Alta Vista, Restaurant in Santa Maria Maior, Funchal, Portugal
Alta Vista is a restaurant in the Santa Maria Maior neighborhood of Funchal, Portugal, set on a hillside with views over the city and the ocean. It has a modest interior with wooden tables and a rooftop terrace that looks directly out over Funchal.
The restaurant was started over 50 years ago and has remained in the same family since. The current owner is the daughter of the founder and keeps the place running in the same spirit.
The restaurant is known for a passion fruit sangria made in-house, which reflects the local flavors of Madeira. The rooftop terrace overlooking Funchal is often chosen for proposals and small celebrations.
The streets nearby are steep and narrow, so driving there requires care and it is better to take a longer route to avoid tricky turns. The restaurant is not large, so booking ahead is a good idea, especially on weekends.
One of the most talked-about dishes is swordfish served with banana, a combination that surprises many visitors but is rooted in the cooking traditions of Madeira. The owner also makes bread, non-alcoholic drinks, and desserts like chocolate mousse in-house.
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