A guide to the best restaurants in Funchal

Taste succulent steak at Casa da Quinta

A stylish and intimate restaurant, Casa da Quinta combines local cooking flair with classic Portuguese dishes to excellent effect. You can expect foie gras and octopus dishes resting side by side with silky sirloin cuts and elegant salads. What’s more, the staff are all supremely savvy when it comes to wines, which Madeira is famous for.

Gigantic grilled sandwiches at A Capelinha Caffe

If you’re looking to keep it simple, but still enjoy a fantastic view of the bay, a trip to A Capelinha Caffe on your holiday to Funchal should definitely be on the agenda. The venue boasts a good mix of local and international meals, with emphasis being given to the legendary grilled sandwiches. The XL and XXL options are the size of dinner plates and crammed with a choice of fillings, from fish and chicken to bolognese with all the trimmings.

Put meat on the menu at Espettus

Name any style of cooking meat from anywhere on Earth, and the chances are that not only Espettus does it, but that they do it exceptionally. From ribs to rump steak, Espettus mixes Cajun cooking, traditional Mediterranean and Madeiran preparation styles to fantastic effect. Cheap holidays to Funchal can still feel indulgent, particularly when you’re diving in to a buffet like this one.

Taste samosas in style at Indian Palace Restaurant

You’ll recognise this restaurant by its distinctive entrance, which has a spiral staircase lit up in the night, enticing you to take a trip down below. The curries, poppadoms and bhaji dishes on offer here consistently rank as some of the best on the island, and show just how well Madeira can do international cuisine. With huge portions and a sea view, you may just choose to spend every night dining here.

Eat seafood as it should be at O Tasco

The stone walled interior of O Tasco embraces a rustic little corner of town where seafood is always on the menu, together with tapas and puddings. Tuna, octopus and plenty more treasures of the deep wait to take their place on your plate, and you can follow it all up with some tasty coconut cake.

Get some piri piri flavour at Casal Da Penha

We all love that spicy piri piri taste, but just because this isn’t mainland Portugal, doesn’t mean they don’t know how to do it well here. That traditional dish is joined by a huge roster of seafood, together with some Mediterranean dishes, in the cosy and colourful confines of Casal Da Penha. Rooftop dining on the upper terrace is a particular pleasure for sun-lovers.

Dine on the balcony at Theo's

If you have a taste for tapas, pasta and coffee above the cosy Funchal streets, head for one of the popular balcony tables at Theo’s, but don’t disregard the stylish interior either. These modern environs don’t put style before substance though, so expect big portions and meals rich in the finest flavours.

Watch the game over dinner at O Avo

A rustic and traditional corner of town is always something to see, so make sure you head to O Avo, if only to marvel at the legions of football scarves draped amid the rafters. Flat screen TVs give you the chance to savour the beautiful game as much as you’ll savour a crisp beer and good old fashioned home cooking.

Eat Italian food with a sea view at Ristorante Villa Cipriani

Few things stir the spirit of romance as profoundly as the idea of fine Italian dining at red chequered tables by a sea view basking in the sunset. And that’s exactly what you can experience in the clifftop majesty of Ristorante Villa Cipriani, where bay views framed by lazy palms join you in enjoying sensational flavours cooked with passion.

Eat with art at Restaurante Goya

When you’re ready to push the boat out, head down to Restaurante Goya for a mixture of fine flavours and artsy aesthetics. Paintings, colourful decor and a grand piano all furnish Restaurante Goya with flair, while salads, sorbets and steaks are all waiting for you on the menu. Make sure you taste the duck dishes, as well as sampling some of the local wines with your food.