The simple cuisine of the Madeira Archipelago portrays the soul of a simple, yet generous people. 

Here, the cuisine excels in the traditional and the modern, in a creative subtlety between the various high quality regional products, which enables a diversified menu of gastronomic specialities to be prepared, from regional dishes through to international and gourmet cuisine.

Right in the Atlantic, the fish such as black scabbard fish fillets and tuna steak, is tasty, and is prepared in the traditional way, accompanied by crunchy fried corn. The octopus and seafood, including limpets, periwinkles and many others, is also delicious.

As for meat, the most traditional dish is the famous beef kebab on a bay stick, which gives it an unmistakable flavour. Home-made couscous, wheat soup and wine- and garlic-marinated beef are also highly sought after.

We highly recommends you this Walking Tour with Food, Wine & Culture tasting where you can enjoy our local flavours.

In Madeira, a land of exceptional climate, there is a wide variety of crops, including sugar cane and tropical fruits (from the much appreciated bananas to pineapple, avocado pear, custard apple, mango and passion fruit), which are also used in drinks and delicate desserts.

The famous Madeira wine, whose best-known grape varieties are Sercial, Boal, Verdelho, Malvasia, Terrantez and Tinta Negra, can be enjoyed as an aperitif or digestive, as well as with other delicacies, especially the traditional honey cake (of sugar cane honey). Also, it is with sugar cane that the Madeira Rum is made, also known as cane brandy, from the famous poncha, made with honey and lemon, to be tasted when climbing Pico do Areeiro.

Explore the wine-making traditions and more with this Wine and Sugar Walking Tour

The bolo do caco is a must. Only this is not a cake, but bread baked on a piece of tile which usually accompanies kebabs with garlic butter. Bread in Madeira is also made from yam: the delicious small ring-shaped yam loaves. Queijadas cheese cakes and the fennel boiled sweets are also in great demand.

Come and enjoy Madeira’s delicacies, which will surely make your stay a memorable one. Combine the pleasure of socializing with the pleasure of tasting!

See also 6 Typical Madeiran Food Dishes