Madeira - City Guide

Eating in Madeira.

Madeira dining is recognised internationally - although much of this can be attributed to the production of wine - and cheap flights from Jet2.com to the archipelago's capital, Funchal, welcomes you to a playground of restaurants. This is where you will find the highest concentration of restaurants, many of which can be found watching over the port. Whilst on your travels it is worth keeping an eye out for other places to dine but for a varied and plentiful choice of eateries, the centre of Funchal should be your first port of call. Below are some of the popular places.
Budget: Churrascaria Galinha Dourada. 372 Galerias da Ajuda, Funchal, Madeira 9000. This is a perfect place for a wholesome and tasty meal at very tempting prices. The decor isn't the greatest but the family run team clearly pride themselves on the quality of the food they serve. The gentle hum of conversation creates a relaxing ambience enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The menu is simple and favours meat-based dishes. Tel: +351 291940950
Mid Range: Olives. Rua da Queimada de Cima, Funchal, Madeira 9000-065. Olives enjoys a central location which lends itself to pleasant evening al fresco dining. The food is delicious and meticulously prepared to look as good as it tastes. Everything on the varied menu is fresh whether it is the fish caught in the morning or locally sourced vegetables, which they are specialists in cooking. The portions are enough to satisfy your cravings and they won't leave a big hole in your wallet. Tel: +351 291236004
High Range: O Portao. Rua Portao De Sao Tiago, Funchal, Madeira 9060-249. Braving the fawning of the tourist trap clutch of restaurants to venture towards old town Funchal will be rewarded with a fine evening of food and drink at O Portao. Prices aren't cheap but it is a case of value for money. On a lavish menu there is a variety of dishes to suit every palate with some interesting combinations. The local scabbard fish (don't be put off by its rather wide-eyed appearance) in banana and passion fruit sauce is a popular dish. Yet it is not just the food that keeps people coming back. You can expect to be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Madeira wine and more often than not, the attentive and pleasant staff will generously offer another to wash your meal down. Tel: +351 291221125

Drinking and Entertainment on Madeira

Once again Funchal occupies the majority of Madeira's nightlife and entertainment however, it isn't a holiday destination celebrated for this. During the week you will find evening activity rather sparse as entertainment is geared up towards the weekends. As Friday rolls around you will notice a change in the evenings as places attract a vibrant clientele and bars come to life with music and the throng of banter.
There is a fair amount of bars and pubs all serving your favourite imported beers but, as they say, 'When in Rome' or in this case, 'Madeira' you should try their local beer, Coral. It is a soft and light beer that refreshingly quenches your thirst. Another popular local concoction is called Poncha, which is made from local firewater, orange or lemon juice, honey and sugar.
Hotels are generally the best places to go for evening entertainment as many of them are free to attend and open to non-residents. Yet for those wanting to adventure out for the evening there is a clutch of clubs, pubs and bars, including a popular Irish bar in the Lido area.

Shopping on Madeira

Cheap flights from Jet2.com to Madeira take you to a whole new shopping experience. Shopping is certainly something that isn't missing on Madeira. Funchal is a holiday shopping haven with a bunch of centres dedicated to splurging the holiday budget.
The Madeira Shopping centre is perhaps the best equipped of them all. Located in Santa Quiteria, Funchal, it boasts 83 shops, 20 restaurants - to keep you fuelled for another bout of shopping, coffee shops, 7 cinemas (which screen English films) and the Microlandia entertainment centre, which has bowling and mini-golf amongst other attractions. The whole family will enjoy a visit here. For a splash of international high class shopping visit the Dolce Vita in down-town Funchal. Here you will find modern architecture housing an array of international shops for those with a flexible holiday budget!
For something less conventional Funchal's main market, Marcado dos Lavradores, is perfect for whiling away an afternoon absorbed by the fresh smells and vibrant colours that adorn the streets. The fish market - although not as friendly smelling - offers you the chance to watch how a local scabbard fish is prepared. It isn't all about food at the market as an array of trinkets and beautiful souvenir gift ideas bring a touch of local culture to the stalls.

Things to Do and See

Sacred Art Museum 3 Euros. This museum in Funchal houses a wealthy array of Flemish paintings, religious sculptures and gold pieces, dating from the 16th-18th centuries. Open daily (except Mondays) it is a great way to spend an afternoon absorbing some culture.
Old Blandy's Wine Lodge This is a great place to learn about Madeira wine and even sample some of the bottles. A guided 40 minute tour takes you around the lodge and talks about its history all before the popular tasting period at the end. Tel: + 351 91740110
Story Centre This interactive exhibition chronicles the history of the island through video but also stimulates the other senses particularly touch and smell. It is a great family attraction and worth a visit early in the holiday as it has some useful tips and knowledge about the island that can be put to good use during your stay. Tel +351 291000770
Botanical Garden 3 Euros adults, 1 Euro children. An attraction aimed more at the elders that is awash with colour from beautiful, exotic plants and offers vast panoramic views of Funchal Bay. Some 2,500 plants can be found here including orchids, magnolias and palms. Tel: +351 291211200
Sao Vicente Caves and Volcano Centre 8 Euros adults, 6 Euros under-5's. At the Sao Vicente Caves, explorers can pay to take a 30 minute tour to discover the volcanic beginnings of Madeira. It also shows you lava lakes and crystalline lakes.
Monte Palace Tropical Garden 10 Euros. Another beautiful garden full of colour but with international influences, particularly oriental. It is also thought to be more children friendly and once you have perused until your heart's content you can sip on a complimentary glass of Madeira wine in the quaint cafe. Tel: +351 291742650
Santa Maria This is a marvelous replica of Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria which he captained on numerous voyages. The reason they constructed this on Madeira is because he briefly stopped off on the island whilst discovering other parts of the world. Wandering around evokes images of pirates and life living on a ship in antiquity and the brief journey out stirs an atmosphere of camaraderie. Tel: +351 291220327

Key Phrases:

Yes/No - Sim/Não
Maybe - Talvez
Please - Se faz favour/Por favor
Thank you - Obrigado/a
You're welcome - De nada
Excuse me - Desculpe
Hello - Bom dia
Good morning - Bom dia
Good evening - Boa tarde
Goodbye - Adeus
Do you speak English? - Fala inglês?
I'm sorry, I don't speak Portuguese - Desculpe, não falo português.
I need help - Preciso de ajuda.
Where is the toilet, please? - Onde é o lavabo, faz favor?

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