Ian Kittichai opens Anaalā, a rooftop Thai restaurant at Iniala Valletta in Malta

Chef Ian Kittichai has brought his cooking to Malta with Anaalā Valletta, a rooftop restaurant at Iniala Valletta. The name comes from the Sanskrit word for fire and the god of fire, a nod to cooking as transformation. Instead of a fixed menu, the kitchen runs what it calls a 'menu-go-round', giving each day to one of Thailand's four regions (Northern, Northeastern, Central or Southern) through a sharing set menu, so a return visit may bring something quite different.

Kittichai frames it around how his family eats: nobody orders just for themselves, he says, and the food keeps arriving. Dishes named in the announcement include a Northern lamb shoulder curry with ginger and garlic, an Isaan-style tartlet of local tuna with mint and chilli, fried local seabass with black pepper, beef short rib in green curry, and Southern sea bass with fresh turmeric and a chilli-lime sauce. Mango sticky rice closes the Central menu.

There are two evening seatings. Families are welcome at the earlier one; the later sitting is adults-only, with the music turned up and a longer drinks list. This comes from the opening announcement, so check which region is cooking on the night you book if you have a favourite in mind.

Our summary of a story from Supper, published 12 October 2026. Read the original