Posted on Posted onBy Miško

Best Restaurants To Try in Madeira (Including Tips from Locals)

Madeira is mainly known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, but attention should also be paid to its delicious culinary scene. It has been a while since we visited a place where almost every restaurant rated over 4.5 stars on Google. Each restaurant we tried was great, and below, you can find which ones they were and where you should go to tantalize your taste buds with the exquisite flavors offered by the local restaurants. We got the restaurants recommended by the locals, and they were right.

As you will probably have a rented car, you will travel all around the island like we did and can find delicious food at each corner. 

Before we embark on the restaurants, we advise you to read What Food to Try When Visiting Madeira 

Muralha Terrace in Ribeira Brava

Because we stayed in the charming town of Ribeira Brava, Restaurant & Grill Muralha Terrace is the first restaurant we recommend. It was also among the first our friend from Madeira recommended. Perched on a hillside, Muralha Terrace offers panoramic views of the town and the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The ambiance is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re seeking a romantic dinner or a leisurely lunch. 

The menu showcases the authentic tastes of Madeira. Seafood takes center stage, with locally sourced ingredients taking the spotlight. The chef’s commitment to supporting local farmers and fishermen enhances the freshness of each dish.

We highly recommend getting any fish they have. We loved it here so much that we returned to it a second time. And each time, we choose the catch of the day. 

They also have the Madeiran classic, Espada com Banana, the black scabbardfish paired with sweet bananas. Lapas à Muralha is also a great choice—this dish features limpets prepared with a secret blend of spices that tantalizes the taste buds. Get sure the garlic bread; we fell in love with it here at Muralha Terrace. 

Pro tip: As we are not the only ones recommending the place it is popular, make sure to book a table a day in advance. We were lucky the first time we went, and they had a place for us, but it got crowded soon in the evening. And if you want to enjoy a sunset dinner, then a booking is a must. 

Also, don’t hesitate to inquire about the daily specials. The chef often introduces innovative dishes that showcase the best of Madeiran culinary creativity.

Do not worry about parking; the Muralha Terrace is basically on top of a parking house. 

O Arco in Arco de São Jorge

With O Arco we got lucky. We caught one of those rainy days in Madeira, and after our hike, we were hungry, but the rain made us stop at an earlier point where we found this hidden gem. It might not look as impressive as other restaurants you come across, but it is definitely worth the visit. The food feels like Madeiran’s grandma is cooking for us. It was so cozy and tasty. We had a food coma after. 

It is surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking the dramatic cliffs of São Jorge. The restaurant has a family vibe, with lots of locals in. The terrasse outside overlooks the Atlantic Ocean as well as dramatic cliffs. 

The menu at O Arco is a culinary symphony that harmonizes traditional Madeiran dishes with modern flair. Once again, we recommend to get the garlic bread as a starter. We also ordered Arroz de Marisco or seafood rice, and the classic Filete de Espada com Banana or Black Scabbard Fish with Banana. Each bite is a journey through the island’s flavors—especially the Arroz de Marisco. We have never had a better seafood dish. The  Filete de Espada com Banana might not be for everyone, as the banana can be pretty sweet. 

The attentive staff made our visit even better. They are very lovely and give the best advice. From the captivating views to the meticulously crafted dishes, O Arco is a culinary journey you should not miss. Parking is available in front of the restaurant for free. 

O Farolim in Ponta Do Pargo

O Farolim, we chose after our hike to Pico de Ruivo, and we were truly hungry. The plan was to get another famous dish, Espetada, chunks of marinated beef skewered on laurel sticks and grilled to perfection. We will be honest: our initial plan was to go to Restaurante O Forno, but they were closed (as many restaurants are around 1-ish, taking a break before opening for dinner). But we ended up in O Farolim, which was also closing, but they were nice enough to take us. 

We ended up getting espetada, which was delicious. It truly was grilled to perfection. In the end, it was a nice lunch with a beautiful view. And again, parking is free in front. 

Best Restaurants in Funchal

Snack Bar Pinguim

Of course, here we are a little biased 😅 but they truly have the best coffee here. We stopped here on our way to Funchal to grab a coffee, and it is a super local place. We were the only tourists there, but the lady who prepared our coffee was very nice and knew English well. So, for a good cup of coffee, come here. 

Restaurante Informal

Restaurante Informal has a great location, and it excels in making you feel cozy and welcome. They are very professional and helpful here. They have an open-concept kitchen, so watching the food being prepared was amazing. Their sangria is also to die for, great for the hot Funchal weather. The food is comforting, and they use local products, which you can taste in each bite. It is fresh and high quality while also innovating. The perfectly balanced flavors give you a unique experience, and you will certainly want to return. We enjoyed each minute spent here as it felt like home.

They take a second seating, and you need to put your name on the list no later than 6.50 pm for the 7.30-ish pm seating. We came here twice for lunch as they have a special lunch menu for a very reasonable price, and you get a starter, main dish, and absolutely delicious dessert. 

Akua by Chefe Julio Pereira

We were there for lunch once again, lucky as we had not pre-booked. They also have an open-concept kitchen, but we were sitting outside, which was great. The food is simple and tastes delicious. Together with Restaurante Informal, it is the top restaurant in Funchal in our opinion. The prices are a little bit higher, but you get food worth the money. It is a novel taste you haven’t had yet, something you cannot simply cook at home. It is worth it if you love food and have a big budget! Notice that they are opening at 12:30 and closing before 15:00 to prepare for the evening.

For a starter, we went for Tuna Tatar, which was served in an interesting way in a small cone. For the main courses, we got a selection of fish. It was truly an amazing experience. 

GALERIA Restaurante

We came here based on a recommendation to get the Wellington steak. It is located in the busy city center, but they always welcome guests. Once again, it was lunchtime we spent here, so we didn’t make any reservations, but for the evening, you for sure would need one. In the end, we did get Wellington, which we can only further recommend. We also tried the tuna steak, but unfortunately, we do not recommend it. The onions it came with were served on top of the tuna, and it soaked in over the fight and was too acidic, and we could not taste the fish at all. 

Though, as mentioned, the Wellington steak was great, as well as the starter and shrimp. 

Restaurante Sabores

We recommend the place to grab breakfast here as we did while waiting for our 24-hour delayed flight. The staff is very welcoming, and the selection is great for breakfasts. We each got a delicious omelet. The coffee was also good, and it was a nice start to the day. 

O.Giro

When you desire something sweet, then O.Giro is the place to be. They have churros here, which we absolutely love. The place was always packed, and we had to wait for a table to get free to sit down. We are not sure if you can make a reservation. They serve the churros in a snail-like shape, and you can choose various dips, but dulce de leche is our favorite. In terms of dessert, this is our favorite in Funchal. The coffee was great as well, and it perfectly balanced the sweet churros. 

H.M. Borges

H.M. Borges is the place we recommend the most for wine tasting. It is a family-owned Madeira wine company that has been producing high-quality wines since its establishment in 1877. With over a century of experience, the company has become known for its dedication to traditional winemaking methods and producing exceptional Madeira wines. They make a wide range of Madeira wines, including fortified and vintage varieties. Their portfolio may include wines ranging from dry to sweet, catering to different palates. The overall visit was enjoyable as the lady explained much about the wine, the history, and more. 

Bar Number Two

Bar Number Two is what we recommend for a night out drinking. They have the best poncha there, in our opinion, as well as Nikita. The prices are reasonable, and the location is good as well. The staff was sometimes a little slower, so I am not sure whether they were short-handed, but we would have ordered more if they had come to our table more often. 

Beer House

We kept this place as the last one cause we do not really recommend it. We saw it from the Airbnb we lived in, and while waddling around, it caught our attention, but it is one of those tourist traps. Anyway, we got swayed and sat down. We ordered a beer-tasting plate, which was not as bad, and a drink made from beer and strawberries, which was bad 😅. As we were hungry, we got some snacks, which were too expensive and tasted average. Overall, we also missed the vibe of a beer house, so please do not get swayed as we did. 

We hope this helps you find some places to enjoy the best Madeira has to offer. We enjoyed the food and freshness of it. Madeira is a foodie’s paradise. 

Eat well and waddle on!

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