Housed in the 17th-century São Tiago Fortress, the Fort Restaurant invites guests to dine where Madeira’s history meets the ocean, in an atmosphere of refinement and quiet drama.

Once a bastion guarding Funchal’s harbour, the fortress now frames one of Madeira’s most atmospheric dining experiences. Stone walls, ochre façades and sweeping sea views set the scene for an encounter with local gastronomy presented with finesse. From 12:00 to 15:00, the à la carte menu favours the island’s produce and daily catch, offering plates that are fresh yet grounded in tradition. As evening falls, from 18:30 to 22:00, the setting takes on an intimate glow. Candlelit rooms and attentive service create a stage for memorable dinners, enhanced by premium Portuguese wines. Couples can choose the Romantic Package — a three-course menu paired with sparkling wine, strawberries and chocolate — designed for unhurried celebration. Adding a flourish of theatre, guests may arrive in chauffeur-driven vintage cars from the 1930s. The highlight is the Austin 12, whose polished lines and timeless charm turn the short ride through Funchal’s historic streets into an experience in itself, an overture to the evening within the fortress walls. Open daily from 11:00 to 23:00, the Fort Restaurant remains a landmark for those seeking lunches, dinners or romantic evenings where cuisine and history share the same table.