AKI
Malta
AKI brings contemporary Japanese cooking to the corner of Strait Street and Santa Lucia Street in Valletta. Its restaurant and bar offer several ways to spend an evening in the historic capital, from a succession of dishes at dinner to cocktails and a later, music-led atmosphere. Sushi, sashimi and maki sit alongside food from the robata grill. The menu moves between familiar Japanese preparations and inventive combinations, with dishes such as bluefin tuna tartare with smoked ponzu and nori wafers, and salmon sashimi with sweet miso and furikake. Malta appears in the details. Local prawn tacos combine avocado, coriander and citrus, while grilled padrón peppers are dressed with Maltese honey miso. Meat, fish and vegetable dishes give groups plenty of scope to build a shared meal, and tasting menus provide a more structured route through the kitchen. Sake, wine and cocktails accompany the food, with a private dining space available for gatherings. The combination suits diners who enjoy Japanese flavours in a sociable city setting and want the bar to remain part of the evening.