30 Best Madeira Food & Drink Dishes To Try in 2024
READY TO TRY SOME OF THE BEST FOOD IN MADEIRA?
Despite having barely a quarter of a million people to its name, the Madeira food scene is impressively varied. Given the island’s history of at least 600 years, it’s unsurprising that such a range of unique dishes has emerged from a relatively limited set of ingredients.
I think for me, though, that is what is so great about Portuguese food as a whole. It is not full of a million different things. It holds interest in its simplicity.
Want to explore Madeira’s food Up Close?
The best Madeira food tour is the best Madeira food and cultural tour, with a perfect ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating 😊.
And to see what people can do with what little they were given and how they can make just a few ingredients become so many different things — that is what I love about trying new Portuguese foods.
Ready to learn what Madeira food and drinks you should try on your next trip to the island? Here are 30 options.
Madeira Food Tours
As you’ll see as you make your way through this post, there are loads of different Madeiran food and drink to try. From starters to mains to sweet treats and wine, you won’t want to miss out on any of it.
The best way to get the full taste of Madeira is by taking a food walking tour and sampling as much as you possibly.
If you’re ready to commit to a few hours of tasting and sampling, this food tour Madeira & culture experience is for you. On this certified guided tour, you’ll be brought around to sample fresh fruits, meats, wines, and more. 🥗 Vegetarians can also take the tour and still have plenty to try.
If you’d like to throw more wine and some Madeira food market visits into your day, this food and wine walking tour is probably best for you. The tour starts at Mercado dos Lavradores, but by the end of it, you’ll have made your way around sampling local wines, chocolates, and more.
And if you want to laser focus on the wine, this wine tour is the one to take. While some tapas are included, a full lunch is not, and the wine is the focus. You’ll get to tour the vineyards and hear more from the winemaker about what you’re drinking.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
Madeira Food: Starters and Snacks
When exploring food in Madeira, you’ll discover starters and snacks that are as delightful as they are unique. Madeira cuisine is a treasure trove of flavors, offering a variety of dishes. From the tantalizing lapas grelhadas to the savory bolo do caco, each starter and snack tells a story of local traditions and ingredients.
1. Bolo do Caco
Bolo do Caco is a Madeiran wheat bread. It’s usually eaten as part of a savory dish. The main ingredients are usually flour and Portuguese white sweet potato (lighter in color than a typical sweet potato, but very sweet), and the bread is classically flat and round.
The bread is traditionally made on basalt rock, which makes sense on the volcanic island of Madeira. The bread is often served as a side to a main meal, perhaps with garlic or cheese. But it also may be used as the bread for a sandwich.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
2. Carne Vinha d’Alhos
Translated into English, this dish is more or less meat with wine of garlic. The meat could be pork, beef, or even rabbit, which is then marinated in garlic and wine. This is a classic dish for Madeirans to eat on Christmas Day.
The prep work usually starts two or three days before the marinating begins. Just before the meal, the meat is fried and served hot.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
3. Prego no Bolo do Caco
Prego no Bolo do Caco is a basic but delicious sandwich usually made with two pieces of Bolo do Caco and stuffed with a garlicky slab of steak, some cheese, and lettuce. You could also add mustard if you want a little more of a kick.
As a local favorite, this is a dependable nibble you’ll find for a fair price in most small bars or kiosks around the island.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
4. Sopa de Tomate e Cebola
When done correctly, this tomato and onion soup has no added water but is just a straight reduction of the tomatoes. The soup is usually topped with one poached egg per serving and dished with a piece of bread to sop up every last drop.
Beyond the tomato and onion, there is little else going on in the dish — garlic and bay leaves being the most common added spices. This leaves a rich, thick, deeply colored bowl of soup.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
5. Lapas
In English, a lapa is a limpet — a variety of sea snail. The classic way to serve the lampas is with absolutely no fuss or frills. They are first grilled and then eaten with garlic, butter, and a quick squeeze of lemon across the top.
Madeira is the perfect place to try this dish, as the lapas come straight from the rocks along the island’s scraggly coastline.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
6. Milho Frito
Milho fritos are a cornmeal-based fried treat. The cornmeal is usually mixed with collard greens, but kale is sometimes used instead. Originally, you wouldn’t expect many additional elements or flavors because it was a basic, low-cost dish. But now, a milho frito dish might be jazzed up a bit more with herbs, garlic, or other flavors.
To equate this dish to something more familiar off the island, it is quite like a plate of polenta cubes.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
7. Picado à Madeirense (Beef Cubes)
Picado à Madeirense is a plate of beef cubes. This is most commonly eaten as a casual sharing platter — think of it as a plate of beef tapas, which you can eat with the provided toothpicks.
The flavors of the dish are very simple. The beef is usually a tenderloin cut into bite-sized chunks and then cooked in bay leaves and garlic. Some restaurants may have their own interpretation of the dish with added spices, but it will definitely be served over a plate of french fries.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
Madeira Food: Meat Dishes
In the realm of food Madeira offers, meat dishes hold a special place, celebrated for their rich flavors and traditional cooking methods. Typical Madeira food in this category includes the famous espetada. These meat dishes satisfy the palate and offer a deep dive into Madeira’s gastronomic culture.
8. Espetada
Espetada is simply the Portuguese word used to describe cooking food on a skewer — it translates literally to “kebab.” But the Madeiran dish espetada refers specifically to kebabs of beef, usually tenderloin, sirloin, or short loin.
The dish is cooked vertically, so the juice and fats drip down the skewer as it’s cooked. They are collected and poured over bread to be served alongside the beef. The flavors of the espetada are usually very simple, with little more than bay leaves and salt used to flavor it.
The best place to try Espetadas? Talho do Caniço. You’ll start at the butcher’s shop, where you will choose exactly what you’d like to put on your espetadas. You’ll then head next door to get them barbecued. It’s a unique, delicious, local, and cost-effective way of tasting one of the most popular dishes in Madeira.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
9. Cozido (meat stew)
Cozido is a meat-heavy dish popular throughout Portugal. The stew is often made with pork, beef, chicken, chouriço, morcela, and other meats or sausages. The meat is a mix of vegetables like turnips, carrots, cabbage, zucchini, and more.
Cozido à Portuguesa is made by slowly steaming the ingredients into a stew. If you go back to its roots, the steam used came from hot springs, especially on the Azores, where hot springs abound. These days, you’ll more often find regular steam used for a cozido.
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10. Cozido Madeirense
Much of the elements of Cozido Madeirense are the same as a traditional cozido. There are a few key differences, however. Those differences have to do mostly with what ingredients are readily available locally in Madeira.
Cozido Madeirense often has potatoes or even sweet potatoes, which grow locally. You may also find a base of rice or couscous used under the stewed meat and vegetables.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
11. Sopa de Trigo
This wheat soup is a great option for a chilly winter day on Madeira. In addition to the wheat base, the soup usually has pork and a variety of vegetables. Preparation for a serving of sopa de trigo takes at least 24 hours when the wheat begins to soak, and the pork begins to marinate.
This soup has much of the same elements as other Madeiran dishes — potatoes, cabbage, bay leaves, and garlic.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
Madeira Food: Seafood
Among the Madeira food specialities — seafood is a standout. The island’s waters provide an array of fresh catches featured in Madeira dishes. Espada, a deep-sea fish, is a favorite, often prepared with banana. These Madeira fish dishes are a must-try for anyone wondering what to eat in Madeira.
12. Atum à Madeirense
As the most caught fish off Madeira, this is an unsurprisingly good local dish. And it is very simple. The tuna is usually marinated beforehand in vinegar and white wine.
The steaks are then cooked in onion, garlic, pepper, oil, and bay leaf at a minimum. The cut is a nice, chunky steak that is pan-fried and served with potatoes and rice (or milho frito). Of course, you might find this dish elevated at some restaurants, served with asparagus or added herbs and spices in the marinade.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
13. Espada (scabbardfish)
Espada is scabbardfish. And if you’re unfamiliar with it, that’s probably because it is native only to a few regions in the world, Madeira being one of them. The others are Iceland, France, Ireland, and the Canary Islands.
The Espada is only found at extremely low depths, and the fishermen who catch them specialize specifically in this type of fish. Espada is most similar to an eel, it is black, and when cooked right, it has a very nice, light, delicate flavor.
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14. Peixe Espada com Banana
The Espada is usually prepared by frying it in batter and then serving it alongside bananas — which are also fried. This is a sort of Madeiran take on fish and chips if you will.
The filets are marinated in garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper before being lightly battered in flour and eggs and then fried. The bananas are usually halved lengthwise and then cooked in the same pan (without being washed) after the fish is finished.
If you aren’t a fan of bananas, you can also try Espada com Maracujá (Scabbardfish with Passionfruit) or Espada com Gengibre e Mel (Scabbardfish with Ginger and Honey).
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
15. Caldeirada
Caldeirada is a traditional Madeiran fish stew. The thick stew can be made from any fish or a combination of different types — the only requirement is that there is a lot of fish. Along with the fish, the stew is made from potatoes, onions, and plenty of other vegetables.
You might find variations of the caldeirada, which include squid, but no matter the contents, you can always expect a slight spice to the stew. Hot peppers and curry powder are common spices to add that kick to it.
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16. Gaiado Seco
Gaiado Seco is dried skipjack tuna — sound intriguing? Skipjack is a type of tuna which is found around Madeira. To be made into Gaiado Seco, it is hung to dry for at least a month; traditionally, this would have taken place on the beach.
After the fish completely dries, it’s turned into a marinade with onion and garlic. This might come on its own as a free dish while you’re having a drink, or it might be used as a sauce or marinade on top of a larger plate.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
17. Cavalas com Molho à Vilão
Cavalas are mackerel. And if you translate the name of this dish, it is mackerel with villain sauce. But the villain sauce is quite simple and decidedly un-villainous. It is a simple white wine and vinegar marinade, usually mixed with garlic and some fresh herbs like oregano or parsley.
After they marinate, the mackerel filets are fried in oil and usually served on a dish with potatoes, onions, or corn.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
18. Octopus
Octopus is a common dish around much of Portugal, and Madeira is no exception. You’ll see octopus (polvo in Portuguese) on many menus and at affordable prices. Don’t be surprised if a full octopus shows up in front of you when you order it.
You might cut it into smaller pieces mixed with onions and herbs or in a rice dish. The previously mentioned picado, which is classically beef, also sometimes comes as an octopus dish.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
Maderia Food: Desserts & Sweets
In the world of traditional Madeiran food, desserts and sweets are a true highlight. Known for their richness and variety, Madeira Portugal food in this category includes delicacies like honey cake and passion fruit pudding.
19. Bolo de Mel
Tracing its history all the way back to the 15th century, this is a very typical Madeiran desert, also known as a honey cake, and is typically eaten around the Christmas holidays.
Mel de cana (sugarcane honey) is the most important ingredient, giving this cake its name and taste. Mel de cana is a local sugarcane molasses that helps preserve the cake for up to a year. They are supposed to be made in large quantities on December 8th and then be eaten slowly throughout the month.
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20. Rebuçados de Funcho
These small orange candies have a surprising flavor — fennel (funcho). They are typical to Madeira Island because fennel grows easily and in large quantities.
The sweets are usually covered in sugar, and depending on the recipe, they may have a strong black licorice (aniseed) flavor or a milder one. They can be eaten as they are and are often used to treat coughs and colds, or they can be put into a cup of hot water for a cup of tea.
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21. Malasadas
Malasadas are a traditional Madeira food eaten during Carnival on Madeira. While they have some differences, these are more or less a local take on fried dough or donuts. It is said that they were created to get rid of all the sweets in a home before going into Lent.
🍩 These treats are made with eggs, butter, and milk. They often have a cinnamon flavor or a bit of a lemony zing, and they are rolled in sugar and topped with honey before being served.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
22. Queijadas da Madeira
Like so many Portuguese sweets, Queijadas da Madeira was developed in convents. So that the nuns could use their surplus of egg yolks after they used the whites to starch their clothing.
These treats are made with ricotta or cottage cheese, or requeijão, eggs, sugar, butter, and flour. They are simple but delicious, and you’ll see them at bakeries across Madeira.
🍨 If you want to indulge, order one with a scoop of ice cream on top.
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23. Tropical Fruits
In Madeira, a variety of tropical fruits are must-tries for any visitor. The island’s unique climate is perfect for growing fruits like passion, bananas, and papayas.
Look out for the passion fruit, which is available in several varieties, each with its distinct taste. Madeira’s bananas are smaller and sweeter than typical ones, making them a delightful snack. Papayas here are rich and flavorful, often found in local desserts. Don’t miss trying the anona, a lesser-known fruit with a creamy texture and sweet taste.
For a true taste of Madeira, visit local markets where these fruits are fresh and plentiful. They’re delicious and glimpse the island’s rich agricultural practices.
Travel tip: skip buying fruits at the Mercado dos Lavradores. It is rumored that the fruit samples are enhanced with sweeteners.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
24. Broas De Mel
Broas de Mel are honey cookies made with molasses and various additional flavors like cinnamon, clove, or fennel, which come out of the oven sweet, crunchy, and delicious. The cookies are shaped like loaves of bread and are usually small, so you may catch eating quite a few without noticing them disappear.
The cookies are most common around the 🎄Christmas and 🐰Easter holidays. To enjoy these in Madeira fashion, have them with tea or a glass of Madeira wine.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
Madeira Drinks
In your quest to eat Madeira, don’t miss exploring its drinks. Why not go on a Madeira wine tasting in Funchal or visit a local rum distillery for a unique twist to your Madeira experiences and itineraries. Don’t forget to try poncha.
24. Madeira Wine
One of my favorite Portuguese wine facts is that after signing the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers of the United States toasted using Madeira wine. So it goes without saying then that Madeira wine has been around for a while — about 300 years, give or take.
While the wine hasn’t changed in those years, it does have variations and can be sweet or dry. It is a fortified wine, meaning a spirit is used in the distilling process, making the resulting wine stronger and higher in alcohol content 🍷.
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25. Madeira Rum
Madeira rum is made from the island’s fresh sugar cane (unlike many mass-produced rums these days, which are made from molasses), and to be true, Madeira rum must be produced on the island.
The process starts in an engenho — a sugar mill, the first of which was founded on the island in 1452. There are now five rum distilleries on Madeira, which, if you have time, are all worth visiting.
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26. Poncha
Made with Madeira rum, poncha is the island’s version of what much of the world now calls punch. Traditionally, it would be made with rum, brandy, aguardente, lemon juice, and sugar.
But now you may find it mixed with other fresh tropical fruits and flavors. You might be able to find passion fruit, orange, or even an absinthe poncha.
🍹 To make a true poncha, a specific mixing tool called a mexelote is required. Mexelote is carved from the wood of the laurel tree, a species native to Madeira. This not only adds a touch of local tradition but is also said to subtly influence the flavor of the poncha, making it a truly Madeiran experience.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
27. Coral Beer
Coral Beer is the biggest beer producer in Madeira. Heineken now owns the company, but the island brewery started in the late 1800s, and the traditional brewing methods are still used today.
The main classic beer they offer is a lager style, but they have also expanded into producing stouts, hard seltzers, and non-alcoholic lagers. The lager is slightly sweet with a somewhat nutty flavor. It’s popular on the island as well as across Portugal and abroad.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
28. Nikita
If you want a novelty drink that you’ll likely only find in Madeira, this is it. A Nikita is a sort of slushie, or blended icy smoothie, made of pineapple ice cream, pineapple juice, actual pineapple, and then either white beer or white wine (or maybe both). Sound delicious? It is.
Rumor has it that this drink was invented in 1985, the same year as Elton John’s song by the same name came out.
MADEIRA FOOD & DRINKS
29. Brisa
A Brisa is a Madeira soda company. Technically, there are other offerings, but the most important one is the Brisa Maracujá — the first soft drink anywhere in the world to be made based solely on the passion fruit flavor.
This drink is very natural and is made from pure passion fruit juice. It’s so unprocessed that the pulp from the fruit will settle at the bottom of the bottle.
A lot of locals swear by a Brisa as the perfect hangover cure.
Madeira Food: FAQS
What is the national dish of Madeira?
The Madeira national dish is espada, the black scabbard fish.
If you haven’t heard of the fish before, it is not common around the globe and can only be caught in the deep sea in a select few places of the North Atlantic Ocean, one of those being off the coast of Madeira. When cooked, it’s a soft, delicate fish reminiscent of eel.
What is the most popular food in Madeira?
One of the most popular Madeira foods is the simple but delicious bolo de caco, or the Madeiran flat wheat bread.
This versatile bread has been a staple of the local diet for a long time. It is used in sandwiches, as a side dish, or on its own with some garlic butter and cheese.
What food is Amdera famous for other than bolo de caco? There is also espada com banana (scabbard fish with banana), espetada (beef skewers), milho frito (fried cornmeal), lapas grelhadas (grilled limpets), and the traditional dessert, queijadas.
What is the typical meat in Madeira?
Beef is the most typical meat in Madeira, and you’ll see it often being served in the popular picado dish. While this dish can take many variants — even using octopus as the main meat, beef is most typical.
Is Madeira expensive to eat out?
No — Madeira is not a very expensive place to eat at restaurants.
There are many cafes around the island where you can try many of the island’s classic fare as the locals do and spend only a few euros. Of course, there are also fine dining options, which will cost you a good bit more.
Make sure not to miss the main city; some of the best food in Funchal Madeira options are located in the city’s downtown area.
Do you tip waiters in Madeira?
As in most of Portugal, it is not standard practice to tip waiters in Madeira. More commonly, you might round a bill up and leave a bit of change. Or, if you found that you had exceptional service, you could leave a few euros behind.
This may only differ at fine dining restaurants when a tip of around 10% may be expected.
What is Madeira best known for?
Madeira is a gorgeous place well known for its stunning volcanic scenery. However, regarding food and drink, it is very well known for its wine, which took pride in its place during the US signing of the Declaration of Independence.
What is Madeira famous for? A lot. Traditional Madeiran food is just one of the many things this island is known for. Yes, the Madeira island food is delicious, but you can expect friendly people, amazing scenery, beautiful waters, and much more.
Final Thoughts: Madeira Food & Drinks
Did you enjoy our food guide? Whether you have just a day on Madeira Portugal, and only enough time for one food coma, or if you’re there for a week or more, there is plenty to indulge in. From breakfast to night, summer to winter, Madeira’s cuisine has an answer to any problem.
Enjoy the beaches and go on some hikes, but don’t miss out on all the food. Don’t forget to extend your culinary journey to Porto Santo and introduce yourself to more unique Madeira speciality food. Explore the rich array of Madeira food ingredients that bring life to every Madeira food menu.
For those who want to recreate these flavors at home, diving into Madeira food recipes is a must. Each dish you experience will connect you deeper with the island’s vibrant culture and traditions.
