ION Harbour becomes First Two Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Malta
The Michelin Guide has announced that ION Harbour
by Simon Rogan is the first restaurant in Maltese history to receive two
Michelin stars, a year after Simon
Rogan took the helm at the restaurant.
This achievement adds to the six other Michelin Stars our restaurants hold worldwide (L'Enclume ***, Rogan & Co *, Aulis
London *, Roganic Hong Kong *), and two Michelin Green Stars at L’Enclume and
Roganic Hong Kong.
Since taking over stewardship of the restaurant
in March 2023, Simon, alongside Executive Chef Oli Marlow, has made it his
mission to share and adapt his renowned farm-to-table ethos, perfected at three
Michelin-starred L’Enclume. The menu at ION Harbour is
strongly guided by hyperlocal, seasonal ingredients that are harvested, fished
and foraged by the best, ethical and sustainable local producers. From the moment ingredients are sourced to the final
presentation on the plate, every aspect of the restaurant's operations reflects
their deep-rooted ethos of environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing.
The team works to identify the very best and most aligned
suppliers, working with experts and insiders to discover small-scale,
sustainable producers and growers. They also work with ION Harbour's Head of
Sustainability, Keith Abela, a specialist forager and university lecturer who
assists with the identification of wild plants and the restaurant's
preservation programme. As in Simon's other restaurants, the commitment to
sustainability extends well beyond the ION Harbour kitchen, with the bar team
working with the chefs to utilise surplus ingredients that would otherwise go
to waste, such as peels, stalks and stems.
“Receiving news that ION Harbour has received two Michelin Stars
today is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of my career so far. 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. Most importantly, we wanted to
ensure we worked as closely as possible with the suppliers and the produce on
this beautiful island, whilst keeping sustainable practices front of mind. I am
so proud of what we have achieved here so far, alongside my Executive Chef Oli
Marlow and the Iniala and ION Harbour team. 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” –
Simon Rogan.
ION Harbour by Simon Rogan
forms part of the award-winning hotel Iniala Harbour House, which sits atop St
Barbara Bastion – the most coveted street in the UNESCO World Heritage city of
Valletta. As the only Forbes 5 Star hotel in Malta and the only Two Michelin
Star Restaurant in Malta, Iniala Harbour House and ION Harbour by Simon Rogan
are raising the bar for exceptional hospitality and dining on the island.
