The Portuguese capital isn’t exactly short of eateries where to indulge in good local fare. In fact, options have only increased in recent times, and gourmets can now pick from highly diversified offerings befitting almost any flavour or budget. A new arrival in Lisbon‘s culinary scene is El Mar, the latest venture of celebrated Brazilian-born Portuguese chef Kiko Martins. Perched on the seventh floor of the El Corte Inglés department store in Lisbon, the El Mar restaurant occupies a compact nook with large windows on two sides which allow in floods of daylight and add to the maritime design theme by local design studio Cateto Cateto. Referencing Martins’ bicultural roots, and notably the Portuguese coast and the shores of Rio de Janeiro, the setting sees a fusion of styles—Portuguese tiles, cushions inspired by Carioca beaches and a myriad of cutesy silhouettes of sailors and sails.

The entire demarcation of the dining area is made of wood, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of sailing ships’ cabins. The warmth of the timber and a colour palette that playfully alternates between the blues of the ocean and the golden tones of the sun, or rather, the sunset, reinforce this relaxed, holiday vibe. Hovering over the space, as if dangling from fishing rods, are several of Marset‘s colourful Dipping Light luminaries, complementing this stylised, slightly romantic Mediterranean setting. The nearby bar, set below a fishnet-adorned timber canopy and separated by a narrow corridor, offers additional seating in matching style. The menu at El Mar lists a variety of fish dishes and other seafood, supplemented by side dishes, and a curated selection of cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages. © superfuture