Tasting menus, Michelin stars and the chefs redefining Funchal.
Tasting menus, Michelin stars, and the kitchens redefining what fine dining means in Funchal.
Il Gallo d'Oro holds two Michelin stars at The Cliff Bay in Funchal, where Benoit Sinthon has run the kitchen since 2004 on an Iberian line.
OrderThe tasting menu, built around Madeiran produce and Iberian sourcing.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday. Kitchen and terrace works keep the room shut until it reopens on 26 August 2026, so check the date before booking.
Desarma is Octávio Freitas's rooftop restaurant above Funchal, Michelin-starred since February 2024 and cooking menus of six, nine or twelve moments.
OrderThe Chef's Battle menu, nine moments built on Madeiran produce.
TipSeatings run 19:00 to 21:00 Tuesday to Saturday, and the rooftop is best booked at dusk.
William is the Michelin-starred restaurant at Reid's Palace in Funchal, a blue and white room above the cliff named for hotel founder William Reid.
OrderThe tasting menu, read against the sea view from the cliff terrace.
TipDinner Tuesday to Saturday only. The dress code is enforced and the terrace seats fill first.
Avista hangs over Pirate's Bay on the Funchal cliff line, running a Josper grill menu and Asian plates across a carte built for sharing at table.
OrderAnything off the Josper grill, taken at a window table over the bay.
TipThe operator publishes no schedule online, so confirm the lunch service when you book. Ask for the terrace edge, not the inner row.
The Dining Room occupies the manor house at Quinta da Casa Branca in Funchal, cooking a creative Madeiran carte built on produce from the hotel farm.
OrderThe tasting menu with its wine pairing, taken on the al fresco terrace.
TipDinner only, Tuesday to Saturday. The al fresco terrace tables are worth requesting when you book.
UVA is the rooftop restaurant and wine bar at The Vine in Funchal, where chef Thomas Faudry runs a farm-to-table Madeiran line above the harbour.
OrderA glass of Madeira with the daily plate, at the rooftop rail.
TipDinner Tuesday to Saturday, and the rooftop is worth arriving early for at sunset.
Armazém do Sal works a Mediterranean and contemporary Portuguese carte on Rua da Alfândega, billing itself as a warehouse of flavours in central Funchal.
OrderGrilled squid with mashed potato and beetroot mayonnaise, off the chef's selection.
TipThe house publishes no schedule online, so call ahead for lunch. Reservations go through the site or by phone.
Oxalis is the dining room at Casa Velha do Palheiro above Funchal, cooking flavours of Madeira from the estate kitchen garden and island growers.
OrderThe seasonal menu, rewritten as the estate kitchen garden dictates.
TipDinner only, and it is a 20 minute drive up from the Funchal seafront, so plan the taxi back before you order wine.
Villa Cipriani serves Italian cooking on the clifftop terrace at Reid's Palace in Funchal, revisiting Italian classics with the Atlantic below the balustrade.
OrderA dish from the constantly renewed Italian carte, on the terrace.
TipThe terrace tables at the seaward rail are the ones to ask for when booking. Last orders are at 22:30.
Terreiro Concept is a zero-waste Funchal gastrobar and dining room cooking and mixing from its own kitchen-garden plantings and island growers.
OrderA cocktail built from the kitchen garden, then the daily fish.
TipThe gastrobar runs straight through from 11:00 while the restaurant works lunch and dinner services. Friday and Saturday it stays open to midnight.
We have handpicked the best independent tascas and hidden gems to provide you a unqiue self guided tour of Funchal, to enjoy some of the best local food and drink in Madeira.
Day trip · 8 hours
Sample the fine wines of Madeira on a full-day tasting tour from Funchal and learn about the island's wine industry and delicious food. Stop at a selection of wineries...
Guided tour · 8 hours
Take in the landscapes of Madeira's vineyards on this full-day tour. Ride Fajã dos Padres cable car, visit a wine cellar, taste local wines and enjoy a typical Madeira...
Editor picks in Funchal include Il Gallo d'Oro, Desarma, William, plus the full fine dining chapter on TableJourney.