What is in season in Funchal. and what to order when the market changes.

Spring

  • Anona: Madeiran custard apple peaks from February into April and fills the upper floor of the Mercado dos Lavradores.
  • Loquat: Nespera ripens on terrace trees through April and May and is sold by the crate at the market.
  • Fava beans: Broad beans appear on tasca menus from March, stewed with pork and served with bolo do caco.

Summer

  • Tuna: The Madeiran tuna season runs through the summer and bife de atum with fried maize appears on almost every carte.
  • Passion fruit: Maracujá comes into its own from June and drives the summer poncha variants across the Zona Velha.
  • Madeira bananas: Small, dense and sweet, picked year round but at their best through the summer months on the south coast.

Autumn

  • Madeira wine harvest: Grapes come in from late August through September and the wine festival follows the pickers into Funchal.
  • Chestnuts: Castanhas from Curral das Freiras arrive in November, roasted on the street and baked into cakes and liqueurs.
  • Tamarillo: Tomate inglês ripens into autumn and is eaten fresh or turned into jam by the market stalls.

Winter

  • Carne de vinha d'alhos: Pork marinated in wine and garlic is the Christmas dish, eaten in bolo do caco after the dawn masses.
  • Bolo de mel de cana: The molasses cake is baked for December and traditionally kept, and broken by hand, right through the year.
  • Scabbard fish: Espada is landed year round but is the winter staple, fried with banana and passion fruit sauce.

Book food experiences in Funchal

Toboggan Ride & Madeira Wine Tasting Tour★ 2.8 (4)

Guided tour · 4 hours

Toboggan Ride & Madeira Wine Tasting Tour

Sample some local Madeira fortified wine. Visit Funchal market with all its colors. Head to Monte for the toboggan ride. Visit Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village.

from€115 Check dates

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