WE’VE BEEN BUSY BUILDING
OUR REPUTATION SINCE 1933
On special occasions, be it a wedding, a staff party, a baptism, a board meeting, or simply a gathering among friends, Busy Bee offers a vast selection of sweets, high quality savouries, smart waiter service and, above all, the certainty that all your guests will be in for an unforgettable treat.
Dedication and consistency is our secret ingredient
Busy Bee prides itself in preparing confectionery and savoury items using only the finest ingredients and according to time-honored recipes. Whether you are living in or visiting Malta, you are welcome to visit one of our Coffee Shops or Gelateria to relax in a welcoming atmosphere and savor our specialties or the renowned mouth-watering kannoli
1933
Back in 1933, when Censu Friggieri opened the Busy Bee Confectionery serving Maltese favourites like the renowned ricotta filled kannoli, almond pastries, pastini and krustini, little could he have imagined that by the turn of the millennium Busy Bee was to become a leading outside catering company and a household name, synonymous with genuine and wholesome products.
1974
When Censu’s son Edwin, took over the business in 1974 he kept on building on his father’s reputation and over the years he introduced Italian delicacies such as Dolci di Mandorla and handmade Torroncini, which the Maltese were enjoying whilst abroad.
Over the years the humble confectionery was established as an Italian styled Coffee Shop and Tavola Calda, serving a varied menu of foods, savouries, sweets and beverages; at the same time Busy Bee was also providing quality catering for weddings parties and receptions.
1987
At the helm of Busy Bee, Edwin would often be heard stressing the importance of hard work and dedication “If you are going to do something, do it well from the start; success will follow”.
With his children, Brian and Geoffrey already involved in the family business at a very young age, this philosophy proved to be a winning formula and in 1987, the humble cafeteria was expanded and refurbished into a state of the art coffee shop.
1988
In 1988, Edwin Friggieri, would acquire Villa Mdina in Naxxar, consolidating Busy Bee’s leading position in the field of outside catering with what is probably Malta’s most sought after venue for weddings and receptions.
2012
Busy Bee’s journey in gelato also goes way back to 1933 when the company was renowned throughout the island for serving the best traditional Maltese ice-cream. In June 2012 the Busy Bee Gelateria opened its doors becoming a refuge for those seeking to unwind and tickle their taste buds with the best genuine authentic gelato on the island.
Today our patrons will not find only 45 different flavours, but also, fresh pancakes and waffles served to your liking with a vast variety of toppings and fillings. We also serve fat free and soya ice-cream, frozen yoghurt, latte di mandorla and sorbet.
2018
In July 2018, Brian and Geoffrey, would relocate the main kitchen from Msida to the Central Business District in the Mriehel Food Hub and, on the 20th November 2018, the Friggieri brothers would inaugurate the 8,000 square meter facility with an investment exceedign Eur 7 million; a project designed with leading logistics and food technology experts.
The state of the art factory will enable Busy Bee to create the much needed spare production capacity whilst maintaining the quality which is synonymous with the brand. The plant includes an underground parking, administration offices and staff facilities, 8 different production areas, dry goods stores, multiple docking bays and 330 meters squared of cold rooms.
2019
In 2019, Geoffrey and Brian would have one more ace up their sleeve, opening the third outlet in Mriehel.
“You’ll feel like you’ve just walked into a café in Paris! Locals are already raving about the café, describing it as an absolute “must-visit” – and who are we to argue? We can’t wait to head over and stuff our faces with Busy Bee’s scrumptious pastries. I mean, who wouldn’t?” (GuideMalta, 2018)
Mriehel Offices
Mdina Road, Zone 4,
Central Business District,
Birkirkara CBD 4010, Malta
Tuesday & Thursday
09:00 - 20:00
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
09:00 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 12:00
Mriehel Coffee shop
Mdina Road, Zone 4,
Central Business
District,
Birkirkara CBD 4010,
Malta
Monday - Sunday
08:30 - 22:00
MSIDA COFFEE SHOP
30, Ta' Xbiex Seafront,
Msida, MSD 1512. Malta
Monday - Sunday
08:30 - 22:00
GELATERIA
19, Ta' Xbiex Seafront,
Msida, MSD 1512. Malta
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Thursday
10:00 - 00:00
Friday - Sunday
09:30 - 00:00