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While Madeira is one of the Portuguese islands, it has its own traditional foods and drinks that are worth a try. All over the island, you’ll find local restaurants that serve these delicious dishes, all with their own twist to them. I loved ordering the traditional food of Madeira, which is often extremely surprising given how different it is from mainland Portugal.
The origins of many of the staple foods in Madeira link back to the history of the island itself. While raw materials were scarce, locals made the best of what was available. And to this day, this pays off with a unique cuisine. With this in mind, let’s dive in and discover the traditional food of Madeira!

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1. Poncha
Originally, poncha draws together sugar cane rum, honey and lemon juice. According to local Madeira lore, poncha is believed to cure colds or the flu. Fishermen would drink this before heading out to sea, to avoid getting sick. But be aware, this drink is a hefty one! It’s best to drink this at the end of the day, when you don’t have to worry about work anymore. But it’s a must in terms of trying the traditional food of Madeira.
Nowadays there are all sorts of variations on the original poncha. Instead of lemon juice you could get one with orange juice, passion fruit, or really any kind of fruit juice. During carnival you could visit multiple boots and find one that best fits your mood.

Best place to try poncha in Madeira
You’ll find poncha in many restaurants across the island. But if you’re on Madeira during Carnaval or any of the other festivals, it’s a lot of fun to go to the market and try poncha in one of the many booths. If you’re looking for a nice after-work place to unwind and drink poncha, check out Porto de Abrigo in Seixal.
2. Bolo de caco
Bolo de caco is one of the dishes that originates from a scarcity of raw materials. This bread is made of a combination of flour and sweet potato, because there simply wasn’t enough flour to use. The name derives from the way the bread is made. They use a caco, which is a hot basalt stone slab.
Across Madeira, you’ll find two main versions of this dish. One is bolo de caco with garlic butter, which you can get as starter and eat on its own. The other one is bolo de caco with all kinds of fillings. I personally love the combination of bolo de caco with smoked salmon. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a fusion of these two versions, where they serve the garlic version with your filling of choice.

Best place to try bolo de caco in Madeira
Bolo de caco is widely available on the island. Most restaurants serve it as a starter or a side dish. But in Funchal you’ll find a lot of small restaurants selling them as sandwiches. You could even buy the bolo de caco at a local bakery or in the supermarket and take them home.
3. Bolo de mel
Bolo de mel is basically bread made with honey. It used to be made from molasses, a product of the sugar cane industry. However, these days honey is the main ingredient for this delicacy. Traditionally, bolo de mel features around Christmas time. The spices used in bolo de mel immediately give you that Christmas feeling.
This dish dates back to the 15th century when nuns would make this dish with Indian and European spices. Bolo de mel is usually served for dessert, but you could eat a slice with a nice cup of coffee as well. Or take this home after visiting Madeira, since the honey or molasses preserves it quite well. It should last up to a year.

Best place to try bolo de mel in Madeira
Although most bakeries, supermarkets, and souvenir shops sell bolo de mel, the quality will differ. Your best bet is to find a specialized store where they bake bolo de mel on a regular basis. The ones in the supermarket are often not the best quality.
4. Espetada da Madeira
One of my best memories from Madeira is sitting down for dinner and seeing the espetada da Madeira being carried towards the table. It’s the most popular traditional food of Madeira. These huge skewers are usually hanging from a construction which is part of the table. It’s even better if they add some garlic butter that drips down.
The skewer consists of meat cubes, rubbed in garlic, salt, and bay leaves. While the traditional espetada uses beef, you’ll find them with chicken as well. It’s best to try this dish for dinner, because the dish is cooked on an open fire. During lunch hour it might take a while before the meat is ready. This simple but delicious dish is best accompanied by bolo de caco or milho frita.

Best places to try espetada da Madeira
Unquestionably, the best place to try espetada da Madeira is Santana in Nature, because they have the best views over the Nuns Valley. The meat is tender and tasteful and eating while enjoying the view is something else. But the dish is served in many restaurants and you’ll see the structure on top of the tables. If you’re on the north side of the island, check out Restaurante Virgílio.
5. Picado da Madeira
While the espetada da Madeira is one of the most popular dishes of Madeira, picado da Madeira is just as good. The dish consists of stewed beef cubes served with fries. It’s considered to be a shared dish, kind of like tapas. You’ll use toothpicks or a fork to take a bite.
There are different versions of this dish, so it’s worth checking it in different restaurants. I loved the version that had a creamy sauce, olives, and mushrooms. Dipping my french fries in the delicious hearty sauce and enjoying the tender beef makes for the ultimate lunch experience on Madeira.

Best place to try picado da Madeira in Madeira
This dish is best tried in a small local restaurant because you get to try the different ways this dish is made. One of my favorite restaurants was Padaria do Calhau in Seixal. The dish was somewhat hidden on the menu. You might easily pass by this place because it looks more like a bakery. But the locals love hanging out here and chatting with one another.
6. Tropical fruits
If you think you know tropical fruits, think again. Madeira offers a whole range of tropical flavors which you haven’t tried before. If you go to the Mercada dos Lavradores in Funchal you get to try the tropical fruits. However, don’t be tempted to buy your fruit here, as you’ll find them elsewhere for a better price.
If you go to Madeira you have to try the passionfruit, but did you know there are different kinds? The same goes for mango, dragon fruits, banana and melon. And don’t forget to try pitanga, papaya, or the anona. Forget everything you think you know about fruit. Here, you’ll be amazed by all the flavors, ranging from sweet to tangy. Madeira wouldn’t be the same without their selection of tropical fruits.

Best place to try tropical fruits in Madeira
It’s best to look for a local market or supermarket. This way you’re paying a fair price for the same things you’ll find at Mercada dos Lavradores. Don’t buy too much in one haul, because the climate is not suited for keeping fruits good for a long time
7. Brisa
Forget about your Coca-Cola, Sprite, or Fanta when you’re on Madeira because Brisa is so much better. The most famous flavor is passionfruit, but they have pineapple, orange, and apple as well. This local beverage is slightly carbonated and refreshing on hot days. It might not be a traditional food of Madeira in the sense that Brisa only started making their beverages in 1972, but you don’t want to miss it.
Brisa is a natural drink made from fresh juice, so don’t be surprised to see the pulp settle at the bottom of the bottle. It’s hard to find it anywhere else and that’s shame. After drinking nothing but Brisa on Madeira I had trouble going back to regular soft drinks.

Best place to try Brisa in Madeira
You can order Brisa anywhere on the island or buy it in the local supermarket. Don’t forget to try the different flavors, although the passion fruit is my favorite by far.
8. Milho frito
When I first saw this dish I couldn’t make anything of it. It looks like fried bread, but it’s actually fried cornmeal. This is a dish you don’t eat by itself, it’s usually a side dish to complete your meal. While it started out as a basic dish, nowadays people will add vegetables, herbs or garlic. Milho frito is similar to polenta in structure and the way it is served.

Best place to try milho frito in Madeira
Milho frito comes as a side dish with the espetada da Madeira or bolo de caco. You’ll also find this as one of the side dishes during a buffet. Check out Pestana Village Garden Hotel in Funchal for their Madeira-themed buffet.
9. Malasadas
If you’re into fried desserts, you definitely need to try out malasadas. Originally, this dessert was created in preparation of Ash Wednesday. People had to use their last sugar and lard and made malasadas. Malasadas look like dough balls, although some people call them donuts. They are fluffy, light and melt in your mouth.
This treat is seasonal, usually appearing around Carnaval. Although you could eat them without any toppings, traditionally malasadas are served with honey made from cane sugar. But nowadays you’ll find them with fillings or with a chocolate sauce as well.

Best place to try malasadas in Madeira
You’ll find this dish during Carnaval in a local market or booth or in bakeries across the island. Take them home as a treat and don’t forget to add the honey for the best taste.
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