Top 15 Dishes to Try in Funchal

While Portugal is famous for its port wine, it also boasts a wide array of delicious delicacies to enjoy. If you’re on a European cruise, take a day to wander through the historic town of Funchal, where you can indulge in some of the finest cuisine Portugal has to offer. As the capital of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, this city enjoys its own political and administrative autonomy within Portugal.

There are numerous things to do in Funchal, ranging from shopping for leather footwear to watching skilled artisans create beautiful embroidered tablecloths. You can ride cable cars, visit stunning palaces, stroll through botanical gardens, and experience the famous snowless toboggan ride in Funchal. After all that excitement, take some time to relax and recharge. Here are 15 culinary delights to savor in Funchal.

1. Picadinho

For the best lunch experience in Funchal, you should try this traditional Madeiran beef dish. Small cubes of beef are seasoned with garlic and pepper before being fried. Picadinho is typically served on a platter for sharing, allowing diners to enjoy it family-style using toothpicks or forks.

2. Pastel de Nata

Among the many delicious offerings in Funchal, starting your day with a pastel de nata for breakfast is a must. These delightful mini pastries are flaky and crispy, filled with a light egg custard and a hint of lemon. Each Portuguese baker has their own secret recipe, but wherever you find them, you’re sure to become hooked on these sweet Madeiran treats.

3. Sugar Cane Honey Cookies

Madeiran sugar cane honey cookies evoke fond memories. These simple treats are crafted from wheat flour, eggs, and honey. Each bakery offers its own unique flavor, and you can even customize them with spices like anise or fennel. If you plan to take some home as souvenirs and gifts, be sure to choose cookies that are pre-packaged and unopened before boarding your ship.

4. Tropical Fruits

Fruit enthusiasts will delight in the wide selection of mangoes, papayas, pomegranates, grapes, bananas, and more available at Funchal’s Farmers Market. Don't miss the chance to try tabaibos (prickly pear), a juicy local favorite known as “figs of the devil,” which come from a type of cactus.

5. Carne Vinha D’Alhos

A distinctive snack you can find in Funchal is a traditional Christmas dish that is available all year round. This delightful dish is prepared using pork, white wine, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper, which marinate together for a couple of days. Look for carne vinha d’alhos at the Funchal Farmers Market.

6. Soups

While in Funchal, don’t miss out on two traditional Madeiran soups. The first is a hearty tomato and onion soup served with a poached egg and bread, a staple of Madeiran cuisine. Another specialty is Sopa de Trigo, or wheat soup, known for its thick, gummy texture due to the generous vegetables used in the recipe.

7. Cozido à Madeirense

If soup isn’t appealing to you, consider trying this renowned Madeiran stew made with salted pork, sausage, and a medley of vegetables. It is often accompanied by couscous, but a round of wheat bread would also pair wonderfully with it.

8. Espetada

This delicious beef dish is cooked over charcoal and then skewered on a metal or laurel stick. In Funchal, you’ll find restaurants equipped with tables featuring built-in grills to prepare the espetada right at your table. The dish is commonly served with fried maize (chunks of cooked corn flour) and bolo do caco (a type of bread).

9. Bolo do Caco

This is a type of wheat bread that you'll absolutely adore. It's flattened with rounded edges and is perfect when spread with melted garlic butter. It also serves as a delicious base for sandwiches filled with options like steak, ham, swordfish, and even octopus. For a delightful variation, try the bolo do caco made from sweet potatoes, generously drizzled with hot garlic butter.

10. Bife de Atum (Tuna Steak)

Tuna is a staple in Funchal and throughout Madeira, thanks to its abundance in the nearby waters. It's typically enjoyed as a steak. Be sure to try a tuna steak paired with fried maize, which consists of corn flour cooked and then cut into small cubes.

11. Black Scabbard fish

Funchal offers a wide variety of fish, including the popular espada, or black scabbard fish. This fish is particularly delicious when cooked with a sauce made from passion fruit and bananas, which is a specialty of Madeira.

12. Passion Fruit Pudding

Passion fruit is beloved in Madeira, with many different species used in a variety of dishes. The sweet and fragrant Passiflora edulis is especially popular for desserts and beverages. Be sure to try the pudding made with passion fruit pulp, jelly, condensed milk, and cream.

13. Cracas

If you have a passion for seafood, don’t miss out on this unique Funchal delicacy. Cracas are calcareous formations that cling to coastal rocks and are harvested by hammering them off. They deliver a distinct “ocean” flavor, making them a must-try for seafood lovers eager to taste this exquisite snack.

14. Port Wine

No visit to Funchal is complete without savoring the celebrated port wines of Madeira. Purchasing a bottle of port is one of the top souvenirs to bring home from Funchal, perfect for cherishing memories or sharing as gifts. Dinogo allows adults over 21 to bring back one 750 ml bottle, but it’s best to confirm with the cruise staff just to be sure.

15. Wine and Garlic Pork

Chunks of pork marinated in a mixture of white wine, garlic, vinegar, bay leaves, and pepper are cooked and served in a sandwich. While this dish is a Christmas favorite, it can be found throughout the year in Funchal.

Beyond indulging in the culinary delights of Funchal, you’ll also have the opportunity to discover more of Portugal’s treasures. A Dinogo cruise can take you to the vibrant city of Lisbon, the historic port of Leixões (Porto), and the stunning volcanic landscapes of Ponta Delgada (Azores). Just make sure to soak in every moment of Funchal’s enchanting atmosphere before continuing on your European adventure.