Arguably serving the best coffee in Valletta and a firm M.E. lunchtime favourite, Piadina Café on St. Lucy Street offers a delicious selection of fresh salads and speciality wraps that you can either pick off the menu or concoct yourself. Friendly service and top notch ingredients make this little gem super popular come one o'clock, so get there early if you don't want to stand outside with plate in hand. Also check out the recently opened Italian-style deli Stuzzico on Merchants Street where you can pick up a quality baguette of epic proportions for much less than you’d expect. Their sun-dried tomatoes are awesome. For the perfect business lunch, Da Pippo's (previously called Harry’s) is ideal, although make sure you book in advance as they’re always busy. It’s small and chaotic, so you can easily talk business without details being heard by the next table. Good fresh fish and meat is guaranteed here, dished out by ‘Chita’ who may not serve the tables with too many airs and graces but his efficiency is faultless.

For lunch al fresco, Valletta is famous for its gardens but our favourite is the lower Barakka which always seems leafier than the others. There’s obviously the view of Grand Harbour which we never get tired of, but just at the gate there’s QEII bar which has a lovely little terrace, nice coffee, hearty sandwiches, a well stocked bar and a lovely owner. (Hi Paul!)