Volta do Mar, which showcases food from the trade routes of the Portuguese-speaking world, has made the short voyage from Covent Garden to Chelsea, where it opened this week in Draycott Avenue.

Launched four years ago by Salt Yard group founder Simon Mullins and his Portuguese-born wife, Isabel Almeida da Silva, the original restaurant closed earlier this year before finding its new home close to Bibendum and Daphne’s.

Meaning ‘return from the sea’ in Portuguese, Volta do Mar has won consistently high marks in the Harden’s guide for a menu that shuffles dishes from across the Lusophone sphere – Brazil to the west, Angola and Mozambique in Africa, and Goa and Macao in the east, along with Portugal itself.

Isabel herself is of Portuguese, Angolan, Cape Verdean and Goan descent, and some of her family recipes feature proudly on the menu, including her Tia Amalia’s dessert Pudim Caseiro and Avo Alice’s Chickpea and Aubergine Goan Caril. 

Daily specials of whole fish from Devon and Cornwall are cooked Portuguese-style over charcoal and served whole, while the all-Portuguese wine list includes some rarities from the Azores and Madeira.

The 40 covers include comfy banquette seating as well as bar dining and there’s a private dining room for groups of up to 12, while in warmer months a west-facing terrace is perfect for al fresco dining.

Volta do Mar is open for lunch and dinner every day apart from Monday.