Restaurante Tarmar — Restaurant in Calheta

TARMAR - A True Culinary Gem in Madeira

Nestled in the Jardin do Mar of the stunning Madeira landscape, TARMAR is a hidden culinary gem that promises an unforgettable dining experience. As soon as you step through the doors of this family restaurant, you are greeted by the warm embrace of Madeiran hospitality, and the culinary journey that follows is nothing short of extraordinary. The restaurant with its cozy decor and tranquil surroundings sets the stage for an unforgettable evening. From the moment you arrive, the staff go above and beyond to make you feel like a cherished guest. Their attentiveness and extensive knowledge of the menu elevate the dining experience to new heights. This family-run restaurant prides itself on its warm and personalized service, ensuring that every aspect of your visit is tailored to your preferences. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the finest Madeiran ingredients. TARMAR's menu is a testament to the island's rich culinary traditions, with a focus on fresh seafood, locally sourced produce, and expertly prepared dishes. The octopus dish is nothing short of a revelation. Cooked to perfection and served with locally grown vegetables from Pedro's farm (the restaurant's owner), it's a symphony of flavors that showcases the best of Madeira's bountiful offerings. Each bite is a testament to the restaurant's dedication to using the freshest and highest quality ingredients. I even tried the Limpets with my friends for the first time and it was definitely our new favourite dish! At the end of the dinner we got on the house a round of Portuguese creamy liqueur with the notes of cocoa, caramel and coffee and a subtle touch of wine brandy that was super delicious. It was very nice experience and we dined there few times during our stay. If you will be around, do not miss the chance to pop in, definitely...

For our last day in Madeira, we wanted to enjoy one final great meal with friends and my fiancée (a group of six). We specifically chose this restaurant for the view and hoped to dine outside, especially since we saw available tables on the terrace.

However, we were "welcomed" very coldly by a bearded man with glasses who flatly refused to seat us outside. He didn’t even bother to offer us a table inside. Instead, he simply said “Thank you!” and completely ignored us, leaving us standing awkwardly in the middle of the dining room, confused about what was happening.

To make matters worse, he seemed much more interested in drinking on the job in front of us while preparing drinks for other customers.

That’s when I decided this restaurant didn’t deserve our time—or our money. We all left, offering one final “Thank you” to the uninterested and...

Of all the places we went to in Madeira, this is the only place where we returned, not that the other places weren’t good, but this place simply has something so deeply pleasant. Excellent young personnel that expressed himself in excellent English even despite his age and he even tried some German! Even though there was 1,5 week in between, we were remembered which we didn’t expect, they knew what we drank and the service was great with the perfect amount of presence so all was enjoyed in calm.

We didn’t take more pictures of the food as we were simply too hungry and it smelled just too...