The Best Restaurants in Funchal: Complete Guide to Eating Well in Madeira
Funchal has some of Portugal's best restaurants for authentic Atlantic cuisine. The must-try dishes are black scabbard fish with banana, grilled limpets and beef espetada. Prices are reasonable: a full lunch with the prato do dia is around €10-14. To eat without overpaying, book ahead in high season and consider driving ten minutes to Câmara de Lobos.
The best neighbourhoods for eating in Funchal
Old Town: Funchal's most authentic corner
The Old Town is the historic neighbourhood and the best option for traditional tascas with local produce. Limpets are grilled with butter, garlic and lemon, and the black scabbard fish comes straight from the Atlantic.
What to order in the Old Town:
- ✓Grilled limpets as a starter (€6-10)
- ✓Black scabbard fish with banana and passion fruit (€12-20)
- ✓House Madeira wine to go with it
Seafront: ocean views at a reasonable price
Restaurants with terraces facing the ocean. Prices are somewhat higher. A full lunch is around €20-28. Many offer prato do dia: starter, main, dessert and drink for €10-14.
Monte: eating after the cable car
The options in Monte are more limited but a few spots specialising in bolo do caco and beef espetada are worth the stop.
The dishes you can't miss in Funchal
Limpets: Madeira's starter
Rock limpets, grilled with butter, garlic and lemon. Served in the shell and eaten directly. Between €6 and €10 a portion.
Black scabbard fish: Madeira's emblem fish
The black scabbard fish is almost impossible to find outside the island this fresh. Usually served with fried banana and passion fruit. Price: €12 to €20.
Espetada: meat on a bay branch skewer
Beef marinated with garlic and coarse salt, threaded onto a bay branch and grilled over embers. Served hanging on a hook over the table. The best espetada restaurants are in Câmara de Lobos and the interior.
Prato do dia: the smartest choice
Full menu with starter, main, dessert and drink for €10-14. Lunch service only.
Recommended restaurants table by area
| Restaurant | Speciality | Average price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurante Armando | Limpets and black scabbard fish | €€ (18-25€) | Old Town |
| Tasca Literária | Traditional tascas, limpets | € (up to 15€) | Old Town |
| O Tapassol | Black scabbard fish, local wines | €€ (20-28€) | Old Town |
| Restaurante do Forte | Seafood and sea views | €€€ (+30€) | Seafront |
| Café do Teatro | Bolo do caco, light tapas | € (up to 12€) | Centre |
| Quinta do Monte | Espetada, Madeiran cuisine | €€ (20-30€) | Monte |
| Vila do Peixe | Black scabbard fish and premium seafood | €€€ (+35€) | Câmara de Lobos |
| Tasca do Celso | Authentic espetada | € (10-16€) | Câmara de Lobos |
| Adega da Quinta | Madeira wines, meats | €€ (18-28€) | Câmara de Lobos |
Câmara de Lobos: the best-kept secret 10 minutes from Funchal
Câmara de Lobos is under 10 minutes by car from central Funchal and has better restaurants at noticeably lower prices.
This fishing village was one of Winston Churchill's favourite places to paint. Today it has some of the best espetadas and fresh fish on the whole island, with Portuguese-language menus, local clientele and none of central Funchal's tourist markup.
Eating hours in Funchal
| Service | Usual hours |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 12:30 – 3pm |
| Dinner | 7:30 – 10pm |
| Prato do dia | Lunch only, Monday to Friday |
Practical tip: eat your main meal at midday with the prato do dia. Dinner at the same places can cost double.
Bookings: when and where they're needed
In high season (June-September) and Easter week, the best-known Old Town restaurants fill up fast. Booking 24-48 hours ahead is enough. Câmara de Lobos venues have more walk-in availability.
Frequently asked questions about restaurants in Funchal
How much does it cost to eat at a restaurant in Funchal?
Between €15 and €25 per person with starter, main and drink. With the prato do dia at lunch, €10-14.
What typical dish should I absolutely order?
Grilled limpets as a starter and black scabbard fish with banana as the main. With a car, the espetada in Câmara de Lobos.
Do I need to book at Funchal restaurants?
In high season, yes, especially in the Old Town and along the seafront. Off-season, arriving before 1pm is usually enough.
Where's cheaper to eat, Funchal or Câmara de Lobos?
In Câmara de Lobos prices are generally lower with equal or better quality. Being under 10 minutes by car, it's the most cost-effective option.
What time do people have dinner in Funchal?
Dinner starts between 7:30 and 8pm. After 9:30pm, some traditional venues slow down.
To reach the island's best restaurants without depending on tourist buses, you need a car. At Funchal Car Hire we compare and book car hire in Funchal at the best price.