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Balluta Bay · St Julian's · Malta

Klay is a Mediterranean kitchen and cocktail bar right on the water in St Julian's — breakfast until 11:30, long lunches, tapas till six and dinner beneath rattan light, with the bay and its Carmelite church framed in glass.

Signature cocktails and a sharing platter on Klay's terrace, facing the neo-gothic Carmelite church across Balluta Bay
A violet gin cocktail from the Klay bar

Our story

The story of Klay, Balluta Bay

Like the earth it's named after, Klay is warm, honest and shaped by hand. We sit right on the water at Balluta Bay, where glass walls frame the turquoise lido, the promenade and the neo-gothic Carmelite church — and the kitchen cooks the Mediterranean the way it's meant to be eaten: generously, and in good company.

A table set for dinner inside Klay with the Carmelite church of Balluta visible through the glass

Mornings start with Lavazza and eggs Benedict at the window. By noon the terrace fills with Caesar salads and Klay burgers; through the afternoon it's gambas, platters and the first round of Bay of Klay. Then the rattan lanterns glow, the mussels arrive, and nobody is in a hurry to leave.

Glass-walled
dining room & bay-view terrace
Italian & Maltese
at heart — bigilla, ġbejna, rabbit, fresh pasta
08:30 till late
breakfast, lunch, tapas, dinner & cocktails
A Klay server in a branded apron carrying plates out to the terrace

Service on the terrace

A flight of four house cocktails held up against Balluta Bay and its church

Golden hour, Balluta Bay

The best seat in the bay is yours.

A day at Klay

From morning to moonlight

One room on the bay, four moods. The kitchen opens with coffee and closes with cocktails — come for one, stay for the next.

Eggs Benedict and fresh juice at a window table overlooking the Balluta lido and church
01

Morning

Slow mornings

From 08:30 · breakfast until 11:30

Lavazza espresso, fresh orange juice and breakfast plates at the window — the lido below, the church across the water. Stay a while — the Wi-Fi is reliable and nobody rushes you.

  • Eggs Benedict
  • Turkish Eggs
  • Shakshuka
  • American Pancakes
A ciabatta sandwich and a violet cocktail on the terrace with turquoise water behind
02

Midday

Long lunches

Lunch, all afternoon

Out on the terrace: Klay Caesar, filled ciabatta from the bakers' corner, brioche burgers and blistered pizza, with the turquoise bay just past the rail.

  • Klay Burger
  • Chicken Caesar
  • Porchetta & Buffalo
  • Margherita
A sharing platter and a cocktail on a terrace table facing the Carmelite church
03

Golden hour

Tapas & a spritz

Tapas until 18:00

Gambas al ajillo, halloumi fries and the Klay Platter with Maltese ġbejna — made for the middle of the table while the light turns gold.

  • Gambas al Ajillo
  • Klay Platter
  • Ham Hock Croquettes
  • Halloumi Fries
Klay's dining room at night beneath woven rattan pendant lamps
04

Evening

Dinner under rattan light

Dinner & cocktails until late

Mussels in white wine, seabass with citrus and herbs, rib eye with port reduction — then a signature cocktail, because nobody here is in a hurry.

  • Mussels
  • Seabass
  • Rib Eye 300g
  • Spaghetti Vongole

From the kitchen

Italian technique, Maltese produce, the sea on the doorstep. These are the dishes that keep turning up in our guests' photos — and their reviews.

  • Calamari Fritti

    Crisp, light, tartare sauce

  • Mussels

    White wine, garlic, cherry tomato

  • Beef Carpaccio

    Crispy capers, pecorino cream, chimichurri

  • Spaghetti Carbonara

    Guanciale, egg yolk, pecorino

  • Linguine ai Frutti di Mare

    Mussels, clams & prawns — ask for today's catch

  • Grilled Seabass

    Potato terrine, roasted peppers, citrus & herbs

  • Beef Tagliata 300g

    Hasselback potato, port reduction, beef jus

  • Klay Burger

    Brioche, 200g beef, onion marmalade, bacon

  • Margherita

    Mozzarella di bufala, basil

  • Klay Platter

    Parma ham, salami, ġbejna, gorgonzola, galletti

The bar

Butterfly-pea gin turned violet. Ancho Reyes warming a whiskey sour. Kaffir lime folded into silver tequila. Our bartenders build every signature to order — and for those who'd rather watch the sunset, there's Maltese wine by the glass, ice-cold Cisk and mocktails too.

  • Bay of Klay

    €10.50

    Butterfly-pea infused gin, lavender syrup, grapefruit, lemon & egg white

  • Klay Collins

    €9.50

    Kaffir-lime infused silver tequila, passion fruit, lemongrass syrup, soda

  • Whiskey Business

    €10.00

    Wild Turkey, cinnamon syrup, Ancho Reyes, lemon & egg white

  • Boozeberry Blast

    €11.00

    Gin, egg white, lemon, cranberry, muddled cucumber & blueberries

  • Melonica

    €10.00

    Citron vodka, melon liqueur, passion fruit, apple & lemon

  • Klay White Tiramisu

    €9.50

    Dark rum, Kahlúa & amaretto with fresh cream

A violet gin cocktail topped with an edible print, on the bar at Klay
A passion fruit martini on a cork Klay coaster
A Klay bartender finishing a cocktail with tweezers
A wooden board of four colourful house cocktails

The room

Klay's terrace on the Balluta promenade, with latticed panels bearing the Klay name
Clusters of woven rattan pendant lamps over the dining room
The Klay wordmark on a latticed pillar at the entrance
Wooden tables and woven chairs beside floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea
A cane-backed chair beside a potted palm at the window
Rattan lampshades against the reed ceiling
Glassware set on round tables, ready for service
Inside
Woven rattan lanterns, cane-backed chairs and a wall of glass onto the bay — calm, bright and modern.
Terrace
Right on the promenade and kept cool on hot days, with the lido and the Carmelite church in full view.
Groups
From a table for two to a long table for the whole family. Call us to arrange larger bookings.

Guest words

A few kind words left by guests on Google — about the octopus, the frutti di mare, the Palomas and, always, the view.

Went 3 times I liked it this much! … The octopus was divine, so well cooked and crispy. The burger was one of the best I've had. … The staff were so lovely and accommodating.
AAleksandra KrolikLocal Guide · Dinner
The frutti di mare pasta was the best we had in Malta (and finding a good one turned out to be quite a challenge).
MMichalina Olszewska-MelerLocal Guide
Beautiful location and even better food! … Service was really fast despite the place being packed, our waiters were happy to answer any questions.
IIndia HyndmanLocal Guide · Dinner
Beautiful and chic bistro spot at St. Julian's bay, one that makes you want to brunch for hours. I relished their potato gnocchi with a glass of Maltese rosé.
NNanditha RaghavanLocal Guide
The views on the terrace were amazing, especially at sunset. The fried calamari starter was YUM especially with the tartar sauce — would recommend!
KKatie LauLocal Guide · Dinner
The nicest bar in the Sliema area easily, such a nice atmosphere in the outside seating bit … Paloma's are a drinks highlight. Staff are highly professional and you don't feel rushed at all.
CChloe AnneLocal Guide · Evening drinks
Honestly this place is so good we came back two nights in a row and shared between four both times, so tried a lot of the menu. Every dish was delish.
NNadia MurrellLocal Guide
Great breakfast spot with a great view of Balluta Bay and the Church over it.
NNora OBreakfast
Right on the water. Beautiful view thanks to the surrounding glass walls. A pleasant atmosphere. The food was excellent!
SSteven-MUCLocal Guide · Dinner
Delicious food and nice modern atmosphere! … Dishes tasted like in Italy. We had a spectacular evening! Cocktails were perfect as well.
TTheQuietMillionaireLocal Guide
The food was incredible, with generous and satisfying portions. The service was also excellent and prompt.
KKristina DebonoGoogle review
I visited Klay regularly for my morning coffee and found it to be the perfect spot for working and studying.
MMedia TuricumLocal Guide · Mornings

Seasons at Klay

Birthdays, team dinners and celebrations of every size — we'll set the table. Call +356 2138 2241 to plan yours.

  • Klay's dining room dressed for Christmas beneath glowing rattan lamps

    Festive season

    Lanterns, a tree by the window and festive cocktails for long December lunches.

  • Klay's Easter Sunday lunch announcement

    Feast-day lunches

    Easter Sunday lunch and holiday tables — à la carte, with feast specials from the kitchen.

  • Klay's poster for live football on the big screen

    Match nights

    The big games live on the big screen, a football bites menu and beer on tap.

  • Poster for a brunch at Klay in collaboration with Bruv

    Brunch collaborations

    Special brunches with friends of the house — like our morning with Bruv.

Visit

Triq Ċensu Tabone
Balluta Bay, St Julian's
Malta

Hours

Open daily
08:30 – 23:00

Reservations

+356 2138 2241

Walk-ins welcome

  • BreakfastUntil 11:30
  • TapasUntil 18:00
  • Lunch & DinnerÀ la carte all day
  • CocktailsUntil late
Klay's entrance on the Balluta promenade, with latticed Klay panels and terrace chairs

Look for the latticed panels on the promenade, a few steps from the lido.