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There are many many wonderful restaurants in Madeira and it is certainly possible to eat without garlic, though where an allergy is involved I would always mention it when you order incase it is an unlisted ingredient in the dish you have chosen. My favourite is the Quinta da Palmeira. It's on the main Avenida up from Funchal in the direction of the Hotel Zone, between the Carlton Park Hotel and Casino and the Savoy. It's a little expensive, about £60 for 2 including a bottle of wine, but the food is absolutely fabulous and we usually go there twice during a week stay. Another great restaurant if you want to splash out is the Grill on the top floor of the Savoy hotel, I think you need to dress for this one, I seem to recall. Very good food and service, quite expensive. Lovely though. Other favourites include Dona Amélia Casa Velha Casa dos Reis which are in the area near Carlton Park and Savoy. We also really enjoy walking down to the harbour and having some fresh kebabs of beef or seafood... I always get confused between Espetada and Espadarte but I believe the first is the Madeiran skewer and the second a local fish which looks a lot like a long black toothy eel, it is a real local dish, actually very good, a white soft fish which I enjoy served with Banana in the local way. These restaurants on the harbour front are much much cheaper, but also a lot more basic, the food is still great though. Also walk across to the Old Town for another great selection of restaurants, most offering good food, though see if you can peer in at what those already dining have on their plates, the prices here are much lower again than those in the first list of restaurants I provided. Apart from one meal, provided within a full day coach excursion to the far side of the island, mass catering for tourists in a canteen atmosphere, we have not eaten badly in Funchal. Where are you staying btw Manny? Kavey