The Gemma Joeâ€™s Story: A Family Legacy in Sliema

From Gemma & Joe to Malta’s Coolest Food Truck

A Diner. A Legacy. A Community.

Gemma Joe’s honors 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 centered on family, culture, and great food. Their sons, Stephen and John-Paul, inherited their passion for hospitality. Inspired by classic American diners from their time in the U.S., they brought that experience home to Malta.

A Retro Food Truck Inspired by U.S. Diner Culture

Gemma Joe’s Diner isn’t just a place to grab a bite—it’s a time machine to an era of neon lights, jukebox tunes, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like family. We believe in warm welcomes, real conversations, and serving up moments as satisfying as the meals themselves. Whether it’s a Space Burger under the neon glow, a milkshake shared between old friends, or the feeling of stepping back in time to an era when diners were more than just restaurants—they were community hubs, meeting points, and places where life happened.
Inspired by the golden age of American diners, infused with the warmth of Maltese culture, and built on a foundation of heritage, passion, and faith, Gemma Joe’s is more than a brand. It’s a movement.

Meet the Founders: The Brothers Behind the Sliema food truck

What started as a humble blue van quickly became a retro food truck icon in Malta, built on family, faith, and food with heart. Co-owner John-Paul Pace painted just four words on the van—”1950’s,” “The Greasers,” and “The Hop” and “USA:—a tribute that soon transformed into a hand-painted mural reflecting their journey, U.S. experiences, and love for diner culture. Covered in 1950s and 60s icons, the truck now sits proudly under the red-and-white Gemma Joe’s sign. More than a diner, it’s a nostalgic experience, where every Space Burger, milkshake, and shared smile keeps the spirit alive.

✨ Our Legacy. Our Journey.

The Gemma Joe’s Story

1950s–60s 🇲🇹

Gemma & Joe emigrated from Malta to Sydney Australia with their families in the 50's and 60', and later met at a Maltese festival at Horsley Park in the Western suburbs of Sydney in 1966. They married a year later in December 1967 and they begin their new lives built on love, family, and Maltese tradition and the new Australian way of life.

1980s–90s 🥰

In 1985, Gemma and Joe purchased a small food business called Happy's, operating at the famous Paddy's Market Flemington in Sydney and it quickly became a hit. At Happy’s, Stephen & John-Paul learn what it means to serve with heart, warmth, and joy.

2000s–2010s ✈️

Steve and John lived in America for many years pursuing artistic careers, and road tripped numerous times across the U.S. This is where the brothers fall in love with the classic American diners — neon signs, jukeboxes, and community. it is during these times where the Gemma Joe's idea would start to form.

2022 🚚

Fast forward to 2022, Steve and John leave Sydney Australia, to start a new life in Malta. Backed by a vision and passion, coupled with grit, determination and a hint of naivety, Gemma Joe’s launches as a simple blue van with some logo stickers in Gzira for 10 days, before moving to their now perminent spot in Sliema in early September, selling shaved ice and orange juice — and faith-fueled retro vibes take off.

2025 🛞

Gemma Joe’s has evolved over the years into a Sliema hotspot — a fully blown hand-painted food truck with a vast and unique sweet and savoury menu. It’s fast becoming a movement built on legacy, faith, hospitality, and the joy of bringing people together.

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Meet the Founders

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.

Stephen Pace

Co-Founder

With a background in music and a passion for creativity, Steve has always been driven by a love for bringing people together. His journey from musician to co-founder of Gemma Joe’s was inspired by a deep appreciation for classic diners and the sense of community they create. Focused on quality, nostalgia, and innovation, Steve ensures that every detail—from the flavors to the experience—captures the heart and soul of Gemma Joe’s.

John-Paul Pace

Co-Founder

As an actor, John has spent years perfecting the art of storytelling and connection—skills that seamlessly translate into his role at Gemma Joe’s. With a natural ability to make every customer feel like part of the family, he brings warmth, energy, and an eye for detail to the diner experience. Whether behind the counter or shaping the brand’s vision, John is passionate about creating moments that leave a lasting impression.