Selo de Mar — Restaurant in Setúbal

Pretty sure this review will not do Selo de Mar justice. It was just that good. One of the best restaurants I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy in Setubal, and possibly even Portugal. I think it’s best described as a modern, creative take on old school Portuguese food. The chef uses local ingredients and absolutely kicks them up a few notches. The grilled squid was perfectly prepared and served with the most aromatic rice that makes you want to dive into the moment they lift the lid on the pot it’s served in. My fish of the day (corvina) served with a liver sauce and chive oil was to die for. It literally melted in my mouth. And the the pumpkin with white gazpacho… wow. We’re also not usually cocktail drinkers but I had their home made vermouth and my husband had a cocktail with a different recipe of the vermouth. Both of which were outstanding. The wines by the glass are limited but what they have is really nice and the bottle list is extensive. Beyond the food and drink, the service is absolutely top notch. If you know the show “The Bear” you’ll understand the compliment when I say “Richie would approve.” And the atmosphere was cozy yet upscale. The garums are a fun and unique touch but IMHO the dishes are so perfectly prepared that I didn’t even need them. I’ll also mention, the dishes are a nice size. We over ordered but it was well worth it. What makes Selo de Mar special though is that it’s also the kind of place you could go to share some light bites and not have to overindulge and spend a lot. I absolutely can’t...

✨ Selo de Mar – A Journey into Setúbal’s Ancestral Flavours ✨

Discovering Selo de Mar in Setúbal feels like opening a window into two worlds: one of culinary innovation and the other of deep-rooted Mediterranean tradition. This restaurant is a true gem for food lovers and history enthusiasts alike — perfect for those seeking something different, authentic, and unforgettable.

The star of the show is garum, a fermented fish sauce that dates back to Roman times. While garum has long been appreciated in Japan and other parts of Asia, it’s truly fascinating to see this ancient tradition being reinvented right here in Portugal — and with such mastery!

Each dish is a work of art, balancing complexity and subtlety, revealing the team’s deep knowledge of fermentation, flavour, and ancestral techniques. The umami explosion that garum brings elevates even the simplest of ingredients into something extraordinary. From delicate starters to bold, harmonious mains, everything at Selo de Mar speaks of originality and respect for the sea.

The atmosphere is warm and intimate, with attentive service that brings each menu item to life through storytelling. There’s a palpable passion in every detail — something rare and truly special.

If you love discovering new culinary frontiers and diving into flavours rich with history, Selo de Mar is a must-visit in Setúbal. It’s an irresistible invitation to explore, remember, and celebrate the Portuguese sea like never before.

📍 A sensory experience worth sharing — and repeating. ⭐ Highly...

You should definitely visit this spot in Setubal- especially if you are a fish/seafood lover. It’s newly opened (only about 5 months old), has a relaxed, intimate atmosphere (we sat indoors and had a good view of the kitchen), and the service was fantastic. The cured sardines were super tasty (my personal favorite), and so were the prawns (although I did wish it was served at a hotter temperature as the dish was served quite cold- but that might just be the way it was intended to be served). We also had the boneless fish stew (not pictured) which was very simple but very tasty. To finish we had the apple pie which was delicious-I only wish it was served with some ice cream (perhaps flavoured with the bee pollen Garum it comes with) or some additional component to give it an extra wow factor. But all in all was a lovely dinner, and I loved the experimental element that comes with trying their selection of Garums (fermented fish sauce) that you can add to your meal to add an extra layer of flavour....