If you are flying in to Malta and need a roundup of the best restaurants on the island, here are my favourites. Book ahead: all the telephone numbers are available by clicking on the name of the restaurant, which is in red.

1. Valletta:  ***** Every single professional living out of Malta will want to go and visit Cikku at Da Pippo. By everyone I mean all the women: Cikku will flirt with you and generally make you think 'God I miss this place'. He may also inspire you to get a divorce so don't say I did not warn you. Food is always fresh, delicious and well-sourced. The staff are truly fantastic and have been there as long as the restaurant. Da Pippo is always, always packed to the gills and is the most difficult to get a table at.

2. Valletta and Mistra: ***** In my books, the best pizza on the island is to be had at Margo's: they do not use yeast for their dough but they do use the same concept as our hobza's starter: the tensila. This means that all those who normally end up looking like they're pregnant, whether men or women, after eating a pizza, can indulge to their heart's content. I know I do. My absolute favourite is the calzone with ricotta and cherry tomatoes but I also adore their simple margeritas. Margo's iconic desserts are to die for. Service can be slightly nuts: this is a place which you either hate or adore. I'm in the latter group. If going in a group, book.

3. Marsascala: ***** Saturday lunch says Tal-Familja to me. The Preca family have managed to keep to Maltese roots, with their fabulous array of fresh fish and a pre-starter which never ends (beautiful little hbejziet tal-Malti, olives, bebbux (snails) and fazola (beans). They still do a dessert trolley. The ladies - Roberta, Ramona and the other sisters - are stunning. I have no idea what the Preca parents did but they have redefined family genes: they're all gorgeous, they all love their food and they're bloody good both in the kitchen and out of it.

4. Valletta: **** I really need to review Il-Horza again because truly, it should be a five not a four star. Charlie knows his seafood and his chef knows how to alchemise it. Jesmond, the front-of-house, knows his wines and can pair well. The restaurant is tiny but lovely, like Malta in a bottle without the stress. Ask Charlie for some Ara' wine, a gorgeous, dark and fruity red which is equally brilliant chilled.

5. St. Julians: ***** Sciacca has a fantastic selection of fresh fish, chosen well and the best value and highest-end degustation in Malta. At less than €40, Marvin, the chef and owner, has managed to pack a list of beautiful dishes which are always inventive, modern and adventurous. Slotted in the less-than-beautiful road from St. George's Road to the Eden cinemas, once inside you will forget the world outside and

6. Birgu: **** Taverna Sugu is run by the brilliant food writer David Darmanin. David has rethought Maltese food and managed to marry old with new brilliantly. His bragjoli are gooey and rich and to-die-for. He sources his meats with passion and will not accept anything that is below his high standards. I had given it four stars but Taverna Sugu remains a 5 star with all our readers, ranking top-rated restaurant by voters on planetmona.

7. Salini: *** If you are hankering after some fenek moqli (fried rabbit) and a good old fenkata then Charlie's Inn is the best place in Malta to eat this. They have managed to keep our national dish genuine and have a brilliant dessert trolley. Their ravjul are fantastic.

8. St. Paul's Bay: ***** Marvin has been entertaining customers with his restaurant as theatre Tarragon since 2007 and has gone from strength to strength never once losing his 5-star rating. This high-end bistrot makes some of the best filled pasta selection in Malta and their best seller is the brown meagre, wrapped in sea salt and set on fire at the table. Tarragon also has brilliant and inventive desserts.

9. Zejtun: ***** The best pastizzi in Malta are at Roger's in Zejtun. Baked in a wood-burning oven and packed with genuine ingredients, this is the kind of pastizz you stuff your face with in the car. They also sell frozen so you can take dozens back with you.

10. Gzira: ***** Thankfully at Buchman's it is still possible to find a brilliant ftira packed with amazing ingredients, whether 'biz-zejt' or bajd u bacon (bacon 'n' egg). Line up behind the office workers at this tiny take-away and indulge for the princely sum of €2.50