Sawadee Valletta! Iniala brings Thai family-style dining to Malta 

Iniala has brought a taste of Thailand to the capital with the launch of a new sharing-style Thai restaurant led by celebrity chef Ian Kittichai this Friday, 4th September. 

Located on St Ursula Street, with a gorgeous rooftop view of the Grand Harbour, Anaalā offers four sharing dinner menus inspired by different regions of Thailand, served on a daily rotating basis.

Anaalā's journey kicked off this week with a menu inspired by central Thailand, a melting pot of flavours from across the country with a touch of royal cuisine stemming from Bangkok’s status as the home of the Thai monarchy.

There was no pad thai or red curry to be seen on the seven-dish menu. 

Instead, we were served dishes such as Gaeng Kiao Wan Nua, a sweet and spicy beef short rib so tender that it fell off the bone at the mere touch of a spoon. 

Another standout was the Pla Pad Sauce Prik Thai Dum – crispy local seabass coated in an aromatic black pepper and freshly made oyster sauce. 

More familiar flavours came through in the spicy and creamy Tom Yum Pla Kon with local seabream and the classic mango sticky rice dessert, that had been mixed with sweetened coconut milk.   

While Iniala is best known for ION Harbour by Simon Rogan, Malta’s only two-Michelin-star restaurant, Anaalā offers a completely different kind of dining experience.

With sharing menus priced at €59, it is more accessible to the public, and its relaxed atmosphere is intended to make diners feel as though they have stepped into a Thai family’s home for dinner. 

“Everyone thinks of Iniala as being very posh and quiet with a serene restaurant but we can be fun and give you a great time too!” Iniala Founder Mark Weingard explained.

“This is a chance for the people of Malta to experience true Thai hospitality like one would in a Thai person’s home, only from one of the greatest rooftops overlooking the Grand Harbour.”

Anaalā’s head chef Ian Kittichai is one of the most famous names in Thai cuisine. 

Starting off as a child helping his mother sell curry rice from a street food cart in Bangkok, Ian climbed the ladder and, at 30 years old, became the first ever Thai national to be appointed the Executive Chef of a five-star hotel.

He has since featured as a judge on MasterChef Thailand and Hell’s Kitchen Thailand. 

Chef Ian tells MaltaCEOs.mt that Anaalā’s four rotating menus give diners a unique chance to experience cuisine from the north, south, northeast and centre of Thailand.

“Restaurants usually one have tasting menu but here, we will have four different ones with different proteins and dishes – it’s like travelling around Thailand,” he said. 

“Thai food is way more than Pad Thai and green and red curry. We have many dishes to discover, so it’s good to return and try many different items on our menu.”

He also teased a special surprise for diners who visit Anaalā four times and complete the set of northern, southern, southeastern and central dishes.

And while the Thai restaurant may have just launched, diners should also keep an eye on the future.

After launching Anaalā, Iniala plans to open a tapas restaurant, an international street food outlet and a health-focused restaurant all set to join its growing portfolio in the coming months and years.

Book a table here: https://www.anaalavalletta.com/