Madeira Trip — Restaurant Guide

Group: 9 people (4 adults + 5 kids ages 15, 14, 13, 12, 8)

Book ahead for all dinners — a table of 9 fills up fast in peak season.


1. Restaurante Vista Balancal

Day Day 2 — Thu, May 28th
Meal Late lunch, 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Address Rua do Balancal 29, Sao Goncalo, Funchal 9060-414
Phone +351 291 603 747
Hours Lunch & dinner (closed some evenings — check ahead)
Reservations Yes — via TheFork or by phone
Book at TheFork
Price range $$
Kid-friendly Yes

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Great sunset views over Funchal bay. Request a window table when booking.


2. O Tasco da Rita

Day Day 3 — Fri, May 29th
Meal Lunch, 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Address Funchal center (near Old Town)
Phone +315 291 764 522
Hours Breakfast & lunch (typically closes mid-afternoon)
Reservations Walk-in friendly, but call ahead for 9 people
Book at Phone: +315 291 764 522
Price range $ – $$ (very affordable)
Kid-friendly Yes — generous portions, home-cooked style

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Rustic, homey atmosphere. Portions are large — consider sharing plates with the kids.


3. Casa das Espetadas

Day Day 3 — Fri, May 29th
Meal Dinner, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Address Near Estrada Monumental, Funchal
Phone Check TripAdvisor listing for latest number
Hours Open Thu–Sun evenings only
Reservations Highly recommended — call ahead or walk in early
Book at Phone (no online booking)
Price range $$
Kid-friendly Yes — lively atmosphere with live music

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Wood-fired cooking, live local music nightly. This is THE place for espetada in Funchal. Open only Thu–Sun, so Friday works perfectly. Arrive by 7:30 PM to get a good table for 9.


4. Praia Formosa Snack Bar

Day Day 4 — Sat, May 30th
Meal Lunch, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Address Praia Formosa beach, Funchal
Hours Daytime (beach hours)
Reservations No — walk-in only
Price range $ (casual beach food)
Kid-friendly Yes — right on the sand

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Super casual, right on the beach. Perfect post-canyoning refuel. No need to book.


5. Restaurante Gaviao Novo

Day Day 4 — Sat, May 30th
Meal Dinner, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Address Near Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal
Phone Check TripAdvisor or Google Maps
Hours Lunch & dinner daily
Reservations Yes — call ahead for a table of 9
Book at Phone
Price range $$
Kid-friendly Yes — spacious, lively atmosphere

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Steps from the fish market, so the seafood is as fresh as it gets. Spacious enough for large groups.


6. Mercado dos Lavradores Area (Lunch Spots)

Day Day 5 — Sun, May 31st
Meal Lunch, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Address Mercado dos Lavradores, Rua Latino Coelho, Funchal
Hours Market open 7 AM – 7 PM (closed Sundays — grab food from nearby cafes)
Reservations No — casual grazing
Price range $
Kid-friendly Yes

Most popular dishes / things to try:

Notes: Sunday the market itself may be closed, but surrounding cafes and bakeries are open. Great for a casual graze after whale watching.


7. Restaurante Informal

Day Day 5 — Sun, May 31st
Meal Dinner, 7:15 PM – 9:15 PM
Address Near Se Cathedral, Funchal center
Phone Check Google Maps for latest number
Hours Lunch & dinner
Reservations Recommended — call ahead for 9
Book at Phone
Price range $$
Kid-friendly Yes — relaxed, cozy vibe

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Located in the heart of Funchal near the cathedral. Tapas-style sharing plates work great for a group with kids — everyone picks what they like.


8. Lunch near Seixal (North Coast)

Day Day 6 — Mon, June 1st
Meal Lunch, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Address Seixal area, north coast
Reservations Walk-in (small local spots)
Price range $ – $$
Kid-friendly Yes

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Small local restaurants near Seixal beach. Casual, no need to book. Look for spots along the main road with ocean views.


9. Frango da Guia Garajau

Day Day 6 — Mon, June 1st
Meal Dinner, 7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
Address Garajau, Canico, Madeira
Phone Check TheFork or Google Maps
Hours 1:00 PM – 11:15 PM
Reservations Yes — via TheFork or phone
Book at TheFork
Price range $ – $$ (great value)
Kid-friendly Yes — casual, big portions

Most popular dishes:

Notes: A local favorite for grilled chicken. Affordable and generous portions — perfect for feeding 9. The chicken alone is worth the trip. On the way back from the north coast toward Palheiro Village.


10. Faja dos Padres

Day Day 7 — Tue, June 2nd
Meal Early lunch, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Address Estrada Padre Antonio Dinis Henriques 1, Quinta Grande, Camara de Lobos 9300-261
Phone +351 291 944 538
Hours 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last cable car up at 6 PM)
Reservations Not required but recommended for 9 — call ahead
Book at Phone: +351 291 944 538
Price range $$ ($15–$30 per person)
Kid-friendly Yes — the cable car ride is an adventure for kids

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Truly unique experience — you take a cable car 300m down a cliff to reach this secluded restaurant on the beach. Food is made with produce from their own organic farm. Arrive early (before 11 AM) to beat the lunch rush. Make sure to arrange transport back — no bus route nearby.


11. Montanha Restaurant

Day Day 7 — Tue, June 2nd
Meal Dinner, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Address Funchal area (from your original trip plan)
Phone Check Google Maps
Hours Lunch & dinner
Reservations Recommended for 9 — call ahead
Book at Phone
Price range $$
Kid-friendly Yes

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Traditional Madeiran restaurant. Solid choice for a hearty dinner after a beach day.


12. Mercado de Machico Area

Day Day 8 — Wed, June 3rd
Meal Lunch, 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Address Machico town center, near the market
Reservations Walk-in (casual local spots)
Price range $ – $$
Kid-friendly Yes

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Casual lunch after the Ponta de Sao Lourenco hike. Several small restaurants around the Machico market area. No need to book — just walk in.


13. Casal da Penha

Day Day 8 — Wed, June 3rd
Meal Dinner, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Address Funchal (near city center)
Phone +351 291 227 674
Website casaldapenha.com
Hours Mon–Sat, 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM (closed Sundays)
Reservations Yes — highly recommended for 9
Book at Phone: +351 291 227 674 or website
Price range $$ – $$$
Kid-friendly Yes
Michelin Bib Gourmand

Most popular dishes:

Notes: Michelin Bib Gourmand — one of the best restaurants in Funchal. Family-run: the father cooks, traditional flavors with generous portions. Beautiful terrace with views. This is your farewell dinner in Madeira — book well in advance for a table of 9. Wednesday works since they're closed Sundays.


Quick Reference — Reservation Checklist

# Restaurant Day Meal Reservation needed? How to book
1 Vista Balancal May 28 Lunch Yes TheFork / phone
2 O Tasco da Rita May 29 Lunch Call ahead Phone
3 Casa das Espetadas May 29 Dinner Yes Phone (Thu–Sun only)
4 Praia Formosa snack bar May 30 Lunch No Walk-in
5 Gaviao Novo May 30 Dinner Yes Phone
6 Mercado area May 31 Lunch No Walk-in
7 Restaurante Informal May 31 Dinner Yes Phone
8 Seixal local spot Jun 1 Lunch No Walk-in
9 Frango da Guia Garajau Jun 1 Dinner Yes TheFork / phone
10 Faja dos Padres Jun 2 Lunch Recommended Phone: +351 291 944 538
11 Montanha Restaurant Jun 2 Dinner Yes Phone
12 Machico local spot Jun 3 Lunch No Walk-in
13 Casal da Penha Jun 3 Dinner Yes Phone: +351 291 227 674