The visual record
Avista: restaurant in Madeira
3 Estrelícias : Exceptional: worth planning a trip around. Awarded by the MadeiraInfo editorial team.
Avista serves Mediterranean, Asian and sharing cooking in Funchal. Prices are upper-mid (€€€), the house speciality is Mediterranean-Asian sharing plates, bay views and booking is recommended.
Standalone restaurant by the PortoBay group on a promontory next to Baía dos Piratas in Funchal. Mediterranean and Asian sharing plates, open Atlantic views, and a Michelin Guide presence since 2020. Chef João Luz has led the kitchen since opening, working with chef Benoît Sinthon to build a menu of surprising flavours designed for sharing.
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About Avista
Avista sits in Funchal and serves mediterranean, asian and sharing food at upper-mid-range prices
Start with the mediterranean-asian sharing plates, bay views: it is the reason people come back.
What to know before you go
- Reserve if you can: weekend dinner sittings go early, and walk-ins after 20:00 often wait.
- Outdoor seating is available. Request it when booking, as it goes first.
- Hours: Breakfast 07:30–10:30; Lunch 12:00–16:30; Afternoon tea 15:00–17:00; Dinner 18:00–21:30. Indoor and outdoor seating.
- Address: Estrada Monumental 145, 9004-532 Funchal.
- Reservations: +351 291 707 770 or avista@portobay.pt (table booking advisable).
- Parking: on-site parking available.
- Languages: menus available in Portuguese, English, French and German.
- Payment: American Express, Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard, Union Pay and Diners Club accepted.
- Access: direct entrance from Estrada Monumental or via Les Suites at The Cliff Bay hotel, with stairs and lift to the upper floor of the restaurant.
- Dietary needs: contact avista@portobay.pt for allergen info, gluten-free menus, children or babies.
- All indoor areas are non-smoking under Portuguese law.
Best time to visit
Year-round. Dinner reservations are tightest from late April to October and over Christmas / New Year; lunch is easier almost any day.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 07:30–10:30, 12:00–16:30, 15:00–17:00, 18:00–21:30
- Tuesday
- 07:30–10:30, 12:00–16:30, 15:00–17:00, 18:00–21:30
- Wednesday
- 07:30–10:30, 12:00–16:30, 15:00–17:00, 18:00–21:30
- Thursday
- 07:30–10:30, 12:00–16:30, 15:00–17:00, 18:00–21:30
- Friday
- 07:30–10:30, 12:00–16:30, 15:00–17:00, 18:00–21:30
- Saturday
- 07:30–10:30, 12:00–16:30, 15:00–17:00, 18:00–21:30
- Sunday
- 07:30–10:30, 12:00–16:30, 15:00–17:00, 18:00–21:30
We have not confirmed these hours with the venue ourselves, call ahead before making a special journey.
Location
Funchal, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.63960, -16.91760
Visitor reviews
Honest first-person notes from people who have actually been to Avista. Reviews are moderated before they appear, no account needed.
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Frequently asked
What is Avista known for?
Avista is known for its mediterranean-asian sharing plates, bay views, plus a wider mediterranean, asian and sharing menu.
Do I need to book a table at Avista?
Yes, particularly for dinner. A day's notice is normally enough outside August and the Christmas weeks.
How expensive is Avista?
Avista is rated €€€: upper-mid-range. Expect a typical dinner main to reflect that band, with Madeira wines and bottled water added on top.
Plan around Avista
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Avista in a day.
Nearby on Madeira
Other places within easy reach of Avista.
Plan the rest of your trip
The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.
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