Before it was a food truck, before it was a Spaceburger, and before anyone ever queued under the stars for a scoop of ice cream — Gemma Joe’s was a feeling.
It was the smell of onions sizzling in olive oil at Nanna’s house in Sydney. It was the sound of laughter over mismatched plates and hand-me-down recipes with our aunties, uncles and cousins. It was the mix of Maltese heart and Aussie cheer. It was home.
Gemma Joe’s was born from two brothers raised on faith, family, and food that brought people together. Our parents landed in Australia speaking only Maltese. They taught us to speak the language, not just with words — but with food, kindness, and a smile that said, “You’re welcome here.”
As adults, we travelled across the U.S. — long highways, jukebox diners, late-night coffee refills, and open skies. We were drawn to the spirit of the American diner: not the flash, but the feeling. The way it welcomed everyone, served with heart, and made ordinary moments feel sacred.
That’s where Gemma Joe’s was truly birthed. Somewhere between the deserts of Arizona and a chrome booth in New York, the dream came to life.
The name Gemma comes from the Latin word for “jewel” — a reminder of what’s precious: hospitality, warmth, tradition, and the beauty of slowing down around a table. It nods to the quiet strength of the women in our family.
Joe is the grounding force. Familiar. Down-to-earth. A “Cup o’ Joe,” a “regular Joe” — always dependable, always welcome.
A place that shines like something rare, but greets you like an old friend.
A Diner. A Legacy. A Community.
Gemma Joe’s honours Gemma and Joe Pace, who emigrated from Malta to Australia in the 1950s–60s. They met at a Maltese festival in Sydney, fell in love, and built a life centred on family, culture, and great food.
Their sons, Stephen and John-Paul, inherited their passion and turned it into something uniquely their own — a rolling tribute to everything they were raised with.
What started as a humble van became a full-blown diner-on-wheels, serving joy in every burger, scoop, and smile. It’s Maltese. It’s Aussie. It’s a little bit Route 66 — and it all started with two people who believed in love, faith, and good food.
Gemma Joe’s isn’t just a place to grab a bite — it’s a time machine on wheels. Neon lights, jukebox tunes, hand-painted signs, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve been here before.
We serve more than food — we serve memory. Whether it’s a Space Burger under the stars, a milkshake passed between mates, or a quiet moment shared on a Maltese summer night, every bite carries something bigger.
Inspired by the golden age of American diners and shaped by our Maltese roots, Gemma Joe’s blends warmth, nostalgia, and joy — all from the side of a van.
It’s not just a brand. It’s a movement. Built on faith, family, and the kind of food that brings people together.
What started as a humble blue van quickly became a retro food truck icon in Malta — built on faith, family, and food that brings people together.
It all began when co-owner John-Paul Pace painted just four words on the side of the van: “1950s,” “The Greasers,” “The Hop,” and “USA.” A tribute to everything we loved growing up. That spark turned into a hand-painted mural — a visual story of our travels, our upbringing, and the diner dream we saw come alive across America.
Now wrapped in 1950s nostalgia and proudly flying the red-and-white Gemma Joe’s sign, that little van has become something bigger — a diner with a heartbeat. A place where every Space Burger, every scoop of ice cream, and every smile keeps the story alive.
Gemma Joe’s is proudly run by brothers Stephen and John-Paul — two Maltese-Aussie dreamers raised on faith, food, and family. What started as a tribute to their parents became a full-blown diner movement, where community is always on the menu.
Hi, I’m Steve — a drummer, dreamer, and diner-lover at heart.
Music has been the rhythm of my life since I was 15, when I first started recording and performing and eventually performing with numerous bands throughout the years touring constantly up and down the Eastern Seaboard of Australia. Most notably In 2007, I was lucky enough to become the drummer for The Wiggles — a journey that would take me into theatres across Australia and onto over 25 albums and DVDs. Those projects ended up selling millions of copies and even picked up multiple ARIA Awards along the way. It was an incredible chapter, filled with laughter, colour, and the kind of joy you only find in music made for kids.
In 2011, I packed my bags and moved to New York City, chasing new creative horizons. I spent four unforgettable years touring and recording with a band over there, playing at some of NYC’s most iconic venues and soaking up the raw, electric energy of the city that never sleeps. I’d fly back to Australia in between to continue recording with The Wiggles, balancing both worlds with a suitcase in one hand and drumsticks in the other.
I’ve also worked as a youth worker, supporting kids in out-of-home care — many of whom had been through more than most adults ever will. That role taught me a lot about patience, empathy, and what it means to show up for people. I tried to be the big brother I wish every kid could have — it was tough, but it changed me for the better.
These days, my brother Jay and I are pouring everything we’ve learned into Gemma Joe’s — a retro-inspired diner concept that blends our Maltese-Australian roots with a whole lot of heart. We grew up around food, music, and loud family lunches, and we’ve always wanted to create something that brings people together in that same spirit.
At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to serve up nostalgia, quality food and service, and genuine connection… with a scoop of ice scream, of course.
I’m John-Paul Pace, co-founder of Gemma Joe’s — a nostalgic American-style food truck based in Malta. But before burgers and milkshakes, my life was all about stories.
I grew up in Sydney, Australia, the firstborn of twin boys. My twin brother and I were drawn to storytelling from the start — always drawing, always dreaming, always turning our toys into elaborate movie scenes. That love for storytelling never really left me. It just changed shape.
After working as a gym trainer in my early twenties, I found the courage to pursue acting. I studied at NIDA< and Screenwise, landed some strong commercial work, and scored a role in HBO’s The Pacific. I was drawn to the deeper layers of the craft — the philosophy, the poetry — and became obsessed with the icons of classic cinema: James Dean, Marlon Brando, old-school jazz, and vintage film. At 25, I packed my bags and moved to New York City to study acting at HB Studios. That leap set off a decade of life across New York, Vancouver, LA, and Sydney.
I kept acting — picking up gigs in film, TV, and commercials in both Australia and the U.S. — and when I was back in Sydney for a stretch, I worked as a youth mentor for kids in out-of-home care. That work was tough, but aligned with what matters to me: helping others dream big and find their way through.
In 2013, during one of many road trips across the U.S. with my older brother Stevo, the idea for Gemma Joe’s was born. We were crisscrossing highways, living on diner food and dreaming out loud. The spark was there early, but it wasn’t until the COVID lockdowns — back home in Australia — that we sat down, got serious, and mapped out how to bring that dream to life.
In 2016, I visited Malta for the first time, and returned in 2017 to shoot a film with Jim Caviezel — an actor who’d inspired me early on in The Passion and The Count of Monte Cristo. There was something about Malta that resonated. So in early 2022, Stevo and I made the move. We opened Gemma Joe’s in August of that year and have been growing ever since.
I still act when I get the chance — most recently in The Good Ship Murder — but these days, my heart’s in building something real. Gemma Joe’s is more than a food truck. It’s a story, a vibe, a place where people come hungry and leave smiling.
Looking for the best ice cream in Malta? At Gemma Joe’s Diner in Sliema, we serve hand-crafted ice cream, croffles, milkshakes, and retro-inspired eats that’ll take you back to the golden days. Whether you’re craving shaved ice in Sliema, a juicy burger, or a sweet escape, our American-style food truck is the place to be. Visit us for great street food in Malta and classic diner vibes that make every visit unforgettable.
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