Bold Flavours, Beautiful Produce and One of Gozo’s Best Ceviches

Enjoy vegetable-led plates full of colour, texture and creativity at Peppina in Xewkija.

Peppina sits proudly opposite the magnificent Xewkija Rotunda, its dramatic St Paul’s-like dome towering above the pretty square where tables spill casually onto the pavement outside this vibrant Gozitan restaurant.

Inside, Peppina keeps things simple. Stone walls, pale wood tables, soft lighting and sunlight bouncing off their colourful glasses which becomes part of the decor. An occasional burst of colour from oversized cushions and deep blue seating feels calm, understated and stylish.

Photo Credit: GITH

They keep things interesting. Bright colours arrive at the table mirrored by equally vivid flavours. While dishes feel carefully considered, they are never overly complicated. Peppina has become one of those restaurants people mention with a slight “shhhh…”, like they are debating whether to reveal one of their favourite Gozo spots. The setting helps. The giant (compared to most) church looms overhead with that familiar Gozitan grandeur, while inside things feel contemporary, intimate and relaxed.

The menu reads like a kitchen genuinely excited by produce. Vegetable-led cooking with colour, texture and boldness running through almost every plate.

We sampled the chargrilled cabbage with chilli miso glaze, kimchi emulsion and pickled daikon, which somehow managed to make cabbage feel indulgent. The smoked beetroot dish carried depth, smoke and swagger.

And then there was the ceviche.

Catch of the day sitting in tiger’s milk with black garlic purée, pickled pomegranate, chilli, coriander and cucumber. Bright, clean, balanced and addictive. Arguably one of the best ceviches on Gozo right now.

“Oh my… just one more bite.” became the running theme of lunch. 

A delicious Riesling orange wine tied everything together beautifully, adding its own slightly wild edge to our meal.

Photo Credit: GITH

Conversation around the table quickly turned to the old myth that veggie dishes never properly fill you up. Peppina puts that idea to bed fairly quickly. These are not side dishes politely supporting the protein. They comfortably hold their own.

The team at Peppina understand that dining does not need to be complicated to feel exciting. The menu feels playful without losing discipline. Modern, creative and unpretentious.

Gozo has no shortage of good restaurants nowadays, but Peppina has been part of a wider shift happening across the island for a few years. Kitchens are becoming braver, bolder, more produce-led and less interested in repeating the same safe Mediterranean formula over and over again.

From ‘field to table’ indeed. Peppina proves that when local ingredients are treated with imagination and confidence, very little else is needed.

Photo Credit: Peppina

Peppina Gozo
13 Pjazza San Gwann Battista, Xewkija, XWK 1101

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