quiet evening, in terms of patrons. Menu had good variety, service was friendly and attentive, the food was mostly delicious, and the prices were 30% or so below typical Austin prices for similar food options. The PEI mussels were in a tasty tomato-based sauce served with bread pieces. Delicious. The gnocchi was a definite must try dish for anyone that likes gnocchi and gorgonzola cheese. My wife had a salad with steak that she thought was delicious. My pork with polenta and grilled veggies was good, but nothing special. Candidly, the pork, although really tender, did not have much flavor. The apple crumble for dessert was a nice way to finish the meal, and my cappuccino was tasty. We definitely will return to this restaurant sooner than later, but will show up at 5 PM next time, instead of 5:30 PM — as, although the first 45 minutes were lovely and very European bistro-like, the last half hour was an overly noisy, crowded, and not particularly pleasant experience. And, if you’re going to be at this place when it fills up, I would strongly recommend you sit in a booth in the corner, or sit as far away from the front door as possible.

Instead of a place being bundled into the core of the the downtown area this place is located a few miles away from all that...either way you're not too far from downtown. That's one thing I really like about it. The FOOD tastes amazing. The menu changes and the place has a really nice amostphere. Truly exceeded my expectations. I love one my best kept secrets, Cafe Malta.