Gazebo — Restaurant in Funchal

WOW! It is hard to live up to a name like "experience" for a restaurant, but this one does, and then some.

Fairly new on the island, this is a dining "experience" not to be missed. If you are visiting make this your number one plan for a night out, if you live here schedule a special night to go to the Gazebo, you will not be disappointed.

First some housekeeping....the place is a bit hidden. Our poor taxi driver drove around the block three times before we got out and just started walking, even then, it wasn't easy. There is no large sign just a dimly lit one inside a small doorway. The key is that it is located on a one-way street, and the entrance is on the right side, the only entrance along a large gray wall. Also, the phone number is not easy to find so here it is for convenience: 351-926-531-010.

Now for the meal! It is hard to describe an "experience" of any type; thus, the saying that you must "experience" one to understand it. That could not be more true than for this restaurant. Small quaint, inside and outside dining areas attached to a grand house that one of the chef's parents still lives in. You will be impressed from the moment they buzz you in; the walk along the garden to the gazebo is beautiful and serene, the perfect setting for what is to come.

The meal itself is a choice of two tasting menus, six or nine tastings, locally focused, using fresh and local ingredients were possible. Prepared in an open kitchen which affords one the viewing of the preparation of each dish.

It meal is explained in detail to every table by one of the chefs, very informative, and interesting.

I am truly at a loss on how to describe the meal, any words I would use would be a disservice to the meal. Perfect blend of flavors, complex, yet simple to comprehend and enjoy. Each tasting was unique, not one was a disappointment. One of the finest meals I have enjoyed anywhere. It must be "experienced" to appreciate.

The menu does change every so often, you can check on their website for the current one.

I could go, and on; by the end of the evening you will have been made to feel, like family. Everyone is so nice and accommodating. The intimacy of the setting only adds to the uniqueness of the evening.

Reservations are required. I can only say make yours soon.

We...

Firstly this restaurant is slightly difficult to find, we did a dry run on foot and missed the locked doorway that is set in a concrete wall, the restaurant sign is only on one side of the doorway so walking in one direction it is easy to miss, when I first saw this doorway I thought it was an entrance to an apartment block. Anyway you press a button to open the door you then walk up some steps and then into a garden that maybe has seen better days then up some more steps into the restaurant. The restaurant is small maybe 12-15 tables, we sat down and was given the menu and within minutes was asked what we would like to order, we’d not ordered drinks at this point so after informing the waitress the sommelier came to our table was very informative and rather than have the wine pairing we settled for a bottle of white. Now to the food, there are only two choices, the five course at €80 with wine pairing at €45 or the nine course at €120 with wine pairing at €80, we chose the five course. Each course arrived which was very well presented and extremely tasty other than the petit four it was so sour I found myself shaking my head from the reaction of my taste buds, there was ample time between courses. Just a side note this is a Michelin Recommended restaurant, the kitchen itself is open to the restaurant so each course can be seen as it is intricately prepared by the chefs. Would we come back? most definitely just don’t rush the start of...

Amazing culinary experience overall and a night to remember.

A bit of an awkward beginning as the entrance is inconspicuous and requires a ring of the doorbell to enter. Fortunately, our doubts dissipated with the warm welcome by Sumati and her constant care throughout the dinner! We also got to witness firsthand the dynamism and passion of owner, Filipe Janeiro, who was both behind the kitchen counter finalizing dishes and interacting with guests to proudly present dishes as well as recommending and explaining wine pairings.

For context, we got the East to West menu (9 courses) and every dish was delicious and an ode to local produce and cuisine. Though not every single dish was something to dream about (hence the 4 star food rating), what stood out to us were the first appetizers, the grouper (1st main), the custard apple sorbet pre-dessert, and the tamarillo dessert.

Another thing to commend was their willingness and ability to adapt to last-minute dietary restrictions as we only mentioned a lactose intolerance upon arrival and they took care of everything. Kudos to Filipe for his wine recommendation and explanation of the wine (Dona Fátima) that paired very well with majority of the dishes.

We will be back for sure! Looking forward to new adaptations to the menu. Applause to both the kitchen and service team.

(I only included 2 photos just to offer a glimpse of the menu, didn't want to spoil it...