A formal tasting-menu restaurant inside The Cliff Bay hotel, in the Lido district a short taxi ride west of central Funchal. Evening service only, with multi-course menus built on Mediterranean technique and island produce.
Il Gallo d'Oro is a formal tasting-menu restaurant inside The Cliff Bay hotel in the Lido district of Funchal, on the island of Madeira, Portugal. The Lido is the hotel-lined seafront area a short taxi ride west of central Funchal, and the restaurant is the fine-dining flagship of the Porto Bay hotel group on the island. Service is for dinner only, daily from 7:00PM to 10:00PM, and the kitchen offers multi-course menus built on Mediterranean technique and island produce. Two dishes are most often associated with the restaurant: a pumpkin risotto with truffle, and a deconstructed Madeiran pastry dessert that reinterprets a local sweet in a modern form. The dining room is formal and quiet in character, suited to special occasions and romantic dinners, and visitors are advised to ask about the dress code when booking, since smart attire is the norm in a hotel fine-dining setting. Tasting menus range from about €165 to €275 (~$190–$316) per person, putting it at the top of Funchal's price scale. Wine pairings are a natural addition to the format, though the specific wine programme has not been detailed here. Reservations are essential and demand is high: weekend tables need to be reserved about three weeks ahead, and weekday dinners are easier to secure. Further details are available at ilgallodoro.portobay.com. Because the restaurant is within a hotel on the Lido seafront rather than in the old town, most visitors arrive by taxi or on foot from the Lido hotel strip, and it is worth allowing time for the return journey to central Funchal after a long tasting-menu service.
| Price | $$$$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 7:00PM–10:00PM |
| Reservations | Book at least three weeks ahead for weekend sittings |
| Address | The Cliff Bay, Rua Comendador Arquiteto João Lopes Henriques da Conceição, 9004-532 Funchal |
Signature dishes
- pumpkin risotto with truffle
- deconstructed Madeiran pastry dessert
Good to know
- Known for
- Tasting-menu fine dining at The Cliff Bay hotel in the Lido
Location
The Cliff Bay, Rua Comendador Arquiteto João Lopes Henriques da Conceição, 9004-532 Funchal
32.6382, -16.9268 View on map
Highlights
- Formal tasting-menu dining inside The Cliff Bay hotel in the Lido
- Pumpkin risotto with truffle
- Deconstructed Madeiran pastry dessert
- Multi-course menus based on Mediterranean technique and island produce
Tips for visiting
- Book at least three weeks ahead for weekend sittings.
- Tasting menus cost about €165–€275 (~$190–$316) per person.
- Ask about the dress code when reserving.
- Dinner only, daily 7:00PM–10:00PM; weekdays are easier to book.
- Arrange a taxi back to central Funchal after the long tasting-menu service.
When to visit
Weekday evenings are easier to book; sunset-season dinners and weekends fill about three weeks ahead.
Accessibility
The restaurant is inside a hotel, where step-free access is more likely than in the old town, but this has not been confirmed. Visitors with mobility needs should ask the hotel when booking.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the signature dishes at Il Gallo d'Oro?
The restaurant is associated with a pumpkin risotto with truffle and a deconstructed Madeiran pastry dessert.
How much does Il Gallo d'Oro cost?
Tasting menus range from about €165 to €275 (~$190–$316) per person.
How far ahead should visitors book Il Gallo d'Oro?
Weekend tables should be reserved about three weeks ahead. Weekday availability is generally easier.
Where is Il Gallo d'Oro?
It is inside The Cliff Bay hotel in the Lido district, a short taxi ride west of central Funchal.