Fontanella Tea Garden in Mdina, this is our honest review of our visit in March 2023 .
Overview of Fontanella
The restaurant is known for its stunning views and also overlooking the island with its delicious cake options. The restaurant has been serving customers for several years and has earned a reputation for its delicious cake options.
The Fontanella Tea Garden is in a traditional Maltese house and is surrounded by lush greenery. The location is serene and provides a peaceful environment for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Food and Drink Review
One of the main attractions is its famous cakes that come in various flavours. The freshly baked cakes come in generous portions, making them perfect for sharing. Fontanella Tea Garden also offers a variety of other dishes, including salads, sandwiches, and pasta.
We arrived around 12 pm midweek and planned to try the raved-about cakes.
What we ordered and our review:
- Chocolate Hazelnut Caramel Cake – 4/5 – rich but a little crumbly generous portion
- Banoffee Cake – 3/5 – standard flavouring and forgettable
- Strawberry Smoothie – 4/5 – freshly made, nice and cold
- Mint Ice Tea – 5/5 – needed more ice but refreshing drink for warm day
Initially, we ordered a lemon-based drink however all lemon products were not available on the menu.
The cakes were largely forgettable, but had a nice homemade feel and were not overly stylised. The flavours we tried were not anything to write home about, we love desserts and often go to different afternoon teas in the UK. So we had a lot to compare to. Yet we didn’t understand the rave reviews, including a high recommendation from a Maltese friend.
However the drinks were the highlight, getting refreshments and a sit down in the sun made it a worthwhile trip.
The Atmosphere in Fontanella Tea Garden
The decor is traditional, with a touch of modernity, and the lighting is dim, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
The tea room itself inside is rather busy and the service was quite scattered, after all, it is a popular spot with locals and tourists. We were seated upstairs in the open air with a view of the surrounding landscape.
The seating was a little cramped, but we managed to get a spot which allowed us to enjoy the breeze and the sun. Something to note if you visit, is there are lots of cats inside the cafe which may decide to settle next to you. Important if you suffer from allergies.
Overall the atmosphere was relaxing although noisy.
Service
We think the service at Fontanella Tea Garden is adequate for such a busy spot. We were seated fairly quickly and also our order was taken quickly, and we received our order within 15 minutes.
Price
The prices are reasonable, and the restaurant offers good value for money, making it accessible to a wide range of customers.
Our full order amounted to €17.65 which was great value for the portion sizes.
Location of Fontanella Tea Garden
Located in the historic city of Mdina, Fontanella Tea Garden is a charming restaurant that boasts a unique ambience and stunning views overlooking the island.
Fontanella is easy to get to and one of the few places we noticed to relax and have a seated cold drink in.
Conclusion
Overall if we were in Mdina in the future, we would visit Fontanella Tea Garden again. Firstly, to try a different range of cakes, secondly, as it is a great place to rest and recuperate on a hot day and grab a cold drink. it is reasonably priced, it is a great stop for budget travellers.
