Blue Elephant

Someone from this business manages this listing.

2,322 reviews

#64 of 234 Restaurants in Saint Julian's$$$$, Asian, Thai, Vegetarian Friendly

+356 2138 3383+ Add website

Hours

Sun

7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Mon

7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Tue

7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Wed

7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Thu

7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Fri

7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Sat

7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

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What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

2,322 reviews

#64 of 234 Restaurants in Saint Julian's

Travelers' Choice 2023

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Asian, Thai, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

“6 years later and still the best Thai food I have had anywhere.. come here yo...”

“Duck spring rolls weren't that great but overall very good and reasonable ser...”

Special occasions, Romantic, Scenic view, Large groups, Business meetings

“Also, it was our anniversary and we were surprised with a gorgeous piece of c...”

“Special occasion.”

Location and contact

Hilton Malta Portomaso, Saint Julian's, Island of Malta STJ 4012 Malta

+356 2138 3383

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Details

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About

The Blue Elephant is a tranquil oasis of waterfalls, luscious greenery and tropical flowers. Smiling, friendly staff and the best Royal Thai Cuisine in Malta guarantees a memorable visit. Fresh fruits and herbs and also tons of orchids are flown in weekly direct from Thailand. Blue Elephant Malta offers you the possibility to reserve your own special space in this magnificent restaurant. Here you can surprise your guests in a unique atmosphere in our private huts. Blue Elephant can cater for a variety of occasions such as: Intimate Dining, Private Parties, Wedding Parties, Conference Dinners and many others….From the moment you step in the restaurant, you will be transported to the lands of the East. The waterfall, the landscaping and the seating will certainly carry you far, far away. Savour mouth-watering delicacies prepared from authentic Thai ingredients and forgotten centuries old recipes from the Royal Palace.

PRICE RANGE

$44.00 – $223.00

CUISINES

Asian, Thai

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Dinner

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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Write a review Upload a photo Ask a question

4.5

2,322 reviews

Excellent

1,372

Very good

520

Average

261

Poor

100

Terrible

Amulet

Glastonbury8 contributions

This restaurant makes all other restaurants look bad!

Jan 2020 • none

The setting is really beautiful outside as there is a circular inlet off of the harbour and pillars with soft lighting. On immediate entry, there is a Buddha statue. On heading up the stairs, the restaurant is really big and very well laid out. There is a "river" with fish in it, a waterfall and a bridge and there are numerous large leafy green plants in pots. All of the vegetarian food is vegan, so my partner and I had the set vegetarian meal for two, which was a very reasonable 33 euros each. The food was delicious and we were served by about 4 different waiters who ensured all of our needs were met, but were not in our faces all the time. We also had a lovely pinot grigio which complimented the meal perfectly. Really nothing to fault here; this was a superb night out and very reasonable, considering the amount of food we had!

Written February 6, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MaltaHilton

Dear Amulet, Thank you for your 5 star review. Our team at Blue Elephant do go that extra mile for our customers and it's great to receive recognition for that. I do hope you have the opportunity to dine with us again in the not too distant future. Kind Regards, E Phillips Food & Beverage Manager

Written March 3, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Gordon C

Island of Malta25 contributions

Fantastic Meal

Sep 2020 • none

We went to the restaurant as we had some vouchers to use as it is a little above our normal budget. We were very surprised to find a 3 course set menu including wine and water for €35 pp. This was not only a very pleasant surprise, the food and service were absolutely first class. We chose the vegetarian option and it was excellent lots of variet and perfect portion sizes.

Written September 7, 2020

BLUEWONDER1

Birmingham462 contributions

Memorable Dinner

Jul 2021 • none

My wife and I stayed in St.Julians area and was looking for an authentic Thai Restaurant. We found Blue Elephant Restaurant to fit the bill as they are extremely well known in Bangkok. The ambiance of the restaurant is superb, very relaxing atmosphere with many tropical plants to add to the Thai theme. We ordered a Bangkok Symphony Set Menu (Euro 33.50 P/P) which was a great option to try a variety of Thai dishes. Service was very good despite the restaurant being very busy on the night we visited. All in all highly recommended.

Written July 30, 2021

Rachel G

Dear BLUEWONDER1 Thank you very much for rating Blue Elephant so highly, and recommending us to other visitors! We're delighted that you and your wife enjoyed your visit to our Thai restaurant, and hope you will visit us again one day. We look forward to welcoming you back, and to providing you with many more enjoyable experiences. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written August 2, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

London O

25 contributions

Nice place but let down by the food

Jan 2020 • couples

We visited the Blue Elephant as part of a stay at the hilton Malta. The place and the staff were great. Someone has made a lot of effort to make the place feel very exotic with lots of flowers everywhere and a nice pond with a waterfall and fish in the middle of the restaurant. The staff were also very polite and attentive which is all you can ask for in restaurant staff so no complaints there at all. Unfortunately the food did not match the high standards of the staff and decor. We ordered mainly seafood dishes 3 of which contained "crab". Unfortunately they use crab stick (seafood sticks actually) which contain no crab. Back home these can no longer be marketed as crab sticks due to the fact they contain no crab meat. They are usually made up of some very cheap fish and other filling ingredients which are very unhealthy. The restaurant is not super high end but it definitely isn't cheap and I'd say prices are above average for a Thai restaurant so the use of these kind of ingredients is not acceptable. It also made me wonder what other money saving ingredients they would be willing to use to keep costs down. This isn't real Thai food. Definitely would not return to this restaurant and don't recommend eating there. Ideally go and have a little look around as it is nice to look at but don't eat there.

Written January 7, 2020

MaltaHilton

Dear B9805AWoliverh, Thank you for taking the time to review our Blue Elephant restaurant after your recent visit. We greatly appreciate your kind comments regarding the ambiance of the restaurant and service team members. Naturally I'm disappointed that you didn't enjoy the food to the full extent that I would have hoped. Your comments have been shared with the head chef who will review the points you have mentioned specifically. Should you wish to discuss your evening in more detail please do feel free to contact me on euan.phillips@hilton.com. Kind Regards, E Phillips F&B Manager

Written January 9, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

3036dave

Durham168 contributions

Fabulous food in a beautiful setting.

Sep 2021 • family

Located on the 1st floor of the Hilton Hotel. As you enter, you can’t fail to be impressed by the stunning decor, you are instantly transported to another part if the world. You can sit inside or on a large balcony overlooking the marina. We visited twice during our two week holiday. The food was freshly cooked, delicious, and the portion sizes were perfect. The staff we attentive and friendly and the entire experience was fabulous. For three of us, three courses each and drinks cost around €200 and I would say for the quality of food, the level of service and the overall experience was reasonably priced. Definitely recommend you try this great restaurant if you want to treat yourself to something special.

Written September 6, 2021

Rachel G

Dear 3036dave Thank you very much for reviewing Blue Elephant, rating us so highly, and recommending us to other visitors! We're delighted that you enjoyed both of your visits to our Thai restaurant. It is good to hear that our team members made you feel welcome and cared for. We hope you will visit us again one day. We look forward to welcoming you back, and to providing you with many more enjoyable experiences. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written September 7, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

RioTheHungryCat

Rabat30 contributions

Staff's attention ends at main course

Feb 2021 • friends

Service was good until main course was served. Drinks could arrive quicker. However, staff left plates on table for more than 30 minutes after we were finished. A supervisor overlooks the restaurant but has apparently no clue. The dessert menu, which only arrived after we actively tried to get attention again, is poor but the prices are relatively high. Overall: average for what could be an excellent place.

Written February 27, 2021

Rachel G

Thank you for your feedback. We are disappointed to have fallen short of your expectations during your recent visit to Blue Elephant. However, we appreciate feedback which points out where we could do better, and we shall be looking at opportunities for improvement in the areas you have mentioned. We hope you will return to Blue Elephant one day, in order that we may provide you with the memorable experience we would have wished for you this time round. We look forward to welcoming you back. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written February 28, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

DVX1971

31 contributions

Very disappointing

Jun 2022 • none

A high end chain with a current feel of a Disney theme park - poor atmosphere, overpriced food and woefully understaffed with zero management direction. It took ages to be served, food order was incorrect and there appeared no management to resolve the issues. A once sought after eatery - that could be relied upon, but left feeling shocked, disappointed and cross that what was expected to be a signature evening out, was nothing more than an utter disaster.

Written July 2, 2022

Rachel G

Dear DVX1971 Thank you for your feedback. We are disappointed to have fallen short of your expectations during your visit to Blue Elephant. Please be assured that the various issues that you have mentioned will be taken very seriously, and discussed during our team training and briefings. We look forward to welcoming you back, and to having another opportunity to provide you with a truly enjoyable experience. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written July 5, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Walter

Malta1 contribution

Not so Thai

May 2021 • family

Besides the restaurant being very busy, the staff were doing an ok job, friendly and attentive at all time. The food however is to cry for. There is nothing Thai about it flavor wise, plus the ingredients used were of poor quality and presentation: boiled chicken meat, poor vegetables and poor salads. I have told the kind lady serving us, she then offered us a coffee which is obviously very nice, but I truly hope Management will look into this. The place must have been good once, but it seems that by cutting corners, it has brought it to the level it was last night. Again the staff was lovely.

Written June 28, 2021

Rachel G

Thank you for your feedback. We are very happy that our team members at Blue Elephant made you feel welcome and cared for, but of course we are disappointed to have fallen short of your expectations with regard to the quality and flavour of our dishes. Your remarks have been shared with our Chefs and their teams, and we shall look into the issues you have raised. We hope you will return to Blue Elephant one day, as we would appreciate another opportunity to give you the pleasant Thai dining experience you were expecting. We look forward to welcoming you back. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written June 30, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

The Travelling Wanderer

Malta305 contributions

Not quite what it used to be

Mar 2022 • family

Having last been to this restaurant quite a few years back, we were eagerly looking forward to it. The online booking process is very easy and straightforward and parking is available and complimentary. The decor of the place is great and enhances the experience. What made this place so special years ago though was the attention to detail in the service offered and the great food. Both of these were disappointing last night. From having to ask the waiting staff to explain what the food served is, to having a stack of plates dropped very closely to a heavely pregnant woman, the expected level of attention just was not there. The food items that were cautiously marked as being spicy were anything but so, and the dessert was a big let down. A visit to the Blue Elephant bathrooms was an experience in itself, so much so that they have won awards for it. Now they're just your average dingy restaurant bathrooms you look forward to rushing out when you're done. All in all the experience was far from the mind blowing experience it was once famous for. There are other options in the area whose menu is far more interesting (spicy!) and a nicer overall experience that is better value for money. Can't recommend I'm afraid.

Written March 20, 2022

Rachel G

Dear TTW89 Thank you for reviewing Blue Elephant. We are pleased that you found booking and accessing our Thai restaurant, and the décor itself, pleasant; but of course we are disappointed to have fallen short of your expectations with regard to the quality of our service and the flavour of our dishes. We thank you for your feedback, which has been shared with our Food and Beverage team for their review. We shall look into the flavour and seasoning of our main courses to ensure they deliver the authentic Thai experience we have been known for, and see that our newer team members especially are knowledgeable about our food offerings. We are also concerned to hear that you thought our bathrooms did not reach our usual high standards, and our Maintenance and Housekeeping teams thank you for bringing this to our attention. We hope you will return to Blue Elephant one day; we look forward to welcoming you back, and to having another opportunity to provide you with a truly enjoyable experience. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written March 22, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Whitlam H

Leeds2537 contributions

Lovely setting, food average

Aug 2021 • none

If staying at the hotel, it's worth booking a meal here and sitting out overlooking the marina was lovely. Staff were very friendly. The spring roll starters were great, very tasty but the dumplings were cold and like rubber, not very fresh. We ordered rice per person but the portion was huge and could have served two so it was a waste of food. My partner enjoyed his main but mine was pretty much just friend chicken with a sweet chilli dip, really nothing special and a bit bland - I was thinking there would be vegetables and a bit more spice although the menu wasn't lying when it said what it was, not sure what I expected! Service started off really well but it tailed off after it got busy and we struggled to get the bill. This was an ok visit but we wouldn't return.

Written August 31, 2021

Rachel G

Dear WhitlamH Thank you for reviewing Blue Elephant. We're very pleased that you enjoyed your visit to our Thai restaurant generally, and that our team members made you feel welcome and cared for. Your comments regarding our dishes have been shared with the Chef and his team; we are sorry your dinner did not meet your expectations. We hope you will change your mind and visit us again one day. We look forward to welcoming you back, and to another opportunity to provide you with a truly enjoyable experience. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written September 1, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

SB9

2 contributions

A wonderful night!

Jan 2020 • none

This was our first time dining at the Blue Elephant and I must say we will be coming back. It was my boyfriends birthday, I booked a week and a half in advance and requested a nice table. Free parking is offered. Our experience was lovely from start to finish. The table was located next to the koi pool and was somewhat secluded, making it a very beautiful spot to take in the lovely ambiance and to be able to talk properly. A big shout out to all our servers who were cheerful and welcoming wishing my boyfirend a happy birthday especially Miriana and Thananun ( i hope the names are right!) who were exceptional great and fun to talk to , always with a smile on their face and ready to help although the restaurant was filled to the brim,. The food was exceptional and beautifully presented. (we opted for the set menu, (royal banquet? forgot the exact name) that way we got to taste a lot of the dishes cheers to the amazing jobs the chefs did! . Cocktails were also made to perfection. We felt very welcome and pampered throughout the whole night. thank you very much for the the special evening. <3

Written January 27, 2020

MaltaHilton

Dear foodietravels95, Thank you for taking the time to write such a positive review after your visit to our Blue Elephant restaurant. Comments like these are always greatly appreciated by all the team in the restaurant and I’m glad our team made your special day so memorable. We look forward to welcoming your to the restaurant again soon. Kind Regards, E Phillips F&B Manager

Written January 28, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

davyp777

Durham479 contributions

Style over Substance

Mar 2022 • none

This restaurant promotes itself on serving ‘authentic’ Thai food, however that assertion is way off the mark based on my recent visit. Without doubt, the restaurant itself is a nice setting, however I prefer to taste good food rather than look at the greenery that adorns the restaurant. The uniforms the staff wear are very strange and would be more fitting in a burger joint! I ordered my food and specifically asked for it to spiced up, however, it was disappointing to discover my food was bland and certainly didn’t have the heat I requested. Service was sluggish, despite the restaurant not being overly busy. Overall, the food was really disappointing and as an aside, the management really need to address the problem of diners persistently using mobile devices on loud speaker. I appreciate many Thai restaurants outside of Asia tone down the heat for Western palates, and if this is the case here, The Blue Elephant shouldn’t be passing off their food as ‘authentic’. Authentic Asian restaurants will place small bowls of condiments to allow the diner to adjust the seasoning and heat to their individual taste. Fancy carved vegetables and pineapple stalks that cover most of the plate may look pretty, but cannot detract from the fact it's the food that really matters and the more cynical may suggest that by placing the vegetation on the plate reduces the amount of edible food on it! A very disappointing experience.

Written March 26, 2022

Rachel G

Dear davyp777 Thank you for reviewing Blue Elephant. We are disappointed to have fallen short of your expectations with regard to the quality and flavour of our dishes, as well as the speed of our service. We thank you for your feedback, which has been shared with our Chefs and their teams for their review. Our dishes are based on authentic Thai recipes, but your feedback regarding the spiciness of particular dishes has been shared with the Chefs, and is appreciated, as is your comment on the serving of side bowls with condiments. We hope you will return to Blue Elephant one day; we look forward to welcoming you back, and to having another opportunity to provide you with a truly enjoyable experience. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written April 1, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

abbooks

27 contributions

Poor service

Aug 2021 • none

Dinner at the blue elephant last evening, and received probably the poorest service ever in a supposedly quality restaurant. I don’t expect to be fawned over, and I don’t necessarily need to know the waiter’s name and personal back story, but I do expect to be pleasantly welcomed on arrival; shown to our table by a person who shows a modicum of happiness that we are dining in his restaurant; and served by someone who shows at least some interest in how our evening is going. None of this happened. All the staff were charmless and showed no interest whatsoever in our dining experience. In fact , one of the main courses was not good, it was not eaten and I asked the waiter to take it off the bill. No one came to us to either apologise or find out why we were unhappy with the dish; the bill came without a word, I paid it and left. There are many restaurants around the marina in Portomaso; don’t waste your time and money visiting this one.

Written September 1, 2021

Rachel G

Dear abbooks Thank you for your feedback. We are disappointed to have fallen so far short of your expectations during your recent visit to Blue Elephant, both with regard to the friendliness of our service and the quality of our dishes. Our Blue Elephant team members are always very welcoming and keen to make guests' dining experiences special, and we are sorry that you felt that this was missing from your experience. Your remarks have been shared with the Blue Elephant manager and the Chefs, who will be looking into the circumstances on the date of your dinner. We hope you will return to Blue Elephant one day, giving us another opportunity to provide you with the enjoyable evening you were expecting. We look forward to welcoming you back. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written September 2, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

PapmeisterG

3 contributions

Mediocre food given expensive prices

Jul 2022 • family

Starting with the positives I loved the layout and decor of the restaurant and service was pretty good but they were short staffed. Sadly it ends there. Given the high prices the quality of their food did not match and had better take aways given these prices makes it fine dining. The food quality should be very high but mediocre.

Written July 26, 2022

Rachel G

Dear PapmeisterG Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased that you enjoyed the ambience and décor at Blue Elephant, and the service of our team members; but of course we are disappointed to have fallen short of your expectations with regard to the quality of our dishes. Your feedback has been shared with the Chef and his team for their review. We hope you will visit our Thai restaurant again one day; we look forward to welcoming you back, and to having another opportunity to provide you with a truly enjoyable experience. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written July 28, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

James 66

Sliema146 contributions

Best restaurant overall on the island

Jan 2021 • couples

Been to blue elephant on more than one occasion. Never fails to surprise. Never gets tiring or boring. Overall it's by far the best restaurant on the island in terms of cleanliness, ambience, value for money, service and decor. In my opinion those who haven't visited Blue Elephant are truly missing out. The vast menu allows taste satisfaction to each individual's particular liking and makes it an experience every time we visit. I strongly recommend this venue whether you are Thai food lovers or not, as the experience is still marvellous. I therfore rate it at maximum points. Well done guys and keep up the good work. See you all soon.

Written January 15, 2021

Rachel G

Dear monica c Thank you very much for reviewing Blue Elephant, and for recommending it to other visitors! We are delighted that you enjoy your experiences at our Thai restaurant. Your kind comments have been shared with the Restaurant and Kitchen teams, and they are much appreciated. It is good to hear that you plan to return to Blue Elephant soon. We look forward to welcoming you back, and to providing you with many more enjoyable experiences. Kind regards Rachel - Hilton Malta

Written January 18, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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