First time trying Cafe Malta. Appetizer, Salad and drinks were really good….but was disappointed in the temperature of our entrees. Potatoes were cold and protein was just warm. I tried to order the dinner special at 5:30 and they told me they weren't allowed to sell it until 6. Also the risotto was more like rice pilaf. But I didn't get a photo of that. Has anyone had a better experience? We really wanted to like it. The space was nice, prices weren't bad and the service was good. Should we try it again?
by Tell-Uh-Tubbie
14 Comments
I’ve been there multiple times over the past few years and the food has been good. I have not been there for at least 6 months so it’s possible some things have changed recently but I’d give it another try if I were you.
It has gone downhill drastically in the last 2 years. We were disappointed the last 2 times for the same reasons. Sad, we used to like the place as a go-to
Looks good as hell tbh
Me and my mom used to love this spot. Then things started changing, prices went up but the servings sizes were DRASTICALLY smaller. Seems like some of the recipes changed as well. Still okay, just not as good as I remember a few years back
It was decent. I had the muscles and finished them off easily. Other person did not like their food. Likely wouldn’t go back.
This place is, unfortunately, mediocre at best. I went there twice this year, and both times the manager and/or owner were basically having a meltdown and very inappropriately unloading on the staff in front of an entire dining room full of guests. After the last time, I just decided that, even though their mussels are tasty, I won’t be patronizing and supporting bad behavior here anymore.
We used to go quite a bit, mainly because their prices seemed to be frozen in the year 2017 which was really nice. But our last visit was in 2023 as the food hasn’t been hitting the same. I wouldn’t mind if their prices went up a little to keep with rising costs but the menu would need to improve as well. I can’t recall if it was the ingredients, the prep, or the offerings, but something has changed.
I like this place and want to see them succeed.
What did the server say when you brought it up with them?
Used to be my favorite spot in town, but with the decline in food quality and the NOISE, we had to find a new date night spot.
A menu like this is far and few between in south Austin. They managed to stay in business a long long time, haters.
Pre-pandemic, this place was a beloved go-to spot. We loved the tour de forks series. It sounds like it’s gone down hill (like so many other places)
I enjoy this place. Been going for 10 years. The first couple of times the food was super salty so we didn’t go for maybe 1-2 years. Then gave it another try and really enjoyed it.
I don’t love everything on the menu but there are a few dishes I really love.
I went a couple of weeks ago and had the hand made fettuccine and that was really good. My usual go to are the mussels, the Lombatello salad, and Blue Ruin.
A lot of people think the portion sizes are too small but I think it’s perfect.
As for price, everything in Austin is so damn expensive now I don’t even know anymore. We had Indian food last night, 3 dishes plus 1 beer came to $70 with tip. And 1 sandwich at Snarf’s was $23. Like wtf.
The wire and I enjoy Malta. Have had some really great meals there and in my opinion their Gnocchi is unmatched.
We recommend it to a family member and they had the same meal we did, they said it was cold and a little congealed (it was short rib) so there may be a consistency issue.
I used to love it but service/food quality has declined. The last time I went they served me really undercooked fish (on a dish where it was not intended to be rare). I almost never send anything back but this was not edible and also smelled super fishy — very off. They offered to make it again but at that point I had kinda lost my appetite so opted out. They still charged me for it and would only offer me a “free dessert”. Lame.