Restaurant Marisquera Galé — Restaurant in Santana

A Disastrous Experience That Ruined Our Evening

After a long day of hiking in Madeira, our group of 14 arrived at Restaurant Gale around 6:40 PM, extremely hungry and hopeful for a pleasant dinner. We had previously tried another restaurant that told us dinner would only be served after 7 PM, so we were relieved when Gale confirmed they were already serving dinner.

From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt odd – only one table was occupied indoors, and although we needed a large outdoor table for all of us, the staff agreed to accommodate us. We were given menus and shortly after informed that certain key dishes, including octopus (which most of us had wanted), were unavailable. Disappointed but famished, we decided to order other items.

We were told food would take about 40 minutes because "everything is fresh." While the wait seemed a bit long, we accepted it, assuming at least starters would arrive in the meantime. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The only thing we received in the first 30 minutes was some bread. Meanwhile, young children—presumably the owner’s—were crying and screaming incessantly inside, making it impossible to relax.

After an hour, no starters, no drinks (other than a small local wine sample), and no sign of our main meals. Still, we remained patient and polite, albeit growing increasingly frustrated and exhausted. At the 2 hour and 40-minute mark, I finally asked about the starters, pointing out that a “starter” should not arrive hours into a meal. Only then did some food begin to appear, but not for everyone. Throughout this entire period, we were the only customers for most of the evening—except for two individuals who came, ordered, ate, and left before we even received our food.

The final dishes arrived a shocking 3 hours and 10 minutes after ordering. The quality was appalling:

-A seafood rice dish came in a pot of watery liquid, the rice was undercooked, and it was virtually tasteless.

-A carbonara was inexplicably served with olives.

-Two portions of calamari were ordered, but only one arrived.

-Tuna, ordered with potatoes, arrived with rice and beef gravy – an awful mismatch for fish. And the list could continue

The worst part? The so-called chef, who turned out to be the owner’s father, eventually came to our table and admitted he was alone in the kitchen because the staff had just left. In fact, we had seen them sitting nearby, smoking – clearly not in a rush to help if was need it . If the kitchen was understaffed, why didn’t anyone tell us before taking our order? Why they have been that greedy just to get money for 14th people but horrible service ?

To top off the entire ordeal, despite the disastrous service, excessive wait time, and dreadful food, the owner refused to offer any discount whatsoever. They charged us fully, without a hint of apology or goodwill.

This was without a doubt one of the worst dining experiences we’ve ever had – a complete lack of professionalism, organisation, and basic respect for customers. Avoid this place at all costs.

If we could give zero stars, we would. Unfortunately we lost our temper to make some...

“Galé” is a true hidden gem of a local, homemade restaurant. Our visit was a delightful surprise from start to finish.

The moment we walked in, we immediately felt at home. The service was not only speedy but also filled with a warm, local charm that made our dinner even more enjoyable.

My husband ordered the shrimp, and he was absolutely blown away. He kept raving about it, calling it the best shrimp dish he’s ever had. It’s clear that “Galé” knows how to turn simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

I went with the fresh fish of the day, and I was equally impressed. It was a delicious surprise, showcasing local flavors and a personal touch in every bite. It’s evident that the kitchen takes pride in their homemade creations.

And to sweeten the deal, we couldn’t resist trying the chocolate cake for dessert. It was the perfect way to wrap up our casual dining experience. The homemade feel of that dessert was evident in its rich and comforting taste.

“Galé” is a local gem where you can savor fantastic homemade dishes with a personal touch. The team’s dedication to creating a memorable dining experience was evident throughout our visit.

We wholeheartedly recommend “Galé” to anyone looking for a relaxed and delightful dining experience. We’re already looking forward to our next visit to enjoy more of their...

Well, what can I tell you about this restaurant? It's the worst I've seen in Portugal and what I know about restaurants, I don't understand how a restaurant like this has a good rating! First of all, it is not a Gourmet restaurant for the minimum amount they serve and let's not talk about the price! To eat and I prefer to eat in Funchal your other side where the experience is really pleasant. The man who attended us has co-management and has nothing to cover his mouth! And the fish I ate was dry and tasteless and we ordered a grilled chicken breast and the size was exaggeratedly small I say the atmosphere is not so sustified to say that the prices are adequate.... I don't have more to tell you that I don't recommend you come to this place because calling it a restaurant would be a lot. I invite you to look for Google so you can see who I am here. I'll leave you my...