Restaurants in Madeira

Eating out in Madeira isn’t just about food; it’s part of the island’s charm. You’ll find everything from tiny tasca-like joints serving espetada (that’s beef on a skewer, grilled over wood fire) to sleek restaurants in Funchal where chefs play with fresh Atlantic fish and tropical fruits.

If you want to eat like a local, head to Câmara de Lobos and grab a plate of scabbard fish with banana or go inland where Madeiran cuisine is heartier, with dishes like milho frito (fried cornmeal cubes) and beef stew slowly simmered in wine. And yes, don’t pass up trying the bolo do caco, a garlic-studded flatbread that’s everywhere but much better when freshly made at a local bakery.

Fancy dining with a view? There’s nothing like watching the sunset while enjoying seafood in a terrace restaurant by the marina in Funchal. Just a tip: if you want to avoid the tourist traps, ask locals about places like O Barqueiro or Casa do Velho Dragoeiro. They usually have straightforward, honest food that hits the spot with no fuss or frills. And if you’re here during the winter or January wine festival, make sure you try poncha with your meal,it’s the drink that’ll warm you up better than anything else.