When we think about Madeira, food may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but the truth is that Madeira has a lot to offer regarding food – with a sub-tropical climate, exotic and delicious fruit, and fresh fish. Madeira’s food has characteristics of typical Portuguese cuisine but with a tropical touch.
Furthermore, this is one of the most visited islands in Europe, with thousands of tourists from all over the world visiting all year round. Thus, being a touristy island, it offers diverse and quality restaurants.
In this list, we have gathered restaurants that we like and recommend trying in Madeira. We asked Madeirans and friends who live in Madeira to recommend to us where to eat in Madeira. A good part of these we have already had the opportunity to visit in person, while the others we asked of friends to share their main characteristics and why they enjoy them.
In this article on the best restaurants in Madeira, we have included restaurants of all budgets, from the cheapest to the most luxurious, from the most traditional to the most modern, fish and seafood restaurants, snacks, and meat restaurants. We chose restaurants that are spread all over the island, from North to South, East to West.
We didn’t have any financial incentive or sponsorship; these are restaurants that we like and/or that were recommended by some of our friends who live in Madeira.
Best restaurants in Madeira – Funchal
Dona Joana Rabo-de-Peixe
Located in the old part of Funchal, Dona Joana Rabo-de-Peixe is one of the most famous restaurants in Funchal. It is frequented both by locals and tourists, serving typical Madeiran food such as black swordfish with Madeiran banana, tomato soup, and grilled limpets, among others.
It’s a nice restaurant, well-located, and has quality dishes. However, we did not find it an extraordinary or memorable experience.
- Price – 20 to 30 € per person;
- Service – friendly staff and pleasant ambiance;
- Location: Rua de Santa Maria 77, 9060-291 Funchal;
Salt Warehouse
Armazém do Sal is the most luxurious restaurant in Funchal, and it serves fantastic food. We didn’t go there yet, but our Madeiran friends say it’s very good. It serves traditional Madeiran food but with a Gourmet touch. It is a more expensive restaurant, but from what we were told, the day’s dish at lunch is more accessible, maintaining high-quality levels.
- Price – 25 to 40 € per person
- Location: R. da Alfândega 135, 9000-059 Funchal
Caco do Bolo do Caco
Bolo do Caco is a typical Madeiran bread. It is a slightly leavened flatbread with a light dough and thin crust. It is often served with butter and garlic but is also delicious for sandwiches. And that’s exactly what Casa do Bolo do Caco specializes in—bolo do caco sandwiches.
Caco do Bolo do Caco serves “pregos,” hamburgers, the traditional vine meat and garlic sandwich, and Bolo de Caco with chorizo. The sandwiches are served with fries. You can eat on the snack bar’s terrace or choose to take them away. The sandwiches are delicious—comfort food with a touch of Madeira.
- Price – 3 to 6 € per person
- Service – fast and pleasant terrace
- Location: Rua Dr. Fernão de Ornelas 26, 9050-021 Funchal
Restaurants to eat Espetada em pau de Louro – Câmara de Lobos
Coming to Madeira and not eating a laurel skewer is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope – skewers in a laurel stick are one of the most traditional dishes from Madeira. The espetada consists of pieces of beef skewered on a laurel stick, which are grilled over coals and served with fried corn, fries, and salad.
The best restaurants in Madeira where you can eat typical espetadas are usually situated in Câmara de Lobos. It is believed that the first restaurants to serve this traditional dish appeared in this Madeiran city. There are exceptions, though; one of our favorites is on the north coast, far from Câmara de Lobos.
Santo António
The Santo António restaurant is one of the best-known restaurants in the area, specializing in laurel skewers. It is a large restaurant where most locals go to eat espetadas.
When we asked our friends where to eat espetadas, all of them mentioned Santo António as a reference, although not all of them indicated it as their favorite.
The meat of the skewers is of very good quality. As for side dishes, we have bolo do caco, crispy fried corn, and a good salad. You can choose a skewered laurel stick or not. In addition to the espetada, the passion fruit and the Oreo puddings are quite good. The restaurant is usually full, so it is advisable to book in advance.
- Price – Good value for money, 15 to 20 € per person
- Service – fast, even when it’s full
- Location: Estr. João Gonçalves Zarco n 656, 9325-087 Estreito De Câmara
The Vides
The restaurant As Vides is another famous restaurant in Câmara de Lobos because of its kebabs in Louro wood. We didn’t go to this restaurant, but a friend who lived in Madeira recommended it. We’ve heard that the meat of the espetadas is just as good as the others. It is served with traditional fried corn and bolo do caco. The owners are very friendly.
On the other hand, the restaurant is a little dark and less modern, which meant that two of the people we asked for references didn’t put it among their favorites.
- Price – 10 to 15 € per person
- Service – fast and very friendly
- Location- R. da Achada 17, 9325-017, Estreito Camera
O Polar
The restaurant O Polar is another restaurant of reference when it comes to skewers with laurel sticks. It was another restaurant recommended by a Madeiran that we haven’t been to yet. As per our source, it is of good quality and price. As always, the espetada comes with fried corn, and bolo do caco.
- Price – Good value for money, 10 to 15 € per person
- Service – fast and very friendly
- Location- Rua do Pico da Torre, nº26, 9300- 004 Câmara de Lobos
World food restaurants in Madeira
Indian Palace
If you happen to crave Indian food while in Madeira, this is the place to go. It has all the typical Indian dishes, which are usually very delicious. It is a pleasant space with a beautiful terrace overlooking the sea.
It’s close to the hotel area, so it’s quite possible that you’ll be staying nearby and it’s very convenient to go there.
- Price – Price 15 to 20 € per person
- Location – Estrada Monumental 197, 9000-100 São Martinho
Hoyo Hoyo – Flavors of Mozambique
If you want to try different food from the other side of the world, Hoyo hoyo is one of our recommendations. This Mozambican restaurant is very good, and the flavors are authentic. With a complete menu and delicious dishes, this restaurant is well worth trying.
The restaurant’s fried cassava transports us to Africa, namely to the year we lived in Angola. We know that Angola is not Mozambique, but the fried cassava at this restaurant was so good that it reminded us of what we ate in restaurants in Angola.
The space is beautiful and pleasant, and the employees are friendly. As we already mentioned, the food is divine, besides being different.
Castelo dos Hamburguers
If you want to eat a hamburger in Madeira, we have heard that Castelo dos Hambuguers is the place to go. A friend of ours from Madeira advised us. This restaurant is located in Funchal. It is discreet, not very touristy, and frequented by locals.
They have delicious and cheap burgers and smoothies.
- Price – 5-8 € per person
- Location- Rua da Carreira 267, 9000-042 Funchal
Madeira Sul Restaurants
Joe’s Bar
Joe’s Bar is located in the beautiful village of Jardim do Mar in the south of Madeira. It is a bar with a very amusing decoration and the ideal place to have a light meal. Unfortunately, when we went there, it was closed, but the restaurant has excellent reviews and was highly recommended by a Madeiran friend.
The food looks great, and the restaurant has everything you need to spend pleasant moments relaxing and enjoying the trip. This restaurant serves sandwiches and snacks and is another outstanding place to drink a fresh poncha. It’s also a great excuse to go to Jardim do Mar, one of the most beautiful places in Madeira.
- Price – 10-15€ per person
- Service – well-decorated and cozy place
- Location- Vereda da Igreja nº12, 9370-413 Jardim do Mar
O Ideal
The Ideal is a beach bar in Paúl do Mar. It’s a small space with a terrace right in front of Cais beach. The restaurant serves delicious snacks such as limpets, octopus, shrimp, roe, and fried mackerel. It is a great place to rest, sunbathe, and enjoy the sea view.
The big disadvantage of this bar is that if it’s raining, there are no places to eat, the bar is very small, and only 2 to 4 people can fit inside the establishment, so there are only seats on the terrace that are only available when it’s sunny.
- Price – 10-15€ per person
- Service – Good place if you want to sunbathe and see the sea, but it not recommended when it rains
- Place – Street do Pier 16, 9370-510 Paúl do Mar
Madeira Restaurants on the north coast
Casa de Pasto Justiniano
Casa de Pasto Justiniano is an amazing restaurant. It’s one of those places where you feel like you could take a plane to Madeira just to eat a stuffed trout or an espetada. It is located in a small village near Seixal, a bit far from everything, and not easy to find.
The restaurant is very atmospheric and looks like a shepherd’s shelter – a cozy place with a roaring fireplace. The menu is small but of great quality; meat and fish are cooked in the fireplace. We recommend the stuffed trout from the nurseries near the restaurant and the laurel skewers with fried corn and bolo do caco. Both are simply delicious.
We think Casa de Pasto Justiniano is one of the best restaurants in Madeira, if not the best. The food is divine, and the experience is memorable.
- Price – 15-20€ per person
- Service – Owners are very friendly and welcoming
- Location- Chão da Ribeira 9270- 127 Seixal
Quinta do Furão
Quinta do Furão is one of the most luxurious and expensive restaurants in our recommendations, but we think it’s money well spent. It offers a culinary experience but, above all, an incredible view. The restaurant is located on top of a cliff in Achada do Gramacho, in Santana. While eating, you can enjoy the fantastic sea view of the island’s north coast.
The restaurant serves some typical food from Madeira, such as wheat soup and black scabbard fillets with fried bananas and some traditional mainland dishes. What we enjoyed the most were the desserts – the sweet potato, walnut cheesecake with Dulce de leche was divine.
Quinta do Furão, in addition to having a restaurant, has a hotel, a pub, and a wine cellar, so it can be a good option for those who want to spend a few days on the north coast of the island.
- Price – €25-40/ person
- Service – Amazing, and even better with a view
- Location- Estrada da Quinta do Furão nº 6 9230-082 Santana
Casa de Palha
Casa de Palha is a very cozy restaurant in São Jorge that serves comfort food, “homemade”—the kind of food grandma makes for family lunches. One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is the shrimp Consommé, served on bread. It’s both delicious and original. We also fancied the homemade peanut ice cream, one of the best ice creams we’ve ever had in a restaurant.
In addition to the good food, the restaurant’s vibe is very pleasant, especially when the weather is nice. You can choose to eat on the terrace in the middle of the garden.
- Price – €10-20 per person
- Service – friendly owners and a pleasant atmosphere
- Location- Father Francisco Marques de Mendoça 5, 9230-143 São Jorge
Cantinho da Serra
Cantinho da Serra is a rustic restaurant in Santana. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to go there, but a Madeiran friend very highly recommended it. The restaurant serves traditional food from Madeira and the mainland, some of which is made in a wood-fired oven.
It has everything to be good. In fact, it can only be very good because it was really well recommended to us.
- Price – 20-30€ per person
- Location- Estrada do Pico das Pedras 57, 9230-107 Santana
Restaurants Central Madeira
Sabores do Curral
Situated in the remote parish of Curral das Freiras, Sabores do Curral is a unique restaurant in Madeira. The restaurant specializes in using chestnuts in its dishes. It makes delicious chestnut cream, grilled chestnuts with cane honey, pork loin stuffed with chestnuts, and the sweet and tasty Curral pastry.
Chestnut is an ingredient used frequently in Curral das Feiras, and Sabores do Curral is the best way to explore the village’s culinary heritage.
Even though the restaurant is in a remote and very inclined place, it is well worth the effort to go to Curral das Freiras. In addition to delicious and unique food, the restaurant has a terrace with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.
- Price – From €10 to €20/Person
- Service – Owners are very friendly
- Place- Church Way N1, 9030-311 Curral das Freiras
Abrigo do Pastos
Abrigo do Pastor is one of the best-known restaurants in Madeira, and there are reasons for it. The restaurant was a shack that served as a shelter for shepherds and hunters. It is a mountain restaurant located in Camacha on the way to Ribeiro Frio.
Abrigo do Pastor stands out for its grilled or stewed game meats, such as wild boar, goat, and rabbit. In addition to tasty food, the restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere with a rustic feel. The experience is memorable.
- Price – From 20 to 30€/ Person
- Service – Rustic and comfortable atmosphere
- Location – Estrada das Carreiras, 9125-080 Camacha
Tia Rita at the Santo da Serra market
Tia Rita is not your usual restaurant; it’s a grill located in the Santo da Serra market. The Santo da Serra market takes place every Sunday. The market sells a little of everything: vegetables, fruit, clothes, flowers, and souvenirs. There are also stalls selling food.
One of the most famous stalls is Tia Rita’s, which is known for its barbecue chickens and bolo do caco made in a wood-fired oven. It is a unique and delicious culinary experience. The downside is that eating there on Sundays on Market Day is only possible.
You can also buy fruit at the market, which is very good and much cheaper than at the Lavradores market. We also bought the family cake there, one of the typical desserts in Madeira.
- Price – 5-10€/ person
- Place- Santo da Serra Market, Santo António da Serra
Best Fish Restaurants in Madeira
The Pipa
Pipa is a restaurant in Porto de Cruz that serves wonderful grilled fish. This is one of the restaurants to visit if you fancy grilled fish. When we went there, we ate a whole fresh grilled snapper that was the size of the platter; it was impressive. The restaurant also serves a delicious bolo de caco with butter and garlic and good appetizers, such as limpets and cuttlefish.
Note that the availability of fish or shellfish will depend on the day’s catch, so you may not always find the same fish. The restaurant also can serve lighter meals such as sandwiches and octopus, prego, and others. Please note that A Pipa is a small restaurant, as it only has about eight tables inside and a small terrace. So it’s better to try to make a reservation so you don’t risk having to wait too long.
- Price – From €10 to €20/Person
- Service – Owners are very friendly
- Place – Rua Dr. Abel de Freitas 9225-050 Porto da Cruz
Bar Amarelo
Caniçal, in the north of Madeira, has several restaurants for eating fish, among which is Restaurant Bar Amarelo, which is one of the best. They serve delicious fresh fish at a good price. We advise you to eat the typical grilled limpets, damselfish, grilled squid, and several grilled fish you prefer.
In addition to the excellent food, the restaurant is located on the seafront, making it very pleasant to eat on the terrace while enjoying the Atlantic Ocean. This was another restaurant we visited with a Madeira friend, and we really enjoyed it.
- Price – From 15 to 20€/ Person
- Service – Owners are very friendly
- Place – Largo Manuel Alves, 9200-032 Caniçal
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