Local specialities include fresh fish and sea foods. If you have never tried fresh squid or octopus, Malta is a good place to sample them. Lobster is also readily available, but is more expensive. Another favourite local dish is rabbit stew.

There is a wide selection of local red, white and rosé wines. Locally-produced beers and lagers are also available; the most popular Maltese beer is Cisk. A favourite soft drink is Kinnie, a bitter-sweet fizzy drink made from oranges and aromatic herbs

Lampuki pie is a great Maltese dish. Made from fish, spinach, cauliflower and chestnuts - all stuffed into warm short crust pastry - you'll be unable to resist going for seconds. Timpana is another pie, this time filled with macaroni, liver, eggs, onion and aubergine. Pastizzi is simpler, consisting of pastry filled with either peas or cheese.

Moving away from pastry dishes, chicken cooked with onion, herbs and garlic then layered between cooked potatoes is a delicious local choice. Also, try Kusku, a tomato, broad bean and beef soup.

Bread is a vital part of most meals in Malta, and Hobz is the best local bread you can find. It's crusty and wholesome and, while delicious on its own, tastes even better when rubbed with tomatoes, herbs and capers, then toasted.

Vegetables are anther key ingredient of Maltese dishes. Marrows, peppers, aubergines, pumpkins and tomatoes are found in many specialities, from soups to pies.

Fish is cooked in a variety of interesting ways and can come to the table stuffed, grilled, or stewed. For desert, you can expect cream cakes, pastries and nougat, as well as varieties of biscuits.

Local tipples in Malta include wine - the Marsovin, Delicata and excellent Meridiana varieties are the best. Malta also brews its own beer and Cisk Lager or Hop Leaf Pale Ale are both good choices.