Bar Restaurante O Mero — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

We went here three times during our holiday. The staff is so friendly and takes time to have a small chat and a joke. When the sun was setting they offered to make a picture for a nice memory of our stay. We were recognized the second an third time and they were genuinely happy to see us again. The atmosphere is relaxed with nice background music and a beautiful surrounding. The food is fresh and sometimes they have different desserts and meals which are not made daily. When you are here during the day there is a stone beach with wooden pallets on which you can lay down or just on the rocks themselves. There is also a diving school for underwater fun and exploration. During the evening there is a beautiful sunset over Funchal which you can see on the beach or the table on the corner. (If you want that one I would advise to make a reservation.) They have a good fish menu, but you can also get meat and (vegetarian) omelette. When you go here go by car or you can go from the top via cable car (€3 a person). Just be aware that the cable car works until 20.00. Overall a great restaurant for dinner but also for a drink during a day at the pebble...

I was tempted by the welcome to paradise sign seen from the cliff above the restaurant and travelled down to the beach by cable car (€5 return trip) The setting is stunning under the volcanic cliffs directly on the beach. The food was absolutely delicious, I had the lulas diablo (spicy fried squid) with bolo de caco (traditional Madeiran garlic bread) and used the bread to enjoy every drop of the spicy oil from the squid rings. I chose a light main course to leave room for the heavenly bolo de maracujá (passion fruit flan) as recommended by Tiago. Tiago is more than a friendly waiter, he supported my efforts to speak Portuguese and taught me about the origins of the word "bica", gave information on the various diving opportunities and his recommendations for my meal were just perfect. Of course, I had a passion fruit poncha to drink. It's all part of the relaxed ambience. Sitting in dappled shade, gazing out at the sea, really great selection of music, delicious food and drink, super-friendly staff produced a deep contentment in me. The welcome sign got it...

A Hidden Gem by the Sea – Exceptional Service and Breathtaking View We had the most incredible dining experience at this beachside restaurant. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm smiles, the gentle sound of waves, and the smell of fresh seafood in the air. What truly made our visit unforgettable, though, was the outstanding service provided by our waiter, Tiago. Attentive without being intrusive, Tiago went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect. He offered thoughtful recommendations from the menu, shared interesting stories about the local ingredients, and made us feel like we were the only guests there, even though the place was buzzing. The food? Absolutely divine. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor – fresh local fish and prepared with real skill. If you're anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and take a cable car down there. And if you're lucky enough to have Tiago as your waiter, you're in for a truly...