Wondering what kind of food you should try in Madeira? We guide you through the island’s best dishes – from juicy grilled skewers to fish with banana and the legendary poncha.
Planning a trip to Madeira? Then you have a lot to look forward to when it comes to food! Madeira’s cuisine is packed with exciting flavours inspired by Portugal, South America, and Africa.
If you’re wondering what to eat in Madeira, we’ve gathered some of the local dishes and drinks we enjoyed the most. Whether you love seafood, grilled meat, or sweet treats, these dishes are guaranteed to make an impression on your taste buds.
We’ve also included a few tips for great restaurants in Funchal.
Picanha Grelhada: Grilled meat
Picanha Grelhada is a popular Portuguese dish often found on the menu at restaurants in Madeira.
Super-tender slices of grilled beef are served with simple sides like fried potatoes, salad, and a slice of lemon. So simple but, oh so delicious!
Kotelett à la Madeira: Meat with Madeira sauce
Pork chop (or other meat) in Madeira sauce, served with optional sides such as rice, salad, or potatoes.
Bolo do Caco: The world’s best garlic bread
Bolo do Caco is essentially garlic bread – but what an incredible garlic bread!
This flat, round bread is made from wheat flour and sweet potato and is served as a side with most meals. It’s piping hot, slightly sweet, and topped with garlic butter that melts in your mouth.
Highly addictive!
Local food in Madeira: Carne Vinha d’Alhos
Carne Vinha d’Alhos is typical Madeiran street food made from pork cooked until so tender it falls apart, in a delicious mix of wine, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves. The meat is often served in a sandwich with the heavenly garlic bread Bolo do Caco.
You can buy Carne Vinha d’Alhos at food stalls, small bakeries, and markets in Funchal.
Peixe espada preto: Fried fish
Black scabbardfish (peixe espada preto) is very popular in Madeira. It looks both ugly and scary, but has a mild, pleasant flavour that even people who don’t usually like fish tend to enjoy.
The fish can be served in many ways, but the most unusual is together with fried banana. Fish with banana wasn’t my personal favourite when it comes to food in Madeira, but everything should be tried at least once!
Espetadas: Beef skewers
Madeira is famous for its large beef skewers called espetadas – juicy beef seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaves, grilled over charcoal.
Originally, they were made using branches from bay trees, but today metal skewers are also common.
You’ll of course also find skewers made with other types of meat and fish.
Arroz: Portuguese rice
Portuguese rice is somewhat similar to risotto and comes in many flavourful varieties. Some of the most common are rice with tomato (arroz de tomate), duck (arroz de pato), and seafood (arroz de marisco).
Feijoada: Bean stew
Feijoada is a traditional dish in Madeira and Portugal and is also popular in Brazil. It’s a hearty stew made with beans and pork or beef, slowly cooked with onion, garlic, tomato, and bay leaves.
Many parts of the pig are used, such as ribs, ears, and feet. Chorizo, blood sausage, and smoked ham are also commonly added.
A bit too heavy for me, but very flavourful.
Duck
Duck is used in many dishes from both Madeira and mainland Portugal. It’s served in various ways, for example with Madeira sauce or orange sauce.
Roasted chestnuts
You don’t have to walk many streets in Funchal before the smell of roasted chestnuts starts tickling your nose.
Personally, I find them a bit overrated, but locals seem to love them. Roasted chestnuts are very popular street food in Madeira and are sold from street stalls.
Desserts in Madeira
If you like to end your meal with something sweet, Madeira has plenty of great desserts. Here are a few suggestions.
Pastel de Nata
Pastel de Nata (or pastéis de nata) is perhaps the most famous Portuguese dessert, and you’ll of course find these delicious custard tarts in Madeira as well.
The bakery chain Nata 7 offers some of the best in Funchal, and locals claim they’re just as good as the famous ones from Belém in Lisbon.
I can’t fully confirm that – but they were definitely very good!
Cheesecake with jam
This cheesecake is made with cottage cheese and served with jam or crushed berries. I’m usually not a fan of cottage cheese, but this one was actually really good – I never would have guessed it contained cottage cheese!
Madeira cake: Bolo de Mel
Many people associate Madeira cake with a light loaf cake often served in the UK with tea and a glass of Madeira wine. Beyond the name, it has nothing to do with Madeira.
The traditional Madeira cake that actually comes from the island is a dark, moist cake made with honey, molasses, nuts, and spices.
This cake is said to keep for up to five years – but who can resist eating cake for that long? It’s not cut with a knife, but torn apart by hand to preserve its moisture.
One of the best places to buy Madeira cake and other cookies and biscuits is Fábrica Santo António in Funchal. This cake factory has been around since 1893 and packages its cakes in beautiful tins that are perfect as gifts.
Cookies – Broas de mel de cana
Traditional round cookies or biscuits made with honey and spices. You’ll also find versions flavoured with passion fruit, ginger, and coconut.
Passion fruit desserts
Passion fruit is grown locally on the island and appears in many Madeiran desserts.
You’ll find passion fruit pudding, passion fruit sauce, and cakes and cookies flavoured with passion fruit.
Chocolate
Did you know Madeira produces its own chocolate?
Beautiful pralines filled with local ingredients like Madeira wine, passion fruit, pistachio, and coconut.
This chocolate shop was located just inside the entrance to Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal.
Drinks in Madeira
Tea
Tea is also grown in Madeira. At the tea house Loja do Chá in Funchal, you can enjoy organic tea made with locally produced ingredients from Madeira and the Azores, such as banana, strawberry, and turmeric.
They also offer green tea and even a blue tea inspired by the ocean.
Coffee
Ordering coffee abroad isn’t always easy. Here are the Portuguese names for some common coffee types:
- Bica: Slightly larger and milder than an Italian espresso.
- Garoto: Small coffee with milk, served in an espresso cup.
- Chino: Regular black coffee without milk.
- Chinesa: Coffee with milk served in a regular cup.
- Galão: Coffee with lots of foamed milk served in a tall glass (similar to a latte).
- Cappuccino: Results may vary. When we ordered cappuccino, we got everything from regular coffee with milk to mocha. Luckily, we found a small café near our hotel that could make a proper cappuccino.
Is there Starbucks in Madeira?
There’s actually only one Starbucks in Madeira, and it’s located at the airport. In general, you won’t find many large international coffee chains in Madeira or Portugal.
Poncha
You can’t visit Madeira without trying the local drink Poncha (around 37% alcohol). It’s made from freshly squeezed fruit juice, honey, and aguardente de cana (a sugarcane rum), mixed together in a jug using a special wooden stick.
Poncha dates back to the 15th century, when Madeira was an important trading hub. Local sailors and merchants discovered that rum could be mixed with readily available local ingredients.
The traditional version is called Poncha do Pescador and is made with lemon juice. Other popular flavours include orange, tangerine, lime, and passion fruit. You’ll also find more experimental versions with kiwi and dragon fruit.
Poncha is available at many restaurants in Madeira, at markets, and in most bars.
Nikita
Nikita is a strange cocktail made with pineapple ice cream, pineapple juice, beer, and white wine. It sounds completely crazy, but it was dangerously good if you like milkshakes!
Madeira wine
Madeira wine, often simply called Madeira, is a fortified wine produced on the island. It comes in both sweet and dry styles, and there are only eight authorised producers.
About 85% of Madeira wine is made from the red grape Negra Mole. The four most commonly used white grapes are Malvasia, Bual, Verdelho, and Sercial.
One of the most well-known brands is Blandy’s. They have a shop and bar in Funchal where you can get an introduction or simply taste different varieties.
Beer in Madeira
By far the largest local beer brand is Coral, which is owned by Heineken.
There are also a few local craft beers, such as Vilhoa.
Soft drinks from Madeira
If you prefer non-alcoholic options, the local soda Brisa comes in many different flavours and is also commonly used in alcohol-free cocktails.
Restaurants in Madeira
Here are a few restaurant tips in Funchal that we enjoyed:
Restaurante / Bar Escadina: We ate here several times. A cosy restaurant in the old town of Funchal with a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious local food at a good price.
Informal Restaurant: Located near the cathedral in Funchal. Very popular, so booking a table is recommended.
O Piano Restaurant: Centrally located in Funchal with a relaxed vibe and a menu full of great local dishes.
Bars in Madeira
Flair Spot Bar: This bar serves the coolest cocktails in Funchal. Located in the old town, it has a large cocktail menu as well as other drinks and small dishes.
Two bars especially known for their poncha:
– N2 – Bar Number Two
– Rei da Poncha
Market in Madeira
At Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal, you’ll find an abundance of colourful exotic fruit.
Be aware that much of the fruit is actually imported from South America and other countries, that the area is very touristy, and therefore not necessarily the cheapest place to shop. Still, it’s fun to walk around and admire all the colourful fruit.
Fun fact: Madeira grows a lot of bananas, passion fruit, and citrus fruits. The bananas are very sweet and tasty, but too small for the EU to want to import them.
Tip:
We joined a food tour in Funchal, where we got to taste local food and drinks at some of the best spots in the city. Highly recommended!
You can book the tour here:
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