Funchal-born Nini Andrade Silva is one of Portugal’s most famous interior designers, and this cultural centre set in a 17th-century fort certainly has her touch with the rounded sofas dotting the rooms like giant pebbles taken out of the island’s beaches. Most people head here for the restaurant and the terrace views – you’re just above Funchal’s port. The menu offers a play on regional cuisine with a touch of Asian flavours like the fish of the day drizzled with makrut lime or the black Angus with glazed pack choi and Madeira wine sauce.

The uniqueness of the garden’s design, which blends nicely with nature, has served as a main attraction factor for visitors to have a fantastic experience by immersing themselves in the surroundings.One more uncommon thing is the Nini Design Center, an innovative brand that offers spaces for exhibitions, workshops, and a museum for study purposes. The gravity-defying contemporary museum was designed by award-winning architect Paulo David. Seemingly disproportionate lines, the main materials being concrete and glass, make a deliberate contrast against the traditional island’s architecture, as if the magnificent structure defies gravity; however, the result is respectful to its surroundings.

Exhibition space, restaurant, events venue and rooftop bar all rolled into one, the Design Centre is worth a wander around just to marvel at the interior alone. Designer Nini Andrade Silva has used the oval-shaped stones that you find throughout Madeira as the inspiration for her design, from the chairs and tables to the sun loungers and the artwork. On a warm day, head up to the terrace for a drink overlooking the Atlantic: the white sangria is refreshing and filled with fruit (which makes it somewhat healthy if you eat it all afterwards?!).

One of the most special sights on the island – regardless of what time of the year it is – is the Nini Andrade Silva Design Center, which occupies the old fort and offers a panoramic view of the ocean and the city of Funchal. The center’s restaurant and bar serve a delicious menu created by talented chef and cookbook author Júlio Pereira, integrating the island’s own ingredients into a contemporary style of cooking. Pereira has worked in São Tomé and Angola and is a researcher of Madeiran culinary traditions.

At Nini Design Center Restaurant in the studio/show room of the internationally known Nini Andrade Silva, you can admire her designs in the gallery before taking a table overlooking the harbor. Choose sea bream carpaccio with crab meat, or scallops in a creamy sauce with caviar and herbed risotto. Presentations are spectacular, as you might expect at a restaurant in the atelier of a preeminent designer.

Housed inside the imposing Nossa Senhora da Conceicao fortress at the far end of Funchal Marina, the Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva is well worth a visit. The fort was once the home of Portugese explorer Joao Goncalves Zarco, who colonized Madeira in the 15th century. Many of the attractions in Funchal are quite traditional so the modern designs on display here make an interesting contrast.

In the space of renowned interior designer Nini Andrade Silva, the Design Centre is a signature restaurant, with a contemporary and creative cuisine. It takes full advantage of the beauty of the space – a renovated 17 th century fort, in the Port of Funchal. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner Forte de Nossa Senhora da Conceição – Porto do FunchalTel.: +351 291 648 780

The prestigious Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva is now an official working café space. A place where you can work with a fast internet, eat and drink, and spend the day surrounded by a breathtaking view of Funchal and the Atlantic. At Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva, you can spend the day working from there, from 10€/day consumption [at the café or shop at the centre]

The well-regarded Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva has recently become a coworking café space. If you are looking for a more casual environment to work in, but want fast, reliable internet, then this is the place for you. They have a great selection of food and drink, and to use the space; you have to spend a minimum of around $12 USD in the café.

De volta ao azul do Atlântico, o Design Centre (DC) Nini Andrade Silva é verdadeiramente uma ilha. Situado no Porto do Funchal, o espaço assume-se como um local de “cultura e experiência”, revela a diretora, Cristina Lagoa, que salienta as especificidades arquitetónicas e históricas que conferem, ao local, características ímpares.

Part exhibition centre featuring work by designer Nini Andrade Silva and part fine dining restaurant, the elegant and fancy Design Centre sits high above the city on top of “Molhe” – the Fortaleza da Nossa Senhora da Conceição – which was once the home of Gonçalves Zarco, an old Portuguese sea navigator.

The dramatic edifice overlooking Funchal’s port you cannot fail to notice is home to the hip Nini Design Centre (www.ninidesigncentre.com). Savour clams and octopus at the centre’s Doca do Cabacas (www.restaurantedocadocavacasfunchal.pt). This relaxed old-timer also boasts epic ocean and cliff views.

Bij Nini Design Centre in Funchal bijvoorbeeld, als je voor fancy with a view gaat. Of bij Fajã dos Padres voor simpele, maar pure en superlokale gerechten, en waar je alleen komt met een boot of met de kabelbaan. Een broodje to go of een goedgevulde picknickmand haal je het beste bij Vantastic.

If you are looking for respite from the heat and the crowds, the Design Centre Nini Andrade is a refuge. It caught our eye when we first took the bus into town. There’s no missing it, an imposing island-building on the harbour topped by a minimalist structure on an artificial outcrop.

Other restaurants to consider in Funchal are Estalagem Quinta da Ponta do Sol, accessed by an elevator and sky bridge to its cliff-top setting, and Nini Design Center Restaurant, overlooking the harbor in the atelier of the internationally recognized designer Nini Andrade Silva.

Nini Design Centre: Wil je lunchen op een bijzondere locatie?. In een voormalig fort zit nu het atelier en restaurant van de Madeirese designer Nini Andrade Silva. Je kunt er ook dineren, maar ik vind persoonlijk dat je het leukst zit op het terras met uitzicht op het water.

Craving a unique and stylish backdrop for your romantic Madeira dinner?. Look no further than the Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva Restaurant. This hidden gem, housed within a former fortress, offers a fusion of art, design, and culinary excellence.

Credit must go to the Design Centre restaurant on the Funchal Breakwater who noted a diner in our party declined the complimentary bread and immediately asked if the diner was gluten free. Yes, he replied and gluten free bread was swiftly provided.

Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva, Funchal: Situated right on the shore, next to the docks, the design center welcomes digital nomads at their café. It’s a perfect spot for afternoon work, crowned with a spectacular sunset looking over the ocean.

In Funchal, Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva has a beautiful open-air bar and terrace. If you’re willing to venture out of the city, the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol hosts free live music each week as part of its popular Purple Fridays events.

The exhibition centre, cafeteria, shop and studio Nini Design Centre, has a spectacular restaurant inside. With diversity and quality on the menu, this beautiful restaurant offers a wonderful view, with a unique atmosphere and decorations.

Panoramic restaurant located in Pontinha that combines creativity with a passion for traditions, in a reinterpretation of regional cuisine with Atlantic cuisine.