Simon Rogan opens restaurant in Malta

Simon Rogan has opened a rooftop restaurant in the Maltese capital of Valletta.

The space at the Iniala Harbour House hotel, which was previously overseen by chef Alex DIlling, has relaunched as Ion Harbour by Simon Rogan.

Rogan runs eight restaurants in the UK and Hong Kong, including three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cumbria.

The Ion Harbour kitchen is led by head chef Eoin Smith and serves a 13-course tasting menu priced at €135 (£117).

Dishes include Gozo chicken with turnip, roasted yeast and Maltese sausage; red snapper; and Siggiewi strawberries and bee pollen cake with marigold and milk ice cream.

A spin on Rogan’s signature caramelised miso dessert is served with Maltese Bambinella pear.

As in Rogan’s other restaurants, the bar team will work with the kitchen to make use of surplus peels, stalks and stems that would otherwise have gone to waste.

Rogan said: “When presented with the opportunity to take on Ion Harbour, there was no question that Malta was the perfect spot for our next restaurant opening.

“I am excited about the opportunity we have to explore and celebrate the island’s produce whilst creating dishes and menus refined by our signature style and attention to detail.”

The chef opened Aulis and Roganic restaurants in Hong Kong in 2019, with the latter awarded its first Michelin star that same year.

Rogan launched the Simon Rogan Academy in partnership with Kendal College in 2021, which saw apprentices undertake a week-long stage at Roganic Hong Kong.