The Old town with it’s cobbled streets and painted doors, is an ideal place to browse when looking for somewhere to eat and/or drink. The choice is enormous – practically every establishment is either a bar or restaurant.
Our selection:
Bars/Cafés
Barreirinhas
Largo do Socorro, 9060-019
(351) 291 627 418
Popular amongst locals and tourists alike, the Barreirinha bar is a wonderful place to sit and look at the sea while enjoying a beer or coffee. It’s close proximity to the edge of the sea, as well as its friendly service, ensures its popularity. In the evening, it is patronised by the young Madeirans, and often has concerts. A good place to try the local poncha drink.
Located on the east end of the Old town, next to the Socorro church.
The Bananas Pub
Largo Corpo Santo, 20, Old Town, 9060-075
(351) 291 235 622
The Banana Bar is located by the old chapel of Santa Maria. There is live music played on the pavement outside the pub, most nights.
Moderately priced Restaurants
O Tasco
Rua Bela São Tiago, no 137, 9060-019, Funchal
(351) 291 623 374
A little eatery on the corner behind the Barreirinha bar, it offers a choice of typical Madeiran recipes. It specialises in fresh fish. A selection of aperitifs and fresh fish is on display for you to select your choice.
Estrela do Mar
Largo Corpo Santo 1-7 (Zona Velha) 9050-031
(351) 916 646 811
Fine Dining
The Fort
Rua do Portão de São Tiago, Forte de São Tiago, 9060-250, Funchal
(351) 919 581 326
Located at the entrance of the Old Fort(naturally), this restaurant has long held its place as one of the top restaurants in Madeira.
Vegetarian options include mushroom and truffle rissoto, tofu meatballa, mushroom ravioli with a cream of spinach. Fish options include black scabbard fish, baked in herbs with a banana and passion fruit sauce and salmon with orange reduction and fennel. The meat options include wellington with truffle sauce and rack of lamb with mint sauce and figs.
There is also a special menu which is €42.5 – choice of any starter, main meal and dessert, including sorbet, coffee and petit fours, with wine included.
Restaurant Mozart
Rua D. Carlos Primeiro, 50, Zona Velha, Funchal
(351) 914 025 299
Well known amongst residents of Madeira, Mozart offers another great fine dining experience. You can arrange a pick up at your hotel in their open topped VW Beetle, for only fifteen euros (including a class of wine on the way).
Some Menu Choices:
Vegetarian: Asparagus and Mushroom Rissoto, Torfu with vegetable tricolour.
Fish: Baked Dourada fillet with prawns and passion fruit sauce, salmon steak in herbs and fennel with orange sauce
Meat: Beef steak with Foie Gras, Rack of lamb with mint
Casa Portuguesa
Das Torres, 30, Funchal.
(351) 964 048 553
A restaurant prettily decorated with blue and white tiles. Live entertainment (Tuesdays to Saturdays) by the owner- he plays the guitar superbly. This restaurant offers a free pickup and return to your hotel.
Open for dinner from 6.00PM.