Best Things to Eat in Funchal

Portugal is famous for its port wine, and the golden beaches displaying Mediterranean charm in all its glory. If you are cruising towards Madeira Island and visiting Funchal, you can find a plethora of delicacies available.

Some of the best things to eat in Funchal are the indigenous creation of its people that are bursting with local, authentic flavour. Being the capital city of the autonomous region of Madeira, you can also find various dishes from other parts of this island.

5 Best Things to Eat in Funchal

Some of the most famous food of Funchal are:

1. Espetada

Espetada is prepared from beef, which is grilled over charcoal and skewered on a laurel or metal stick. For seasoning, most local chefs crush garlic and bay leaves in a mortar and sprinkle them over the meat. You can see Espetada hanging vertically in restaurants with a slice of bread placed below that collects all the juices dripping from the meat above. This dish can be paired with madeira, sangria or port for a wonderful taste and experience.

You can find restaurants in Funchal, providing tables with built-in grill structures to prepare Espetada. They usually serve this dish with fried maize and bolo do caco.

2. Sugar Cane Honey Cookies

These simple sugar cane honey cookies are made from wheat flour, honey, and eggs. Usually called "Broas de Mel," these sweet treats can be paired with tea or enjoyed as an evening snack. Nevertheless, the taste of these cookies will vary from store to store as every bakery will add a little twist.

They usually infuse these cookies with local spices such as fennel or anise to create a unique aroma and flavour. Apart from enjoying its taste, you can also pack them as souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones to give them a treat from Funchal.

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3. Cozido à Madeirense

This is a famous Madeiran stew cooked with sausage, pork, and vegetables and is one of the food favorites in Funchal. To prepare this stew, a broth is prepared from the meat, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, including thyme sprig. Served hot, this is a perfect meal option for health conscious travellers. It was formerly prepared by families with their harvested wheat, but now it is available as a ready-to-eat dish. The couscous which they used before is now replaced with rice balls.

If you want to get the authentic taste of Funchal, this is the perfect dish for you.

4. Carne Vinha D’Alhos

Carne Vinha D’Alhos is a unique snack of Funchal. Primarily made for Christmas, it is also available all year round. This dish is authentic to the Madeira region, and you can find it in the Funchal farmers market. This dish is prepared with meat and has a strong flavour of vinegar. The meat is marinated in garlic vinegar, 3 days prior to cooking, which creates its distinctive taste. Carne Vinha D’Alhos is prepared in a pot with spices such as bay leaves, garlic, white wine, salt, and pepper.

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5. Pastel de Nata

If you are willing to start your day on a delicious note, there is no better option than Pastel de Nata. These are mini pastries that are flaky, crispy, and filled with light egg custard with a hint of lemon. Every local baker has their own take on this pastry, and they try to infuse it with a little different flavour to make it stand out. No matter where you taste them, these are made with a lot of love and care, and you will likely fall in love with these little delicacies.

Apart from these must-try foods in Funchal, you can also taste some other foods such as –

• Picadinho
• Tropical Fruits
• Soups
• Bolo do Caco
• Bife de Atum
• Cracas
• Passion Fruit Pudding
• Black Scabbard fish
• Wine and Garlic Pork

Key Takeaways

Although some of the most popular and best things to eat in Funchal are listed above, you can also try some cuisines from Madeira Island. Being the capital, it has myriad options and will provide you with the opportunity to taste the most unique amalgamation of aroma and flavour.

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