We wrapped up our two months in Madeira and wanted to share some of the best things to see, eat and do with quick links in one blogpost. So here's some of the best Funchal stuff that we found during mid Oct - mid Dec. We've linked lots of other amazing options for different parts of the island in separate blogposts so be sure to check those out.
Best Funchal Restaurants
There are a lot of great options for yummy food and drinks in the city of Funchal so this is not an exhaustive list but rather the ones we really enjoyed.
Prima Caju - Yummy for brunch and lunch, with a few small tables outside and nice inside seating.
Fala Fala Vege Food - Great little vegetarian place, with inside and outside seating.
TERRA - Food Concept - Beautiful small place with fusion versions of international dishes, on a quiet pretty street with outside seating as well as nice inside tables.
Theo's Bazar Café - pretty upper balcony for a drink (wasn't all that impressed with the food) right in old part of town, with live music some nights.
Loja do Chá - great tea shop that has wonderful inside seating (amazing small balcony) and outside tables at pretty plaza serving all sorts of teas, little sandwiches, and cakes.
Brunch Club - great little place with yummy brunch type things.
Restaurante Olives - a small intimate place that almost feels like you're having dinner in someone's flat. Upscale fusion type food that is beautifully presented and innovative and fun for a fancier meal. All indoor seating.
Gavino - Restaurante Bar - in quieter part of the painted door area of old town at a pretty small plaza with outside and inside seating.
Restaurante Lá ao Fundo - also in the painted door area and a little outside the busy area on a pretty street with outside and inside seating.
Art Food Corner Madeira - great café that offers unique artwork by local artists and yummy healthy food options, with outside and inside seating.
India Gate - best Indian food we had in Madeira, with outside seating on a pretty street.
Akua - high end beautiful small plates as well as entrees and a full course meal option. We just had appetizers and loved everything we tried. They offer inside and outside seating. You can call or stop by to order a loaf of their incredible sourdough bread that you can return to pick up the next day.
Apauza - Great outside tables to listen to their live music most days at lunch and sometimes again in the evening. Best for just a drink.
Best Funchal Rooftop Bars and Terraces
We really loved discovering these as they offered great views. Whether it was during a sunny afternoon or right after a rain shower when we got surprised with a gorgeous rainbow! Sipping your cocktail here is a wonderful way to soak up your surroundings.
Galáxia Skyfood | Skybar - The best panoramic views in Funchal from a rooftop due to it being slightly further to walk and on the outskirts. It's also a lot higher than the other ones so the views are truly stunning. It's also one of the few that is open earlier so you can enjoy it for an afternoon. You get charged to be able to ride the elevator up but that amount is then taken off the bill that you get when purchasing food and drinks. It's actually great because it's typically quiet up there as a result instead of having crowds of tourists just riding up there for the view. Trust me you're gonna wish you could get in that gorgeous pool reserved for hotel guests. They have a small menu that's got several yummy options.
Sé Boutique Hotel - The terrace at the top is kind of kitchy with funky lamps that light up as it gets darker and there are lots of plants and flamingos, but it works! The highest tables have the best view and you can see the lighting hit the mountain sides and sometimes get lucky to watch a cruise ship depart. The views are great and it's right in the old part of town. Only open in the evenings and you can order some food items as well as drinks.
Three House Cocktail Bar - This is on the very top of the building and has varying evening hours so be sure to check. It's very hip, has lots of cool options for seating and great music playing. They offer some really scrumptious craft cocktails as well as anything else you'd like. Great golden hour lighting from up here.
Rooftop 360º Bar - I add this one with a caveat that the bartender we had was not friendly or pleasant. If you can stomach that, the views were very nice and there was hardly anybody up there so it was quiet. You look out at a great view of the cable car running up the mountain.
Best Funchal Parks and Green Spaces
Finding places to enjoy nature and plop down within the city is something we really love. They're perfect for quiet days, in between rain showers, a pretty walk or a picnic.
Santa Catarina Park - largest park near the city that you can walk to and set up on a hill so it has nice views, a pond and plenty of areas to stretch out on the grass or on a bench.
Jardin Municipal De Madeira - small pretty park that takes up a block and often has artist booths or something going on in the amphitheater. There's also a café with outside tables and a public restroom.
Lido Promenade - a walking path that runs along the waterfront with pretty views.
Waterfront area - this never got old for us as it goes for a nice long stretch, has a few piers you can go out and sit on. Not only can you look out to the water, but also back to see the city light up as the sun hits the mountains when it gets lower. The perfect sunset area when looking for something walkable in town.
Best Larger Grocery Stores you can walk to
It's always nice to know where you can find the grocery/household items you need when traveling and both of these worked great for us and were easy to walk to.
Obrigada Madeira.....until next time!
December 2022
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