The Best Restaurant in Funchal, Madeira

Background Illustration for Restaurants

The streets of downtown Funchal are lined with restaurants, where tables and chairs are laid out for al fresco dining during warm weather. Some spots have front and back entrances—avoid taking a table on the traffic-facing front street and instead head for the pedestrianized alleys, where the smell of grilled fish fills the air. Don't hesitate to join the locals in the small restaurants and snack bars spread all over the narrow backstreets (such as Rua da Carreira, Rua das Murças, Rua do Bispo, Rua Queimada de Cima, Rua Queimada de Baixo), where you will often find freshly prepared daily specials at extremely reasonable prices.

Desarma Restaurant

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Amidst astounding floor-to-ceiling views of Funchal, Executive Chef Octávio Freitas creates beautifully presented, locally sourced dishes at this Michelin-starred eatery on the top floor of The Views Baía hotel. Choose from 6- or 9-course tasting menus, or a 12-course surprise menu served only to eight diners a night at the chef’s table, all featuring local ingredients like black scabbard fish roe, limpets, and cured tuna combined with innovative items such as mushroom gel or smoked seawood broth. Leave room for the creative takes on traditional desserts like Azorean pineapple and Madeira molasses cake.

Funchal, 9000-177, Portugal
291-700220
Known For
  • Modern Madeiran seafood- and meat-focused creations
  • Innovative Portuguese-only wine pairings
  • Some of the best views in town
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch

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