Cafe Malta is a neighborhood bistro serving Mediterranean-inspired fare. It combines a warm, relaxed atmosphere with a perpetually creative kitchen presided over by Executive Chef Keith Karp.
Named for the island at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Cafe Malta finds inspiration in the cuisines of Italy, southern France, Morocco, Greece and Spain, and in the finest Mediterranean tradition, Cafe Malta cooks seasonally and features a variety of local ingredients.
"This gem of a restaurant is easy to find in a good location. The ambience is intriquing, the food is tasty, the service is friendly, and the entire Sunday Brunch worth the effort to meet and eat there. The noise level is so low that you actually can hear the person talking to you across your table, as well as hear the other guests at your table conversing with one another. Some of my family, friends, and I savored Sunday Brunch there.. We found the ambience intriquing and relaxing, the food exquisitely prepared, and the entire staff so friendly that we felt welcomed and encouraged to relax and enjoy being together.. The one caveat is that I found the entree serving much too small for the price. The other items were properly priced."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"We chose Cafe Malta based on the Open Table reviews and we weren't disappointed. The restaurant features mostly local, fair trade ingredients. I live in CA and can drink CA wines any time so I chose a white wine from Fredericksburg. It was delicious and light. My friend and I both chose one of the day's specials: tomato-basil risotto with four prawns in it. The prawns were a tad citrus and the risotto tasted mild and pleasant. It was a little duller than i expected but still delicious. The fair trade coffee we had after was smooth as was the chili-chocolate creme brulee. The chili in its crunchy crust was a nice kick to the silky lightly-flavored chocolate. When I return to Austin, I will go here again."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"This is a good restaurant, but not stellar. The portions are fine, but pricey. We had the chef's special of stuffed pork chops. Again, it was good, but certainly nothing that couldn't had been prepared equally at home. I guess that when you go out you expect to eat better than you can prepare yourself."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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"I was really wanting to like this place as their website sounded very promising. Unfortunately the food has no flavor at all, everything tasted bland."
Dined on 5/07/2013
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"Cafe Malta is very simply outfitted but obviously created with much attention to detail. The ceiling helped create the sense of really being 'out' for a meal. We are five elementary school teachers who are given one chance a year to enjoy lunch out. We were very happy with our choice!"
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"A rare find. The owner and Chef make an effort to create true Mediterranean dishes from all over the Mediterranean basin and not just the Eastern Mediterranean as others do. The food is authentic, very fresh, and reasonably priced. Cafe Malta is our new favorite!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"Although we had to wait a few minutes for a table, everyone was gracious, apologized for our wait and made us feel welcome. The food was very good and the service, although a little slow, was friendly. We would eat there again."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"They are just the BEST at Cafe Malta. I adore their wine - especially the Catalina from Chile. And the Cava from Spain. The food is always fresh and delicious."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"We chose to dine on a Sunday afternoon. Reservations are highly recommended, this place gets busy fast. The restaurant is quaint, however it needs some acoustical panels for noise reduction. It is reminiscent of a European cafe. We tried the Croque Madame, and the onion tart and the lemon dessert and the flourless chocolate cake. All were delicious and very reasonably priced. The waitress was genuinely kind and thoughtful and made our visit exceptional!"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2013
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"very slow service - went for lunch on sunday, took over an hour to get our food, several items on menu that members of party ordered were told later they were not available. Food ok, certainaly nothing special. I have no plans of ever returning"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2012
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"My Second time to this Cafe, it is in my area so I really wanted to enjoy it. I went during Restaurant Week and had looked over the offered menu, saw what I would like to eat and went full of anticipation. They had a 3rd Tue. menu instead- very little on it I was interested in but I thought I would give it a try. AWFUL is the word to describe the entree- rubbery inedible lamb- tasted very old and could not chew it up. The other things- pesole soup with collards and pork was just OK, Polenta app was bland and unexciting and the dessert was a tiny, flat flan way too sweet (to make up for lack of flavor??). The presentation of food was nice, service and drinks better . Bummer since I only eat out once a month and try to make it special."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2010
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"Overall, very good! The food was great! My only complaint would be the booths ... very small and cramped ... moderately overweight dinner guests of ours could not fit in. I am not overweight at all and found the booth seating claustrophobically small and tight. We had to be moved to a table ... not cool. This needs to be fixed!"
Dined on 04/15/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"My boyfriend and I found Cafe Malta through Austin Restaurant Week, and we are SO glad we picked them! The cocktails were petite but quite strong and very tasty. Our server was very attentive and helpful. The gnocchi gorgonzola was a satisfying start for both of us. He got the Bistro Steak with potato gorgonzola gratin; I had the Chicken Tagine Pot Pie. The steak was perfectly cooked and the potato gratin was subperb. It was so rich and had a wonderful, lush texture. My pot pie was a perfect balance of sweet and savory; the currants and figs complemented the tender chicken and tangy olives.
I love that the menu is seasonal; we'll definitely return to try some more spring dishes."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"This was our second visit in three days. That should say something about how well we were treated. The staff is wonderful and the food is outstanding. The food is locally sourced and prepared as ordered. For that reason the pace is slower than most chain restaurants, but we found that fact to be refreshing as we were not rushed from one course to another. This visit was for brunch. I had the Pain Perdu "french toast" although it was nothing like any french toast I have ever had. It was delightfully simple and delicious. My wife had the Eggs Malta which she allowed me to sample. They too were wonderful. If there was a down side it was that the prosciutto was a little stiff, but really tasty. A great restaurant that we will go back to."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"We took out of town guests to have a late dinner and everyone was pleased with their entrees. It is gratifying that there is an intimate 'fine dining' establishment in south Austin that has consistent quality. This is my second review and I had the same entree, (fish) which was cooked to perfection. We will definitely go back to Cafe Malta. Our server suggested a hot tea for me (non drinker) which was a good substitue for decaf coffee. Because it is a 'farm to table' type of menu, I wonder what will be on their Spring menu offerings."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Great food, as always. A little pricey for lunch (which is when I was there this time) but it was a special lunch with a friend. Plus, they brought her a complimentary dessert when they found out it was her birthday. Very cool! Have eaten there several times and will return."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2011
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"I had great expectations for this place. I had a great time because of the company I was with, but was unimpressed with the food. My dinner companion was equally unimpressed. I might try it out again in the future and try something else on the menu."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2013
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"So happy to have a dining choice like this cozy one in our neighborhood. Wait staff was helpful explaining the happy hour selections and menu choices, but as one who doesn't drink alcohol, not very many options were available. We all enjoyed our entrees which included whitefish, "drunken" pasta and a flatbread vegetable pizza. There are some interesting choices that make this farm to table offering very appealing. The menu will change (farewell to the beet salad) but some things remain according to the server. We had a relaxing dinner and did not feel rushed."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Just discovered Cafe Malta. We've eaten there twice and really enjoyed our meal. Nice people, moderate noise level and pleasant atmosphere for a nice dinner."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2008
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"My favorite restaurant! Love everything about it. Nothing packaged or premixed; it's all house made, down to the bread and ketchup. I go often, and they make me feel like a friend or neighbor. They also have a good happy hour. All in all, it's a can't miss!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Cafe Malta continues to exceed expectation: the food is consistently inventive and delightful, the service is always accurate and courteous, and the staff are remarkably pleasant. My wife is impressed by the variety in the vegetarian and vegan options and by the variety of seafood and poultry. We regularly look forward to a splendid evening at a very relaxing bistro."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Hosted a group with very different tastes and all except one were satisfied to enthralled. The one is a very picky eater so that dissatisfaction doesn't really count. At my request the waiter did replace picky eaters couscous with potato and acted as if it was a normal occurrence...meaning he was gracious, unflappable. He was also knowledgeable, efficient without hovering. Our reserved table was ready and waiting when we arrived. The food was suburb. The only reason this is not an "outstanding" rating is because of the noise. Energetic is an understatement. No drinkers in our group so cannot comment on wine list. The bar did seem well stocked."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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"This was our second visit to Cafe Malta and we will be back. We like the uniqueness of the menu and the use of fresh ingredients. Our server was very helpful and friendly. We tried the Smoked Cod appetizer which was quite good and came free with our coupon. The Wintergrill and Lavant salads were great. The Pappardelle Porcin was delicious and the red wine special was wonderful. Although the flavor was good, the beef special was disappointingly tough. The desserts are good but not something to save room for. So happy to have a nice, yet casual, restaurant in South Austin. Much better than the chains. We are looking forward to the Spring menu."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"I expected bigger things from this restaurant, but I was put off from the get go because we were seated at an oddly shaped table configuration which would have been much more comfortable for 3. I requested to be reseated and was told all the multiple open other tables were reserved. I'm not sure why it could not have been switched since I also had a reservation. It was off-putting and I felt summarily dismissed. The food has high aspirations but it really spotty. Some items are great (the flatbread)....but the soup was so overpowered with black pepper it was inedible. I also reported that to the waitstaff, thinking maybe something might be done on the check but it was not. I dont think I'll return."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2002
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"I make it a point to eat here at least once a month. The food is always well prepared and presented. Choices available for carnivores and vegetarians. Excellent wine selection (including several Texas wines). Special dining occasions monthly, including the Tex-Med wine pairing dinner and Tour De Forks, are well worth making a reservation for. The special Valentines dinner was amazing.
My only complaint is that the food is so good I usually forget to drink my wine!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"It took high praise in a reputable publication coupled with their excellent Web page to cause me to make an exception by booking a Valentine's day reservation at Cafe Malta for dinner that evening. My wife and I were both very glad I did. They offered two different four-course menus and each provided good examples of the skill of the chef. Each course was accompanied by a different wine (this was optional for a reasonable charge) that complimented the food being served with that particular menu. Most couples did as we did and ordered both menus and then shared the food and wine that came with each course. The restaurant was sold out but the service was efficient and courteous . We'll return soon for their regular dinner menu."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"It was a great place for a date. The ambiance was perfect and our waiter was amazing. He was attentive and knowledgeable. The appetizer mussels were outstanding. They had the perfect amount of spice. We were disappointed with the mahi special. The mahi was poorly cooked and the dish was too sweet. We would still try this place again. The service was enough to bring us back for another try."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2013
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"The cocktails were amazing, the staff was great, the food was terrible. We had the gnocchi for an appetizer and it was like eating a bite of salt. I had the chicken kofte and it had too much black pepper. I was in Austin to see friends and we were all looking forward to being there. We are all ex restaurant industry with the exception of one who now owns a cafe in Austin. We had really high expectations but all left thinking waaa waaa wa :( Sorry Cafe Malta...nice concept; poor execution. Perhaps you should taste what you're putting out there."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2013
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