Volta do Mar

Volta do Mar places Portuguese cooking at its heart, but expands beyond Portugal to follow the historic trade routes that began there and traverse the Lusophone world. Volta do Mar means “Return from the Sea”, a fitting name for a restaurant where seafood plays a starring role throughout the menu. The overall ethos, flavours and approach to cooking here are shaped by husband-and-wife owners, Simon and Isabel Mullins.

Dishes at Volta do Mar range from Dorset crab with scrambled eggs to Brazilian fish and tiger prawn stew, reflecting the breadth of the culinary journeys that have shaped the restaurant. Now based on Draycott Avenue in Chelsea, just a short walk from some of the area's best museums and galleries, Volta do Mar relocated from its original Covent Garden home in late 2023. The Chelsea restaurant comes with a terrace and private dining room, as well as space for up to 40 guests, making it just as suited to a business lunch or romantic dinner as it is to a family meal.

Much of Volta do Mar's character comes from its founders, who are passionate about celebrating Lusophone cuisine and culture through food. Dishes connect Portugal, South America, Africa and Asia, while the restaurant itself continues that story through its interiors. Even the artwork on the walls has been carefully chosen; the restaurant displays and sells art from international and local artists, explicitly incorporating global themes into the dining rooms.

Dining here is relaxed, warm and refreshingly free of fine-dining pretension. Yes, we are in Chelsea, so expect white tablecloths and plenty of flowers, but the polished surroundings aren't the reason you come. The real draw is the sense of connection that runs through the restaurant, down to the little menu captions that tell you exactly where a particular dish originated. It's a place where locals can settle in for a leisurely weekday lunch, while visitors gather over dinner before a show.