Funchal, the enchanting capital of Madeira Island, is a food lover’s paradise. It combines fresh Atlantic seafood, Mediterranean flair, progressive local cuisine, and cozy neighbourhood eateries. All served amid stunning ocean views and lively city streets. If you’re planning your culinary adventure, these Funchal restaurants are essential stops.
Whether you want a romantic Mediterranean meal, a creative tasting experience, intimate local plates, or classic family fare, this guide highlights nine outstanding venues. From casual charm to fine dining, Funchal has it all. Make sure to include these restaurants on your itinerary and don’t forget: with a rental car from 7M Rent a Car, you can reach them all with ease and flexibility.
Funchal Restaurants: 9 Must‑Try Spots
9. Sabores D’Itália – Lido
Location: Estrada Monumental, Funchal
Schedule: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Thursdays, 07:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Cuisine: Traditional Italian
Must‑Eat: Wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, tiramisu
Average Price per Person: (€20)
This intimate Italian restaurant with a modern twist, featuring homemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, has a welcoming atmosphere and authentic flavors that make it a neighborhood favorite. It’s especially well-suited to families looking for home-cooked food in a relaxed, cool setting.
8. Horta
Location: Rua de Leichlingen, Funchal
Schedule: Wednesday to Friday, 12:30 p.m. – 02:30 p.m. and 06:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 03:00 p.m. and 06:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Cuisine: Healthy comfort food
Must‑Eat: Veal shank confit in the pan, barley risotto with hazelnut and chive pesto
Average Price per Person: (€32)
The Horta restaurant, located in the PortoBay hotel, is famous for its menu focused on vegan and vegetarian dishes. The restaurant highlights the flavors grown in the land with a refined and relaxed atmosphere, an idyllic place to enjoy the natural flavors coming from the “horta”. Get ready for delicious dishes and fresh ingredients.
7. Cris’s Place
Location: Rua da Casa Branca, Funchal
Schedule: Monday to Saturday, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sunday 03:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Cuisine: Mediterranean & International
Must‑Eat: Caramelized octopus tentacles, lamb shank slow cooked
Average Price per Person: (€30)
The Cris’s Place Restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere with a varied menu featuring fresh fish and meats. It’s a great option for a casual lunch or a quiet dinner. The friendly service and consistent quality make it a great choice for families and travelers looking for home-cooked food options.
6. PVP – Pão, Vinho e Petiscos
Location: Rua Simplício dos Passos Gouveia, Funchal
Schedule: Daily, 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Cuisine: Portuguese
Must‑Eat: Snacks platters, artisanal bread, house wines
Average Price per Person: (€20)
The PVP Restaurant is built around the pleasures of bread, wine and snacks. This welcoming space is perfect for experiencing a variety of Portuguese flavors without the formality of a fine dining experience. The cozy atmosphere, outdoor seating and sharing format create a relaxed and welcoming experience, perfect for families or groups.
5. Olivia
Location: Rua dos Tanoeiros, Funchal
Schedule: Monday to Saturday, 12:30 p.m. – 03:00 p.m. and 07:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Closed on Sundays)
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Must‑Eat: Grouper with lime and seaweed risotto, Black Angus Ribeye
Average Price per Person: (€20)
The Olivia Restaurant offers traditional Madeiran and Portuguese cuisine in a cozy, modern setting. Its focus on Mediterranean cuisine makes it ideal for travelers looking for authentic home-cooked flavors. Its city center location is convenient for those exploring the city’s cultural scene.
4. JOY
Location: Beco Imperatriz Dona Amélia, Funchal
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday, 06:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Must‑Eat: Joy black scabbard fish, filet mignon
Average Price per Person: (€37)
JOY Restaurant elevates gastronomy with contemporary and artistic dishes, with flavors inspired by Europe. The menu combines dishes from several countries, elevating the main styles and combinations, bringing together the best of Mediterranean cuisine. With comfortable and elegant tables inside and out, it is perfect for a dinner for two or with friends.
3. AUDAX – Progressive Madeiran Cuisine
Location: Rua Imperatriz Dona Amélia, Funchal
Schedule: Monday to Saturday, 12:00 p.m. – 03:00 p.m. and 06:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Closed on Sundays)
Cuisine: Contemporary Madeiran fusion
Must‑Eat: Scarlet Prawn, Oxtail
Average Price per Person: (€50)
AUDAX proudly reinvents traditional Madeiran flavors with a bold, modern twist. Chef César Vieira and Chef Sérgio Camacho creates dishes such as fusions of poncha and shrimp and interpretations of coastal fish. Recommended by the Michelin Guide, this elegant restaurant offers an exceptional haute cuisine tasting experience, such as the AUDAX Experience – 5 Moments Tasting and AUDAX Experience – 7 Moments Tasting menus. The variety of menus, from AUDAX Executive to full tasting menus, makes it accessible to all budgets.
2. Il Basilico Funchal
Location: Rua de Leichlingen, Funchal
Schedule: Daily, 12:30 p.m. – 03:30 p.m. and 06:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Cuisine: Classic Italian
Must‑Eat: Homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, tiramisu
Average Price per Person: (€25)
The Il Basilico restaurant brings Italy straight to Funchal, offering artisanal pizzas and rich pasta dishes. With a welcoming atmosphere and ingredients flown in from Italy, it feels authentic. Expect fresh Caprese, seafood linguine, and creamy tiramisu. Perfect for families or groups looking for consistent quality and comforting flavors.
1. Il Vivaldi
Location: Rua Conselheiro José Silvestre Ribeiro, Funchal
Schedule: Daily, 12:00 p.m. – 02:30 p.m. and 06:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Must‑Eat: Shrimp risotto, beef loaf with mushroom sauce, apple pie
Average Price per Person: (€27)
Situated opposite the marina and overlooking the Avenida do Mar, Il Vivaldi restaurant offers elegant Mediterranean dishes with fresh, flavourful ingredients. Its welcoming atmosphere, whether indoors or on the terrace, makes it a favourite among locals and international visitors alike, thanks to its seasonal à la carte menus, offering a taste of luxury at a fair price.
Why Funchal Restaurants Are Perfect for Families
Ultimately, exploring Funchal restaurants is a culinary journey that appeals to all ages and tastes. Active families will appreciate the variety from interactive tasting menus at AUDAX to casual meals at PVP, classic Mediterranean elegance at Il Vivaldi, and family settings at Horta and Cris’s Place.
Moreover, Funchal’s compact size and accessible layout mean you can visit multiple restaurants in one day, combining beach time, sightseeing, or even evening walks along the marina. With a reliable rental car from 7M Rent a Car, families can explore further, perhaps enjoying a meal at Il Basilico after a scenic coastal drive or stopping by Olivia following a cultural afternoon.
Each of these nine dining venues illustrates why Funchal stands out as a food destination. With global influences, local traditions, family service, and welcoming atmospheres, they complement the island’s natural beauty and cultural offerings.
Funchal Restaurants: Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for unforgettable culinary experiences in Madeira, Funchal restaurants will not disappoint. From Mediterranean flair and refined Madeiran cuisine to casual charm and international comfort, this city has something to satisfy every foodie’s appetite.
Whether you’re exploring solo, travelling as a couple, or taking the family for a well-deserved getaway, don’t miss these nine must-try restaurants. And remember: cruising around the island with a car from 7M Rent a Car ensures your dining adventures are as smooth as the flights of local Madeira wine.
Discover more about the Funchal Attractions: 10 Experiences to Add to Your List, in our guide.
