Simon Rogan's Maltese restaurant gains two Michelin stars

Simon Rogan’s Ion Harbour has become the first restaurant in Malta to win two Michelin stars.

It comes a year after the chef took over the rooftop space at the Iniala hotel in the Maltese capital of Valetta.

The restaurant was awarded one Michelin star in 2021 under the helm of Andrew Borg and was overseen by Alex Dilling until early 2023.

Rogan said winning the second star was “one of the highlights of my career so far” and praised the work of his team and the restaurant’s executive chef Oli Marlow.

“My team and I arrived here just over a year ago, knowing that we wanted to bring something different to the island’s restaurant scene, continuing to share the farm-to-table ethos we are known for globally,” said Rogan.

“It’s been a real joy to be part of the community and to have been so warmly welcomed by the locals and our guests who come to dine with us from all over the world.

“Knowing that we are the first ever two Michelin Star restaurant in Malta makes this all the more special - there will be celebrations in Valletta tonight that’s for sure.”

There are currently six restaurants with one Michelin star on the island of Malta.

The Maltese climate has high summer temperatures and low rainfall as well as warmer winters and a ‘second spring’ around October, which is beneficial to growing produce.

Rogan's Umbel Restaurant Group holds eight Michelin stars worldwide, including three at L'Enclume in the Lake District, as well as two Michelin Green stars for sustainability.

Speaking to The Caterer, Rogan said the group's apprenticeship scheme was providing a strong pipeline of talent that was pushing the company forward.