What to Eat

Holidays by Destination Europe Portugal Madeira What to Eat 

Local fish, simply cooked is generally good and plainly cooked meat should be OK, both generally served with chips. Locally produced fruits and vegetables including bananas and tomatoes may also be worth looking out for. The more exotic fruits are put to good use in local ice creams.

Should your children need something more familiar, hotels offer fairly standard/international dishes and should always be able to provide the staples of pasta, ham, eggs and the like. Similarly local restaurants often offer pasta and sometimes pizza. However, the reduced choice in the smaller places outside the centre, relying on local produce, often mean the quality of food is better.

Tea is still served in the more old-fashioned establishments for tourists, sometimes complete with that British invention, the Madeira cake. The local cake is bolo de miel with dried fruit and molasses. Alternatives are the pastries including custard creams found in shops and cafes which, like a number of restaurants particularly in Funchal's older part, may include outside tables which can be useful for children who need regular run around intervals.