Mare Alta Bar-Restaurante
Madeira
Portugal
Overview
Nestled in the heart of Funchal, Mare Alta Bar-Restaurante offers a refreshing dining experience that combines the best of Madeira’s culinary traditions with contemporary flair. Known for its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, this restaurant has become a local favorite, attracting both visitors and locals who are seeking authentic Madeiran cuisine with a modern twist. Whether you’re sitting down for a leisurely meal, enjoying drinks with friends, or savoring the sunset views, Mare Alta is a standout dining destination on the island.
Mare Alta takes pride in offering guests a true taste of Madeira, with a menu that highlights the island’s diverse and rich culinary heritage. However, what sets this restaurant apart is its ability to reimagine traditional dishes through a creative and contemporary lens. The result is a fusion of classic flavors with innovative presentation and new techniques that surprise and delight the palate.
The menu at Mare Alta features a wide selection of dishes, from fresh seafood to expertly grilled meats, each prepared with the finest local ingredients. The restaurant is particularly renowned for its ability to highlight the island's abundance of fresh fish and seafood, offering delicacies like Madeira-style limpets, grilled sardines, and octopus salad, which are bursting with the island’s authentic flavors.
One of the most compelling reasons to visit Mare Alta is its exceptional seafood offerings. Madeira's coastline is known for its rich marine life, and the restaurant takes full advantage of this bounty. From local tuna and black scabbardfish to the renowned Madeiran limpets (lapas) and cuttlefish, the seafood at Mare Alta is prepared with care and attention to detail, ensuring that every bite is fresh and full of flavor.
The fish of the day, often caught by local fishermen and delivered straight to the kitchen, is a favorite among regulars. Guests can enjoy it grilled or prepared in traditional Madeiran styles, such as the peixe espada preto (black scabbardfish), a delicacy often served with banana or passion fruit for an island-inspired twist.
The atmosphere at Mare Alta is relaxed yet lively, making it a perfect spot for everything from an intimate dinner to a casual meal with friends. The restaurant’s interior is contemporary, with minimalist design elements that focus on clean lines and natural light. Large windows provide stunning views of the ocean and the hills surrounding Funchal, allowing guests to enjoy the beauty of Madeira while they dine.
For those who prefer to soak in the island's beautiful climate, the outdoor terrace offers an inviting space to relax with a drink or enjoy a meal al fresco. The terrace is ideal for watching the sunset while sipping a Madeira wine or enjoying a refreshing cocktail, making it the perfect place for a laid-back dining experience in the heart of the city.
While seafood is undoubtedly the star of the menu, Mare Alta also offers a range of traditional Madeiran meat dishes, such as Espetada (grilled beef skewers), served with aromatic herbs and accompanied by crispy milho frito (fried cornmeal). These hearty dishes, paired with poncha (Madeira’s traditional rum-based cocktail), offer a true taste of the island’s flavors.
Another standout dish is the Bacalhau à Mare Alta, a reimagined version of the beloved Portuguese salted cod. Prepared with modern techniques, it combines traditional flavors with inventive ingredients, offering a fresh take on a classic dish.
The dessert menu at Mare Alta is equally impressive, featuring a variety of sweet treats that celebrate the island’s fruit and flavors. From tropical fruit sorbets to passion fruit mousse, each dessert is light, refreshing, and the perfect way to end a meal.
No meal at Mare Alta would be complete without a glass of Madeira wine. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list that includes a selection of the island's best vintages, from rich, sweet Madeira wines to crisp, refreshing whites and reds. The knowledgeable staff are always on hand to recommend the perfect pairing for your meal, ensuring that each dish is complemented by the ideal wine.
In addition to Madeira wine, Mare Alta also features a selection of cocktails and craft beers, perfect for those looking for something more contemporary. Whether enjoying a refreshing Madeira Mojito or a classic Gin and Tonic, the drinks menu is designed to complement the laid-back, yet vibrant, atmosphere of the restaurant.
Whether you’re visiting Madeira for the first time or are a returning guest, Mare Alta Bar-Restaurante offers an experience that is both authentic and unique. The restaurant is perfect for a relaxed evening meal, a special celebration, or even a quick lunch after exploring the island. Its central location in Funchal makes it a convenient stop for those wishing to enjoy a delicious meal while exploring the city.
The welcoming ambiance, combined with delicious food and drinks, makes Mare Alta an ideal place to spend time with friends and family. The staff are friendly and attentive, adding to the overall experience and ensuring that each guest feels right at home.
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Mare Alta takes pride in offering guests a true taste of Madeira, with a menu that highlights the island’s diverse and rich culinary heritage. However, what sets this restaurant apart is its ability to reimagine traditional dishes through a creative and contemporary lens. The result is a fusion of classic flavors with innovative presentation and new techniques that surprise and delight the palate.
The menu at Mare Alta features a wide selection of dishes, from fresh seafood to expertly grilled meats, each prepared with the finest local ingredients. The restaurant is particularly renowned for its ability to highlight the island's abundance of fresh fish and seafood, offering delicacies like Madeira-style limpets, grilled sardines, and octopus salad, which are bursting with the island’s authentic flavors.
One of the most compelling reasons to visit Mare Alta is its exceptional seafood offerings. Madeira's coastline is known for its rich marine life, and the restaurant takes full advantage of this bounty. From local tuna and black scabbardfish to the renowned Madeiran limpets (lapas) and cuttlefish, the seafood at Mare Alta is prepared with care and attention to detail, ensuring that every bite is fresh and full of flavor.
The fish of the day, often caught by local fishermen and delivered straight to the kitchen, is a favorite among regulars. Guests can enjoy it grilled or prepared in traditional Madeiran styles, such as the peixe espada preto (black scabbardfish), a delicacy often served with banana or passion fruit for an island-inspired twist.
The atmosphere at Mare Alta is relaxed yet lively, making it a perfect spot for everything from an intimate dinner to a casual meal with friends. The restaurant’s interior is contemporary, with minimalist design elements that focus on clean lines and natural light. Large windows provide stunning views of the ocean and the hills surrounding Funchal, allowing guests to enjoy the beauty of Madeira while they dine.
For those who prefer to soak in the island's beautiful climate, the outdoor terrace offers an inviting space to relax with a drink or enjoy a meal al fresco. The terrace is ideal for watching the sunset while sipping a Madeira wine or enjoying a refreshing cocktail, making it the perfect place for a laid-back dining experience in the heart of the city.
While seafood is undoubtedly the star of the menu, Mare Alta also offers a range of traditional Madeiran meat dishes, such as Espetada (grilled beef skewers), served with aromatic herbs and accompanied by crispy milho frito (fried cornmeal). These hearty dishes, paired with poncha (Madeira’s traditional rum-based cocktail), offer a true taste of the island’s flavors.
Another standout dish is the Bacalhau à Mare Alta, a reimagined version of the beloved Portuguese salted cod. Prepared with modern techniques, it combines traditional flavors with inventive ingredients, offering a fresh take on a classic dish.
The dessert menu at Mare Alta is equally impressive, featuring a variety of sweet treats that celebrate the island’s fruit and flavors. From tropical fruit sorbets to passion fruit mousse, each dessert is light, refreshing, and the perfect way to end a meal.
No meal at Mare Alta would be complete without a glass of Madeira wine. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list that includes a selection of the island's best vintages, from rich, sweet Madeira wines to crisp, refreshing whites and reds. The knowledgeable staff are always on hand to recommend the perfect pairing for your meal, ensuring that each dish is complemented by the ideal wine.
In addition to Madeira wine, Mare Alta also features a selection of cocktails and craft beers, perfect for those looking for something more contemporary. Whether enjoying a refreshing Madeira Mojito or a classic Gin and Tonic, the drinks menu is designed to complement the laid-back, yet vibrant, atmosphere of the restaurant.
Whether you’re visiting Madeira for the first time or are a returning guest, Mare Alta Bar-Restaurante offers an experience that is both authentic and unique. The restaurant is perfect for a relaxed evening meal, a special celebration, or even a quick lunch after exploring the island. Its central location in Funchal makes it a convenient stop for those wishing to enjoy a delicious meal while exploring the city.
The welcoming ambiance, combined with delicious food and drinks, makes Mare Alta an ideal place to spend time with friends and family. The staff are friendly and attentive, adding to the overall experience and ensuring that each guest feels right at home.
Curated by the World Culinary Awards
