Today we introduce you to this little gem hidden on the promenade of Gzira: managed by 3 Wonder Women, Balance Bowl is your next vegan eatery, a place destined to become a main hang-out spot for the Maltese LGBTQ+ community.
We thought about doing a brief interview to shine some light on this fantastic place, our questions were met with enthusiasm and excitement:
WHO ARE YOU AND HOW DID BALANCE BOWL COME TOGETHER?
The 3 of us, we had been working for big corporations for more than a decade but we’ve always had a massive passion for food, vegan food in particular, and having all a background in hospitality, we decided that instead of driving ourselves crazy working for someone else we could drive ourselves crazy working together! We realized that in Malta there was a lot of opportunity for opening our place, and even though such things are always a huge risk, now we are the only vegan eatery in Malta. Our staff is an fundamental part of what we do, they come in all shapes and sizes, different backgrounds, we try to look for people with the same passion and energy that drives us and Balance Bowl.
A lot of our staff members, us included, are part of the LGBTQ+ community, we did not look for them, we attracted them, and we are all happy to provide a friendly service for the whole Maltese community and promote diversity. When we first came here the gay scene in Malta wasn’t providing much choice in terms of places to go, gather or just chill out, especially for women. Balance Bowl is a safe space, a new option where everyone is welcome.
WHAT SHOULD CUSTOMERS EXPECT?
Our menu is 100% vegan, our food is soul food, made fresh daily with love and passion. We try as much as we can to buy everything local, support local business and reduce plastic usage constantly looking for new options like using paper, silicone or metal. Stepping in you’ll immediately feel Balance Bowl’s positive energy, the good music and vibes. We have this chill-out space upstairs furnished with sofas, tables, chair and puff chairs that anybody can use to eat, study, work, have meetings, read.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE BALANCE BOWL TO FIT INSIDE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY?
We’d love for this space to be used for talks and LGBT events, as well as becoming a known place for women in the LGBTQ+ community in Malta. We want everyone to feel welcome and to know that Balance Bowl is a safe place where you can be who you are no matter your age, gender, sexual orientation, religion. Whether you are coming for lunch, to read a book, for a date, to finish your thesis or just because you’re craving a delicious vegan snack you’ll always be welcome and surrounded by friendly faces.