O Mero - Santa Cruz

We decided to visit the small pebble beach at Garajau by bus from Funchal. Arrived at bottom of the cable car onto a small beach with this modern cafe and bathing complex equipped with changing rooms, showers and sunbeds all free. The friendly waiters made us welcome and after a cooling swim in the sea we enjoyed wonderful fish lunch robalo small sea bass) freshly grilled with salad and french fries and a cheap bottle of excellent vinho verde Casal Mendes. 33 Euros for 2. Bargain.

Great poncha and nice lapas grealhadas (local grilled shells). There was no massada de marisco (pasta with sea food) on the menu but the owner offered to prepare it anyhow! And that in front of the sea and a great sunset!

Our taxi driver come guide took us to this secluded spot, which we would never had found in a million years. We got a warm welcome and they even gave my wife a surprise cake when they found out it was her 50th birthday. Top marks for hospitality.

We were three family groups (3 seniors, 6 adults, 2 adolescents, 8 kids . Main dishes are fish based. Not every ingredient is fresh (but the owner admit it without reserve , especially the seafood. However, the recipes are very tasty so that you can eat dishes with the right compromise between price/quality/flavour. We eaten squid and shrimp; especially the squid (the recipe is called Lulas a Diabo are very tasty although, for someone (not me too spicy. If you go there, it could be good to dine in this restaurant, enjoying also of an amazing view on the Ocean!

Whilst it was not the best food we ate whilst in Madeira, it was still very good, but added to the location next to the beach at the Garajau nature reserve made it the best overall meal we had. During the day it can be accessed by the cable car near the Cristo Rei statue or by a very winding road that is accessed from near theCristo Rei car park. The food we ate was mainly seafood cooked in Maderian style and was very fresh. The price was slightly cheaper than many restaurants serving similar food in Funchal.