Madeiran cuisine reflects the history and culture of this island shaped by the sea, the mountains and centuries of tradition. Between simple ingredients and bold flavours, Madeira has built a gastronomy that is honest, comforting and deeply local.
From grilled meats over bay laurel sticks to volcanic seafood and slow-cooked winter dishes, these are the 15 traditional foods and drinks you really should try during your visit — plus where to try them without guessing.
Explore our curated Eat & Drink guides — restaurants, bars and traditional places locals actually go to.
1) Espetada
Espetada is one of Madeira’s strongest food symbols. Large cubes of beef are seasoned simply with salt and garlic, then skewered on bay laurel sticks and grilled over wood or charcoal. The laurel releases aroma during cooking, giving the meat its unmistakable flavour.
Traditionally served hanging from iron stands at the table, it’s eaten with milho frito and bolo do caco.
Where to eat: Talho do Caniço, O Polar, As Vides.
Great espetada spots are spread across the island. Use our interactive map to pair lunch with nearby viewpoints.
2) Bolo do Caco
Bolo do caco is Madeira’s traditional flatbread, originally baked on a hot stone (the “caco”). Made with flour, water, salt and sweet potato, it’s soft inside with a lightly crisp exterior.
Served hot with garlic butter, it’s impossible to resist — as a starter, a side dish, or even as a snack on the go.
Where to try it properly: O Polar, As Vides, Venda do Sócio.
3) Poncha
Poncha is Madeira’s iconic drink, traditionally made with sugar cane rum, honey and lemon. It was originally consumed by fishermen before heading out to sea — today it’s part of everyday social life.
You’ll find classic lemon versions as well as passion fruit, tangerine and regional variations. Despite the sweet taste, it’s strong — take it slow.
Where to drink: Venda do Sócio, Venda Nova (São Vicente).
Looking for more bars? See our poncha bar guide.
Check our live webcams. Weather changes fast in the valleys and mountains.
4) Prego no Bolo do Caco
A simple but perfect combination: a grilled beef steak (“prego”) served inside warm bolo do caco with garlic butter. It’s Madeira’s version of fast food — filling, flavourful and comforting.
Where to eat: Venda do Sócio, Beer Garden.
5) Peixe Espada Preto
Black scabbard fish is fished in deep waters around Madeira and looks intimidating — but tastes delicate. The most famous version is served with banana and passion fruit sauce, balancing savoury and sweet perfectly.
Where to eat: A Bica, Doca do Cavacas.
Explore freely with a local rent-a-car.
6) Lapas
Lapas (limpets) are one of Madeira’s most loved seafood dishes. Grilled on a hot plate and seasoned simply with lemon and garlic butter, they’re eaten hot, straight from the shell.
The best part comes at the end: locals dip bolo do caco into the leftover lemony sauce. It’s messy, simple, and honestly one of the most “Madeira” moments you can have at a table.
Where to eat: A Pipa, Tasquinha do Pescador.
7) Sopa de Tomate
Madeiran tomato soup is the kind of dish that feels like home, even if you’ve never been here before. It’s made with ripe tomato, onion and herbs, slow-cooked until everything turns into a rich, comforting broth — then finished with a poached egg that melts gently into the soup.
It’s simple, warming and full of flavour — especially on cooler or rainy days (which happen even in Madeira).
Where to eat: O Faísca, Abrigo do Pastor.
8) Milho Frito
Milho frito is fried cornmeal — crispy on the outside, soft inside. It’s a classic side dish served with meat or fish, especially espetada.
Where to eat: O Polar, A Pipa, As Vides.
9) Picadinho
Picadinho is about sharing. Small cubes of beef are sautéed with garlic and bay leaf and served in the centre of the table with fries and bread to soak up the sauce.
It’s made for conversation, poncha and long evenings.
Where to eat: Beer Garden.
Browse our handpicked activities to build full days (views + food + a calm plan).
10) Bife de Atum
Tuna is abundant in Madeiran waters, and a good tuna steak is one of the most honest “sea-to-plate” meals you can have here. It’s usually seasoned simply (garlic + salt), grilled quickly, and served while still juicy.
If you want it at its best, go somewhere that respects the fish and keeps the seasoning minimal.
Where to eat: A Bica, A Pipa.
11) Carne de Vinha d’Alhos
A traditional Christmas dish made with pork marinated for days in wine, vinegar, garlic and bay leaf. Rich, aromatic and deeply rooted in Madeiran family traditions.
Where to eat: Bar Castrinhos.
12) Sopa de Trigo
A hearty wheat soup with pork and vegetables, traditionally eaten at Christmas. Slow-cooked, filling and full of warmth — the kind of dish that makes you understand Madeira’s winter comfort food.
Where to eat: Abrigo do Pastor, O Cesto.
13) Tropical Fruits
Madeira’s subtropical climate makes the island a paradise for fruit lovers. Beyond the usual banana and mango, you’ll find local favourites like passion fruit (maracujá), custard apple (anona) and seasonal surprises depending on the month.
Where to try them (local-style):
Skip the obvious tourist fruit stands inside Mercado dos Lavradores and look for small street fruit stalls and
local “mercadinhos” around Funchal.
You’ll also find great fruit in Santana and at Santo da Serra — especially when local farmers are selling seasonally.
Use our Interactive Map to find food stops near where you already are.
14) Madeira Honey Cake
Madeira’s honey cake (bolo de mel) is dense, dark and aromatic — made with sugar cane honey (molasses) and warm spices like cinnamon and clove. Traditionally linked to Christmas, it’s now enjoyed year-round.
Locals will tell you a small detail that matters: you don’t cut it with a knife — you break it by hand. And yes, it tastes even better after it rests (some families keep it for weeks).
15) Madeira Wine
Madeira wine is one of the island’s most iconic exports, known for its unique ageing process and long life. Styles range from dry to sweet (Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia), and it’s the kind of drink that carries history in the glass.
If you want to understand Madeira beyond the scenery, tasting Madeira wine is one of the simplest ways to do it.
Use our Interactive Map, check live webcams, and explore our Eat & Drink guides for local, honest recommendations.
Travel slower. Eat local. And if you need help — we’re here. 😊
— Beyond Madeira
