The Best Restaurants In Funchal Madeira

Last Updated on 7th May 2025

This post about the best restaurants in Funchal contains mentions of an ad press trip to Madeira with Jet2holidays and Visit Madeira. It also contains affiliate links, please see my disclaimer for more.

Are you wondering where do the locals eat in Funchal? Perhaps you’re heading to Madeira and you’re looking for some of the best fine dining experiences in Funchal? This post has got you covered with recommendations for some of the best restaurants in Funchal, Madeira!

Madeira is a place that surprised me in many ways; it’s way more accommodating of adventure/outdoor activities than I first realised, the people are beyond proud to call the little island their home and there is so much good food to be eaten all across the island!

With that in mind, I wanted to share my Funchal food guide to hopefully inspire your own foodie trip when visiting Madeira. On my most recent visit to Madeira with the tourism board and Jet2, we spent four incredible days exploring this remarkable island and we ate a lot of good food while we were there!

While I actually left Madeira with a food wishlist longer than my arm, I’m excited to share this food guide with you below to give you a brief insight into just some of the fantastic restaurants that you can expect to experience on a trip to the island’s capital of Funchal.

If you’re planning a holiday to Madeira and you want to know how much an average meal costs in Funchal, what kind of cuisine you can expect from Madeira, as well as an insight into just some of the best restaurants in Funchal, then you’ve come to the right place!

What food is Funchal/Madeira known for?

Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers' Market)

During our four days in Madeira with Jet2 and the Madeira Tourism Board, we met a lot of the locals, a lot of tour guides and a lot of people from various eating establishments who all told us about some of the typical dishes that you can expect to find in Madeiran cuisine.

However, after eating at a good few of the best restaurants in Funchal, we all agreed that it was actually quite hard to determine an exact type of Madeiran cuisine. You can expect a lot of beef dishes, a good range of seafood and a lot of varied and fresh ingredients.

While I personally couldn’t really explain the cuisine in just a few words or even describe what most of the dishes are like in Madeira (everything we ate seemed so vast and varied!), after speaking to various residents of the island, I put together this list of the most “common” and “popular” dishes you can expect to find in Funchal/Madeira.

Typical Madeiran food:

Espetada – beef roasted on laurel wood skewers over an open fire.
Black scabbard fish – photo featured above; it’s a scary-looking thing, but is actually pretty tasty when it’s cooked just right!
Poncha – very strong alcohol-based drink made with sugar cane brandy (rum), honey and fresh orange/lemon juice.
Madeiran wine – usually served as an aperitif or digestif.
Bolo do caco – circular, traditional Madeiran flatbread made from wheat flour.
Madeiran honey cake.
Limpets – aquatic snails with a conical shell shape.

Best restaurants in Funchal Old Town – overview

Horta
Kampo by Chef Julio Pereira
Audax
Já Fui Jaquet
Recharge Bar & Restaurant (at Next Hotel)
Cloud Bar (at Next Hotel)
Network Bar (at Next Hotel)
Beerhouse
Food trucks along Av. Do Mar
Uau Cacau
Blandy’s Wine Lodge
Bonus: Restaurante Quinta do Furão

Funchal Madeira restaurants map

The Google Map above gives you an indication of where all of the best restaurants in Funchal are located in relation to one another.

You can also head to this Google Maps link to save a copy of the map on your own device so that you can refer back to it when planning your own trip to Madeira!

Best restaurants in Funchal Portugal

This travel guide about the best restaurants in Old Town Funchal includes recommendations for fine dining experiences, more casual eating affairs, as well as a few bonus places to eat that are located in other places around the island.

As I mentioned above, this list of the best Funchal restaurants is by no means exhaustive, there are still so many more places that I want to visit on my return to Funchal and I’ll be sure to update this guide with more recommendations in the future!

For now, let’s dig into this guide of where to eat in Funchal!

1. Horta

Horta is one of my favourite places to eat in Funchal, not just for the food, but because the entire dining experience is absolutely wonderful.

The staff, particularly Carla, were tremendously accommodating and helpful when it came to recommending certain drinks and dishes, the whole restaurant has such a relaxed but beautiful atmosphere and, of course, they serve some of the best food in Funchal Madeira!

Part of the PortoBay hospitality company, Horta is also Michelin guide recommended for 2024 (less than a year after opening!), which none of us knew until Katie pointed it out to us and once we realised this fact, we could easily see why it’s featured in one of the most prestigious food guides in the world!

With calming decor punctuated by gorgeous wooden furnishings and ambient lighting, Horta is an absolute dream place to dine in Funchal.

Known for bringing the concept of “healthy comfort food” to Funchal, the menu at Horta boasts dishes that include locally-sourced ingredients, giving it that “vegetable garden to table” approach.

We all spent a long time pondering the choices on the menu as there were so many incredible-sounding dishes that it was difficult to narrow down our choices!

After some helpful recommendations from our waitress, Carla, I settled on the ‘couvert chef’s inspiration & naan bread’ which sounded exciting and mysterious, but soon turned out to be a delightful concoction of garlic naan breads and a scrumptious carrot hummus (that the awesome kitchen staff removed the coriander from as I absolutely hate the stuff!).

As I opted for this dish as my starter (which is technically listed as a snack), I watched in envy as my fellow diners tucked into starters of falafel, roasted aubergine with Lebanese couscous, and cauliflower and mango couscous with braised wild shrimp which Ashleigh (our amazing rep from Jet2) let me sample!

I’ve always claimed that I’m not the biggest fan of seafood, but as you’ll see throughout this guide of the best places to eat in Funchal, I tried a lot of seafood dishes in Madeira and my opinion might have finally changed! The cauliflower and mango couscous with shrimp didn’t sound at all appealing to me at first, but I really can’t emphasise just how delicious this was, and that’s coming from someone who has always avoided vegetables and seafood as much as possible!

While the others on the trip opted for mains of roasted celeriac with barley risotto, shoulder of black pork with kimchi apple purée, and braised lentils with courgette spaghetti and parmesan foam, I plumped for the josper-grilled coquelet with sprouts, potatoes and mushrooms.

When the dish was first served, I was convinced that it was intended for two people as there was practically an entire chicken on my plate! While I struggled to polish off the entire portion of this mammoth dish, what I could eat was absolutely incredible and probably one of my favourite dishes of my whole Madeira trip.

For dessert, I went for a combination of lemon and chocolate ice cream which is up there with some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had! Despite being somewhat of an unorthodox choice, the flavours of the lemon and chocolate paired beautifully together and I’m already planning a return visit to the island just so I can eat this again!

If you’re looking for the best vegetarian food in Funchal, Horta should definitely be your number one choice, but there is also a fantastic selection of non plant-based dishes to choose from as well!

2. Kampo by Chef Julio Pereira – best seafood restaurants in Funchal Madeira

Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Funchal Old Town, Kampo by Chef Julio Pereira was actually the first place that we dined at upon our arrival in Madeira.

The restaurant itself boasts a relatively small but beautifully ambient establishment right in the heart of the city. Claiming to offer a “simple menu with elegance”, I would argue that the dishes at Kampo taste anything but “simple”!

While you can order dishes from the à la carte menu, Kampo is renowned for its tasting menu, where the dishes will vary according to seasonality of the ingredients. For our dining experience at Kampo, we were treated to their classic 7-course tasting menu which is designed to be shared between two people.

Kampo by Chef Julio Pereira - best restaurants in Funchal Madeira

Some of the dishes at Kampo really pushed me out of my comfort zone, including the sardines and the tuna tartar (pictured on the left above); the sardines were not my favourite, unfortunately, but the tuna tartar was surprisingly tasty, especially combined with the salty cone that it was served in!

Next up was the oxtail ravioli with truffle and foie gras mousse, which was positively scrumptious, although certainly very rich! It was then time for the fish course of red snapper which was served with seaweed rice and shrimp sauce and this was yet another foray into the world of seafood for me and I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by this dish!

There were a fair few meat dishes to choose from for the next course, but all the meat-eaters on our table opted for the classic sirloin steak with fries which was definitely one of the highlights for me!

Usually with the fixed tasting menu at Kampo, you get to choose just one dessert between two people, but the awesome team very kindly brought us all three desserts to try which included the sichuan, lemon and basil, the white chocolate, olives and passion fruit and one of my favourite desserts of the entire trip, the dark chocolate mousse with salted caramel and tangerine sorbet.

All of the dishes at Kampo are unique, original and utterly delicious in their own way. I think it’s brilliant that the restaurant offers both an à la carte menu and a fixed tasting menu, but if you want to try a good selection of the different dishes that Kampo specialise in, I would definitely recommend the tasting menu dining experience!

3. Audax

Audax is another fine dining tasting menu experience that is actually located just 5 minutes from where we stayed during our four nights in Funchal and it was the perfect place to eat to conclude our trip to Madeira.

Proud to present their “progressive Madeiran cuisine” experience, Audax takes traditional and authentic Madeiran dishes and puts their own exciting, unique and delicious spin on them!

As part of our dining experience at Audax, we were also very kindly treated to a complimentary wine pairing for each dish of the tasting menu, so we got to sample delicious red and white wine, as well as multiple glasses of the infamous Madeiran wine with certain courses.

As I mentioned above, a lot of the food that I ate in Madeira really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but perhaps none more so than what I ate at Audax!

To commence our culinary experience at Audax, we began with an amuse-bouche of scabbard fish sandwich which was beautifully battered in Madeiran breadcrumbs and served with a spicy mayo, seaweed pico and Madeira caviar. When our lovely waitress was describing this dish, I was pretty reluctant to try it, but it was actually one of my favourite dishes of the night!

Next up was the red porgy fish with salmon roe marinated in passion fruit, smoked chestnut and pickled cucumber. This was actually my least favourite dish of the evening, unfortunately, as I wasn’t a big fan of the fish or the cold sauce that it was coated in, but I’m still glad that I tried it!

The second course was an exciting Madeiran ramen, with a quail’s egg, Scarlett prawn and chicken oil, spring onions and then finished with chicken broth. It was a truly unique dish that didn’t taste like any ramen I’ve eaten before, but that certainly wasn’t a bad thing!

Course three was another seafood dish that I was a little apprehensive about at first due to it being very seafood heavy thanks to the seaweed with brine, cauliflower purée, crab legs and a fillet of “fish from our coast”. This dish was probably the one that surprised me the most as even though it was quite intense with the seafood flavours, it was surprisingly enjoyable!

Next up we had an oxtail stew with pasta, vegetables, sourdough peas, pork crackling put through active charcoal, and a flavoursome vinaigrette. This was such a delicious dish and one that I would happily order from an à la carte on its own!

For our dessert, we were treated to banana pudding made with smoked banana, crackling pork ganache and a cookie crumb covered in a tangerine sorbet. Bananas have long been one of my least favourite fruits, but this dessert was absolutely wonderful! The flavours were so wild and definitely not something that I would think to put together myself, but it somehow worked and was truly very good!

If fine dining and tasting menus are your kind of thing, I would definitely recommend making a reservation to experience the wonders of Audax!

4. Já Fui Jaquet

Another great place to eat in Funchal that’s located just opposite Mercado dos Lavradores is Já Fui Jaquet. While it’s not quite as fancy as the dining experiences featured above, it’s still worth adding to your Funchal restaurant itinerary .

We didn’t experience a full tasting menu at this restaurant, but we did all opt for three courses which was a great way to get a good feel for the different types of food on offer at Já Fui Jaquet!

I have a habit of checking the menu of a place before I eat there and when I checked the online menu at Já Fui Jaquet, I was thoroughly confused as to what any of the dishes even were due to the way they’re described. However, upon arrival at the restaurant, we were presented with a menu that was much easier to understand and order from!

For my starter, I chose the farinheira, which is a type of Portuguese smoked sausage, and eggs taco. This dish was the perfect “breakfast for dinner” starter, with the flavours of the smoky sausage, scrambled eggs and wonderfully crispy and salty taco shell pairing together beautifully. I could happily eat this at any and all mealtimes!

The pork neck, mashed potato and pickled apple was my main course of choice and it was certainly a good decision as it was one of the best cuts of pork I’ve ever eaten! The mashed potato wasn’t the best in the world, but all the ingredients of this dish combined were beautiful and definitely worth ordering!

Unfortunately, my dessert of chocolate mousse let me down at Já Fui Jaquet as it wasn’t quite what I expected. On the menu it was listed simply as “chocolate mousse”, but when it was served, the mousse was covered in pistachio ice cream and crumbled peanuts. I’ve avoided eating nuts for the last 8+ years as Matt has a severe allergy to them and while I’m perfectly fine to eat them myself, I always endeavour to avoid them where possible so I’ve really lost my liking for them, so it would have been nice to know that this particular dessert was covered in nuts!

Apart from my slightly average dessert, I really enjoyed my starter and main course at Já Fui Jaquet and I’d definitely recommend it as more of a casual dining option in Funchal Madeira.

5. Recharge Bar & Restaurant

If you’re looking for hotels in Funchal with the best food options, look no further than Next Hotel which has not one, but four different dining venues!

We spent four nights at the Next Hotel in Funchal and it was an absolutely brilliant place to base ourselves for the trip. Not only is the hotel itself a great place to stay, but it boasts an array of fantastic dining options that we were lucky enough to try out!

For lunch one day, we headed down to the Recharge Bar & Restaurant which is located adjacent to the hotel’s ground level pool with sea access.

The menu at the Recharge Bar & Restaurant reflects a vibrant concoction of different cuisines, including typical Madeiran, Hawaiian, Japanese and more!

I spent so long pondering the choices on the menu at Recharge and was hugely tempted by the Cuban sandwich, the BBQ ribs tacos and the Brazilian picanha steak, but in the end I plumped for the glazed chicken skewers with yakiniku sauce, spring onions, sesame seeds and a side of fries which was a truly excellent choice!

If you’re looking for a casual dining setting with the hotel’s gorgeous pool and the sea as your background, then be sure to pay a visit to the Recharge Bar & Restaurant at Next Hotel!

6. Cloud Bar – best restaurants in Funchal with a view

Another one of the brilliant dining facilities available at Next Hotel is their aptly named Cloud Bar which resides on the hotel’s seventh floor rooftop.

The bar offers remarkable views out to sea as well as its very own rooftop pool (which you can find more details of in my extensive review of the Next Hotel!).

Serving an assortment of lighter bites, including a dedicated sushi and yakitori menu, as well as salads and sandwiches, refreshing cocktails/mocktails and boasting regular DJ slots, the Cloud Bar is a great place to eat in Funchal for a fun and relaxed atmosphere!

7. Network Bar

The Network Bar is located in the lobby of the Next Hotel and while it doesn’t quite serve up a fancy dining experience, it is a great place to consider if you’re looking for cool and casual cuisine.

The bar is open 24/7, so regardless of when you’ve got a craving for a club sandwich, a tuna steak or even a hearty glass of red, the awesome staff at Network Bar are on-hand to offer their assistance.

8. Beerhouse

Beerhouse is one of the best restaurants in Funchal Old Town with a view thanks to its fantastic location just next to the marina.

This restaurant/microbrewery serves a hearty selection of both food and drink, so if you’re into your pale ales, lagers, stouts or wine, Beerhouse can accommodate your every drinking need!

On the food menu, you’ll find dishes such as lobster spaghetti, black pepper fillet steak, prawn kebabs, crispy pork belly and much more!

9. Food trucks along Av. Do Mar

I came across some of Funchal’s food stalls while I was enjoying an aimless wander into the Old Town by myself one afternoon during our four days in Madeira and I was delighted to discover that there were a fair few food carts selling everything from kebabs to sandwiches, soups and salads to milkshakes, ice cream and freshly squeezed juices.

If you want to enjoy a light bite while walking into Funchal Old Town, I’d definitely recommend stopping at one of the food trucks along Avenue Do Mar!

10. Uau Cacau

While Uau Cacau isn’t technically a restaurant, it is an absolutely epic chocolate shop that deserves a place on any Funchal food guide!

Uau Cacau specialises in delectable chocolate truffles, cakes and other assorted sweet treats and they even offer an espresso with a mini chocolate for just €1, so if you’re looking for one of the best and cheap places to eat and drink in Funchal, consider adding Uau Cacau to your itinerary!

11. Blandy’s Wine Lodge

Blandy’s Wine Lodge isn’t a restaurant, nor is it a dining establishment of any kind, but it is a great place to visit if you want to sample some of the best Madeiran wine on the island!

I wasn’t originally going to include Blandy’s in my guide to the best restaurants in Funchal as it felt a little misleading when they don’t serve food, but I really enjoyed my experience of sampling Madeiran wine and learning all about the production process on a tour of the wine lodge, so I thought it was worth mentioning in case you wanted to check it out for yourself!

Bonus: Restaurante Quinta do Furão

This restaurant is a bit of a bonus recommendation as Restaurante Quinta do Furão isn’t actually located in the city of Funchal. Instead, you can find this beautiful eatery on the north coast of the island of Madeira.

However, I wanted to reference Restaurante Quinta do Furão in this Madeira restaurant guide as it’s worth noting if you’re planning to head up towards Santana in the north of the island.

We enjoyed lunch at Restaurante Quinta do Furão as part of our Jeep tour of the island with Adventureland Madeira and while the food wasn’t necessarily my favourite of the whole trip, I still think the restaurant is worth visiting, even if it’s just for the dramatic coastal views alone!

I opted for a starter of the homemade bread with garlic butter and olive oil which was remarkably delicious! For my main, I chose the “Caldeirão Verde” style steak filled with roquefort cheese on a puff pastry crust which was super tasty apart from the fact that the cheese was a little too strong for my liking!

I was actually too full for dessert at this restaurant, but I was envious of everyone else’s when the waiters brought out a selection of profiteroles, apple pie and chocolate fondant cake!

Best food tours in Funchal & Madeira

If you’d like to experience more of the food in Madeira beyond the restaurants in Funchal, check out some of the island’s top-rated food and drink tours below!

Full-Day Madeira Wine Tour with Lunch From Funchal – 4.9*
Food and Wine Walking Tour in Funchal – 4.8*
Cabo Girão, Wine Tasting, & Serra d’Água Jeep Tour – 4.8*
Guided Foodie Walking Tour with Tastings and Wine – 4.7*
Wine Tasting Experience, Honey Museum and Cabo Girão – 4.7*

Madeira Funchal restaurants – conclusion

As you can see from the Funchal restaurants guide above, there are so many great places to eat in the island’s capital! However, there are still so many places that I want to try in Funchal and all over Madeira, so I think I’ll just have to plan a return trip very soon so that I can update this Funchal food guide with even more incredible places to eat…!

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Pin for later – top restaurants in Funchal Madeira

Do you have any more recommendations to add to this list of the best restaurants in Funchal Madeira Old Town? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16.