Peixaria no Mercado — Restaurant in Funchal

Upon entering Peixaria do Mercado, one's expectations are immediately set high by the inviting atmosphere and the promise of fresh, locally sourced seafood. The restaurant, nestled in the heart of Madeira, carries the air of potential greatness. This potential, however, is only partially realized.

Our culinary experience commenced with an enticing starter - ceviche. The dish, while boasting a commendable freshness, regrettably missed the mark in terms of flavor balance. A dash more acidity would have elevated this dish from good to memorable.

The main course, a locally revered black mouth fish, was the star of the evening. Cooked to perfection, its freshness and quality were undeniable, a testament to the restaurant's access to prime seafood.

However, the accompanying sides were a puzzling diversion. The presence of bravas potatoes adorned with a spicy mayo and cheese, alongside cabbages in sauces and commonplace French fries, was incongruous. One wonders why the kitchen strayed from traditional, complementary accompaniments that typically celebrate the fish's delicate flavors.

Service, an integral part of the dining experience, was unfortunately inconsistent. Save for the commendable efforts of one attentive server towards the end of our meal, the staff appeared to lack essential training in customer engagement and etiquette - a critical oversight in the hospitality industry.A peculiar and disconcerting feature was the staff's casual demeanor and inattentiveness, culminating in an excessive wait time of nearly an hour and a half - a significant detraction from the overall dining experience.

Peixaria no Mercado, with its exceptional location and access to high-quality ingredients, has the potential to craft an unforgettable dining experience. However, it falls short in execution, particularly in the realms of menu coherence and service quality. One leaves with a sense of what could have been, rather than what was - a culinary narrative of missed opportunities and...

The best restaurant in Madeira – by far. I honestly don’t even know how to begin describing this place. It was out-of-this-world delicious and genuinely unforgettable. The journey began – truly above and beyond. Our waitress didn’t just serve food; she lived and breathed it. You could feel her genuine love for what she does – the passion, the care, the joy in sharing it. It made everything feel warm, personal, and deeply special. Then came the food with a starter that felt like the perfect opening to something magical – warm bread with seaweed butter and a touch of fresh tuna. It wasn’t just an appetizer; it was the first step of a culinary adventure. Delicate, elegant, full of promise. And then… the food. The prawns melted in our mouths – fresh, beautiful, and absolutely divine. And the sauce? On another level entirely. Rich, deep, complex – I could have drunk it by the liter. Unforgettable. The fish looked like something from a magazine – gorgeously plated, perfectly cooked, soft and full of flavor. The tiger prawns? Angelic. Poetic. Ethereal. So refined and delicate, it felt almost emotional to eat them. Even the side of potatoes was a masterpiece. Golden, crisp, rustic fries – comforting yet elevated, like the perfect finishing touch to an already flawless symphony of flavors. They were simple, but absolutely perfect in texture and taste. To complete this dream: the wine. Beautifully selected, sommelier-level quality, and in perfect harmony with the food. Every sip felt like an extension of the dish – refined, smooth, and unforgettable. 5 stars? Not even close to enough. This wasn’t just a meal – it was a culinary love story, a fairy tale, a moment of...

This was my 2nd time coming here (almost a year to date since my first visit) and I was slightly disappointed with my 2nd visit. I had very fond memories from the first time, great service, super flavorful fish, and a cozy ambiance.

This time, my husband and I came on a Sunday night (since it is one of the open restaurants) without a reservation, but we came around 20:00. We were able to get a table (there were a few open). We sat inside and all the lights were on (last time I came they were dimmed with candles on the table). The service was a little more rushed, less attentive and less special feeling than the first time I came. I know this is the standard for Europe - I have lived in Spain/traveled extensively, but based on past experience I was a bit disappointed.

You get brought over a plate of the fresh catch of the day and they show you the fish/tell you the prices, and they suggested a whole fish per person. But we looked around and pretty much every couple was splitting a fish and a few sides. It felt a little like they were trying to upsell.

We both got the black scabbard and then a patas bravas and tomato salad to share. The 2 pieces of scabbard we got were seasoned differently, mine felt under-seasoned. They were still super fresh and great fish though. Last time I came I didn't even use the lemon/lime juice or sauce because the fish was so good plain. The sides were okay, but patats bravas lacked a little flavor for me. We skipped dessert since we were a little disappointed.

I would give it another try since my first experience was so good, maybe it was just an off day. But either way, I would recommend trying in Funchal if you are a...