Modern dress is exactly as that of any other Western country and it continues to change with the current fashion of the moment. Many Maltese travel abroad and it is a tendency to bring back with them items of clothing that are bought from clothes outlets on the continent and beyond.

Many brand name shops are found in Malta as also local shops. Almost every clothing style is available. Designer wear and casual wear are easily found and these are particularly concentrated in Valletta, Sliema and Victoria (in the sister island of Gozo) though many others ware spread in other localities. There are also local designers who present their collections periodically. There are, however, no clothes shops in Mdina.

Malta has a varied cuisine which today draws from the many influences and fashions that exist around the world. One finds English, American, Indian, Chinese, and most other food from the rest of the world. Everyday food looks like food found in most other countries. The same applies to drinks. Most of whatever one prefers can be found in Malta. However there is a list of food items that are still considered to be typically or predominantly Maltese and are offered to visitors as local specialities. The list would include the following.

Appetizers

Pitted green olives stuffed with a tuna mixture

White beans with parsley, garlic and olive oil

Broad beans with garlic

Mashed Djerba beans (bigilla)

Maltese biscuit

Escargot in a spicy sauce

Soups

Vegetable soup (minestra)

Vegetable soup with small pasta beads and fresh broad beans (kusksu)

Vegetable soup with fresh cheeselets and beaten eggs (Soppa tal-armla)

Fish soup with plenty of garlic, herbs, and tomatoes (aljotta)

Cabbage and pork soup (kawlata)

Pasta and rice

Baked macaroni with Bolognese style meat sauce

Backed macaroni covered with a layer of pastry (timpana)

Baked rice

Fried vermicelli pasta with eggs

Meat

Rabbit stew

Fried rabbit

Meat olives (braġjoli)

Steamed slices of beef

Stuffed flank of pork

Horse meat (usually fried or baked in white wine sauce)

Maltese sausage

Maltese blood sausage

Fish

Dorado fried or in a pie (lampuka)

Octopus stew

Octopus with garlic

Stuffed calamari

Fried swordfish

Eggs and cheeses

Small round cheese (ġbejna)

Scrambled eggs cooked with tomatoes and onions (balbuljata)

Vegetables and sauces

Stuffed marrows

Stuffed aubergine

Stuffed bell peppers

Baked sliced potatoes

Diced eggplant with olives, capers in tomato sauce (kapunata)

Stuffed artichokes

Savoury pastries

Cheese / pea cakes (pastizzi)

Spinach and Pea pie (qassata)

Ricotta pie

Vegetable, fish or cheese fritters (sfineġ)

Rice and pumpkin pie

Bread

Maltese bread

Bread with olive oil and tomato

Maltese flatbread (ftira)

Gozitan flatbread

Sweets

Soft sweet bagel-shape dough with a hint of aniseed, topped with sesame seeds (qagħaq tal-ħmira)

Deep fried diamond-shaped pastry (imqaret)

Fried crisp pastry tubes filled with ricotta (kannoli tal-irkotta)

Sweet fried ravioli

Date and cocoa tart

Almond and chocolate pie

Nut studded sesame seed and sugar halva (ħelwa tat-Tork)

Baked bread pudding with raisins and cocoa powder

Prinjolata (a carnival sweet)

Lenten almond biscuit (kwareżimal)

Lenten hard carob candy (karamelli tal-ħarrub)

Figolla (Easter pastry stuffed with ground almongs and coated with icing) 

Nougat

Bread of St Martin

Honey rings

Għadam tal-mejtin (Pastry in the form of a bone)

Zeppoli

Beverages

Carob syrup

Chestnut, tangerine zest and cocoa drink (imbuljuta)

Coffee with aniseed, cinnamon sticks and/or rosewater

Ruġġata (similar to the Italian orzata)

Tea in a glass (traditionally served with condensed milk and sweetened)

Maltese daily life is similar to that on the European continent. It is however influenced by the long hot summers which slow down the rhythm of activity especially during the July – August period. The summer months are however very colourful and festive because during each week from May till September there are a number of village and town feasts in honour of the patron saint of each locality. The Maltese feast is full of music with band marches played while the band goes through the village streets. There are fireworks and street decorations and lights which give colour to the dark night sky and to the streets, squares and buildings. Religious processions with the statue of the patron saint carried by a team of men goes round the town or village while people enjoy themselves and eat street food and typical sweets along with more universal food items.

Locals and foreigners mingle in the busy streets of Valletta and other popular venues. People enjoy the evening summer breeze or else take a swim in the blue, clean seas that surround the islands.

The Maltese are renowned for their joie de vivre which manifests itself in their love of food, their participation in festivities, and their gesticulations during lively discussions. There is always something to talk about in the streets, shops, squares, and anywhere else. The Maltese talk passionately about politics, football, saints, and anything else that gives cause for debate.

Malta is a place where everyone knows everyone else. The country is small, the people are hospitable and friendly. Every day brings new, exiting things to talk about, issues on which to offer opinions, and happenings that entice people to share their views.