Restaurants, bars, cafes

- good bakery & cafe in Ribeira Brava, with a great selection of Madeiran pastries, cakes etc: Flor do vale
- for lunch, with a local vibe (and local prices too), head to Bar do Ameixa, in Ribeira Brava, 9-minute drive from Castelo - they always have a great "prato do dia" which is the menu of the day, a combination of a meat for main course, with rice or potatos as side dish, and a salad. Spacious dining space inside, but also a terrace across the street, with river view. Note: not much for vegetarians.

- nice restaurant 5 minutes away from Castelo: Muralha terrace (3.3 km - 46 min walk - fresh fish, options for vegetarians, moderate prices)

- Pizzaria Toscana in Ribeira Brava town, 1st floor (3.6 km/8 min by car, 3.2 km/49 min walk - good prices, sea view), our rating ***stars. There are several other restaurants along the same waterfront street, plus a farmers market open daily, if you're curious to try some seasonal fruits or veggies.

- Restaurante 100 pressa, Ribeira Brava - 2km/4 min by car from Castelo (1.4 km/26 min by walk)

- further west, lunch or dinner in Ponta de Sol: restaurant Steak and sun

- and by the way, if you want something delivered to you, try Pizza delivery from Pizzaria Sol Doce in Ponta do Sol

- best quality breakfast from 10€ per person, further west, in Calheta marina/ harbor: Golden Calheta (French croissants with avocado)... You can park here.
- lunch or dinner in Calheta: Marina Azul and Manifetturo do gelato. The beach is 400 m away.

If you're heading to Funchal for the day,

...the marvellous capital of the island, try Sabor a Fado - our favorite restaurant in Funchal, with live singing. A small, family owned restaurant. Tel. +351925612259 for reservations (recommended). Traditional Fado live music every day! The restaurant opens at 6:00 p.m., live music between 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Our rating *****, just for those who like live music and entertainment right next to their table:

More restaurants around Funchal

Best Fish Restaurant on Madeira is for sure "Restaurante Marisqueira O Barqueiro" also serving a vegetarian plate. Our rating *****.

Island Wok, next to Forum Madeira - typical Chinese buffet, so vegetarians do have a great variety of dishes! One of our favorite restaurants in Funchal! Our rating ****++! Parking at Forum Madeira recommended!

Praia Formosa Restaurant- 19.5 km, 24 min, not for the late evening, just during the day, our rating ****+ due to location. Praia Formosa is a popular beach, and there are several seafront restaurants. Free parking here.

Il Vivaldi in Funchal, near the Marina: High quality dishes in an extraordinary atmosphere. All paintings are created by the owner of the restaurant! If you're looking for a unique gift- he's also painting (on request) on wine boxes and selling at the shop below the restaurant. Our rating ****
La Pasta, Funchal (23.5 km/29 min - best pizza in Funchal, try "Pizza Mantua"!), our rating for pizza and pasta *****
Galaxia Skybar in Funchal (reservations at GALÁXIA SKYFOOD: https://www.sevenrooms.com/explore/galaxiaskyfood/reservations/create/search?tracking=goog)
Restaurante Santo António, Câmara de Lobos, next town outside of Funchal (19.1 km 22 min - perfect espetada/meat skewers, grand menu variety/typical Madeirense cuisine), our rating ****+

List of vegan and vegetarian restaurants around Funchal

- ⁠Terra food concept
- Mundo Vegan
- Fala Fala Vege food
- Basmati indian and nepali restaurant
- ⁠Sabor da India restaurant
- Indian Palace restaurant
- Ramen Shifu thematic Japanese restaurant
- La Mia Pizza pizzaria
- Prima Caju healthy food restaurant
- ⁠Boba & chill coffee shop
- Art food Corner coffee shop in the old town

- Celeiro health shops are nice for a quick vegan/vegetarain snack or lunch menu

Outside of Funchal

- Pimpinelas vegetarian restaurant in Santa Cruz, eastern side of the island
- Quinta do Furao near Santana, north of the island

North of Funchal - culinary hotspot Camacha

1,000 m altitude in the mountains (take warmer clothes):

Adega do Paraiso, Camacha (30.3 km/34 min - who is heading to St. Jorge or Santana or Ribeiro Frio should eat here - traditional Madeirense), our rating ****
Abrigo do Pastor, Ribeiro Frio/Camacha (34.5 km/41 min - unfortunately no pets allowed, our rating ****+
Restaurante Quinta do Furão, Santana (north)- reservation in the afternoon/evening necessary - click here. (61.7 km, 1 hour drive - just who visits Santana!), our rating: **** for view and location *****
Abrigo do Pomar traditional restaurant, absolutely wonderful restaurant, check the huge dining space inside, and try their rabbit specialties. To warm up after a mountain trip, try their traditional "poncha" cocktails - one of the best on the island!

<- direction west

...while sitting at one of the beach restaurants! A lovely little town, with abundant sunshine all year round (it's in the name "tip of the sun"). An 8-minute drive from Castelo, towards west.

Brasa Brasil In Lugar de Baixo, next to the beach

(3.2 km/6 min by car, 4.7 km/1h16 walk - rodizios/meat all you can eat but also try the potatoes with 4 cheese sauce and the Feijoada), our rating **** for carnivores but the offer for vegetarians is pretty low