Maha East Windsor: a Maltese-inspired feast from Shane Delia
Words: nicole van cuylenburg
Maha’s sister Middle Eastern restaurants holds it own and delivers a Maltese spin off worth the splurge.
Watching Shane Delia’s Malta series on SBS lit a spark I couldn’t ignore. His passion for Maltese flavours—bold, rustic, and deeply nostalgic—had me craving the real thing, so when we found out he was doing a Maltese Feast at his Maha East Chapel street restaurant we booked. I wanted to see how those stories translated to the plate. What followed was a Maltese feast that blended tradition with Delia’s unmistakable flair, and it left a lasting impression worth sharing.
Shane Delia’s Malta
Shane Delia arrives in Malta to see how modern Maltese cuisine is grounded in its traditions and history. SBS on Demand series.
Shane Delia's Maltese Feast at Maha East Windsor
If you’re a fan of Shane Delia’s acclaimed modern Middle Eastern restaurant Maha in the city but can’t get a table, their sister restaurant Maha East should be on your radar. Equally accessible on Windsor’s Chapel Street, Maha East carries the same sultry sophistication as its older sibling, but with a more laid-back, neighbourhood-friendly vibe that makes it perfect for date nights or long, leisurely dinners.
As a Shane Delia restaurant in Melbourne, Maha East stays true to the culinary DNA of Maha, with a twist. While retaining their signature Middle Eastern influence, Maha East’s Maltese Feast ($95 at the time of our visit) is a thoughtful and delicious take on the Southern European island’s flavours.
It’s also a great pescatarian-friendly restaurant in Melbourne with substitutions that are intentional rather than a gap filler.
All of these dishes were mouth watering and I can’t describe the bursts of flavour in words.
Fazola bit twen – white beans, smoked garlic & parsley cream (v)
Bagilla – whipped fava beans with marjoram & sherry vinegar (v)
Sfineg – fried doughnuts filled with smoke mozzarella & mortadella cream (vo)
Handmade fresh Maltese cheese known as ġbejniet, anchovies & peas
Local olives with our own fel fel “Maltese harissa“
Crunchy sourdough bread
These were the standouts we’re still thinking about:
Snifig — fried savoury donuts:
There are donuts, and then there are these donuts. Stuffed with mortadella cream and smoked mozzarella, they’re a savoury lover’s dream. For a pescatarian option, Maha East was more than happy to customise one that was filled with seafood, which was just as indulgent.
Bagilla — whipped fava bean dip
Light, and creamy, this whipped fava bean dip was infused with mild marjoram and sweet sherry vinegar. It was divine smothered onto warm bread, and good enough to make us wish they sold it by the jar.
IT-TIENI KORS-“GHAGIN”
Tenderly prepared rabbit stew that was paired with perfectly al dente spaghetti with a moreish sauce that disappeared from the plate far too quickly.
Shane Delia’s take on traditional rabbit stew in a pasta dish.
Crumbed barramundi
Further accommodating a pescatarian diet, Maha East replaced their rabbit stew with a crumbed fish that was tender, and cooked with a beautifully seasoned lemon crumb. It’s not always easy to make substitutions that don’t feel second rate, but this one absolutely hit the mark.
IT-TIELET KORS
Victorian heritage breed pork cutlet with artichoke & broad bean zalza
A beautifully cooked heritage‑breed pork cutlet, blushing and tender, paired with a bright artichoke and broad bean zalza that brings freshness to every bite. The dish balances rustic Maltese warmth with a clean, modern lift, letting the quality of the pork shine.
Ross il‑forn – crispy baked rice with pork & beef spiced tomato ragu, finished with parmesan (v) A comforting Maltese classic reimagined: crisp‑edged baked rice layered with a rich pork‑and‑beef spiced tomato ragu, then finished with a generous snowfall of parmesan. It’s hearty, aromatic, and deeply nostalgic—exactly the kind of dish that anchors a feast.
Dessert
Mqaret
Sweet dates filled a thin, crisp pastry shell and was perfect flying solo, but made more indulgent with orange and star anise ice cream. The perfect end note that was just sweet enough.
This dessert was absolutely amazing, the flavours of the ice cream complimented the date filled crisp cigars. So delicious and moresome.
Overall, this Maha East sister restaurant sits firmly in the “worth booking” category. The Maltese Feast felt perfectly portioned, impressively balanced in flavour, and genuinely great value for the spend. With impeccable service and thoughtful attention to dietary requirements, consider us blown away.
