Ali Baba
Malta’s Lebanese Original — Family-Run Since 1987
Some restaurants follow a cuisine; Ali Baba introduced one. The Harb family served Malta its first authentic Lebanese dishes in 1987, and their Gżira dining room — listed fully halal on Zabihah — is still where the island’s Lebanese table is set.
Call to Book See What to Try ↓About Ali Baba Malta
The Family That Brought Lebanese Food to Malta
Ali Baba’s own story is told by chef-patron Hany Harb: his parents, Abdul Rahman and Nadra, “were the first to serve authentic Lebanese dishes to diners in Malta in 1987.” What began as a family deli has become Gżira’s Lebanese dining room — today Hany runs the kitchen with his wife Claudienne, under the Ali Baba and Baba group of restaurants.
This is a sit-down Lebanese table, not a kebab counter: mezze built for sharing — homous awarma, labneh with harissa, tabbouleh, samboosak, kibbeh and arayyes — then grills like farrouj mishwi (grilled chicken) and shish tawooq, and desserts in the old style, baqlewa and mouhallabieh. TripAdvisor’s 573 reviews rate it 4.6, and reviewers were still posting in spring 2026.
For halal diners, Ali Baba carries the strongest paperwork on this site: Zabihah lists it as “Fully halal,” noting “the owners are Muslim and have confirmed its halal status,” while Halal Gems records that all meat served is halal. One honest note in the same listings: the restaurant also serves alcohol.
The Menu
What to Try at Ali Baba
Mezze and grills from the restaurant’s own published menu and its reviewers. Ali Baba takes bookings by phone — call for today’s menu and prices.
Homous Awarma
The mezze reviewers name first: hummus with tahini, garlic and lemon, crowned in the awarma style — the dish that opens the Ali Baba table.
Tabbouleh
The green heart of the mezze: parsley, bulgur, tomato and lemon — including the kitchen’s “Tabbouleh Moderne” twist.
Samboosak
Crisp, half-moon Lebanese pastries from the hot mezze — the kind of plate that never makes it to the end of the table.
Kibbeh
Cracked wheat and lamb in Lebanon’s national dish — served at Ali Baba alongside its famous chicken livers and warm mezze.
Arayyes
Bread crisped on the grill with seasoned lamb — and a chicken version — the hot, crunchy counterpoint to the cold mezze.
Farrouj Mishwi
The main-course grill: chicken with seasonal greens and celeriac purée — family cooking, plated like a restaurant.
Photo: kibbeh — Revital Salomon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Dish Spotlight
Start With the Mezze, Always
An Ali Baba meal is built the Lebanese way: the table fills first — homous awarma, labneh with harissa, tabbouleh, baba ghanouge, warm bread — and the grills follow. Finish with baqlewa or mouhallabieh, the milk-and-rose-water pudding, if the table still has room.
Call Ali BabaBefore You Go
Good to Know
Fully Halal — Zabihah
Zabihah lists Ali Baba as fully halal, its Muslim owners having confirmed the status; Halal Gems adds that all meat served is halal. Alcohol is also served.
Book Ahead
This is a dining room, not a counter — reservations are by phone on +356 2134 0119, and takeaway is available.
Closed Sundays
Listings agree on Sunday closing and on Tuesday–Saturday lunch and dinner; Monday hours differ between listings — call ahead for Mondays.
Since 1987
The Harb family introduced authentic Lebanese dining to Malta in 1987 — few restaurants on the island can match that run.
Visit or Book
Find Ali Baba in Gżira
Restaurant Info
- Business
- Ali Baba — Lebanese Restaurant (Ali Baba & Baba group)
- Address
- 9 Triq Sir Frederick C. Ponsonby, Gżira, GZR 1075, Malta
- Phone
- +356 2134 0119
- Opening Hours
- Tue – Sat: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM & 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM · Sunday: Closed · Monday: call ahead (listings differ)
- Cuisine
- Lebanese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern — fully halal per Zabihah
- Bookings
- Call +356 2134 0119 for reservations and takeaway — Ali Baba is not on Wolt or Bolt Food.
Ponsonby Street runs up from the Gżira seafront, a few minutes from Manoel Island and the Sliema ferry side — Ali Baba is at number 9.
Quick Answers
Ali Baba — FAQs
Is Ali Baba Gżira halal?
Yes — Zabihah lists Ali Baba as “Fully halal,” noting that the owners are Muslim and have confirmed its halal status, and Halal Gems records that all meat served is halal. The same listings note that the restaurant also serves alcohol.
Where is Ali Baba in Gżira?
At 9 Triq Sir Frederick C. Ponsonby, Gżira GZR 1075 — just up from the Gżira seafront, across the harbour side from Sliema.
What are Ali Baba’s opening hours?
Listings agree it is closed on Sundays and open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch (12:00–3:00 PM) and dinner (from 6:30 PM). Monday hours differ between listings, so call +356 2134 0119 ahead for a Monday visit.
What should I order at Ali Baba?
Start with the mezze — Homous Awarma is the signature — with tabbouleh, samboosak, kibbeh and arayyes, then a grill such as farrouj mishwi or shish tawooq, and baqlewa or mouhallabieh to finish.
Who runs Ali Baba?
The Harb family. Chef-patron Hany Harb runs the restaurant with his wife Claudienne; his parents Abdul Rahman and Nadra first served authentic Lebanese food in Malta in 1987.
Ready for a Lebanese Table in Gżira?
Call before you go — Ali Baba fills up, and Mondays are a listing lottery. Book the table, then let the mezze do the rest.
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