When visiting Gozo, many travellers look for more than beautiful views and quiet moments. They want to understand the island through its flavours – the recipes passed down, the produce grown locally, and the dishes that tell a story. At Townhouse 17, this journey begins just downstairs. Chapeau Bistro, our in-house restaurant, brings together traditional Maltese ingredients and familiar Gozitan tastes in a refined yet relaxed setting in the heart of Victoria.

For guests searching for where to eat in Gozo, or browsing through the many Gozo restaurants during their holiday, Chapeau Bistro offers something meaningful: an introduction to the island through dishes inspired by its fields, its farms, and its long culinary heritage.

Traditional Starters with a Gozitan Touch

The menu opens with a celebration of local flavours. The Trio of Grilled Gourmet Homemade Sausage brings together three well-known Maltese profiles – the herbed sausage, the smoked chilli version, and the garlic-thyme blend. Each carries the rustic character you expect from traditional Maltese food, elevated with the Bistro’s polished presentation.

These sausages are a familiar taste across Gozo, often found in local homes and village gatherings, and they provide the perfect introduction for visitors wishing to understand the island one bite at a time.

Sharing Plates Inspired by the Island

One of the most popular options among travellers searching for the best restaurants in Gozo serving traditional food is our Taste of Gozo sharing platter. Designed to bring together the most recognisable flavours of the island, it includes marinated olives, sundried tomatoes, capers, pickled onions, Maltese sausage patties, bigilla, peppered cheese and kaponat.

This platter offers a complete snapshot of Gozitan food culture – a balance of bold, earthy, sweet and briny notes that reflect the island’s produce. It is ideal for guests who want to experience several local flavours at once without leaving Townhouse 17.

Deli Breads with Local Foundations

Our Maltese Ftira is one of the classic dishes visitors often search for when exploring Maltese cuisine in Gozo. Served with kaponata, Maltese sausage, peppered cheese and basil oil, this is a modern interpretation of a beloved staple. For many travellers, ftira is their first encounter with Gozitan comfort food, and Chapeau Bistro’s version gives it a fresh, contemporary twist.

Pasta & Risotto – Comfort with Local Character

Chapeau Bistro also features well-known Maltese dishes that are frequently recommended in Gozo food guides.

The Ravioli, filled with local sheep cheese and tossed in a traditional tomato sauce, is one of the island’s most iconic plates. Simple, familiar and deeply connected to local farming traditions.

Our Maltese Sausage Risotto blends creamy risotto with sundried tomatoes, pepper cheese and basil oil – a dish that often surprises guests with how well traditional Gozitan ingredients pair with Italian technique.

Local Wines to Complete the Experience

To complement these dishes, the Bistro serves a selection of Maltese wines including Medina Girgentina, Grand Vin de Hauteville Viognier, The Falcon Merlot, Medina Syrah, and Grand Vin de Hauteville Cabernet Sauvignon. Each bottle showcases Malta’s growing wine culture and pairs naturally with Gozitan cuisine.

Experience Gozo Through Its Flavours at Townhouse 17

While Chapeau Bistro offers many more dishes beyond the traditional ones highlighted here, these classics remain at the heart of the menu. For guests staying at Townhouse 17 and looking for genuine traditional Maltese food in Gozo, the journey begins right inside the townhouse.

Whether you’re planning your first dinner on the island or simply want to enjoy a taste of Gozo after a day of exploring, Chapeau Bistro offers an experience that brings the island’s flavours closer than ever.