Mamma Mia is actually part of the Vidamar Resort Hotel. However, the restaurant is situated on the main street and is open to the public.

Half-board guests at the Vidamar can book as part of the ‘dine around’ option and choose from a set menu or a EUR 15 credit against the à la carte. The set menu was on a board outside and looks like it stays the same for weeks if not months:

We were seated in what is perhaps an outdoor seating area in the summer, but was now a sort of tent with plastic windows. We wondered if the main restaurant was held for those who weren’t on the half-board, dine around option.

ABBA were played throughout and I guess every night. It’s sort of a confused theme as ABBA are Swedish and even the Mamma Mia movie location is in Greece.

None of the set menu appealed and so we went à la carte. This was our order:
Antipasto for two EUR 15
Fresh spinach and mushroom, ricotta and pumpkin ravioli EUR 15 per person
Red house wine and water EUR 15.50

The antipasto plate was chilled, as was the bread, which at some point had been grilled with oil. It was clear that everything had come straight from the fridge. We had to ask for olive oil as none was on our table.

The ravioli arrived swimming in a pesto soup – not a light-coating of sauce as you would expect. The ravioli itself was average and certainly not worth 15 Euros.

Our waiter didn’t ask how our food was, so we volunteered that this wasn’t how to cook pasta and was there actually anyone Italian in the kitchen. He said there was but that was the end of the conversation.

We decided not to waste any more money on the place, paid the bill EUR 27.50 which included 2 x 15 half-board credit and some unknown discount of EUR 4, which I think was probably a mistake.

We cancelled our subsequent booking via the hotel desk and decided we would never return! It’s pity that this restaurant brings down the Vidamar, which is otherwise a great hotel.

Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant
Estrada Monumental 175, Funchal, Madeira 9000-100, Portugal
+351 291 717 758