Thinking about what to eat in Madeira? You’re in for a treat. This lush Portuguese island is a food lover’s dream. It’s bursting with bold flavours, tropical fruits, and fresh-from-the-ocean seafood.

Below is a local-style guide to the best dishes, desserts, and drinks in Madeira, Portugal.

A plate with pork espetada skewers, a baked potato, a slice of roasted sweet potato, and a mixed salad of lettuce, tomato, cabbage, and cucumber.
Pork Espetada
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Before becoming a travel writer, I spent many years working as a Head Chef in a Mediterranean restaurant. Food is always my way into a culture, and Madeira is no exception.

So if you’re heading to the island and wondering where to start, here’s your ultimate guide to food in Madeira – plus a few cheeky drinks to try while you’re at it.

1. Black Scabbardfish with Banana 🐟🍌

Yes, it sounds weird. No, you shouldn’t skip it.

The espada com banana is Madeira’s most iconic dish. A fried fillet of deep-sea black scabbardfish topped with a slice of caramelised banana. Sounds wild, tastes wonderful. It’s savoury, slightly sweet, and goes down a treat with garlicky potatoes or veg.

A plate featuring scabbardfish fillets glazed in a passionfruit sauce, garnished with a lemon slice and fresh herbs, served alongside a bowl of herb-roasted potatoes.
A plate with rice mixed with peas and carrots, two pieces of fried plantain on an omelette, a slice of toasted bread, and a single olive.

Tip: You’ll find the best ones in low-key local joints far from the tourist trail. Trust me.

2. Grilled Limpets by the Sea 🐚

Lapas are little shellfish, lightly grilled and doused in garlic butter, usually served straight from the sea to your plate. Add a squeeze of lemon, a cold drink, and a sunset? Magic.

A plate of grilled limpets garnished with lime wedges on a wooden table.
A plate of seafood with lime slices, a glass of white wine, bread on a plate, and a small bowl of nuts grace the wooden table—a delightful taste reminiscent of the culinary experiences among things to do in Calheta.

Best enjoyed at a beach bar – I loved Calhau Bar opposite the Savoy Saccharum hotel (I reveiwed the Savoy Sacchurum here if you’re interested).

3. Passionfruit Everything – Especially Fish 🥭

Madeira loves its fruit, and passionfruit (maracujá) is the island’s absolute darling. You’ll find it everywhere: in sauces, desserts, drinks, and even savoury dishes.

The most famous is scabbardfish with passionfruit, a tangy-sweet twist on the traditional banana version. But it doesn’t stop there.

A small cheesecake topped with vibrant passionfruit pudding sits elegantly on a white plate, garnished with red flowers and green leaves.
Passionfruit Pudding

You can sip a passionfruit poncha (more on that glorious cocktail below), cool down with passionfruit sorbet or ice cream, or finish a meal with a creamy pudim de maracujá – a passionfruit pudding. It’s rich, refreshing, and a total tropical treat.

4. Espetada on a Stick 🍢

If you eat meat, don’t miss espetada: juicy chunks of beef skewered on bay leaf sticks and grilled over open flames. They’re served dramatically hanging from a hook, with sides like garlic bread (bolo do caco) and fries.

Yum risotto served in a rustic setting with a flaming skewer, clear glass of water, and stylish glass bottle, perfect for enjoying authentic Italian cuisine during travel adventures.
A plate with assorted meats, a stuffed artichoke, sliced tomato, leafy greens, and sliced avocado on a square white plate.

Some spots also do veggie versions with peppers, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes – super tasty if you’re not into meat.

5. The Prego Sandwich 🥪

The prego especial is a Madeiran-style steak sandwich served on bolo do caco with garlic butter. It’s simple, messy, and deeply satisfying, especially after a day hiking or beach-hopping.

A Prego Roll sandwich and chips on a plate in madeira portugal

You’ll also find different versions of the prego in mainland Portugal, especially in the city of Porto (often with a fried egg on top). But Madeira’s take, with that garlicky flatbread, definitely holds its own.

Grab one at a snack bar or food truck for a proper local bite.

6. Bolo do Caco: Bread of Dreams 🍞

You’ll find this soft, round flatbread everywhere. It’s cooked on a hot stone (hence the name) and usually slathered in garlicky butter. It’s a side dish, sandwich base, or standalone snack.

Sliced Bolo do Caco with a cheese and herb filling on a white plate, placed on a striped tablecloth.

Vegetarian win: just order it with cheese or grilled veggies.

7. Picado – Made for Sharing 🍖

Picado is a no-fuss, all-flavour dish of beef (or sometimes octopus) and fries, tossed in sauce and served in a big communal tray with toothpicks. Perfect for groups. Or one very hungry traveller. (Been there.)

A plate of fries topped with sliced grilled meat, garnished with tomato wedges and a sprig of rosemary, reminiscent of a hearty picado.

8. Bolo de Mel – Madeira’s Sticky Honey Cake 🍯

Dense, dark, and full of spice, this molasses-based cake is Madeira’s go-to festive dessert – but you’ll find it year-round. Locals say it gets better the longer it sits (if you can wait that long).

A piece of Madeira traditional cake is sitting on a piece of paper.

9. Passionfruit Pudding & Other Fruity Treats 🍮

Fruit is a big deal here. From creamy pudim de maracujá (passionfruit pudding) to fresh guava, mango, or tamarillo from the Funchal market, dessert often comes straight from nature.

Bonus points if you find rabanadas Madeirenses – Portuguese French toast dusted in cinnamon.

A plate of French toast, reminiscent of Rabanadas Madeirenses, is topped with strawberries, blueberries, and a dollop of cream.
Rabanadas Madeirenses

10. Wash It All Down: Poncha & Madeira Wine 🍹

Poncha is the island’s national cocktail, a potent mix of sugarcane rum, honey, and citrus. Locals joke: one poncha and you’re fine, two and you shouldn’t drive, three and you’re speaking Chinese.

Madeira Wine is a fortified classic – sweet, strong, and centuries-old. Try it at Blandy’s Wine Lodge or on a local wine tour.

    Two cups of coffee and two glasses of red wine on a wooden table, with a blurred hillside town in the background.
    A woman in a floral dress and sunglasses sits on a stool at Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal, holding a drink with vibrant wall art as her backdrop.
    Madeira wine, and me with my poncha!

    Also worth sipping:

    • Nikita: pineapple ice cream + beer = surprisingly delicious
    • Brisa Maracujá: a fizzy local soft drink made with passionfruit
    • Ginja: cherry liqueur, often served in chocolate cups
    Hot chocolate in a glass mug with a straw on a wooden table, cosy café setting, warm drink, comfort, hazel's travels, UK travel, leisure, beverage, cafe scene, relaxing ambiance.
    Refreshing yellow cocktail in a glass at a lively bar deep in focus with hanging wine glasses overhead and shelves of spirits in the background, perfect for travel and leisure content.
    Nikita and poncha drinks

    Food Tours Worth Booking 🎟️

    Want someone else to show you the foodie ropes? Here are some fun ones to try:

    🎟️ View all food tours in Madeira on Viator here.

    Final Nibbles 😋

    Madeira’s food scene is bold, local, and totally delicious. Whether you’re into rustic meats, ocean-fresh seafood, or just eating your body weight in bolo do caco, this island won’t let you go hungry.

    Tag me if you try anything from this list – I love seeing your foodie adventures!

    FAQs About Food in Madeira 💡

    Got questions about eating in Madeira? Here are some of the most common foodie queries types into Google by travellers like us

    Q: Is Madeira good for foodies?

    A: If you like bold flavours, fresh seafood, and tropical fruit, you’re going to love it here. There’s a strong Portuguese base to the cuisine, but Madeira adds its own twist (hello, banana-topped fish ??).

    Q: Is there much vegetarian food in Madeira?

    A: It’s a bit meat-and-seafood heavy, but you can still find veggie options. Look out for dishes like espedata de vegetais, bolo do caco with garlic butter or cheese, milho frito (fried cornmeal cubes), and tomato/onion soup with poached egg. More options are popping up in Funchal too.

    Q: What’s the best traditional dish to try first?

    A: Start with either espetada (grilled meat skewers) or black scabbardfish with banana. Both are uniquely Madeiran and super tasty. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for limpets (lapas) by the sea.

    Q: What do people eat for breakfast in Madeira?

    A: Breakfast is usually simple. Think fresh bread, butter, cheese, fruit, and coffee. Hotels often add eggs and pastries like pastel de nata or bolo de mel. Nothing too heavy.

    Q: What dessert should I not miss?

    A: Bolo de mel is the big one. Madeira’s sticky molasses cake with spices and nuts. But the passionfruit pudding (pudim de maracujá) is a tropical dream too.

    Q: What drink should I try with my meal in Madeira?

    A: Start with a local poncha or a glass of Madeira wine. Both are iconic. Or go alcohol-free with a cold Brisa maracujá – the island’s passionfruit soft drink.

    Q: Where can I try authentic local food in Madeira?

    A: Head to small, family-run restaurants known as tascas, or venture outside the big tourist spots. Funchal’s old town, Calheta town, and São Vicente all have great options.

    Q: Is the food expensive in Madeira?

    A: Not really, it is good value for what you get. You can eat very well for €10-€15 at local restaurants, and street food or bakery snacks are even cheaper.

    Q: What food can I take home as a souvenir from Madeira?

    A: Great question, and one I’ve fully covered in my Souvenirs from Madeira guide! Popular foodie souvenirs include bolo de mel, Madeira wine, passionfruit liqueurs, local honey, spice mixes, and even vacuum-packed espetada seasoning kits. Just be mindful of liquid limits if you’re flying hand luggage only.

    Planning your trip? Here are a few more posts to help you eat, sip, and explore your way around the island:

    🛍️ Souvenirs from Madeira: What to Buy & Where to Shop.
    🐟 15 Excellent Things to Do in Porto Moniz, Madeira.
    🗓️ 12-Day Madeira Road Trip: Coastal Itinerary.
    ✨ 20 of the Best Day Trips from Funchal, Madeira.
    🍹 How to Visit Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal.

      Bookmark them now – your future self will thank you.

      Food in Madeira: Save to Pinterest 📌

      Love a visual reminder? Feel free to save these pins to your travel boards:

      A collage of Madeiran dishes: seafood, meat with fries, skewered meat with bread, and a pastry. Text reads "The Best Food in Madeira" and "What to Eat and Drink in Madeira.
      Plate of food with sauce and garnish, text overlay reads "Best Food From Madeira Portugal," and a website link at the bottom.

      Just click to pin, and you’ll have your foodie bucket list ready before you even land on the island!

      👉 Looking for practical travel tools? Check out my Travel Resources page.

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