Seed Rooftop’s official address may lie in one of Malta’s busiest nightspots, but don’t let that fool you. As soon as I walk into the pretty piazza that’s now synonymous with Hyatt Regency Malta, I feel like I’ve entered an oasis. Far from the madding crowd, serving quiet luxury and chill vibes. And the feeling grows stronger the higher up in the building I go. Right up to the top floor, in fact, where the new terrace bar is officially open to serve drinks, an eclectic menu, good vibes and views for miles.
Sipping a cocktail right next to the pool, I feast my eyes on that iconic backdrop — St George’s Bay and the coastline around it. The feeling is almost surreal. I’m definately part of the action, but also aloof. Freed of the noise, traffic and multiple annoyances that typically come with being in the heart of Paceville.
This, of course, is exactly the aim behind Seed Rooftop. Hyatt Regency Malta General Manager Adrian Attard puts it best: “The idea was to offer an oasis where guests don’t feel the need to be anywhere else. The view, the food and the atmosphere all tell the same story and that story we’re telling is all about the sun, sky, and the unmistakable taste of the Mediterranean.”
Seed Rooftop’s beating heart: Chef Gianni
The soul and mind behind the unmistakably Mediterranean flavour of Seed Rooftop is Executive Chef Gianni Zammit, who describes the rooftop menu as built for sharing and lingering. Think bold flavours, honest ingredients, drinks that will see you close the evening at leisure.
“The menu is Mediterranean at heart, and leans towards sea-food. It’s very much a bar food vibe, and we also wanted to make sure that, whether people are after a small bite or a larger plate, they’d find something to tickle their fancy. It’s built for sharing, but if you show up with an appetite you’re not leaving hungry, ” Chef Gianni says.
He is particularly proud of the way dishes come with a twist, incorporating accents of world cuisine that ranges from Asian to Middle Eastern and Latin.
“This was mainly thanks to the team, where we have several food cultures coming together. And everyone contributed their bit. The result is Mediterranean fusion, and we’ve given classics our own special twist,'” he says with a smile.
Olive oil, citrus, fresh herbs and seasonal produce are the staple ingredients, with everything freshly-prepared in the on-site kitchen. I ask Chef Gianni about his personal favorites, and he shares a few flagship dishes. The braised octopus for one, prepared with a variety of Maltese herbs and spices, and the pork neck for another . Both are sourced locally. Then there are the anchovy fritters (Sfineġ tal-Inċova), bound to be hit, served with tuna jerky and delivering a bold, decisive profile.
Of course, nowadays presentation matters almost as much as taste. Love it or hate it, the age of social media has made it so that if it doesn’t look good on your IG feed, you’re likely to end up feeling short-changed. There’s no such danger at Seed Rooftop. Every single dish that comes out of Chef Gianni’s kitchen looks stunning, colours and textures as bold as the flavours.
That said, if there’s one particularly Instagrammable dish then that’s probably the Tacos. It is served with a flourish, and rightly so, the plating giving it a theatrical finish. It even comes accompanied with its own cute little poster.
Shifting vibes from day to night
I arrive to Seed Rooftop just in time for golden hour. As dish after dish manifests on our table, the sun sets and the sky around me shifts from pinks and golds to that deep blue that says summer. The late afternoon swimmers have now shifted to the outdoor tables, the music wafts gently and I realise that the vibe has subtly shifted, the mood becoming more sophisticated.
Seed Rooftop certainly has the cocktail list to complement this mood. There are all the classics, such as Negroni (incidentally, Chef Gianni’s favourite), as well as some funky concoctions that are unique to the place. They taste as stunning as they look, so my suggestion is to grab a cab, which is what I did.
As terraces with a view go, Seed Rooftop clearly has something great going for it. I’m lulled into relaxation by the subtle 5-star treatment that pampers without being too in my face. By the time we wrap up the evening I realise that we’ve been chatting, snacking, sipping and just gazing upon the view for quite a few hours. And if I didn’t have an early start the following morning, I’d have happily stayed for a few more.
Seed Rooftop is a gorgeous addition to its two siblings, Seed Brasserie and Seed Café. The brand DNA shared by each is unmistakable, but this new space brings its own personality, one that’s perfectly suited to lazy days by the pool and balmy nights enjoying good food, drink and conversation within a like-minded vibe.
Seed Rooftop is located at the top floor of Hyatt Regency Malta. The full menu and reservation options are available here.
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