As Vides

As Vides is a restaurant praised by locals as one of the best traditional restaurants in Madeira. Forget your diet for one day and prepare yourself to try the island's characteristically long, flavourful beef skewers and the most iconic Madeiran delicacy, the buttery bolo do caco.

• Address:

  Rau da Achada 17, Madeira

• Phone:

  +351 291 945 322

• Opening hours:

  Daily 12pm–4pm / 7pm–10:30pm

Cantinho dos Amigos

Located just across Mercado dos Lavradores, you'll find this typically tiny, dimly lit Portuguese restaurant. The fish sandwiches and dishes, along with the hospitality, will leave you wishing to come back more than once. Do not forget to try the locally crafted cider.

• Address:

  Rua dos Murcas 84, Funchal

• Phone:

  +351 291 236 357

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 10am–9:30pm

Casa d'Avó

Casa d'Avó is known for serving local ingredients and dishes with an international cuisine twist. The menu varies with the day's fish haul, and the attentive staff will certainly serve you a dish that will make you want to come back to this tiny, remote island.

• Address:

  Porto Santo Island, Campo de Baixo

• Phone:

  +351 925 014 338

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 6pm–midnight

Mercado Velho

Centrally located, Mercado Velho will serve you food from early morning to late evening. Not only do they have the freshest tuna and sardine dishes, but also the traditional alcohol-flambéed Portuguese chorizo. A favourite among locals, this hidden gem is yet to be found by most visitors to Porto Santo.

• Address:

  Rua João Gonçalves Zarco 9, Vila Baleira

• Phone:

  +351 291 984 205

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 9am–midnight, Fri 9am–1am, Sat 9am–2am

O Casco

If you want to see what comfort food tastes like in Madeira, O Casco is definitely the place to go. Lunch, dinner – or simply a snack – everything will be cooked to order at any time of the day. Be sure to try one of the many varieties of the famous bolo do caco.

• Address:

  Rua do Ribeirinho 2, Machico

• Phone:

  +351 291 962 150

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 10am–midnight, Sat & Sun 10am–1am

O Polar

O Polar is living proof that an extensive and expensive menu is not needed in order to achieve excellence. With a short, affordable selection, the restaurant will not leave you disappointed with any of the Madeira-style barbecue dishes.

• Address:

  Rua Pico da Torre 26, Câmara de Lobos, Madeira

• Phone:

  +351 291 944 442

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat noon–3pm / 6pm–11pm

Bar Pé de Cabra

Pé de Cabra, which in Portuguese means "goat foot" is the name of a Madeira's cocktail, said to be invented at this bar. Try it yourself and be satisfied with this recipe that has been passed on through many generations of the family that runs the bar.

• Address:

  Caminho da Ribeira dos Socorridos 5, Lombada

• Phone:

  +351 291 774 040

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 6am–10pm, Sun 2pm–10pm

Madeira Rum House

Madeira Rum House's name is the literal description of what you will find there — rum from Madeira. Located in the old town, they serve rum cocktails you will find nowhere else. Prepare yourself to sit back and enjoy one of the archipelago's alcoholic treats.

• E-mail:

  madeirarumhouse@gmail.com

• Address:

  Rua Portão de São Tiago 19C, Funchal

• Phone:

  +351 966 017 555

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7pm–11pm

Mercearia da Poncha

Mercearia da Poncha is the perfect place to start your pub crawl. Here you can taste many colorful variations of Madeira's preferred drink, poncha. It is impossible not to notice the unbelievably affordable prices.

• Address:

  Rua de Santa Maria 154, Funchal

• Phone:

  +351 914 758 975

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 4pm–1am, Fri & Sat 4pm–2am

Revolucion Bar

Hidden in Funchal's old town, this little bar has been described by locals as having the best cocktails in Funchal or even on the entire island of Madeira. The cosy and relaxed atmosphere will make you spend more time there than you might have planned.

• Address:

  Rua de Santa Maria 144 A, Funchal

• Phone:

  +351 965 754 707

• Opening hours:

  Daily 5pm–1am

Taberna Popular

Taberna Popular's charm comes from it not trying to be more than what it seems – a tiny crowded pub with cheap beer and snacks. It is perfect for a late-night drink at the end of your Pub Crawl.

• Address:

  Rua das Fontes 18, Funchal

• Phone:

  +351 914 758 975

• Opening hours:

  Wed–Sat 8pm–4am, Sun–Tue 6pm–2am

Barreirinha Bar Café

If the perfect location wasn't good enough, Barreirinha Bar Café also provides hearty, affordable eats all day long. On Friday and Saturday nights the atmosphere becomes young and lively — just perfect for those looking for a drink on a warm Madeira night.

• Address:

  Largo do Socorro, Funchal

• Phone:

  +351 291 627 418

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 9am–midnight, Fri 10am–2am, Sat 9am–2am

Magic Tea House

If having a drink with a marvellous ocean view is your cup of tea, then Magic Tea House is a place you cannot miss. On the menu, you'll find many tea varieties, coffee, and beer, plus salads, sandwiches, and pastries.

• Address:

  Rua da Ponta da Cruz 23, Funchal

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–6pm

Mercearia Dona Mécia

Inspired by the tiny old Portuguese grocery stores, Mercearia Dona Mécia is not only a place to drink espresso but also to have some of their unique bite-sized snacks. It is the perfect place to try some Portuguese grilled chorizo.

• Address:

  Rua dos Aranhas 26, Funchal

• Phone:

  +351 291 221 559

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 8am–10pm, Fri 8am–midnight, Sat 10am–10pm