Madeira Island · Portugal

For Gary and Aneta

The places we keep going back to — espetada cooked over the fire, fresh lapas, a proper poncha and an espresso in a café from 1841.

01

Drinks

What to order at the bar — from poncha to the local beer and sodas.

Poncha

Poncha de Maracujá

Poncha with passion fruit.

Poncha

Poncha à Pescador

Poncha with lemon.

Beer

Nikita

Beer and ice cream.

Beer

Coral

Madeira's own beer.

Soda

Brisa Maracujá

Passion fruit soda.

Soda

Laranjada

Orange soda.

02

Food

The dishes to look for on the menu.

Meat

Espetada

Beef chunks with garlic, salt and bay leaf, skewered and grilled over the fire.

Seafood

Lapas

Limpets grilled in their shells with garlic butter and lemon.

Side

Milho Frito

Cubes of fried cornmeal, crispy outside and soft inside.

Side

Milho Cozido

Soft cooked cornmeal, a traditional side.

Bread

Bolo do Caco

Round flatbread cooked on a hot stone, served warm with garlic butter.

Meat · To share

Picado

Small pieces of beef fried with garlic, served on a big plate with fries to share.

Sandwich

Prego no Bolo do Caco

Steak sandwich in bolo do caco bread.

Soup

Açorda

Garlic and bread soup with herbs, usually with a poached egg.

Fish

Bacalhau à Lagareiro

Roasted salt cod with lots of olive oil, garlic and small potatoes.

03

Cakes

Something sweet to go with the coffee.

Cake

Bolo de Mel

Dark, spiced cake made with sugarcane honey.

Pastry

Queijada

Small sweet cheese tart.

Biscuits

Broas de Mel

Small honey biscuits made with sugarcane honey.

01

Restaurants we like to go

Traditional Madeiran cooking — sit down, order the espetada and take your time.

Rabbit · BrisketTop pick

Adega do Pomar

Best rabbit and brisket I had in my life.

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Espetada · Traditional

As Vides

Great espetada in the fire, traditional place.

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02

Cheap, good quick lunch

When you just want something good without the long sit-down.

Canteen

Pingo Doce Supermarket

There's a canteen inside — quick, cheap and good.

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03

Bars & cafés we like to go

Poncha, coffee, a cold beer with a view, and something sweet.

View · Old Town

Barreirinha Bar Café

Nice view for a coffee or a beer, in the old town.

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Historic · Since 1841

Golden Gate Grande Café

Founded in 1841. Love to go here, stay inside, have an espresso and just appreciate it.

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