It’s crazy to think about all the things that a single bottle of wine stands for.

Not only is it the product of years of hard work, close care, and ample research, but it also helps fuel many memorable nights of laughter and chatter with friends, family, and loved ones.

In this way, opening a bottle of quality vino is a lot like unravelling a new story, and thus, heading to a good wine bar is not dissimilar to entering a decades-old library, chock-full with pieces of history.

This is exactly the feeling that up-and-coming Naxxar establishment Onella is looking to encapsulate.

Boasting a list of 125 wines as well as a further 25 wines-by-the-glass, Onella strives to offer its patrons an ever-changing selection of interesting wines to choose from.

Variety is key at Onella, where you can count on finding bottles of red, white, rosé, and sparkling from all four corners of the world, ranging from the hugely popular to the relatively unknown.

Having said that, it’s not just the wine that makes drinking at Onella a top-notch experience.

For starters – all drinks are served in Riedel glassware. For those unfamiliar with the brand, Riedel is a centuries-old family-owned glassware business renowned for the sheer quality of its products.

In the company’s own words, its stemware has been specifically designed ‘to translate the message of wine to the human senses.’ Awesome, right?

Apart from that, you can rest assured that all wines-by-the-glass at Onella are as fresh as can be – and it’s all thanks to a nifty little gadget from Coravin which allows you to pour a glass of vino without actually opening the bottle.

So, whether you’re in an adventurous mood or just want ‘a glass of the usual’, this Naxxar spot is excellently equipped to satisfy your tastes.

Speaking of ‘taste’ – Onella’s also home to a fully-fledged kitchen, cooking up a different menu of downright delicious sharing plates every single week.

That’s right! At this Naxxar spot, you can get your hands on way more than your run-of-the-mill cheese and charcuterie boards.

Now we’d love to let you in one some of the dishes you and your party can sample at this spot, but by the time this article is out, chances are they would’ve already been replaced!

That’s how fast the Onella team is in changing its menu to offer patrons the freshest food possible.

Having said that, here are a couple of plates that have made it to Onella’s menu in the past: Chicken Lollipops, Cured Duck Breast, Parmigiana, Baked Camembert Cheese, and Octopus Carpaccio.

Every week, the Onella food menu is dotted with a variety of vegetable, meat, and fish-based dishes sure to satisfy any diner’s palate. Make sure to check out the wine bar’s Facebook page regularly to stay updated with their latest menu changes.

Food and drink aside, the Onella premises are enough to transport you to a different world.

Located within a house at Victory Square – right next to Naxxar’s historic church – Onella’s walls are seeping with history.

These premises were built by a certain Vincenzo Bonavia towards the middle of the 19th century, and a coat of arms atop the main entrance is testament to that.

Following its construction, the house was inhabited by Dun Salvatore Bonavia, Vincenzo’s only son, until his death in 1946.

It’s no coincidence that every minute detail at Onella has been expertly thought out…

This establishment is run by the team behind Sliema’s iconic Fernandõ Gastrotheque – a fine dining establishment recognised in the latest edition of the Michelin Guide.

Whilst the culinary concepts at these two spots couldn’t be more different, you can rest assured that the intricacy and attention to detail present at Fernandõ Gastrotheque extends all the way to Onella.

Thinking of heading to Onella?

This spot is open between 6pm and 11pm from Monday to Thursday and between 6pm and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Book your table by calling on +356 7977 3773 or by sending an email on [email protected].