Maltese Folklore Night Tour incl. food and drinks

This dinner show night at Ta’ Marija restaurant was the absolute worst! The dance show was very repetitive; all the music sounded the same, all the dances looked the same. The dancers didn’t even bother to change the outfits. In 5 dances out of 6 they wore the same white dresses. They promised that they would raise the platform high, so that everyone in the restaurant could see the dances well, but they only raised it during the first dance. We have seen many better shows, where they actually put some effort in the performances. This one was a disappointment. The service was very poor and waiters were terrible. We ordered tomato ravioli instead of mushroom ravioli due to our mushroom allergy. All the other tables received their first courses, we didn’t after waiting for almost an hour. Even the neighbouring table received their tomato raviolis. Then they started bringing in the second courses to every table, including ours. That’s when we said we haven’t even received the raviolis yet. Then they noticed their mistake and brought us the raviolis instead. But it was the mushroom version. After reminding them again that we asked for tomato version due to our allergy, we finally received the tomato ravioli. When we received our second courses, the horse dish tasted awful. For desserts we received 2 pieces of sweets, everyone in the neighbouring tables received 4 pieces. There was a hostess walking around from table to table to chat with customers about how their evening was going and explaining about their show and the dinner in the beginning of the evening. When she came to our table she didn’t explain anything, but instead told us she would come back soon to do it. She never came back to us, but toured all the other tables. After dinner there was an organized transportation from the restaurant to the hotel. First we were directed to sit inside a certain minibus. Then the driver realized that there are too many people and the two of us were rushed out of the bus to the end of the street to another bus. This other bus was empty and the driver told us that it is not going where we are going to, but maybe he can make a detour for us, but that they won’t be leaving for at least another half an hour. The first bus would have left right away. Then the driver of the first bus came to the second bus and said that now there is room in the first bus and we were rushed right back to the first bus. Unbelievable to make us run around like that. As if the evening in this restaurant hadn’t been awful enough already. We do not recommend this Ta’ Marija restaurant or their dance show to anyone. Stay away from their lousy service!

In the last evening spent in Malta, we chose to experience a traditional Maltese evening. The atmosphere was successful, the hosts super hospitable, and the dances very interesting and beautiful. The food was not the strong point of the evening, although we could choose from the menu what we thought suited us, but the aperitif of cactus fruit liqueur and Kinney offered at the reception, as well as the wines, were appreciated. Time passed very quickly due to the successful atmosphere.

It was a lot of fun! Host and staff were lovely, fast service, pretty good food, and true to their word regarding free-flowing drinks! Great choice of songs for the impromptu disco following the traditional dances, all of which tell a story!

The show and dinner was great. Our transportation picking us up was good as well however the transportation to get us back to the pick up location was down right ridiculous. Everyone vehicle driver we asked if they were going back to our location said no and waved us off. The owner of the restaurant finally got someone to drive us but he had no idea where he was going and was asking me how to get there. I am a single woman traveling with a child and no one seemed to be concerned for our safety or anything. The food is different so if you aren’t an foodie be warned.

The folklore show was great, the food was delicious, and Belinda, one of the staff, was amazing! The singers before the show were also great and chose lovely songs. The only negatives were that the serving of the food felt rushed, the stage wobbled below the dancers, and the hotel pickup driver was Very heavy on the brakes.

The dances are worth seeing. The food is OK, but the main course of the 4 courses is rather below average, no matter which of the 3 options you choose. The staff is very friendly. At the end you can do a cool dance yourself. The times for the pick-up from the hotel have been changed, so you have to check carefully yourself. In the end we were called to say that the shared taxi was already waiting. But it worked in the end.

We had a blast. Great atmosphere, good entertainment and food was ok. Only issue was the Driver was late.